The 10 Best Waterfalls near Seattle You Can Drive To

Who doesn’t love a good waterfall? I certainly do! I am not sure why water falling from a higher elevation to a lower one can be so beautiful, but everyone, including myself, really enjoys them. With a short drive, you can enjoy these breathtaking waterfalls near Seattle too.

Fees and Passes

Many of the hikes in this list require a fee, but some do not require a fee at all. The fees for each hike are listed with the hikes below. However, many of the trail costs are included in annual park passes. You can visit Washington state parks as much as you like in a year with the Discover Pass for only $30. An Olympic National Park annual pass is $55, and a Mount Rainier National Park annual pass is also $55. Or you can purchase an America the Beautiful U.S. Park Pass, which gives access to all National Park Services sites for a full year. This interagency pass only costs $80.

What to Pack

Bug spray – I usually list water as the first thing to pack. But if you want to keep your sanity, bug spray is an absolute must-have essential!
Water – Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors.
Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply. Many of these North Cascades hikes are completely exposed to the sun.
Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
Microfiber Beach Towel – I packed my microfiber beach towel to take for water activities in Lake Diablo.
Water Shoes – The beaches and lake bottoms are rocks, not sand. Protect your feet with water shoes.
Swimsuits – For pool or lake time, you will need a swimsuit. Men’s Women’s
Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your North Cascades hikes.
Rain jacket – You never know when a storm will pass through so be ready with some men’s or women’s raingear.
Printed Maps/Directions – Cell service is non-existing inside the park, so I recommend you print maps/directions to all North Cascades hikes you plan to visit.

Map of Waterfalls near Seattle

Map thanks to Wanderlog, a trip planner app on iOS and Android

1. Wallace Falls

Distance from Seattle – 45 miles, 1-hour drive
Trail Length – 5.0 miles
Elevation Gain – 1,482 feet
Difficulty Rating – Moderate
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – The parking at the trailhead holds over 100 cars.
Bathroom Situation – There are bathrooms in the parking area and a pit toilet along the trail.
Fee – $10/vehicle or free with Discover Pass

Even though this hike is moderately difficult with a series of switchbacks, you get a lot of bang for your buck with three Wallace Falls waterfalls: Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls. The trail starts through dense old growth forests on a wide path for about 0.5 miles where it then forks. Stay to the narrower path to the right marked for hikers only. Continue walking the trail that traces the Wallace River until you come to the first waterfall, Lower Falls. Here is a small pavilion with three picnic tables should you want to bring a lunch to enjoy. Continue to Middle Falls where you get the best views of Middle and Upper Falls. If you want to make it to the end at Upper Falls, continue another 0.5 miles up steep switchbacks.

2. Franklin Falls

Franklin Falls - Waterfalls near Seattle

Distance from Seattle – 50 miles, less than an hour drive
Trail Length – 2.0 miles
Elevation Gain – 364 feet
Difficulty Rating – Easy
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – The parking at the trailhead holds 30 cars. There is a larger parking area 0.5 mile past the trailhead.
Bathroom Situation – Pit toilets on corner of FS-5830 and NF-5800 along trail.
Fee – $5/vehicle or free with America the Beautiful Pass

This trail is one of the most popular waterfalls near Seattle, so I suggest visiting on a weekday to avoid the masses. If you must do this trail on a weekend, arrive early. The Franklin Falls trail is a steady uphill climb most of the way to the waterfalls that follows the South Fork Snoqualmie River. Once you reach the falls, the trail becomes slick, wet stairs that have been gouged out of the rock cliffs. Watch your step as this part of the trail is slippery! Traverse the riverbed and downed trees to get up close views of Franklin Falls. The only downside of this hike is the Highway 90 bridge that cuts across your view of the falls from the side.

3. Marymere Falls

Marymere Falls - Waterfalls near Seattle

Distance from Seattle – 100 miles, 3-hour drive
Trail Length – 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain – 298 feet
Difficulty Rating – Easy
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – Large parking area assigned to Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls.
Bathroom Situation – Bathrooms are located near the Storm King Ranger Station at the trailhead.
Fee – No fee but located inside Olympic National Park

This trail starts at the Storm King Ranger Station and continues past giant old growth trees and a carpet of ferns on the forest floor. The hike crosses Barnes Creek and Falls Creek before reaching the 90-foot Marymere Falls. There are two viewing points of the waterfall: one at the lower platform and the second viewing area a view looking down at the falls after a steep climb. After finishing your hike, head to the shorelines of Lake Crescent for stunning views of the deep blue lake surrounded by majestic mountains.

4. Twin Falls

Distance from Seattle – 35 miles, 35-minute drive
Trail Length – 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain – 636 feet
Difficulty Rating – Moderate
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – Parking is very limited. Parking lot holds around 15 cars and overflow parking is along the road.
Bathroom Situation – There are pit toilets in the parking lot.
Fee – $10/vehicle or free with Discover Pass

These waterfalls near Seattle start off with an easy walk along South Fork Snoqualmie River. After the trail begins its first steep incline via switchbacks, be prepared for incline walking most of the rest of the trail. About a mile into the hike, the trail forks with the path to the Upper Twin Falls to the left and the Lower Twin Falls to the right. I recommend going left to the Upper Twin Falls first and stop by Lower Twin Falls on your back for the grand finale.

5. Sol Duc Falls

Distance from Seattle – 125 miles, 3 hour 45 minutes from Seattle
Trail Length – 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain – 255 feet
Difficulty Rating – Easy
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – Parking is at the Hot Springs and Resort at the end of Duc Hot Springs Road
Bathroom Situation – Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has restrooms, not sure how receptive they are of allowing hikers to use their facilities. A pit toilet is on Loop A in the campground.
Fee – Olympic National Park Fee ($30/vehicle for 7 days) or free with America the Beautiful Pass

The Sol Duc Falls trailhead begins at the Sol Duc Hot Springs and Resort. Before starting the hike, go inside the resort for a look at the hot springs fed pool. This easy hike on a paved trail wanders through a lush rainforest and passes a cascading creek before reaching the epic three-pronged Sol Duc Falls. Just before reaching the falls, you will cross a wooden bridge that crosses the narrow canyon below. Here you can get views of one of the most unique waterfalls near Seattle plunging into the creek below.

6. Bridal Veil Falls

Distance from Seattle – 60 miles, 1.5-hour drive
Trail Length – 3.7 miles
Elevation Gain – 1,000 feet
Difficulty Rating – Moderate
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – Around 50+ parking spots
Bathroom Situation – Bathrooms are located in parking area.
Fee – Need to pre-purchase a day pass or free with America the Beautiful Pass

The beginning of this hike is fairly easy until you reach the Bridal Veil Falls turnoff which is about 0.5 miles from the top. The hike then becomes a significantly steeper climb that includes flights of stairs. At the trail end, you will reach the Bridal Veil Falls that tumbles 100 feet over the rocky cliffs spilling out of Lake Serene. If you want to extend your hike, turn right at the Lake Serene turnoff on your way back which includes a bridge with falls views and a valley overlook.

7. Myrtle Falls

Distance from Seattle – 110 miles, 2.5-hour drive
Trail Length – 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain – 160 feet
Difficulty Rating – Easy
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – Parking is at the Paradise parking area. The lot is large but fills up early.
Bathroom Situation – Bathrooms are located inside and outside the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center.
Fee – Mount Rainier National Park Fee or free with America the Beautiful pass

Myrtle Falls Viewpoint is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Washington state and is why it made my best waterfalls near Seattle list. The viewpoint is a short jaunt down stone stairs on the Skyline Trail Loop. If you get to the wooden bridge, you have missed the viewpoint. The stairs take you to a viewing area of a picturesque Myrtle Falls, wooden bridge, lush meadow, and the grand Mount Rainier in the background. You will want to stay for some time just taking in the magnificent view.

8. Snoqualmie Falls

Distance from Seattle – 30 miles, 35-minute drive
Trail Length – 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain – 374 feet
Difficulty Rating – Easy
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – Parking at the gift shop has around 40 spots and parking across Railroad Ave. has around 100 spots.
Bathroom Situation – Bathrooms are located near the Snoqualmie Falls Gift Shop and at Lower Falls parking lot.
Fee – Parking at the gift shop is $7/vehicle (2021) but is free if you park across Railroad Ave.

Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most epic waterfalls near Seattle. The hike is a short, but steep paved trail that takes you from the upper falls viewpoints to the lower falls viewpoint. There are many displays that describe the importance of the falls and the power that the waterfall generates. The lower falls viewpoint features a boardwalk that takes you to the very small and crowded viewing platform. If you do not want to walk this trail, there is a parking lot at the lower falls viewpoint which will significantly reduce your walking distance.

9. Teneriffe Falls

Distance from Seattle – 35 miles, 40-minute drive
Trail Length – 5.7 miles
Elevation Gain – 1,496 feet
Difficulty Rating – Moderate
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – 118-car parking lot
Bathroom Situation – Bathrooms are available at the trailhead.
Fee – $10/vehicle or free with Discover Pass

The first two miles of this trail are not too difficult. The real difficulty comes after that when the steep switchbacks begin, and the terrain becomes very rocky. The route can be confusing and difficult to follow at times, so I recommend downloading an offline map. These are seasonal falls which are fuller in the springtime as the snow is melting and then becomes a trickle later in the season.

10. Cosmic and Christine Falls

Distance from Seattle – 100 miles, 2-hour 15-minute drive
Trail Length – 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain – 1,279 feet
Difficulty Rating – Moderate
Route Type – Out and back
Parking Situation – Very small parking area with overflow along the highway.
Bathroom Situation – None
Fee – Mount Rainier National Park Fee or free with America the Beautiful pass

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this hike as the bridge to Comet Falls had been washed out. However, I heard reports of people crossing Van Trump Creek without using the bridge, but I was unwilling to take the risk. The hike is a fairly steep climb along the creek that churns violently in a narrow gorge. Either before or after your hike, make sure to stop at the Christine Falls Viewpoint for a beautiful view of Christine Falls through the arch of a stone bridge.

If you have seen anymore breathtaking waterfalls near Seattle, put them in the comments so I can hike to them on my next visit!