Lower Devil Creek Falls | World Waterfall Database

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This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

Through no small feat, but rather small volume, Devil Creek has created itself quite an impressive canyon over the years. The final 3/4 of a mile of the creek is spend meandering through a twisting 100 foot deep slot gorge. If that weren't enough for the geology nuts out there, add Boulder Cave and this pretty waterfall to the picture. The falls begin by sliding 10 feet over a rugged pitch of basalt (I had previously listed this 10-foot fall as Middle Devil Creek Falls, but it should be considered part of the main fall itself) into a flume-like portion of the canyon, then bends left and encounters a slot in the ground no more than a foot wide where the creek sprays into a large, dark, undercut amphitheater recess. It's almost like an underground waterfall, quite surreal. The creek then enters 500 foot long Boulder Cave, formed where the water undercut the canyon so deeply that it collapsed on itself. The creek now flows through the cave, and proceeds downstream, flowing placidly through the narrow canyon until it enters the Naches River. If you plan on walking through the cave (why wouldn't you), don't forget to bring a light or lantern. There is a $5.00 fee for day use at Boulder Cave (the various recreation passes do not not cover this location).

HISTORY AND NAMES

Lower Devil Creek Falls is the Adopted name of this waterfall

Location and directions

Located near Cliffdell, off Highway 410, east of Mount Rainier National Park. On Highway 410, proceed just under 27 miles east of Chinook Pass, or 4.7 miles west of the Naches Ranger Station, to Old River Road (FR 1704), signed for Boulder Cave. Follow Old River Road to its end at the Boulder Cave Recreation Area. Follow the marked trail towards Boulder Cave, reaching the upper entrance in 1/2 mile. Before entering the cave, depart the trail, and walk up the rocky streambed for 500 feet to the bottom of the falls. After passing through the cave, and as long as the creek isn't running high, I recommend walking back to the parking lot through the canyon. It doesn't involve any technical climbing of any sort, but you will have to wade through knee deep water at one point, so bring your sandals. If you don't wish to walk down the canyon, the trail through the cave and back to the car is 1 1/2 miles round trip.

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Lower Devil Creek Falls is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

Additional Nearby Waterfalls

Name of Waterfall	Distance
Devil Creek Falls	0.37 mi / 0.6 km
Horsetail Falls	2.74 mi / 4.38 km
West Quartz Creek Falls	4.37 mi / 6.99 km

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Photography tips

Even during the brightest times of day, because of the narrow recess the falls are situated in, it is always unusually dark at this waterfall, but that also means it's usually shaded as well, so very few contrast issues. There may be as little as an hour out of the day when the sun actually might pose a problem here. Always bring a tripod to this one, even if it's totally clear out.

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Lower Devil Creek Falls Yakima County, Washington, United States