Best Waterfalls In Washington: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
By Beth|Published April 30, 2024
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
With a nickname like the Evergreen State, it comes as no surprise that Washington state is most famous for its natural beauty. Sure, there are loads of evergreen forests, but there are also crystal-clear rivers, breathtaking mountain peaks, and, of course, beautiful waterfalls to explore. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of the very best waterfalls in Washington, and it does not disappoint. Whether you’re looking for the tallest waterfalls in Washington or researching “waterfalls near me,” we’re confident that this list will have you covered. Without further ado, let’s start exploring, hikers!
If you’re putting together a waterfall bucket list, you’ll probably want to start with the tallest waterfalls in Washington. The following places are truly bucket-list-worthy, as you’ll gather from looking at the waterfall photos below:
Need To Know: It's the tallest waterfall in Washington, and yet many folks have never heard of it. Colonial Creek Falls tumbles an astounding 2,568 feet, making it the tallest waterfall in the continental U.S. Also, it's just a few short miles from Highway 20, making it somewhat easy to access.
Location: Cascade Pass, North Cascades National Park, Washington
Popularity: Hidden gem
Need To Know: The towering Johannesburg Falls, which is found near the Cascade Pass, is remarkable. It's sourced from the smaller glaciers of Johannesburg Mountain and descends nearly 2,400 feet culminating in an astounding 800-foot vertical drop. Despite being one of the state's tallest waterfalls, it's lesser known because it has a relatively slight volume, going relatively unnoticed. But once you see it, we think you'll agree that it's magical!
Location: Lake Serene, South Fork Skykomish River, Washington
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: Perhaps the only word to describe Bridal Veil Falls is majestic. This natural wonder cascades 1,328 feet directly from Lake Serene to the South Fork Skykomish River in Washington state. The crown jewel of this waterfall is a 150-foot-wide drop that will simply take your breath away.
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Best Waterfall Hikes In Washington
Calling all hikers! One of the best parts about visiting or living in Washington is the chance to enjoy some world-class hiking trails. And that certainly includes waterfall trails. Below you’ll find some of our absolute favorite waterfall hikes in Washington. So lace-up those boots!
Location: Olympic National Park, Near Lake Crescent, Washington
Popularity: Popular
Need To Know: Craving a magical hike through an old-growth forest? Look no further! Marymere Falls Trail offers an immersive experience in the woods. You'll depart from the Storm King Ranger Station on a paved path for about .5 miles. Then, the path leads to a junction, where you'll want to veer left, passing by gorgeous mossy scenery. After crossing Barnes Creek and Falls Creek, the trail ascends 200 feet into a ravine. And this is where the real magic happens. The loop trail offers two viewpoints of the 90-foot-high Marymere Falls.
Need To Know: An adventure through breathtaking forested landscape awaits on the Twin Falls Trail in Olallie State Park. Before leaving, be sure you have obtained a Discover Pass for entrance. The trail is accessible from Exit 34 or Exit 38 off I-90, making it a convenient day trip destination that's also suitable for the whole family. The trail will begin eastward along the beautiful South Fork Snoqualmie River, passing a perfect overlook of the Lower Falls, tumbling over a 150-foot cliff.
6. Wallace Falls
Wallace Falls State Park, 14503 Wallace Lake Road, Gold Bar, WA 98251, USA
Need To Know: Take a hike along the Woody Trail to discover a truly mesmerizing waterfall. The hike will begin eastward from the parking area and after about two miles, you'll encounter a stunning series of 9 cataract waterfalls that make up Wallace Falls. As you can probably imagine, this hike is popular, so it's a good idea to get there as early as you can, especially on the weekends. Access to the park requires a Discover Pass.
Accessible Waterfalls In Washington (No Hiking Required)
Experiencing some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington doesn’t always require a long hiking trail. In fact, there are plenty of accessible waterfalls in Washington, and they’re dazzling. Check ’em out below:
Need To Know:Narada Falls is located just 17 miles east of the Nisqually Entrance in Mount Rainier National Park. This particular waterfall is stunning and open year-round. In fact, it's viewable from the upper pullout in the parking area. If you're interested in seeing the lower waterfall, you'll want to wait until springtime. This waterfall is particularly popular given that it's the largest waterfall in the park that's accessible via car.
Need To Know: There's no doubt about it: Myrtle Falls is gorgeous! From the Paradise parking area, you'll travel along the paved trail for just 0.4 miles. After admiring the falls, you can continue on for a longer hike, or rejoin the trail and continue back towards the trailhead and parking lot.
Need To Know: Located in the heart of downtown Spokane, Spokane Falls consists of a beautiful waterfall and dam. At one time, the waterfall was the site of the native Spokane people, who called the waterfall Stluputqu. The series of waterfalls along the Spokane River totals 146 feet, with the tallest waterfall being Spokane Falls. The falls are viewable from the namesake park, and there's even a gondola that lets you enjoy a truly unique view of the water.
Best Waterfalls Near Seattle
If you live in Seattle or you’re planning a trip there, you might be curious about the best waterfalls near Seattle. Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from! Below you’ll find our top three recommendations:
Need To Know When it comes to the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington, Snoqualmie Falls may just take the cake. About 40 minutes from Seattle, this Washington waterfall is easy to get to and even easier to love! With Salish Lodge directly above, the waterfall tumbles 268 feet, creating the most stunning spectacle. Folks visiting the waterfall will discover a 2-acre park as well as a gift shop. It's estimated that more than 1.5 million people visit the falls every year.
Need To Know: About an hour and a half from downtown Seattle, Franklin Falls makes for an excellent day trip destination in Washington. Getting there means following a well-maintained trail for about 1 mile (2 miles round trip) without much elevation gain. This 70-foot waterfall is quite a sight to behold!
12. Rocky Brook Falls
Rocky Brook Falls, 2405 Dosewallips Rd, Brinnon, WA 98320, USA
Need To Know: A hidden gem on the Olympic Peninsula, Rocky Brook Falls is a waterfall every outdoor enthusiast should experience at least once. From the parking area, you'll walk a mere 200 yards to the stunning waterfall. The waterfall is located about two hours from Seattle, but it's well worth the drive, especially if you're looking for a waterfall swimming hole during the summer months.
Well, there you have it: some of the very best Washington state waterfalls. Which do you plan to visit first? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Of course, these are just a handful of all the amazing waterfalls that Washington state has to offer. (Palouse Falls, Sol Duc Falls, Falls Creek Falls, and Comet Falls are just a few others to explore!)
Before embarking on your waterfall adventure, don’t forget to take a look at our ultimate hiking essentials packing list.
Looking for more? We’ve put together an ultimate Washington hikes list, including short hikes, challenging hikes, Olympic National Park hikes, Cascade Mountain hikes, Mount Rainier National Park hikes, and hikes near Seattle.
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