American Falls Out-and-Back

Dogs Off-leash

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Visiting American Falls is very popular, despite its remote location.

Found close to the Canadian border in a never logged, old growth temperate rainforest, one can marvel at the huge, stately western red cedars, beautiful yews, and hemlocks. Lush vegetation including several varieties of ferns and berry bushes capture ones imagination.

Enjoy hiking along the Upper Priest River, especially in late spring when it's almost overflowing with snow melt. Following the Priest River upstream leads to American Falls that drop over 40-foot cliffs into a gem-like blue-green pool.

Although leashes are not required, dogs must be under control at all times.

The trailhead is found by taking ID57 north from Priest River, for 41 miles. After passing Nordman, about 4 miles later the pavement ends and the road is now FSR 302. Continue on for about 10 miles to the junction with FSR 1013. Stay right here and follow the sign for Upper Priest River Trail #308. Now on FSR 1013, in about 12 miles a trailhead sign for Upper Priest River Trail #308 is on the left and there is a grassy parking area. After passing the grassy parking area, the road narrows to one lane and starts switchbacking up. Continue on for another 12 miles to a turnaround area just before the gate that blocks the road. The trail is found on the left (west) just before the turnaround area. There is no obvious sign along the road for the trail.

This is a forest hike. Surrounded by tall cedars, hemlocks, yews, lush ferns and other vegetation, the trail switchbacks 1,000 feet down from the road to the Upper Priest River valley floor.

Continental Trail #28 (1.5 Miles)
This hike to American Falls, starts out on Continental Trail #28. After finding the unmarked trailhead along the road, an obvious trail sign is soon reached. The trail descends continuously, gradually in places, and steeper for other short stretches. After about a half mile, the first swichback is reached. The second switchback is 0.4 miles later. Then come six more swichbacks followed by a few boardwalks over wet spots, as the valley floor is reached.

Here on the valley floor, a trail junction with Upper Priest River Trail #308 is reached. Go right/north here to continue on Upper Priest River Trail #308.

Upper Priest River Trail #308 (0.6 Miles)
Now on Upper Priest River Trail #308, almost immediately, Malcom Creek is crossed on a sturdy bridge. After crossing Malcom Creek, the trail runs next to Upper Priest River for its last half mile, where it ends at American Falls (AKA Upper Priest Falls), in a bowl defined by cliffs, including where The Falls drop down about 40 feet. A beautiful, large, dark blue-green pool is at the bottom of The Falls.

There are many spots to view The Falls. This is a great place to snack, have lunch, and spend some time. After enjoying The Falls, retrace your steps back up the "hill" to return to the trailhead.

Old growth inland temperate rain forest - Huge western red cedars, hemlocks, and yews abound. The forest floor is covered with lush ferns, and other vegetation where the sunlight can penetrate the tree canopy. Elsewhere, the forest floor is cover with conifer needles. At the higher elevations there is some beargrass.

This waterfall's official name is Upper Priest Falls. However, it is commonly call American Falls to distinguish it from another waterfall also on the Upper Priest River in Canada.