Guides/Overland routes/Washington
Overland route55 midifficulty: easy

Lewis River Road (FR 90)

RegionWashingtonAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Lewis River Road (FR 90) — overland route near Cougar, Washington, Washington
U.S. Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Region (public domain)
Trail vitals7 facts
Length
55mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Mostly paved with some gravel sections in the upper drainage. Trailers and RVs handle the lower paved sections; the upper end is tighter.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Permit
Required
Cell coverage
None.
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Forest Road 90 follows the Lewis River for about 55 miles between Swift Reservoir and Trout Lake, crossing the southeastern corner of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The road's most-visited stretch is the 10-mile Lewis River Recreation Area, which runs along Lower, Middle, and Upper Lewis Falls and the connecting Lewis River Trail #31. The Lower Falls Day Use Area (with the 60-foot waterfall and adjacent campground) requires a timed-entry reservation through Recreation.gov from June 15 through September 2 each year.

FR 90 is mostly paved on the popular middle section through the recreation area, with gravel and patched pavement on the upper end heading toward FR 23 and Trout Lake. Snow closes the higher reaches from late November through April most years; the Swift Reservoir end stays open year-round. The road is a standard connector for any Gifford Pinchot loop tour, linking Mount St. Helens (via FR 25) with the Mt. Adams area (via FR 23).

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Timed-entry reservation required. June 15 to September 2 at Lower Falls Day Use Area.
  • Crowds. The recreation area is among the busiest in southwestern Washington.
  • Slick rocks at the falls. Stay back from the edge.
  • No cell coverage. Bring offline maps.
  • Black bear country.
  • Snow on the upper road. Plan a clear weather window late spring through fall.
  • Steep drops near falls overlooks. Mind small children.

Location

55 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 46.157, -121.878

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townCougar, Washington
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r06/giffordpinchot/recreation/forest-road-90
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb
Approx. location46.157, -121.878

Getting there

Directions

From SR-503 (Cougar). Drive east through Cougar, past Yale and Swift Reservoirs. The road becomes FR 90 once inside the forest. Continue east about 26 miles to the Lower Falls Day Use Area.

From SR-141 (Trout Lake). Take FR 88 north out of Trout Lake to the FR 23 junction. Continue west on FR 23 to FR 90, then west on FR 90 to the Lewis River corridor.

Most overlanders enter from Cougar for the falls and continue east to FR 23 / Mt. Adams as a continuous route.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The western entrance leaves SR-503 east of Cougar, just past Yale Reservoir and Swift Reservoir. The road runs east into Gifford Pinchot National Forest as Forest Road 90. The Mount Adams Ranger District handles the area; the Pine Creek Information Center is near the western entrance.

Trail Overview

Fifty-five miles, point-to-point. The first 26 miles east of Cougar through Pine Creek and into the Lewis River drainage are paved. The Lewis River Recreation Area sits roughly 26 to 36 miles east of Cougar; this is the busiest section, with the three named falls and the Lewis River Trail. Past Upper Lewis Falls, the road continues on patched pavement and gravel, climbs the divide, and connects to FR 23 near Trout Lake. Total drive time end-to-end is two to three hours without stops.

Points of Interest

  • Lower Lewis River Falls. The 60-foot showstopper, with adjacent day-use area, campground, and short walking trail.
  • Middle Lewis River Falls. Rocky chute waterfall a mile upstream.
  • Upper Lewis River Falls. Higher-elevation falls accessed by a short trail.
  • Curly Creek Falls. Roadside waterfall plummeting from beneath two rock arches.
  • Lewis River Trail #31. 14-mile riverside trail along the entire recreation area.
  • Lower Falls Campground. USFS reservable campground at the day-use area.
  • Big Creek Falls. Side waterfall off a spur road.
  • FR 25 junction. Western connection to Mount St. Helens area.
  • FR 23 junction. Eastern connection to Mt. Adams and Babyshoe Pass.

Where to Camp

Lower Falls Campground is the standard base, reservable through Recreation.gov. Cougar Campground on Yale Reservoir (Pacificorp) and Beaver Bay Campground are alternatives near the western entrance. Dispersed camping is permitted on Gifford Pinchot land off the side roads with the 14-day stay limit. Cougar and Trout Lake at the two ends have small commercial bases.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Lower Falls Day Use Area requires a timed-entry reservation June 15 to September 2. Book through Recreation.gov before driving up.
  • Northwest Forest Pass required at trailheads.
  • The recreation area is busiest summer weekends. Arrive early at Lower Falls.
  • The Lewis River Trail crosses the road at multiple points; watch for pedestrians.
  • Cell coverage drops out east of Cougar and stays gone.
  • Black bear country. Store food properly.
  • Snow closes the upper road from November through April. The Lower Falls section stays accessible through most of the year.
  • The road has limited shoulders; watch for cyclists.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Lewis River Road (FR 90)?
Lewis River Road (FR 90) is rated easy. The route runs 55 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Lewis River Road (FR 90)?
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Mostly paved with some gravel sections in the upper drainage. Trailers and RVs handle the lower paved sections; the upper end is tighter.
When is the best time to visit Lewis River Road (FR 90)?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.
Do you need a permit for Lewis River Road (FR 90)?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Lewis River Road (FR 90)?
None.