Washington tour is incomplete without exploring the amazing waterfalls. They span over mountains, rainforests, and national parks and offer natural landscapes, diverse climate, and unique hydrology. Snoqualmie Falls and Palouse Falls are two iconic waterfalls in Washington State that draw approximately thousand of the visitor every year. Washington offers more than 3000 waterfalls, which makes it the state with the most waterfalls in the USA. If you are planning to explore the best waterfalls in Washington, then you are in the right place to make your trip happen.
(Note: Every step matters to make your trip affordable and successful without any hassle. While you are exploring the waterfalls in Washington State, make sure public transport is your first choice before traveling a short distance. Only prefer a Washington charter bus for a long distance or no public transport facility to travel)
Explore Top Washington State Waterfalls in 6 Days
Your journey to the Washington waterfall can start from any city in Washington because they are connected to each other. But your trip can be easier if you start exploring from Seattle. Because it is the city where you get all types of items that are important for your waterfall trip. Additionally, there are many waterfalls in Washington near Seattle to explore in a single day. Maybe you already planned a trip to explore the Washington waterfall according to your style, but this 6-day travel guide helps you to enhance your strategy during Washington waterfall exploration.
Day 1: Seattle to Snoqualmie Falls → Franklin Falls → Wallace Falls
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is the closest waterfall to Seattle. On the highway of I-90 E, a visitor can fully enjoy the 29.8-mile ride from Seattle through public transport to reach Snoqualmie Falls. According to snoqualmiewa.gov, it is the second-most-visited waterfall in Washington. It is one of the best waterfalls in Washington, where you experience the top view of the waterfall at 268 feet.
Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls is a 70-foot plunge waterfall that is only 25 minutes away from the Snoqualmie Falls. This is approximately 23 miles ride from the last destination, which you can easily travel through I-90 E to Exit 47 to reach Franklin Falls. The highlight of the fall is for beginner hikers and the families who are seeking a high-reward destination with minimal effort. It has a 2-mile trail with a round trip. You will experience a cool atmosphere even if you explore the waterfall in summer; it is just because of its thick old-growth canopy. Whereas in the winter, you experience the ice-carved wonderlands.
Wallace Falls
End your first day with an epic falls in Washington State that connects with Wallace Falls State Park. It is about 50 miles from Franklin Falls, which passes 3 highways via I-90 W, I-405 N, and US-2 E to reach out Wallace Falls. The waterfall is inside the park who spanning about 1,380-acre to make an ideal destination for hiking, trail walking, and nature photography. It is a three-tier river waterfall where you enjoy water amenities and activities, including
- Greg Ball Trail
- Jay and Shaw Lakes
- Backcountry camping
Day 2: Wallace Falls to North Cascades National Park
The second day starts with a 108-mile-long journey to the North Cascades National Park. This park takes a 2-hour 15-minute journey from Wallace, where you experience many coastal areas, rainforest, and a quiet atmosphere via WA-530/State Rte 530 NE highway. This park does not charge any fee to explore Diablo Lake, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, or Glacier Carved Mountain. Here are only two Washington Falls included to explore in a day.
Ladder Creek Falls
People looking for the best waterfalls in Washington State that offer a family-friendly park featuring gardening and trails inside the park. Ladder Creek Falls is your go-to spot for enjoying a 72-foot waterfall with other free amenities. This place offers lush exotic flora and a suspension bridge that is located behind the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem. The families are walking over a 0.4-mile trail, seeing a waterfall cascading through a narrow canyon. You will enjoy a coloured light show near the Ladder Creek Falls that was created in 1920.
Gorge Creek Falls
Gorge Creek Falls is an incredible top-tiered waterfall that offers a panoramic view of the falls on State Route 20 highway. This waterfall is nearly 242 feet from the base of the North Cascades National Park. In Gorge Creek Falls, early Summer and Spring are the peak seasons. At this time, you will experience a large crowd, green rainforest, and high water flow, but you may struggle to access amenities like a toilet, a parking lot, a 0.3-mile trail, and a wheelchair.
Day 3 & 4: North Cascades to Mount Rainier National Park
Day 3 and 4’s journey is pretty similar to the last one in the North Cascades. It is a long 175-mile ride to reach Mount Rainier National Park. Travel via WA-530 W/State Rte 530 NE to reach Mount Rainier National Park in 3 hours and 25 minutes. While experiencing the place, some waterfalls really surprise you. They are the famous waterfalls in Washington State inside Mount Rainier National Park.
Christine Falls
On day 3, exploring a waterfall that is dedicated to the name of the daughter of a climber who climbed Mount Rainier at an early age, Mr. P. B. Van Trump. This is the early 20th-century, two-tier waterfall, famously known for the architect of the historic stone bridge. The waterfall is about 69 feet tall, where you can find a direct view of the fall from Paradise Road without hiking.
Narada Falls
Looking for the best roadside waterfall while travelling through Mount Rainier. Then, travel to Narada Falls to visit one of the largest roadside waterfalls in Mount Rainier. Cover approximately 4.5 miles to reach Narada Falls from Christine Falls to check out an 188-foot plunge who appreciate the visitor by their picnic table, restroom, and a trail.
Myrtle Falls
On day 4, start your journey through the paradise area and reach the most beautiful 72-foot horsetail-style waterfall called Myrtle Falls. This is one of the unique waterfalls in Washington State, highlighted for its unique footbridge, spur trail, and alignment of the mountain and waterfalls. It’s good to explore between june to september to get an iconic photo spot, great weather, and peak waterfall.
Silver Falls
Silver Falls is a glacier waterfall that is located in Mount Rainier, about 20.8 miles from Myrtle Falls. You can find in the google map through the coordinates: 46.75221, -121.55936. This is one of the hidden waterfalls in Washington State, with a 60-foot-tall, frosty, and slippery atmosphere. Every time exploration requires a safety guideline to avoid potential risks and accidents.
Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park to Olympic Peninsula
The distance is approximately between 150 and 160 miles to reach the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula within 3 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 hours. The direction guides you to the shortest path from Mount Rainer through Tacoma. You need to cover 2 highways to reach the Olympic Peninsula border. First, travel via WA-16 N highway that connects to Tacoma, then change path to US-101 N to enter a 3600 square mile area of the Olympic Peninsula. After entering the Olympic Peninsula, you experience the great beauty of coastlines, rainforests, and mountains, and some of the waterfalls of Washington State are really worth your trip.
Rocky Brook Falls
Rocky Brook Falls is approximately a 229-239-foot horsetail waterfall. This waterfall is the tallest among all the waterfalls inside the Olympic Peninsula. It carries private ownership, but there is no entry or parking fee required to explore the fall.
Murhut Falls
Visit one of the pretty kid friendly waterfall that structured with two tiers in the Olympic National Forest called Murhut Falls. This fall is completely explored at zero cost. This waterfall height is about 130 foots, but it is the best destination for all experienced hikers. This place is widely in line with the crowd in May or June to experience the Pacific rhododendrons and nearby hiking points, Duckabush River, and Ranger Hole.
Day 6: Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is the center of the Olympic Peninsula. It is one of the best places to visit in Washington. It covers a 922,000-acre area for preserved wilderness core and natural attractions. Before entering the park, you need to pay a $30 entrance fee to explore the environment and falls inside the park. These are some Washington State waterfalls to visit includes
Sol Duc Falls
Sol Duc Falls is a 48 feet photographed waterfall. It is a standout among the different Northwest Cascades due to its 3 to 4 constricted rock passages. It is a uniquely structured waterfall where the water will flow into multiple-channel gorges.
Madison Falls
Madison Falls is a 60-foot waterfall located in the Elwha River Valley. It is a family-friendly waterfall in Washington State that offers a 0.2-mile round-trip trail to explore the waterfall surroundings closely and other amenities like restrooms, picnic tables, and a grassy area.
Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is the 90 feet horsetail waterfall that underlying bedrock near Lake Crescent. It has a 1.8-mile round trail and a trailhead parking lot that early filled in the summer season. The hiking and trail route is well maintained, where the path is filled with the shoreline.
(Note: These 6-day trips take you to some famous waterfalls in Washington State. It experiences the unique place, mountain hikes, beautiful views, and local unknown knowledge every time you visit a waterfall. By day 7, you can finish your trip and return to Seattle again, which is only 111 miles from Olympic National Park.)
Day 7 (Optional): Seattle to Palouse Falls State Park
Palouse Falls State Park is a 94-acre park that is located in the Southeast of Washington. It is a 200-foot active waterfall from the ancient Missoula flood path. This place offers the highest panoramic view of the canyon, but it is only accessible during the daytime.
(Fact: Palouse Falls State Park is the longest covered distance waterfall from the above. It is approximately 237 miles from Seattle, which takes 4 to 4.5 hours to reach. It takes a complete day to discover the waterfall, whereas other places offer more than one waterfall in their surroundings to explore in a single day. If you have more than 6 off days, then you can definitely explore this waterfall, but you need a private rental vehicle to travel to Palouse Falls due to the unavailability of public transport options from Seattle.)
Planning Tips Before Exploring Washington Waterfalls
Best Time to Go
- Spring(April to June): The best time to explore Waterfalls in Washington. This time, snowmelt flows into the river, and the atmosphere is muddy and rainy. But there are some other seasons according to experience.
- Summer(July to September): People looking for dry and warm weather make it easy for hiking and swimming.
- Fall & Winter (October – March): This season is perfect for traveling to other places like coastal towns in Washington, beaches to explore, and hidden places. But it’s not for exploring waterfalls. This season, you experience Heavy Storm Flow and massive rains, and some national parks are closed in winter.
Food And Lodging
| Days | Place | Hotels | Restaurants |
| Day 1 | Near Wallace Falls | The Wallace Falls Lodge, Stevens Pass Motel, Dutch Cup Motel | Mountain View Diner, Zeke’s Drive-In, Sultan Bakery, and La Hacienda |
| Day 2 | Near Gorge Creek Falls | Ross Lake Resort, North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin, North Cascades Inn | Upriver Grill & Taproom, Mondo Restaurant, Birdsview Diner, and Annie’s Pizza Station |
| Day 3&4 | Near Silver Falls | Paradise Village Hotel & Restaurant, Rainier Lodge, and Alexander’s Lodge At Mt Rainier | Paradise Inn Dining Room, Alpine Inn Restaurant, Summit House Restaurant |
| Day 5 | Near Murhut Falls | Mike’s Beach Resort, Olympic Base Camp, Mount Walker Inn, and Lake Cushman Rentals | Halfway House Restaurant, Geoduck Restaurant & Lounge, Quilbilly’s Restaurant and Taproom |
| Day 6 | Near Marymere Falls | Lake Crescent Lodge, Kalaloch Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, and Lake Quinault Lodge | Chestnut Cottage Restaurant, Kokopelli Grill, Roosevelt Dining Room, and First Street Haven |
National Park Passes
The above-mentioned waterfalls do not require any charges to explore the attraction, but some national and state forest parks charge a fee to visit.
- National Park Passes (Mount Rainier, Olympic, & North Cascades): standard $30 per vehicle for 7 days. The $80 covers the annual pass in all US national parks and federal recreational areas.
- Northwest Forest Passes (National Forests): $5 per day per vehicle, whereas $30 for an annual pass.
- Discover Pass (Washington State Parks & DNR): $10 per day and $30 for an annual pass.
Travel Essentials
While exploring the Waterfalls of Washington, you need some essential includes Footwear, Weather Protection, Trekking Poles, Photography Gear, clothes, and towels.
Safety Guidelines
Exploring waterfalls required a core safety guideline to avoid accidents. These includes
- Wearing sturdy boots
- Do not jump into the waterfall
- Avoid the Top Edge
- Safely step up
- Decision to hike after trail conditions
- Avoid walking through wet places
Conclusion
Waterfalls in Washington are not only a scenic wonder but also a perfect blend of preserving the natural heritage of our planet. Starting from the forest, trail, mountain, and cascade, experience an unparalleled adventure at other attractions. No matter whether the monsoon is in summer, winter, spring, or rain, it offers a unique geographical story at the end of the tour.