Spirit Falls: A Hidden Gem Waterfall Hike in the Columbia River Gorge

Hiking to Spirit Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is a short but unforgettable adventure that drops steeply through the forest to one of the most stunning waterfalls on Washington’s side of the Gorge. Tucked along the Little White Salmon River, Spirit Falls is famous for its powerful turquoise plunge, mossy basalt walls, and wild, almost hidden feel that makes the hike seem far more remote than it really is. While the trail is brief, it is steep, rugged, and slippery in places, making the reward at the bottom feel well earned. For hikers searching for one of the best waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, Spirit Falls delivers an incredible payoff with dramatic scenery, emerald-blue water, and one of the most photogenic waterfalls in Washington.

Trailhead elevation 860'

Water filterable from the Little Salmon River beyond the falls

Don't miss hanging around to see kayakers plunge over the falls - if you're lucky

Hiking to Spirit Falls

The unofficial, unmarked trailhead for Spirit Falls begins at a small pull-off along Cook Underwood Road, roughly 2 miles north of Cook, Washington, near coordinates 45.725785, -121.638608. Parking is limited to only a handful of vehicles, but because Spirit Falls remains one of the more obscure waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, the small roadside lot rarely fills.

From the pull-off, the hike to Spirit Falls begins beside a telephone pole on a well-worn path that wastes no time dropping steeply toward the Little White Salmon River. Almost immediately, the trail plunges down loose, rocky terrain, offering beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge before disappearing beneath the forest canopy.

A few hundred yards in, the route enters a dense forest of Douglas fir, western red cedar, bigleaf maple, sword fern, and thick moss. From here, the descent becomes even steeper. In several places, hikers may need to use their hands for balance, and anyone without solid traction will quickly understand why many people end up scooting down sections of the trail.

Around 0.4 miles from the trailhead, the path passes an old landslide before briefly leveling out. Even this close, Spirit Falls remains completely hidden. The roar of the Little White Salmon River may echo through the trees, but the waterfall itself stays concealed behind the thick forest and deep basalt canyon.

One final steep descent leads hikers down through a small stream and toward the river.

Upon reaching the Little White Salmon River, hikers are rewarded with a spectacular upstream view of Spirit Falls. While the vantage point offers an incredible first look at the waterfall, it is also exposed and requires caution, as the uneven terrain and nearby drop-offs present a hazard.

The route then follows a narrow path above the water, skirting a cliff roughly 30 feet above the rushing river below. This exposed section adds one last dose of drama before arriving at the falls. The 35-foot waterfall pours into an impossibly turquoise plunge pool, framed by dark basalt walls, mist, moss, and dense Columbia River Gorge forest. It's not the tallest waterfall in the Gorge, but few waterfalls in Washington can match its wild beauty.

The brilliant turquoise color of the river is one of the defining features of Spirit Falls. The almost Caribbean-like water comes from fine glacial rock flour suspended in the river. Beginning high in the southern Cascades, snowmelt carries microscopic volcanic and mineral particles downstream. As sunlight hits those particles, the river takes on the legendary turquoise glow that makes Spirit Falls one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Spirit Falls is also more than a hiking destination. The Little White Salmon River is one of the premier Class V whitewater kayaking runs in North America, and Spirit Falls is one of its most famous drops. On the right day, hikers may find expert kayakers launch over the lip of the waterfall and disappear into the churning blue pool below, adding even more energy to an already unforgettable experience.

Interestingly, the origin of the name “Spirit Falls” remains unclear. Unlike waterfalls such as Elowah Falls or Wahclella Falls, whose names are tied to regional Native traditions, no well-documented record explains how Spirit Falls received its name. Many visitors assume the name comes from the almost mystical atmosphere of the canyon—its constant mist, turquoise water, echoing roar, and hidden forest setting—but that remains speculation rather than established history.

After taking in the view, hikers simply return the way they came, climbing roughly 550 feet in just 0.75 miles back to the trailhead. The hike out is short, but it is every bit as demanding as the descent. For those willing to tackle the steep, rugged route, hiking to Spirit Falls delivers one of the most dramatic waterfall experiences on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.