Washington is filled to the brim with natural wonders of every size and shape, but there’s no denying that our gorgeous, cascading waterfalls are just one of the highlights of our state. Fortunately, we have plenty of them! In fact, there are around 2,000-3,000 waterfalls in Washington. Now obviously, a good portion of these will require a hefty hike to reach — but not the picture-perfect Snoqualmie Falls, one of our state’s most spectacular natural wonders. Best yet, reaching the Snoqualmie viewing area requires no real effort at all and is accessible for nearly everyone.

Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington’s most popular attractions, drawing over 1.5 million visitors per year.

Feng Wei Photography/Getty But don’t worry about battling crowds – there’s a huge viewing area and plenty of small paths you can take for the best views.

The waterfall was formed thousands of years ago by ancient glaciers, and has been treasured for centuries by Native Americans.

Tim Abramowitz/Getty The Snoqualmie Tribe established a camp at the base of the nearby Mount Si and villages in what is now Fall City. The word “snoqualmie” is actually an interpretation of the Salish word meaning “moon.” Uniquely, the waterfall itself features prominently in tribal Creation stories and is an incredibly sacred site, even today.

By the time the first white settlers arrived in 1850, the waterfall was already a tourist destination.

George Cole/Eye Em/Getty In fact, pioneer women used to get a thrill out of edging as close to the falls as they could while friends held on to their dresses to keep them from falling.

These days, people (hopefully) don’t dangle over the edge to see the falls! And with the easy to reach viewing platform, such dangerous feats aren’t necessary.

peeterv/Getty In fact, the viewing platform is just a few steps from the parking lot. As you can see, the viewing platform offers some stellar views. No hike needed.

Even if you can’t get a parking spot right next to the falls, you can simply park across the street and cross using the pedestrian bridge.

Melissa Kopka/Getty

Snoqualmie Falls is 269 feet tall, which is pretty impressive. To put its size in perspective, Niagara Falls is only around 188 feet tall.

Jan Busby/Getty

But as magnificent as it is to see the falls from the top, seeing the base will make you realize how massive Snoqualmie Falls really is.

Stuart Westmorland/Getty Human for perspective!

If you feel like braving the mist to get up close and check out the base of the waterfall, a short and easy trail will take you there.

ALAG / TripAdvisor The trail is around 1.4 miles and shows off a completely new side of the waterfall.

No matter the weather and no matter the season…

400tmax/Getty

…Snoqualmie Falls is truly one of Washington’s most spectacular sights from every single angle.

ukasz Tomczyk/500px/Getty

This iconic waterfall in Washington might just be one of the most photographed spots in the state. But we can say with certainty that Snoqualmie Falls is even more beautiful in person! And if you get hungry, you can always enjoy views of it from The Dining Room at the Salish Lodge & Spa.

Feng Wei Photography/Getty

But don’t worry about battling crowds – there’s a huge viewing area and plenty of small paths you can take for the best views.

Tim Abramowitz/Getty

The Snoqualmie Tribe established a camp at the base of the nearby Mount Si and villages in what is now Fall City. The word “snoqualmie” is actually an interpretation of the Salish word meaning “moon.” Uniquely, the waterfall itself features prominently in tribal Creation stories and is an incredibly sacred site, even today.

George Cole/Eye Em/Getty

In fact, pioneer women used to get a thrill out of edging as close to the falls as they could while friends held on to their dresses to keep them from falling.

peeterv/Getty

In fact, the viewing platform is just a few steps from the parking lot. As you can see, the viewing platform offers some stellar views. No hike needed.

Melissa Kopka/Getty

Jan Busby/Getty

Stuart Westmorland/Getty

Human for perspective!

ALAG / TripAdvisor

The trail is around 1.4 miles and shows off a completely new side of the waterfall.

400tmax/Getty

ukasz Tomczyk/500px/Getty

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Address: 6501 Railroad Ave, Snoqualmie, WA 98065, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Snoqualmie Falls & Related Info December 20, 2022 Jennifer What are the tallest waterfalls in Washington state? Washington has around 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 Colonial Creek Falls, North Cascades National Park 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

  Are there any frozen 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 to check out 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

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Snoqualmie Falls & Related Info

December 20, 2022

Jennifer

What are the tallest waterfalls in Washington state? Washington has around 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 Colonial Creek Falls, North Cascades National Park 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

  Are there any frozen 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 to check out 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

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Washington has around 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
  • Colonial Creek Falls, North Cascades National Park
  • 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

 

Are there any frozen 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 to check out 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