Easy free viewing-platform hike; hikers-only trail; low-elevation trail clear of snow by mid-May.
Low-elevation trail typically clear of snow by mid-May.
Panther Creek Falls is an easy waterfall hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Carson, featuring a viewing platform as the destination. The trail is low-elevation, making it one of the earlier-season options in the region—typically clear of snow by mid-May.
The trail is designated as hiker-only, so dogs may not be permitted. Confirm the current dog policy with the Forest Service before your visit. There is no entrance or parking fee. The Forest Service describes it as “less than one mile” to the viewing platform, though official round-trip distance is not specified.
Late spring through fall. The low elevation means the trail is usually clear of snow by mid-May, making this an earlier-season option than higher-elevation waterfalls.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Dogs may not be permitted; this is a hiker-only trail. Contact Forest Service to confirm current dog policy if you wish to bring pets.
No fee or permit requirement was published on the managing agency's site when we last checked — confirm current conditions before you go, since these change.
The managing agency's page (linked below) has the current trailhead and route details — round-trip distance wasn't published when we checked.
We track 11 waterfalls in North Cascades.
There are 2 other waterfalls we track in Skamania County. All North Cascades waterfalls →
fs.usda.gov
USFS Gifford Pinchot National Forest official Trail #137 page, checked Aug 2026; page describes hike as 'less than one mile' to viewing platform without specifying one-way vs. round trip, so mileage left null; no current closure found on forest alerts page
Checked August 2026.