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Lewis River Recreation Area
Advanced reservations via Recreation.gov are required daily during the busy visitor season June 15 - September 06. Reserved tickets must be purchased on-line and printed before you travel.
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The Lewis River Recreation Area is a 10-mile corridor, situated alongside the Lewis River and Forest Road 90 within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This popular recreation area is located 26 miles east of Cougar, and 29 miles west of Trout Lake, WA. This area provides access to the popular Lewis River Trail #31, and associated waterfall viewing.
The area includes Lower Falls Campground & Day Use area, Lewis River Horse Camp, and parking areas associated with Crab Creek, Middle Falls, Platinum Creek, Upper Falls (Quartz Creek), and Wright Meadows.
Visitors camping at Lewis River Horse Camp or Lower Falls Campground do not need a parking reservation to park at their site.
Read Frequently Asked Questions. View a Lewis River Recreation Area MAP .
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 09/06/2024: Parking Reservation Tickets are no longer required. Tickets will again be required starting sometime in May, 2025. The LRRA is a 10-mile corridor along FR 90 that begins at FR 9075 and ends just east of the Speed Trail. In the summer season Parking Reservation Tickets are required to park at designated Trailheads in this area. When required the Parking Reservation Tickets are available from Recreation.gov. For further information contact the Mt. Adams Ranger Station, 509-395-3402. |
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| Reservations: | Advanced reservations via Recreation.gov are required daily during the busy visitor season from June 15 through September 6. Reserved tickets must be purchased on-line and printed before you travel. To avoid a fine, the reserved ticket must be displayed on your dashboard while parked at one of the six designated parking areas. |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | Summer |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: | Cougar, WA; Trout Lake, WA |
| Water: | Water is available at Lower Falls |
| Restroom: | Toilets at Lower Falls and Lewis River Horse Camp |
| Passes: | A valid Recreation Pass is required at Lower Falls Day Use. |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Mount Adams Ranger District (509) 395-3400 |
General Information
Directions:From Cougar, Washington drive east on Highway 503 for about 33 miles to the campground. Just past the Pine Creek Information Center the highway intersects with Forest Road 25. Keep right at this intersection and stay on Highway 503. At the Forest Boundary Highway 503 becomes Forest Road 90. Continue east on Forest Road 90. The entrance to the Recreation Area will be signed.
From Trout Lake, Washington take Highway 141 west past the Ranger District office to Trout Lake Creek Road. Turn right on Trout Lake Creek Road and continue to the forest boundary where Trout Lake Creek Road becomes Forest Road 88. Stay on Forest Road 88, bearing to the right at the Big Tire intersection, to the tee intersection with Forest Road 90. Turn left on Forest Road 90 and continue to the Lewis River Recreation Area entrance which will be signed along the road.
Map
Select image to view a map of the Lewis River Recreation Area:
Activities
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Platinum Creek Day-Use Parking (Lewis River)
- Site: Lower Falls Day Use
- Trailhead: Crab Creek
- Trailhead: Middle Falls
- Trail #31C Middle Falls
- Trailhead: Upper Falls/Quartz Creek
- Trailhead: Wright Meadows
- Trail #80 Wright Meadow
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Platinum Creek Day-Use Parking (Lewis River)
- Trailhead: Crab Creek
- Trailhead: Middle Falls
- Trail #80 Wright Meadow
Horse Camping
Recreation areas with activity Horse Camping:Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:- Horse Camp: Lewis River
- Platinum Creek Day-Use Parking (Lewis River)
- Trail #31C Middle Falls
- Trail #80 Wright Meadow