Crystal Falls is a waterfall in Stevens County, Washington, about 12 miles east of Colville. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.
At a glance
- Location
- Stevens County, WA
- Nearest town
- Colville (12 mi)
- Visitor rating
- 4.7 from 44 reviews
- Crowds
- Quieter
- Access
- Easy access reported
- Coordinates
- 48.51219, -117.65679
- USGS topo
- Park Rapids quad
Weather at Crystal Falls
Full NWS forecastForecast for the waterfall's exact location, not the nearest town. Mountain weather can change quickly.
Loading the forecast...
Source: National Weather Service.
Conditions at Crystal Falls
Sun and Daylight Today
- Sunrise
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- Sunset
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- Daylight
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- Golden hour
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Times in Los Angeles time. Canyons and steep valleys lose direct sun earlier.
Elevation
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At the mapped waterfall point, from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Expect cooler temperatures than in nearby towns at lower elevation.
Nearest Stream Gauge
Checking for USGS gauges within about 8 miles...
Live discharge in cubic feet per second (ft³/s). The gauge may be on a different stream than the falls; use the trend as a rough guide to how much water is running in the area.
Getting there
Crystal Falls sits about 12 miles east of Colville in Stevens County. Navigate to the coordinates 48.51219, -117.65679, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away. Reviewers describe the approach with "easy walk".
Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Crystal Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.
Washington's falls are split among national parks, national forests and state lands. State parks and Department of Natural Resources lands generally require a Discover Pass, while many national forest trailheads require a Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass, and the national parks charge entrance fees. Popular trailheads along I-90 and US 2 fill early on weekends, and Snoqualmie Falls draws crowds year-round. Hazards vary by region: in the Cascades and Olympics, cold, swift glacial and snowmelt rivers, moss-slick logs and rocks, and winter avalanche paths; at Palouse Falls, unfenced basalt cliffs where people have fallen to their deaths. Wildfire smoke and closures can affect eastern Cascade trails in late summer.
What to bring
This checklist is tailored to Crystal Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Washington. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.
- Offline map and coordinates. Save 48.51219, -117.65679 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
- Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
- Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
- A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
- Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.
How to prepare
Timing
West of the Cascades, rain sustains falls for much of the year, but the most powerful flows come with spring snowmelt from about April through June and again with autumn and winter rains. Higher falls such as those around Paradise on Mount Rainier are often snowbound until early summer, so July and August are the main season there. In eastern Washington, Palouse Falls and Spokane Falls peak with spring runoff, usually from March to May, and both drop considerably by late summer. Winter brings heavy rain at low elevations and deep snow in the mountains, closing some park roads and making approaches like the Franklin Falls trail prone to avalanches. Summer weekends bring the heaviest crowds. With 44 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.
Safety
Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.
Respect the place
Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.
What visitors say
Crystal Falls holds a 4.7-star average across 44 Google reviews, and 77% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Stevens County. Visitors have shared 140 photos.
The topics that come up most in reviews: trailspicnic areascenic viewseasy walkviewlocationshoeswaterfallrocks
See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.
History of the area
Crystal Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on September 10, 1979, and it appears on the USGS Park Rapids 7.5-minute topographic map.
Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Cedar Creek (stream, 0.3 mi), Prospect Creek (stream, 0.7 mi), Camp Creek (stream, 1.4 mi), and Aspen Creek (stream, 1.6 mi).
Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington. Eastern Washington's falls are shaped by basalt and by the Ice Age floods that swept across the region. Palouse Falls, described as dropping 200 feet into a winding canyon, is the centerpiece of a state park in Franklin County and is one of the most dramatic sights in the interior Northwest. In Spokane, Spokane Falls roars through the city center beside Riverfront Park, especially during spring runoff. Lincoln County's Hawk Creek Falls lies near Lake Roosevelt, and Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry counties hold falls on forested rivers near Kettle Falls and the Canadian border. Grant County's coulees preserve dry falls left by the floods.
Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip
More around here: waterfalls near Colville · Stevens County waterfalls · all Washington waterfalls · 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Washington
Frequently asked questions
Where is Crystal Falls?
Crystal Falls is in Stevens County, Washington, about 12 miles east of Colville. Its coordinates are 48.51219, -117.65679.
Is Crystal Falls crowded?
With 44 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.
What should I bring to Crystal Falls?
At minimum: offline map and coordinates, shoes with real grip, water and a snack, and a light rain layer. See the full checklist above, which is tailored to what visitors report about this waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Crystal Falls?
West of the Cascades, rain sustains falls for much of the year, but the most powerful flows come with spring snowmelt from about April through June and again with autumn and winter rains. Higher falls such as those around Paradise on Mount Rainier are often snowbound until early summer, so July and August are the main season there.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to visit Crystal Falls?
Fees and permits depend on who manages the land. Check with the managing agency before you go. Our Washington waterfalls page covers access in the state.
Summary
Crystal Falls about 12 miles east of Colville is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 44 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.
See the full Crystal Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.