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North
Idaho and Sandpoint Area Waterfalls
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Things to Do & Places to See
Post Falls
is
fed by the Spokane River in Kootenai County, ID
At Falls Park,
in the heart of downtown, venture onto a platform overlooking a narrow
canyon at the site of Post Falls dam, and view a dramatic, 40-foot roaring
waterfall. Enjoy interpretive trails, playgrounds, picnic facilities and a
stocked fishing pond for kids with wheelchair access. In the vicinity is
Q'emiln (ka-mee-lon) Park. This beautiful city beach has a public boat
launch, lifeguards in season, and a shady picnic area in the pines.
Rambiker
Falls, Fern Falls,
and
Shadow
Falls are fed by an unknown source in Shoshone County, ID
All three of these relatively unknown waterfalls lie within Idaho’s Shoshone
County in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Little information exists in
reference to Rambiker Falls, but it appears on topographic maps that a road
passes by the falls while hiking towards St. Joe Lake near the Bitterroot
Divide. Directions to Fern Falls and Shadow Falls are vague, but it is known
that both are located in Shoshone County north of Kellogg near Prichard. To
reach Fern Falls, situated at an elevation of 3,280 feet, as well as the
25-foot cascade of Shadow Falls, follow Yellow Dog Trail paralleling Yellow
Dog Creek. Hiking for approximately 100 to 300 yards, visitors can readily
reach the falls for best viewing in spring and early summer.
Here are our
best directions. Drive 23 miles on the Coeur d'Alene River Road to Prichard,
then drive on Forest Service Road 298 for 14.2 miles to Yellow Dog Road No.
513. Go two miles to the switchback marking Forest Service Road 1568. Follow
this for about a mile to Trail 513. This trail offers a view of a scenic
20-25 foot waterfall cascading over a moss-covered rock face: A split log
footbridge with rustic log rails crosses the creek below the falls allowing
hikers access under and behind the waterfall.
Rapid Lightning Falls
is fed by Rapid Lightning Creek in Bonner County, ID
With a 20-30 foot drop, these falls are easy access. Park at the turnaround
in the road, and follow the trails. Be advised that the falls are not on
public lands. Turn east onto Scenic Route 200 from US Highway 2/95 and
proceed 6 miles; after turning north (left) on Colburn-Culver Road, drive
2.9 miles and bear right at the schoolhouse onto Rapid Lightning Creek Road
#629; continue 3.4 miles, stopping at an unmarked turnout
Smith Falls
is fed by Smith Creek in Boundary County, ID
The falls drop 50-60 feet and are accessible by, and can be viewed from your
car. Follow the posted rules, ‘cuz the falls and viewing area are on private
property. For easy access, drive north on US Highway 95 past Bonners Ferry
15 miles. Turn north onto Scenic Road 1 drive another mile before turning
west (left) onto an unmarked, paved road; go another 5 miles, crossing the
Kootenai River; at West Side Road #417, bear north (right) to locate a
marked viewing area of the falls in approximately 8 miles
Snow Creek
Falls
is fed by Snow Lake in Boundary County, ID
Snow Lake is
one of our many beautiful Alpine lakes, and is fed by the surrounding
creeks. There are two falls, one upper, one lower, but the upper is the one
to see. A wooden walkway takes you to the very edge of roaring upper Snow
Creek Falls. The volume of water surprises many, and there are several more
falls along the way to the lower falles. The lower falls drop 50-75 feet in
multiple tiers as Snow Creek divides.There is a very good trail, with
boardwalks and benches.Take
US Highway 2/95 south past Bonner’s Ferry for 2.5 miles; bear right at the
golf course onto Moravia Road, drive anotherr 3 miles; at West Side Road
#417, turn right and go 2 miles to a parking turnout.
Torrelle Falls
is fed by the west Branch Priest River in Bonner County, ID
The falls descend from a narrow stream into a pool below. Torrelle Falls is
easily accessible by vehicle. At the bottom of the cataract’s 10 to 15 foot
descent, visitors will find a unique restaurant extending across the West
Branch Priest River. At Priest River, ID, depart US Highway 2 onto Scenic
Route 57; continue 8.5 miles north to locate the falls on the west side of
the road.
Upper Priest Falls
is fed by the Upper Priest River in Bonner County, ID
Also known as American Falls, to form a distinction from Canadian Falls
located farther upstream, the falls drop 100-125 feet . In a lonely section
of Idaho’s Northwestern Panhandle, the hike is formidable, best times are
early summer through fall. Take Scenic Route (SR) 57 for 37 miles from
Priest River, ID to Nordman, ID; passing through Nordman, continue on SR 57
(which turns into Granite Creek Road #30 2 miles past Nordman) for 13 more
miles and take the entrance road to Stagger Inn Camp; here, proceed north on
Road #302 for 1.7 miles and then turn right on Road #1013, which later
becomes Road #637; drive approximately 11.5 miles and park at the Upper
Priest River Trailhead #308From Trailhead #308, visitors should be prepared
to take a difficult day hike along a 9-mile trail that winds along Upper
Priest River and ends at the falls. Alternatively, if your four-wheel drive
vehicle has high clearance, continue driving for another 11 miles along Road
#637 until you reach Continental Trail #28. Hike north on Trail #28 for 0.7
mile, turning right on Trail #308 for the final 1.5 miles to the falls.
Wellington Creek Falls
is fed by Wellington Creek in Bonner County, ID
With a drop of 50-75 feet, the falls are abundantly surrounded by fawna and
foliage. To reach the falls, turn east off U.S 2/95 onto Scenic Route 200
and drive 12.2 miles to Trestle Creek Road #275 where you will turn east
(left) and continue for 13 miles to Lightning Creek Road #419; turn south
(right) and proceed along Lightning Creek Road past Char Falls for 4.2 miles
until you arrive at Augor Road #489; bearing west (right), go across
Lightning Creek to a bumpy road on your left; further vehicle access does
require 4-wheel drive, but visitors can choose to hike the road.
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