Springtime brings about the rain, slowly warming temperatures, and the first signs of green. It also means it’s waterfall season! Even though I am in Oklahoma now and gradually hiking to the best waterfalls in the mid-south, I still dream of all the glorious waterfalls in the PNW. I’ve had time to look back on my life in Washington state and my only regret is not going on more hikes in the 16 years I lived there. You could probably spend several lifetimes there and not see all the beauty that the state has to offer. Divided by region, this list is only a brief glimpse. So let’s get into it…
1.Narada Falls
Starting out the list (and the beginning of several Rainier waterfalls) is the impressive and fairly accessible Narada Falls. Located on the Paradise side of Mount Rainier, the falls drop a total of 176 feet cascading from the top tier of the falls to a horsetail with several water channels on the rock face. There is plenty of parking, and you can reach the falls viewpoint from a short but steep 0.8-mile hike. Typically, the trail is covered in snow until about May. Then it becomes a slippery mix of mud, water, and some remaining snow. I have visited these falls several times, pretty much every time I made the trip to Paradise. Each time, there was snow still on the ground but a narrow path that was snow free. It is a must stop for waterfall fans, and there is usually a good chance you can catch a rainbow in the mist. You will also FEEL that mist encircle you when the falls are really going.
2. Myrtle Falls
Myrtle Falls is also located in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier. Just a quarter mile from the main parking lot, the horsetail falls are a 72-foot wonder. This is easily one of the most photographed spots at Mount Rainier since you are able to get the falls and mountain in the same shot. In the late spring, the wildflowers also pop up. Of in the fall, you can find the last of summer’s wildflowers. The path to the falls is paved with a small steep section to get to the bottom viewpoint. The falls run year-round, but the path is not accessible during the snow season.
3. Comet Falls
Easily one of my most memorable hikes in Mount Rainier National Park is Comet Falls. My friend Neil invited me for a Sunday hike one April before all the snow had melted. It is a 3.2-mile out and back hike to the falls. Comet Falls plummets 462 feet from Van Trump Creek, resembling the tail of a comet (hence the name). The best time of year to see the falls is in the late mornings between July and October. At this time, the sun illuminates the fall. By the afternoon, the falls will be in shadow. But that could also add to the ambiance of a foggy PNW day. You can’t tell from the photos, but there are two smaller drops from the main falls. They just happened to be covered in show the day we went.
4. Silver Falls
Perhaps one of the most kid-friendly and accessible hikes in Mount Rainier, Silver Falls is a beautiful scene – water cascading over a series of rocks before diving 40 feet into one of the bluest pools I have ever seen. The 2.7-mile hike begins at the Ohanapecosh Visitors Center off SR 123 near Randle, WA. More than just a destination to the falls, this hike also passes by the site of an old hot springs resort. You can learn more about the history of the resort at the visitor’s center. The park has allowed these springs to return to their natural state, now a series of trickles that flow into the Ohanapecosh River.
5. Spray Falls
The last of this series of waterfalls located at Mount Rainier National Park (and one I regret not being able to view) is Spray Falls. The trail head is located in the NW portion of the park at the end of Mowich Lake Road and follows along a section of the Wonderland Trail. This is arguably one of the most beautiful areas of the park. You will walk 2.3 miles through forests, cross streams, and get some epic views of the mountain to get to the falls, cascading over 350+ feet of rock. Big thank you to my co-worker Amber for her photo of the falls. I miss you!!
6. Snoqualmie Falls
I almost feel like Snoqualime Falls needs no introduction. Just look at that photo! Located a mere 30 minutes east of Seattle off I-90, the falls are a great stop to stretch your legs, get a great photo, and pay respects to a sacred place. This used to be an essential stop for myself while driving back from Montana. Stone and I would view the falls and have a snack before the last leg of our drive home. This is a popular spot with over 1.5 million visitors a year. There is a restaurant, the Salish Lodge, observation deck, and 2-acre park with a hiking trail to the bottom of the falls. Most viewpoints you see are from the various observation decks at the top overlook of the falls. However, there is a 1.4-mile out and back trail to the bottom of the falls. The falls are most powerful at the end of a heavy rain or snow melt.
7. Franklin Falls
Also located of I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass is the popular Franklin Falls. A 2-mile out and back trail leads to the base of these 70 foot falls. The trail itself is a mellow walk through the woods, following the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Around 0.7 miles, you can see a view of the falls, the last 0.3 miles are carved from the rock allowing a slippery path to the bottom. This hike is great for kids although they may need assistance and reminders to be safe while walking that last 0.3 mile. The falls fun year-round and are best viewed either in the spring or the fall after a few rains. You can also hike to the falls in the winter to get a view of some stellar icicles on the falls, just remember to use micro spikes and trekking poles.
8. Wallace Falls
Wallace Falls is located at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar, WA off Hwy 2. To get to the falls, follow the 5.6-mile Woody Trail. The trail head begins just off from the parking lot and follows the Wallace River through the beauty of the Cascades. At the half mile marker, you will come to a split. Follow the path on the right to continue on for the middle falls. You can stop here or continue up the switchbacks for half a mile to the upper falls. This is a great spot to get mountain views, trek through an old growth forest, see surrounding waterfalls along with Wallace Falls, and build up endurance as a hiker. Almost all the best in the PNW world.
9. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls cascades from Lake Serene down the 100-foot-tall east rock face of Mount Index. The trail to the falls is 4 miles roundtrip following an old, abandoned road until forking right to get a view of the lower falls. Here the trail climbs rocky areas and several stairways to place you right next to the falls. From this close, you can really feel the spray of the falls! It’s a popular spot so parking fills up quickly. It’s best to get there early or go on a weekday to beat the crowds.
10. Rocky Brook Falls
Probably the shortest hike with the biggest payout on this list is the 0.3-mile trail to Rocky Brook Falls in the Olympic Peninsula near Brinnon, WA. The falls you can see are part of a larger four tier waterfall. This fourth fall totals 239 feet, one of the tallest in the peninsula. The walk takes about 7-8 minutes. There are a few gravel spots just off the road to parking. This is private property and thankfully the owners have allowed for visitors to still visit the falls. But remember, as always, leave no trace and respect the area.
11. Vincent Creek Falls
I came upon these next waterfalls on accident one rainy day after I had just bought my Subaru Outback. I figured a rainy drive through some old forest roads would be a great way to test out the all-wheel drive for its maiden voyage. We spotted Vincent Creek Falls while taking in the views from the High Steel Bridge outside of Shelton, WA. The 365 ft tall bridge makes this 250-foot waterfall feel minuscule…which then also makes you feel miniscule. Add some fall color, and you have a winner. This waterfall is one that is actually best view between November and February due to its low watershed. It is best viewed when the Skokomish River Basin receives heavy rain since dries up in the summertime.
12. Murhut Falls
Murhut Falls drops 153 feet total from a basin on the south side of the lower Duckabush River valley. The trail to the falls is one of those “more bang for your buck” type of trails with little elevation gain and only 1.6 miles there and back. As you get closer to the view of the falls, be sure to watch out for any littles you may have with you since there is a definite drop down to the ravine.
13. Marymere Falls
Another favorite in the Olympic Peninsula is Marymere Falls. The trail to the falls is a mellow 1.8 miles roundtrip through an old growth forest. Beginning at the Storm King Ranger Station, you will reach a junction, be sure to follow the path to the right to the falls. The left will take you to Mount Storm King, a MUCH different level of hiking with a much different view (still a great hike if you are up for it!). There is a platform to view the falls with a wood barrier. After the hike, you can continue on to have a break on the shores or Lake Crescent or explore other trails such as the 0.5-mile, family friendly Moments in Time Trail.
14. Merriman Falls
Another easy to reach falls right off the road! Merriman falls is located off the South Shore Rd in Quinalt, WA. You can park your car off to the side of the road in the gravel and walk a few dozen feet to the base of the falls. The falls plunge roughly 40 feet into rocks and logs covered in ferns and moss before hitting the Quinalt floor. It has all the makings of a fairytale. And even though this is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls in the Olympic Peninsula, it is not as well-known as other waterfalls in the area. The best time to view these falls is also in the Spring and Fall since the summer months will dry up the watershed and streams that feed these falls.
15. Sol Duc Falls
This may be the fan favorite in the Olympia Peninsula, Sol Duc Falls, located in the northwest region of the park, 40 minutes west of Port Angeles. The trail to the falls begins behind the Sol Duc Hot Springs and Resort. It is a well maintained, family friendly 1.6 miles total through a dense forest canopy. On the right day, you will see smaller brooks and streams throughout the forest floor before getting to the main show. Sol Duc Falls drops 48 feet into the rocky narrow canyon. You will 100% want to remember your camera for this one! And it’s even better when the weather is overcast or cloudy with rain since you can see the various shades of green throughout the forest.
16. Lower Lewis Falls
Now we are heading south into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for the massive Lower Lewis Falls. At 42 feet tall and over 200 feet in width, pictures don’t really show how massive these falls are. There are multiple access points for the Lewis River along the 14-mile trail. You can just visit the Lower Falls, which is what we did; or you can start at the trailhead for Curly Creek Falls and head north or you can start at the Quartz Creek trailhead and move south. The choice is yours! Realistically, I could spend an entire afternoon at the Lower Falls, soaking up the sun and exploring the water. If you do plan to get into the water, be aware that the rocks are slick, and some sort of water shoe would really be a help. There is also now a pass system in place for parking at the falls through recreation.gov. Be sure you have this pass, or you will be turned away or given a big ole ticket. Not fun to return to at the end of your day.
17. Panther Creek Falls
Another gem in the Gifford Pinchot are the hidden Panther Creek Falls. I only know about these falls because my dearest Lisa was a camp host for their campgrounds for several summers. We would drive down to her campground every summer in the VW and hang out for a couple days before taking off further south or east. It is a unique water fall in that Panther Creek falls to the edge through several directions and tiers which are really complicated to describe. It’s something you just have to see. For scale, there is a person standing on the rock ledge in the middle right of the above photo.
18. Falls Creek Falls
Finishing up this quick list of waterfalls in the Gifford Pinchot, is Falls Creek Falls – one of southern Washington’s most beautiful waterfalls at 220 feet. When the rains have been heavy, these falls are intense! This is a trail that will definitely require rain gear in the wet season. The nearly 6-mile loop trail is located 15 miles north of Carson, WA off Wind River Highway. The road is closed/snowed in during the wintertime between December and April, so if you plan to visit during those times, you may need to add 4 miles on to your hike. And I have to thank Julian Hernandez for his photo of the middle and lower tiers of the falls! This is another spot I wasn’t able to see before moving, and I will probably make it a point to go back to WA just to do this hike when the rainy season starts. Julian posts photos and some of the most relaxing reels on Instagram. Give him a follow @juliantreks! See you out there, Julian!
19. Palouse Falls
No list of Washington state waterfalls is complete without Palouse Falls, the actual state waterfall of WA. In 2014, state legislature passed a bill written by students to officially claim Palouse Falls the state waterfall. The falls descend 198 feet into a basalt canyon before reaching the Snake River. This waterfall also holds a special place in history as one of the last active waterfalls on the Ice Age floods path, carved out of the rock more than 13,000 years ago. At the end of the Ice Age the Missoula Floods (glacial floods) moved across the state carving out the landscape we see today. To get to the falls is a bit of an adventure in itself. Located in the southeast section of WA, you will need to exit I-90 and follow Hwy 26 east to Washtucna, the “gateway to the falls”. You turn left onto WA 261 and follow several rolling hills coming to a final turn on to 2.4 miles of gravel and dirt road. It’s definitely out there and there are no services at the park, but if you are a Washingtonian, it’s worth the visit. I added it to my route back from Montana one summer and it did not disappoint.
20. Tumwater Falls
Add to complete our list, Tumwater Falls – one that is a family favorite for several reasons. The falls are located near Olympia, WA off Deschutes Way. Since the falls are in the city, it is a popular spot for running and getting outside with the family. It’s also a great spot to see salmon as they return to spawn in the fall. When we visited for a final time in September 2022, we were able to watch salmon resting in the calm sections of the river before attempting leaps upriver. The Deschutes River starts in the Cascades and makes its journey to the falls before reaching Capitol Lake and eventually the ocean. The trail is approximately half a mile from the upper falls to the observation deck at the lower falls. There is also a playground, picnic area, and hundreds of labeled native plant life.
I hope you are able to get out and few some of these gorgeous waterfalls while the time is right! Be sure to take a rain jacket, some waterproof boots, and your camera.
