Best Waterfalls Near
Seattle
Best Waterfalls Near Seattle
Given the amount of rain that falls in the Puget Sound area, it’s no surprise there are a number of excellent waterfalls within close distance to Seattle. Both interstate 90 as well as highway 2 offer convenient access to various waterfalls as they traverse up and over the Cascades. Most waterfalls around Seattle require a hike to get into, however a couple falls off of I-90 are very accessible. Snoqualmie Falls, perhaps the most well known Seattle Waterfall, has a viewing platform right off the hotel, and the lesser known Weeks Falls has a small parking lot a couple of hundred feet from the viewing area. Pursue the list below to find the best waterfalls near Seattle!
Snoqualmie Falls
The most well known waterfall near Seattle doesn't disappoint, measuring in with a 268 foot drop and 100 feet wide. Even during the dry summer months, Snoqualmie Falls still has large amounts of water spilling over, and provides easy access for viewing. There is a large viewing platform next to the Snoqualmie Falls hotel. And for those who wish to get a view from the bottom on the lower observation deck, you can either descend the ¾ mile trail, or park at the lower parking lot.
Snoqualmie Falls
Twin Falls
It's a 2.5 mile round trip hike to view Twin Falls, but the exertion is definitely worth it to see these amazing falls, with the main falls clocking in at 135 feet. There are a couple of different vantage points to see the falls, including a viewing platform that provides a fantastic view of the falls, as well as the ability to scramble down to the river and see the falls from below. Proceeding past the viewing platform will take you over a bridge and past a couple of much smaller waterfalls. Twin Falls are located in a state park, and a Discovery pass is required for parking.
Twin Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls drops 1,291 feet over seven distinct tiers from Serene Lake. While you won't be able to get a clear view of the entire falls, a four mile round trip hike with a little over a 1,000 feet of elevation gain will take you up to the base of the second tier, where water cascades down 100 plus feet right in front of you. Both Bridal Veil Falls and Serene Lake are very popular hikes (share the same trailhead), and the large parking lot can fill up quickly on nice weekends.
Bridal Veil Falls
Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls is a 70 foot waterfall located below the elevated I-90 freeway. But don't let the freeway part discourage you, as you can get up close to the roaring falls and hardly even notice I-90. At less than an hour drive from Seattle, this 2.5 miles roundtrip and 400 feet of elevation hike is very popular on nice weekends, with the large parking lot often filling up before lunch. Of note, while this hike is suitable for children, the last couple hundred feet to reach the waterfall requires descending down a rock ledge that is often wet and a little slippery.
Franklin Falls
Weeks Falls
Weeks Falls are easily accessible either via a short and flat half mile Weeks Falls hiking trail, as well as very limited parking a mere 100 yards from the falls. There is a viewing platform which sits on top of a hydroelectric facility, which leverages a large underground tunnel that diverts water from upstream of the falls to generate power. Note, the falls are natural and existed well before the hydroelectric facility was introduced. The Weeks Falls are in a state park, and a Discovery pass is required for parking.
Weeks Falls
Boeing Creek
Weeks Falls are easily accessible either via a short and flat half mile Weeks Falls hiking trail, as well as very limited parking a mere 100 yards from the falls. There is a viewing platform which sits on top of a hydroelectric facility, which leverages a large underground tunnel that diverts water from upstream of the falls to generate power. Note, the falls are natural and existed well before the hydroelectric facility was introduced. The Weeks Falls are in a state park, and a Discovery pass is required for parking.
Boeing Creek