Just An Hour From Portland, This Lush Washington Park Is Full Of Cascading Waterfalls

The Pacific Northwest is a particularly good place for waterfalls, so much so that the mountain range that makes up the region's spine is called the Cascades. The western slope of these emerald hills and volcanic peaks is home to thousands of falls and cataracts. During the hottest days of summer, people head to their favorites to escape the scorching temperatures.

Like this swimming hole with cliffs and a natural water slide, Moulton Falls sits about an hour from Portland on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It has long attracted locals for its cascades, deep pools, and lush forested setting where visitors can relax, swim, picnic, or take a hike through the idyllic surroundings.

While no secret to residents of nearby Vancouver, Washington, Moulton Falls may get overlooked by Portlanders who opt for the cascades in their own backyard, such as these two waterfalls known as the Niagara Falls of Oregon. However, with the Portland area's summer temperatures regularly reaching into the high-80s and 90s, residents will only benefit from more choices of places to head to beat the heat.

Moulton Falls Regional Park is a 387-acre reserve situated near where the East Fork of the Lewis River and Big Tree Creek meet in the hills outside of Vancouver, Washington. At just 10 feet high, the falls the park is named for won't win any awards for size, but they are beautiful nonetheless. Plus, the deep swimming hole they form is the perfect spot for a summer dip, drawing plenty of swimmers when things get sizzling.

The park's most iconic feature is the over three-story-high arched wooden bridge spanning the river. It adds a wonderful old-school touch to the surroundings while doubling as a viewing platform for visitors. While you may be tempted to jump from the bridge into the pool below, you can be seriously injured doing this, so it's not recommended. 

Be aware that swimming in Moulton Falls Regional Park is entirely at your own risk, as there are no lifeguards on duty. And like most any river in the Pacific Northwest, the park's waters run ice-cold, even in the peak of summer, so don't stay in too long, as you could risk hypothermia. Luckily, there are a lot of big rocks that receive plenty of sunshine, so if you find yourself feeling chilled, just bask in the soothing rays for a few minutes until you warm up.

The area around Moulton Falls Regional Park also boasts a number of good hiking trails, some of which feature bigger cascades. The Yacolt Falls Loop heads through the park, over the wooden bridge, and takes you to Yacolt Falls (also known as Big Tree Falls), an over 20-foot, two-tier drop that is arguably the most impressive in the park. The nearby Lucia Falls Trail is a short .6-mile out-and-back path to another of the area's great waterfalls.

The Moulton Falls and Bells Mountain Loop is a moderately challenging 6.9-mile circuit path that starts at the park and follows the East Fork Lewis River before climbing steeply to the top of Bells Mountain, a 1,500-foot rise with stunning views of Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens.

Moulton Falls Regional Park is 30 miles northeast of Vancouver, Washington, and aside from the river and cascades, it also features a picnic area. On hot days, the parking lot can fill up by noon, so make sure to get there early. Travelers willing to make a detour southwest can find more Pacific Northwest beauty at Secret Beach, one of the prettiest places in Oregon.