Elk Creek Falls

Elk Creek Falls is a triple-tiered spectacle in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, with three separate waterfalls totaling over 140 feet of combined drop spread along a forested canyon. The middle falls at 70 feet is the star — a powerful plunge into a churning pool surrounded by moss-covered boulders and old-growth cedar. The upper and lower falls at 20 and 50 feet respectively each have their own character, creating a waterfall sampler that justifies the trip to this remote corner of north-central Idaho.

The 2.6-mile loop trail visits all three waterfalls via separate spur trails branching off the main path, with about 650 feet of elevation change through dense forest. Each waterfall has a viewing platform or clearing, and the connecting trail passes through some of the finest remaining old-growth cedar and grand fir forest in the region. The middle falls spur includes a steep descent to the pool, where swimming is possible on warm days.

June through September provides the best trail conditions, with peak water flow in May and June. The drive to the trailhead on forest roads requires about 50 miles of travel from Moscow — remote but well-signed. Elk Creek Falls was designated a National Recreation Trail for its outstanding scenery.