About Whirlpool State Park
Whirlpool State Park offers a breathtaking and challenging gorge hike with stunning close-up views of powerful rapids, the whirlpool, and overhead cable cars, but it requires navigating over 300 steep steps and narrow paths with drop-offs.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with active older kids and teens seeking an adventurous hikeTeens and older children who have the stamina for steep stairs and the caution needed for narrow cliffside pathsNot recommended for toddlers and small children due to safety hazards and strenuous climbing
Why families love it
- Unbelievable close-up views of the powerful rapids and whirlpool
- Great vantage points to watch the jet boat tours and the aerocar crossing the border
- Beautiful seasonal scenery, including vibrant autumn colors and dramatic winter ice formations
- Scenic overview areas at the top for a quick, less strenuous visit
- The Whirlpool Trail leading down to the river level
- Scenic overlook areas with views of the Canadian border and cable car
Insider tips
- Heed all caution and trail closure signs, as rockslides are a real hazard
- Prepare for a very demanding climb back up the 300+ steps
- Watch children closely on the narrow, rocky paths near the drop-offs
- Dress in warm layers if visiting during chilly shoulder months like March
Good to know before you go
- Bringing strollers or very young children down into the gorge
- Attempting the lower gorge trails during snowy or icy conditions unless prepared for a very challenging hike
- Frequent trail closures due to rockfalls and rock slides
- Extremely strenuous climb of over 300 steps to get back up from the gorge
- Crowds
- Offers peaceful spots to listen to the water, though key overlooks can get busy with sightseers
- Value
- Excellent free natural attraction offering world-class views that rival paid experiences in the area.
- Accessibility
- The top scenic overview is accessible for quick views, but the gorge trail is completely inaccessible to strollers or wheelchairs due to over 300 steps and rocky terrain.
- Safety
- Caution signs and trail barriers blocking off active rockfall zones
What parents say
"Whirlpool State Park is an incredible and serene spot to visit My husband and I were in awe of the stunning natural surroundings. From the Whirlpool Trail, you get an unbelievable view of the powerful rapids words truly can’t capture the beauty of it. It’s mesmerizing! The trail down to the river is equally amazing. Yes, there are many steps to descend, but it’s completely worth it. Once you reach the bottom, you can walk along both sides of the river. We only explored one side, which connects to Devil’s Hole, but part of the trail was closed due to rockfall, so definitely heed the caution si"
6 months ago
"Walking on snowy trails during the winter season was quite challenging, but the effort was worth it when I encountered the breathtaking sight of flowing waterfalls. The icy surroundings contrasted beautifully with the rushing water, creating an iconic and serene scene.🤩"
2 months ago
"had a quick scenic overview of this amazing place. you could see the rapids, canadian border and the whirlpool. also the cablecar. was chilly in march."
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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