Elk Creek Falls Hike
Waterfall | Idaho
2.8 mi loop
579 ft
Moderate
Elk Creek Falls Hike at a Glance
The Elk Creek Falls hike is 2.8 mi loop with 579 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 2,650 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 2.8 mi loop |
| Elevation gain | 579 ft |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Your time: about 1 h 15 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 30 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 690 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 2.8 mi distance and 579 ft of gain for this hike are verified (hikingproject.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Elk Creek Falls
Elk Creek Falls is a waterfall in Idaho, on land managed by Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Elk Creek Falls Trail: 2.8 miles as a loop with about 579 feet of elevation gain, from Elk Creek Falls Trailhead. Distance from hikingproject.com. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Moderate.
Before You Go
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Elk Creek Falls?
The Elk Creek Falls Trail to Elk Creek Falls is 2.8 miles as a loop with about 579 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Elk Creek Falls hike start?
It starts from Elk Creek Falls Trailhead.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Elk Creek Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- hikingproject.com
- Distance
- hikingproject.com
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.