Summer Falls is a waterfall in Grant County, Washington, about 12 miles northeast of Soap Lake. 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
- Grant County, WA
- Nearest town
- Soap Lake (12 mi)
- Visitor rating
- 4.6 from 30 reviews
- Crowds
- Quieter
- Swimming
- Visitors mention it; use caution
- Coordinates
- 47.50322, -119.29400
- USGS topo
- Coulee City quad
Weather at Summer 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 Summer 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
Summer Falls sits about 12 miles northeast of Soap Lake in Grant County. Navigate to the coordinates 47.50322, -119.29400, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.
Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Summer 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 Summer 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 47.50322, -119.29400 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.
- Towel, water shoes and a plan. Visitors mention swimming here. Water is often cold and currents near falls can be strong; never swim above a drop, and keep children within reach.
- 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 30 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, and this guide on swimming at waterfalls explains the risks of getting in the water.
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
Summer Falls holds a 4.6-star average across 30 Google reviews, and 80% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the number 2 waterfall by review count in Grant County. Visitors have shared 66 photos.
The topics that come up most in reviews: no swimmingquiet placerockspretty scenerypicnicwaterfallpark
See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.
History of the area
Summer Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on September 10, 1979, and it appears on the USGS Coulee City 7.5-minute topographic map.
Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Sprague Draw (valley, 0.6 mi) and Deadman Springs (spring, 1.3 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 Soap Lake · Grant County waterfalls · all Washington waterfalls
Frequently asked questions
Where is Summer Falls?
Summer Falls is in Grant County, Washington, about 12 miles northeast of Soap Lake. Its coordinates are 47.50322, -119.29400.
Is Summer Falls crowded?
With 30 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 Summer 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.
Can you swim at Summer Falls?
Visitors mention swimming here, but conditions change. Water near falls is often cold with strong currents and hidden rocks. Never swim above a drop, obey posted signs, and read our waterfall swimming safety guide first.
When is the best time to visit Summer 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 Summer 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
Summer Falls about 12 miles northeast of Soap Lake is rated 4.6 out of 5 by 30 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 Summer Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.