Every waterfall is a stunner. Whether it’s a gentle, babbling creek spilling over some smooth river rocks or a steep cascade gushing impossibly out of a rocky mountain face – we can’t help but stop and ogle for a while. But let’s be honest, the taller the plummet and the more powerful the spray, the better! Fortunately, Washington State is positively overflowing (pun intended) with gorgeous falls. But as it turns out, these beauties are just as lovely when they’re not moving at all – waterfalls frozen into breathtaking natural ice sculptures that glitter in the sun and showcase their impressive magnitude. One of Washington’s most iconic icy lookers is not only absolutely magnificent when temperatures drop, but is surprisingly easy to enjoy as well: Franklin Falls. This frozen gem is something truly special in winter. Check it out:

It’s no secret that the Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is home to some pretty incredible views, especially in winter.

Andrew E. Larsen/Flickr

Just like it’s no secret that the gorgeous, 135-foot sight of Franklin Falls is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Attila Adam/Getty The waterfall is actually three separate tiers, totaling 135 feet. However, it’s the final 70-foot drop that is the real crowd-pleaser.

Fortunately, this stunning roadside waterfall is hidden in plain sight and easily visible from I-90, which makes it a lovely destination in any season.

RomanKhomlyak/Getty

But winter is a little extra magical here.

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Every day and every visit offers something new as the temperature, water levels, and precipitation changes.

Dale Johnson/500px/Getty

Of course, while viewing frozen Franklin Falls from the highway is a sight to see, viewing the icy wonder up close is absolutely spectacular.

Claudia Cooper/Getty

Claudia Cooper/Getty

Hiking to the base of the falls is much slower than it would be in summer, but the journey is a beautiful one through a thick, forested slice of the North Cascades.

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Kalyanashis Chakraborty/500px/Getty Round-trip mileage depends on which direction you begin your journey. It’s two miles from the parking area near Denny Creek,

Don’t forget to drink in the beautiful details along the way!

Vince Barnes/Getty

The Washington Trails Association has does an amazing job of maintaining the trail and has added a number of safety walls and features to make it hikeable for all ages.

OpenRangeStock/Getty Note that there are stairs in a few areas, as well as spots that do not have handrails. Slippery conditions are a given due to the snow, ice, and waterfall mist.

At the base of the falls, the wintry panorama might just take your breath away.

OpenRangeStock/Getty

Like layers of unfurled white tulle, this waterfall is absolutely dripping in glittery elegance. Sometimes you’ll forget that water is still lightly flowing beneath the ice. Other times, the veil-like ribbons continue to gush, paying no mind to the ice crowding in from the sides.

Dale Johnson/500px/Getty

To put it simply: no matter the level of frost…

Jim Zuckerman

And no matter the angle…

Kia Sedighi/500px/Getty

Franklin Falls in winter is absolutely idyllic.

OpenRangeStock/Getty

Have you ever experienced frozen Franklin Falls in winter?

Andrew E. Larsen/Flickr

Attila Adam/Getty

The waterfall is actually three separate tiers, totaling 135 feet. However, it’s the final 70-foot drop that is the real crowd-pleaser.

RomanKhomlyak/Getty

OpenRangeStock/Getty

Dale Johnson/500px/Getty

Claudia Cooper/Getty

Stephen Pawlawski/Getty

Kalyanashis Chakraborty/500px/Getty

Round-trip mileage depends on which direction you begin your journey. It’s two miles from the parking area near Denny Creek,

Vince Barnes/Getty

Note that there are stairs in a few areas, as well as spots that do not have handrails. Slippery conditions are a given due to the snow, ice, and waterfall mist.

Jim Zuckerman

Kia Sedighi/500px/Getty

As one of Washington’s most accessible waterfalls, this is a popular hike in the North Cascades. Fortunately, all you need is a Northwest Forest Pass! But take note: the Snoqualmie area is known for its abundant snowfall, so before attempting the drive, be sure to check weather conditions and for any road closures. Weather also changes quickly here, so microspikes, snowshoes, and extra layers are an absolute necessity.

For more info and directions, visit the Washington Trails Association’s official hiking page.

Looking for more epic winter adventures in Washington state? Check out some of our favorite winter road trips here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Franklin Falls, Washington 98045, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Frozen Franklin Falls & Related Info November 25, 2022 Jennifer Where can I hike in winter in Washington? Winters in Washington state are known to be cold, wet, and overcast, but don’t let that stop you from exploring! There are plenty of beautiful winter hikes and hiking areas in Washington that are worth the extra effort, layers, and planning:

Padilla Bay, Skagit River Thunder Creek, North Cascades National Park Crab Creek Wildlife Area, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Cowiche Canyon, Yakima Gold Creek Trail, Bremerton Ozette Loop, Olympic National Park Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor Oyster Dome, Bellingham Mazama Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar Iceberg Point, Lopez Island Lake Wenatchee State Park, Leavenworth Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie Spirit Falls, Cook

  What are some must-see frozen winter waterfalls in Washington? While winter temperatures in Washington vary from year to year, there are a few waterfalls that are known to freeze regularly. During particularly cold years, here are just a few possible frozen waterfalls in Washington:

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park Franklin Falls, Snoqualmie Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park Bridal Veil Falls, Pikes Peak State Park

  What are the tallest waterfalls in Washington? Washington has over 3,000 documented waterfalls, the majority of which are located in the western half of the state. While not all of Washington’s waterfalls are easy to access, many can be reached by hiking or backpacking. Some of the tallest and most popular waterfalls in Washington include:

Colonial Creek Falls, North Cascades National Park Bridal Veil Falls, Stevens Pass Mazama Falls, Mount Baker Comet Falls, Mount Rainier National Park Wallace Falls, Wallace Falls State Park Fall Creek Falls, Columbia River Gorge Spray Falls, Mount Rainier National Park Pearl Falls, Mount Rainier National Park Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie Twin Falls, Olallie State Park Panther Creek Falls, Glifford Pinchot National Forest Rocky Brook Falls, Olympic Peninsula Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park Narada Falls, Mount Rainier National Park

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Frozen Franklin Falls & Related Info

November 25, 2022

Jennifer

Where can I hike in winter in Washington? Winters in Washington state are known to be cold, wet, and overcast, but don’t let that stop you from exploring! There are plenty of beautiful winter hikes and hiking areas in Washington that are worth the extra effort, layers, and planning:

Padilla Bay, Skagit River Thunder Creek, North Cascades National Park Crab Creek Wildlife Area, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Cowiche Canyon, Yakima Gold Creek Trail, Bremerton Ozette Loop, Olympic National Park Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor Oyster Dome, Bellingham Mazama Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar Iceberg Point, Lopez Island Lake Wenatchee State Park, Leavenworth Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie Spirit Falls, Cook

  What are some must-see frozen winter waterfalls in Washington? While winter temperatures in Washington vary from year to year, there are a few waterfalls that are known to freeze regularly. During particularly cold years, here are just a few possible frozen waterfalls in Washington:

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park Franklin Falls, Snoqualmie Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park Bridal Veil Falls, Pikes Peak State Park

  What are the tallest waterfalls in Washington? Washington has over 3,000 documented waterfalls, the majority of which are located in the western half of the state. While not all of Washington’s waterfalls are easy to access, many can be reached by hiking or backpacking. Some of the tallest and most popular waterfalls in Washington include:

Colonial Creek Falls, North Cascades National Park Bridal Veil Falls, Stevens Pass Mazama Falls, Mount Baker Comet Falls, Mount Rainier National Park Wallace Falls, Wallace Falls State Park Fall Creek Falls, Columbia River Gorge Spray Falls, Mount Rainier National Park Pearl Falls, Mount Rainier National Park Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie Twin Falls, Olallie State Park Panther Creek Falls, Glifford Pinchot National Forest Rocky Brook Falls, Olympic Peninsula Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park Narada Falls, Mount Rainier National Park

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winters in Washington state are known to be cold, wet, and overcast, but don’t let that stop you from exploring! There are plenty of beautiful winter hikes and hiking areas in Washington that are worth the extra effort, layers, and planning:

  • Padilla Bay, Skagit River
  • Thunder Creek, North Cascades National Park
  • Crab Creek Wildlife Area, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
  • Cowiche Canyon, Yakima
  • Gold Creek Trail, Bremerton
  • Ozette Loop, Olympic National Park
  • Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish
  • Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville
  • Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor
  • Oyster Dome, Bellingham
  • Mazama Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park
  • Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar
  • Iceberg Point, Lopez Island
  • Lake Wenatchee State Park, Leavenworth
  • Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie
  • Spirit Falls, Cook

 

What are some must-see frozen winter waterfalls in Washington?

While winter temperatures in Washington vary from year to year, there are a few waterfalls that are known to freeze regularly. During particularly cold years, here are just a few possible frozen waterfalls in Washington:

  • Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park
  • Franklin Falls, Snoqualmie
  • Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie
  • Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park
  • Bridal Veil Falls, Pikes Peak State Park

What are the tallest waterfalls in Washington?

Washington has over 3,000 documented waterfalls, the majority of which are located in the western half of the state. While not all of Washington’s waterfalls are easy to access, many can be reached by hiking or backpacking. Some of the tallest and most popular waterfalls in Washington include:

  • Colonial Creek Falls, North Cascades National Park
  • Bridal Veil Falls, Stevens Pass
  • Mazama Falls, Mount Baker
  • Comet Falls, Mount Rainier National Park
  • Wallace Falls, Wallace Falls State Park
  • Fall Creek Falls, Columbia River Gorge
  • Spray Falls, Mount Rainier National Park
  • Pearl Falls, Mount Rainier National Park
  • Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie
  • Twin Falls, Olallie State Park
  • Panther Creek Falls, Glifford Pinchot National Forest
  • Rocky Brook Falls, Olympic Peninsula
  • Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park
  • Narada Falls, Mount Rainier National Park