11 Scenic Waterfalls in Washington State
When I close my eyes and think of Washington State, rainfall is one of the first things that comes to mind. The northwesternmost corner of the continental US is notoriously wet and dreary.
For most of the year, a thick grey cloud hovers over the state’s western half. It ejects bucketfuls of water each winter and ensures that there are never too many consecutive days of sunshine.
As a Washington resident, I find myself complaining about the rain all the time. I lament that it precludes me from enjoying the outdoors for much of the winter. I moan about the fact that it arrives in October and sticks around till July.
But I also love what it creates.
The precipitation that drenches western Washington for nearly nine months out of the year gives birth to a tapestry of evergreen forests, scenic riverways, and gushing waterfalls.
MUST-SEE WASHINGTON WATERFALLS
Washington State is a verdant Pacific Northwest wonderland blessed with mountains and rivers. Its lush waterfalls— tucked into its hillsides and concealed by its coniferous forests—are top tourist destinations that make for fantastic photo opportunities.
Nearby Oregon justifiably receives a lot of attention for its silvery cascades.
However, while Washington may not have a waterfall that can compete with Multnomah’s 620 ft drop, or a hike that compares to the trail of Ten Falls near Salem, it does have quite a few showstoppers of its own.
The following destinations are among the most beautiful in waterfalls in Washington. I’ve listed them in order of their distance from Seattle.
1. SNOQUALMIE FALLS
Thunderous Snoqualmie Falls is the most visited waterfall in Washington State. The crowded tourist attraction lies within striking distance of Seattle and boasts an impressive 269 ft curtain of water. Due to its scenic splendor and proximity to Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls is a popular tourist destination. It attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually.
A paved wheelchair-accessible pathway connects the waterfall’s parking lot with its main viewing area. From the platform, head-on views of Snoqualmie Falls’ thunderous curtain are breathtaking.
While most travelers will be content with photographing the waterfall from the park’s main viewpoints, travelers who want a more intimate look at the attraction can spend a few nights at the luxurious Salish Lodge & Spa.
The Salish Lodge overlooks Snoqualmie Falls. Some may recognize it as the Great Northern Hotel from the Twin Peaks television series.
2. TWIN FALLS
Twin Falls is the tallest waterfall in Olallie State Park. Its distinctive shape and lush surroundings make it one of the most photogenic waterfalls in Washington and beloved hiking destination among Seattleites.
The name ‘Twin Falls’ is a bit of a misnomer. The tumbling cascade actually consists of three sections that, together, comprise ‘Twin’ Falls.
The first two-tiered section—sometimes named Upper Twin Falls—drops about 45 feet into a large bowl. The next series is a two-stepped 30 foot cascade that is only visible from the footbridge above the lower waterfall. Finally, the area’s showpiece is a wispy horsetail that plunges 135 feet.
Olallie State Park is only half an hour away from Seattle’s East Side. As such, its trails can get terribly clogged on summer weekends.
Dan and I have struggled to find parking at Twin Falls. On one occasion, we even turned back because the crowds were so overwhelming.
If at all possible, plan to hike the Twin Falls trail during the week or early in the morning.
3. FRANKLIN FALLS
Franklin Falls lies about an hour and a half east of Seattle, near the Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area. It is accessible via a relatively flat 2 mile hiking trail.
The beautiful 135 ft cascade benefits from being a little farther along the I-90 corridor. It is still a crowded family-friendly hike, but its distance from Seattle seems to result in slightly fewer traffic jams (at least it did when we visited).
The waterfall hike parallels Interstate 90. It is situated between two tall viaducts that allow traffic along the highway to pass year-round.
Before visiting Franklin Falls, I’d heard complaints about the hike’s proximity to the highway. When Dan and I visited, however, we felt that the rushing water did a good job of drowning out traffic noise.
4. WALLACE FALLS
Wallace Falls State Park is a popular day trip destination from Seattle. Its most beloved feature in an eponymous waterfall that gushes down an evergreen-clad hillside. Visiting the waterfall is well worth the horrendous traffic you’ll likely encounter along Highway 2, near Gold Bar.
The state park offers 12 miles of glorious foot trails that showcase views of three separate cascades: Upper Wallace Falls, Wallace Falls, and Lower Wallace Falls. They plunge 240 ft, 367 ft, and 265 ft respectively.
Wallace Falls’ serpentine shape makes it notoriously difficult to capture in photos. There are no vantage points that allow hikers to have unobstructed views of the cascade’s entire course.
5. MYRTLE FALLS
Myrtle Falls is one of many spectacular waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park. The dainty cascade sits in the Paradise Valley, about 0.5 miles from the start of the park’s Skyline Trail.
Though Myrtle Falls isn’t the biggest or most dramatic waterfall in Washington, its setting below the towering snow-capped peak of Mount Rainier is certainly among its most majestic.
Before the Skyline Trail crosses Edith Creek, a short dirt track veers off the main pathway to the base of Myrtle Falls. The path brings hikers to a crowded viewpoint that perfectly frames Myrtle Falls as it trickles below Mount Rainier’s snow-covered summit.
6. NARADA FALLS
Out of all the gorgeous waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park, Narada Falls is one of the largest and most accessible. The curtain-like waterfall plummets over a rock face and disappears into the Paradise River below.
Narada Falls is among the most popular places to visit in Mount Rainier. The gushing 176 ft waterfall is one of the prettiest in the state.
Narada Falls lies along the road that connects Longmire with Paradise. A small trail departs from the parking area and leads to a platform that showcases head-on views of the cascade.
7. SPRAY FALLS
At 354 feet, Spray Falls is one of the tallest cascades in Mount Rainier National Park. Living up to its name, the waterfall consists of wispy strands that trickle delicately over a wall of moss-covered andesite.
Spray Falls lies along the trail to Spray Park, near Mount Rainier’s Mowitch Lake Entrance. It is one one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington State and a highlight of the national park’s northeastern section.
That being said, Spray Falls is not nearly as accessible as Mount Rainier’s other notable waterfalls. To reach it, one must drive along a rough unpaved road to Mowitch Lake. From the Mowitch Lake Campground, it requires a 4.5 mile roundtrip hike.
8. NOOKSACK FALLS
Nooksack Falls is located east of Bellingham, along the Mount Baker Scenic Byway. The waterfall flows through a narrow valley and drops 88 feet into a deep rocky river canyon.
Nooksack Falls’ unique shape consists of three independent strands that tumble over a rock wall. The cascade is viewable from a small clearing near the cliff’s edge, just a short walk away from the parking area.
Unfortunately, Dan and I were unable to find a trail that would give us a full-length vantage point of the split waterfall.
As such, we had to remain content with the partially obstructed views from the trail’s main observation area.
9. MARYMERE FALLS
Marymere Falls is a beloved waterfall within Washington’s Olympic National Park. Though it is smaller than many of Washington’s other notable waterfalls, the thin cascade lies beautifully within a moss-laden forest.
The heavily-trafficked 1.7 mile trail to Marymere Falls showcases the wet and wondrous world of the Olympic Peninsula’s temperate rainforests.
The delicate waterfall holds its own against other contenders in the state—despite only flowing at a trickle during certain times of year.
10. RAINBOW FALLS
Rainbow Falls isn’t one of Washington’s most renowned waterfalls.
Nor is it one of its most visited.
But of all the waterfalls I’ve seen in Washington, it is one of my favorites.
The 312 ft cascade lies near the tiny town of Stehekin, on the northern shores of Lake Chelan. Along with the Stehekin Bakery and a one-room schoolhouse, it is a popular place to visit on a day trips across the lake.
Dan and I traveled to Stehekin by ferry as part of a weekend getaway from Seattle. The tiny town is completely cut off from the rest of Washington State and is only accessible by boat or float plane.
If the waterfalls near Seattle are too crowded to suit your fancy, Rainbow Falls is the perfect alternative.
Of course, getting there is a bit of an adventure.
But, with all its picturesque setting and nearby attractions, it is certainly worth the journey.
11. PALOUSE FALLS
While most of Washington’s must-see waterfalls can be found in the state’s waterlogged and soggy western half, its most dramatic cascade lies amongst the rocky scablands of the state’s eastern desert.
Palouse Falls is a roaring waterfall that tumbles down a cliff face, into a bowl of churning water. It is located within the confines of Palouse State Park and is a scenic highlight of eastern Washington.
Palouse Falls State Park offers a few different vantage points of the scenic cascade and canyon. The main panoramic point provides a head-on view of the waterfall. It lies at the end of a short path, adjacent to the parking lot.
Beyond the main viewpoint, a few short trails explore the area around the waterfall.
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Washington’s lush waterfalls lie scattered about the state. While many can be found within its national parks and mountainous areas, others interrupt the monotony of seemingly barren desertscapes.
Washington’s waterfalls tumble down arid scablands, flow through lush rainforests, trickle across wildflower-speckled valleys, and pour over chiseled canyon walls.
Chasing waterfalls is one of the top things to do in Washington State.
And luckily—unlike Washington’s many weather-dependent attractions—the spectacular cascades are destinations that can be enjoyed year-round, rain or shine.
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