Washington boasts a plethora of breathtaking waterfalls that captivate visitors, among its many other wonders. The state’s wet west side is where waterfalls are most common. However, locations such as eastern Washington’s Palouse Falls serve as a good representation of the region. Some of the best waterfalls in Washington can be found in state and national parks.
Among the many notable natural sites in the area, Mount Rainier’s Spray Falls is particularly notable. Additionally, Marymere Falls on the Olympic Peninsula provides a traditional adventure and photo opportunity.
Visits to urban waterfalls such as Spokane Falls are highly recommended. So are Bellingham’s Whatcom Falls, where a beautiful public park of the same name encircles the river. Another location of scenic appeal is Tumwater Falls Park, which is located outside Olympia, the state capital.
Look no further than Franklin Falls in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest if you’re looking for waterfall hikes near Seattle.
12 Best Waterfalls In Washington
1) Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie
Snoqualmie Falls is possibly one of the best waterfalls in Washington. Situated less than an hour east of Seattle, it’s also one of the nicest waterfalls around.
The vicinity of the 270-foot waterfall served as a significant gathering place for indigenous cultures long before it was featured in the opening credits of the beloved television series Twin Peaks. With a nearby lodge and informative walkway, visitors may now fully feel the gravity of the falls.
With views of the falls, the Salish Lodge and Spa offers a four-star experience complete with excellent cuisine and spa treatments. A short stroll along a less-than-mile interpretative walkway beneath the falls allows you to get a closer look at the surging water.
The warmest weather and most visitors to Snoqualmie Falls occur in the summer. However, the springtime and accompanying snowmelt are when Snoqualmie flows at their greatest.
2) Spray Falls, Mount Rainier National Park
Located in the northwest Mowich Lake district of Mount Rainier National Park, Spray Falls is just one of the park’s many fantastic trails. The journey to this almost 350-foot waterfall cascading down a rock face is a modest 2.25 miles.
The Wonderland Trail, the only hiking path that encircles Mount Rainier, is where hikers start their journey. Along the way to Spray Falls, the trail meanders and passes by the breathtaking Eagle’s Cliff overlook.
The mist cloud at Spray Falls gives its name, and it is reached after a brief spur walk. Viewers can choose to observe the falls from a distance or up close by cautiously navigating enormous boulders.
The hike to Spray Falls and back is a doable day trip. For a more challenging trek, continue up the trail into Spray Park’s alpine meadows. In the height of summer, Spray Park’s wildflower meadows are in full bloom. Visitors should allow ample time for their visit to Spray Park, as it requires a significant elevation rise.
3) Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the state is this historic, Ice Age waterfall. It is 40 miles north of Walla Walla, in the eastern region of Washington. Recognized as one of the best waterfalls Washington, it features a 200-foot drop, a large bowl, and an amazing gorge.
Situated on the western banks of the Palouse River beneath the falls, Palouse Falls State Park is the ideal destination for visitors seeking resources.
In addition to offering rustic camping options, the state park has three striking viewpoints. Accessible to anyone, the lower observation point is a popular place to bring a tripod or an easel for art. Palouse Falls is surrounded by a remote area; therefore travelers should arrange their travel schedule appropriately.
This region of Washington has oppressive heat all day long during the summer. Palouse Falls should be visited during the colder months of the year. If you are visiting in the summer, schedule your visit for close to dawn.
4) Franklin Falls, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Situated around one hour’s drive east of Seattle, Franklin Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Washington. This gorgeous waterfall in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is accessible via a short hike.
The trail crews and hikers take great care of the path, which has relatively little elevation increase to reach the falls. Franklin Falls is one of the most well-liked family waterfall hikes in the state because of the short trip and simple trail.
The route traces the course of the Snoqualmie River’s south fork. Only the lower 70 feet of Franklin’s stunning 135-foot drop across three tiers are visible from the trail. A slick path descends towards the pool beneath the falls, where summertime cooling is provided by the hazy atmosphere.
5) Spokane Falls, Spokane
Among the best urban waterfalls in the nation, this pair of waterfalls is a defining feature of Spokane’s Riverfront Park. The Lower and Upper Spokane Falls have a lengthy history in the region and are currently located in the heart of Spokane’s downtown.
The falls, which were once a well-known meeting place for aboriginal civilizations, are now entwined with the city and its hydroelectric potential.
Spokane Falls manages to hold onto its natural charm despite urban growth. One of the greatest locations to view the Lower Falls from land is Huntington Park, which is close to City Hall.
A SkyRide that incorporates an enclosed-cabin cable ride over the lower falls is another attraction at Riverfront Park. There are two pedestrian bridges that reach, providing the greatest views of Upper Falls.
6) Whatcom Falls, Bellingham
One of Bellingham’s most popular attractions, Whatcom Falls is the focal point of a park bearing the same name. Whatcom Falls Park is approached by a bridge built during the Civilian Conservation Corps era.
Additionally, the bridge offers a great vantage point from which to see the falls. Whatcom Falls Park is traversed by more than three miles of paths that lead to other scenic water features along Whatcom Creek.
Playground equipment, picnic shelters, and educational displays are among the park’s additional features. A fish hatchery with instructional materials about the surrounding environment is another element of the park. Further inside the park is a well-liked bathing hole where summertime groups frequently congregate.
7) Twin Falls, Olallie State Park
Another well-known waterfall walk close to Seattle is Twin Falls. Less than an hour from the city is Olallie State Park, home to its 165-foot waterfall.
Hikers can get an outstanding vista of the falls after hiking 2.5 km. starting next to the south fork of the Snoqualmie River; the trail provides multiple chances for a brief swim in warm weather.
There are other water features in Olallie State Park besides the series of cascading falls called Twin Falls. From the South Fork Picnic Area, tourists can reach the 77-foot Weeks Falls by a shorter trail within the park.
Along with other hiking trails, mountain biking is a popular activity in the area. The park is traversed by a section of the 212-mile Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.
8) Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park
One of the most well-known waterfalls in Olympic National Park, located on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington, is Marymere Falls. You can hike to the 90-foot waterfall and have a picnic there. One of the greatest hiking routes in Olympic National Park is the trail that leads to the falls.
Marymere Falls trailhead is located on the peninsula’s northern tip, 30 minutes west of Port Angeles along Highway 101. The journey to Marymere Falls is less than two miles one way along a level trail that winds through an old-growth forest.
Although the trip to and from Marymere Falls only takes approximately an hour, slower travel is encouraged by the breathtaking surroundings.
Marymere Falls is a well-liked location inside the park, primarily because of its convenient accessibility. The Lake Crescent Lodge, one of the greatest locations to stay close to Olympic National Park, and the lake’s shoreline are both close to the trailhead.
9) Panther Creek Falls, Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Panther Creek Falls, ten miles north of the Columbia River Gorge, has a large cascade and a family-friendly trek. It’s less than a half-mile stroll from Forest Service Road 65 to a viewing platform of the falls.
Panther Creek Falls plunges into a turbulent blue pool from a height of around 70 feet. For added visual interest, a sequence of even higher rivulets tumbles down the same rock face.
The waterfalls in this part of the Pacific Northwest are widely recognized. Another amazing waterfall in the area is the three-tiered Falls Creek Falls.
Many of the best waterfalls in Oregon may be found on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, which is located on the other side of the river to the south. Among them is the 620-foot-tall Multnomah Falls.
10) Wallace Falls, Wallace Falls State Park
Wallace Falls offers a delightful walk that culminates in a cascading wonder. Situated in a state park of its own name, the waterfall is situated in the Cascade Mountains less than an hour’s drive east of Seattle.
The 2.8-mile hiking track leads to this 265-foot waterfall. Reaching the upper falls requires climbing more than 1,300 feet, most of which is accomplished via a series of steep switchbacks at the trail’s finish.
Just before the trail makes a sharp turn, those who aren’t in it for the exercise will be treated to a great view of the middle falls. Popular hiking trail Wallace Falls is near Seattle; during summer weekends, get an early start to beat the throng.
Nearly ten additional miles of hiking paths can be found in Wallace Falls State Park in addition to the 5.6-mile round-trip hike to view the upper falls.
11) Iron Creek Falls, Gifford Pinchot National Forest
A short journey northeast of Mount St. Helens in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest brings you to this untamed waterfall. Iron Creek and its namesake falls are reached after a strenuous tenth of a mile hike from Forest Service Road 25.
Since this waterfall isn’t the most photographed in the state, it’s simpler to get some alone time to take in this kinetic beauty.
Late spring and early summer are the heaviest times of year for Iron Creek Falls to flow. The rocky beach that surrounds the pool formed by Iron Creek falls opens up for exploration as summer goes on.
One of the nicest spots to camp close to Mount St. Helens is Iron Creek Campground, which are located just 10 miles north on Forest Service Road 25 and offers rustic campsites.
12) Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park
Another well-liked waterfall in Olympic National Park, which is situated in Washington’s far northwest, is Sol Duc Falls. The trailhead for the falls is located in the northwest section of the park and is reachable from the Lake Crescent area via a paved road.
The majority of visitors make the short walk to see Sol Duc Falls because this deep section of the park attracts a lot of attention.
The trip to visit Sol Duc Falls is on reasonably level terrain and takes less than a mile. Sol Duc is a well-liked family-friendly waterfall walk in Olympic National Park because of its simple methodology.
Additionally, a broad observation area and platforms encircle the series of cascades that descend into a small river canyon along its short approach.
The trail continues well past the falls into the park’s Seven Lakes Basin, where a vantage point of Mount Olympus is readily available. Not far from the trailhead, Sol Duc Hot Springs offers one of the few Olympic-style commercial hot spring resorts, so visitors might want to give it a look.
Conclusion
The best waterfalls in Washington may not always be the most obvious choice because it depends on a variety of elements, including accessibility, landscape, and personal taste.
Yet, a few well-liked choices that are frequently mentioned are Marymere Falls, which has a tranquil forest environment, Palouse Falls, which is renowned for its rough beauty, and Snoqualmie Falls, which is renowned for its amazing height.
Since every waterfall offers a different experience, the “best” waterfall ultimately relies on your preferences for adventure and scenic beauty.