Hardy Falls
About This Trail
Hardy Falls is a beautiful 90 foot waterfall on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge near the town of Stevenson. Also next to Hardy Falls (literally maybe a 10 block distance away if you want it in city terms) is Rodney Falls and Pool of the Winds.
This trio of spectacular falls and pools of water is a great intermediate adventure for families. The reason for ranking it intermediate is that the hike does travel uphill on a decent grade for much of the hike and there are some steep banks on the side of the trail. Families comfortable with hiking will have no problem on this hike though since the path is maintained very well and the bridges are fun for kids to cross over and play troll under the bridge.
Those who are more adventurous can jump into the Pool of the Winds and it’s easy to get down to the creek and play above the 90-foot waterfall and below Rodney Falls. You will want to watch little kids who don’t understand the concept of cliffs though.
Trail Features
| Seasons | Fall, Spring, Summer, and Winter |
|---|---|
| Surface type | Dirt |
| Elevation gain | 440 ft. |
| Carrier needed | Yes |
| Stroller friendly | No |
| ADA accessible | No |
| Water fountains | No |
| Bathrooms | No |
| Cell reception | Spotty |
| Pet friendly | Yes |
| Nearby convenience store | No |
| Camping Nearby | No |
| Emergency support within 5 miles |
No |
Trail highlights
Beautiful waterfall that’s not too heavily trafficked compared to the rest of the Columbia Gorge. Dog friendly as well.
Fee & Parking Details
Make sure you have a Washington State Discovery Pass or pay $5. Rangers do patrol, so make sure you pay the fee.
Trail Contributor
Shanti Hodges is the Founder of Hike it Baby. Shanti started the organization in Portland, OR in 2013 so she could find friends to hike with. It quickly caught on locally and people started contacting her to help develop hike communities that were baby and toddler focused in other cities. To further support her mission to get families outside, Shanti wrote a book “Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers.” She is committed to getting local and national parks to be more aware of how they can better support families with babies and newly walking children. Shanti lives in Southern Utah with her husband and son. In her spare time she’s a hike guide and hosts women’s hike retreats.
Weather
Trail Map
Upcoming Community Hikes Nearby
Getting There
From Portland travel up toward Vancouver and take the 14 out toward Stevenson. This hike is just above Beacon Rock State Park so it’s easy to find. There are parking pass kiosks available at Beacon Rock parking.
About The Guide