Lower Marble Creek Falls

Exit Interstate 5 in Woodland and head east on Highway 503 towards Cougar. After about 10 miles, bear right at Merwin Village Road, signed for Ariel and Merwin Dam. Stay left on the road and enter Merwin Park, parking near the restrooms. Walk across the field and find the Marble Creek Trail which follows an old road grade through the woods and ends at a viewing deck overlooking the falls in just under half of a mile. Steep scramble paths drop down to the lake where the falls can be approached more closely.Marble Creek plunges 33 feet directly into the blue-tinted water of Lake Merwin just downstream from Highway 503. Passing by on the road there is no hint at all that this waterfall exists, but for boaters on Lake Merwin the falls are a popular attraction. Rope swings strung from adjacent trees also serve the locals who use the alcove at the falls for a popular swimming hole. Because the pool elevation of Lake Merwin will fluctuate throughout the year the falls may be easier or more difficult to get close to at different times of the year. In August 2011 the lake was at full pool so it was more difficult to get close to the falls (without getting wet), but earlier in the year the water level may be considerably lower, providing an easier route to the base of the waterfall.