Panther Creek Falls

Panther Creek Falls Parking
4.6
13 Reviews
Panther Creek Falls
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Details

Distance
0.64 miles
Elevation Gain
180 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Family Friendly
Forest
Easy Parking
Waterfall
Dog Friendly
Scenic
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Track

About this place

Added by Angela Service

Panther Creek Falls is a 130 ft. unique waterfall that is a hidden gem in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It's a short, less than 0.3-mile hike down to the viewing platform.

This hidden beauty is just north of Carson, Washington. Watch for Panther Creek campground signs and follow the twisting road about 7 miles to a rock quarry and park there. The trail begins just off the road about 50 yards back - keep an eye out for signs for the trailhead and listen for the falls. From here it's a short walk to a wooden viewing platform with a well maintained trail. It's a nice shady area and a good spot to picnic. There are no garbage cans, so make sure you gather everything you bring in and don't leave anything behind. This is the family and pet friendly part of the hike.

If you're feeling adventurous, hike/scramble/climb your way down to the base of the falls if you can do it safely. It is very steep and slippery and more for the advanced hiker. 200 ft. downstream is another spectacular waterfall and just as difficult to get to as the first one. Be cautious and keep your children and pets at home if you're venturing to this waterfall.

Check the USDA Forrest Service website for more information on Panther Creek Falls Trail #137.

Falls Coordinates:
N45º 52.031', W121º 49.688'

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Leonardo Rodriguez
3/14/2025
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Jennifer Carr
11/4/2020
Easy hike to an incredible waterfall!
This simple hike takes you to a breathtaking waterfall. It's a little hard to find off the road, so look for other cars!
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Josh Davis
7/25/2020
Great
Really enjoyed easy hike
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Clayton Lukens
6/21/2020
Great for out of towners
We brought my brother’s girlfriend here and she really enjoyed it. She’s not too fond of hiking so we knew the 0.5 miles would ...
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Tien Dang
5/20/2020
My Favorite Waterfall
I went on this hike a few years back, so I'm not sure what updates have been made, but I made the trek out ...
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Miles Bergsma
2/20/2020
Do NOT Scramble down below!
I can't believe this website is condoning off-trail behavior. Between websites like this and social media, no wonder places like this are getting ...
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Josh Bailey
3/29/2017
Panther Creek Road Not passable Right Now
I can't give a review of Panther Creek Falls because I was unable to make it there due to Panther Creek Road (NF-65). Should ...
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Jeremy Meek
3/6/2017
Epic Waterfall - One of My Favorites!!
Assuming weather conditions allow you to safely descend to the base of Panther Creek Falls and view the falls from "The Cauldron", do it. ...
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Matt Purciel
11/1/2016
Amazing waterfall
I've been here three times and each time the waterfall is different. It's such a unique waterfall and a great one to photograph. Just ...
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Kevin Li
7/22/2016
Easy & Pretty
It took a while to find the trailhead because "Falls-->" was etched onto the ground. But the waterfall was quite stunning. It reminds me ...
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Mark Chargualaf
6/16/2016
Amazing And Easy
The view from the platform is great, but if you want the true experience, you need to climb down to the bottom of the ...
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Austin Jackson
3/15/2016
Unique Falls
One of the most unique falls in the PNW. This is a must see for anyone in the area. I would also recommend scrambling ...
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Jason Hatfield
1/1/2016
This is my 2nd favorite falls in the PNW, it's just incredible! Be careful if you scramble to the bottom, but it's completely worth ...
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