Elk Creek Falls - Hiking in North Idaho - Coeur d'Alene, ID

Elk Creek Falls - Hiking in North Idaho

by BookwormCDA on 07/30/08 at 8:48 pm

Signs at the Elk Creek Falls trailhead give information about the area. My family and I recently joined the ranks of hundreds of hikers and walkers nationwide who have hiked to the Elk Creek Falls. The falls are located in Clearwater National Forest about 3 miles south of the town of Elk River, where there are some great camping spots. They are a relatively easy hike and the three trails lead you to the upper, middle and lower falls; he total combined height of which is an impressive 300 feet.
Elk Creek Falls consists of three waterfalls with a length of 300 feet. Viewing spots are located at all three of the Elk Creek Falls.
I hiked to only the upper and middle falls, not the lower falls area before my children decided it was time to call it quits. The hike is really easy and can be done with small children and even those in a backpack. We saw several elderly couples in regular shoes walking to the nearest lookout point. At each of the falls you will find really nice viewing areas that give you some spectacular views of not only the falls, but the foliage and the wildlife. The area seems to be a birdwatcher’s paradise, and small woodland creatures and game also frequent the area around the falls.
Signs give you history of the old schoolhouse that used to sit along the Elk Creek Falls trails. The Elk Creek Falls Trail used to be an old wagon road.
As you begin your hike to the falls you will find signs that give you a little history of the area, and also a sign-in book for guests. I was surprised to see that in the past week alone the falls had visits from people as far as Long Island, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have never gone on a hike where I was able to place my name down and brag about having been there. Throughout the hike you will find other signs that tell you about where the old schoolhouse used to be, and about the logging that used to be done in the area.
The view of the upper falls of the Elk Creek Falls is stunning.
Although the drive from Moscow, Idaho to the Elk Creek Falls is only an hour, it will take you about three hours to travel there from the Coeur d’Alene area. With the Elk River Recreation area nearby you will find some great camping and fishing spots to make this hike worth the trip.
Amazing views can be seen from every angle on the Elk Creek Falls trail. The water running down from the Elk Creek Falls runs dangerously fast.
For directions to the falls and more information on the area please visit the Elk River Lodge website. Here you will find trail maps, information on area fishing and camping, and local businesses.