Two of the Best Waterfall Hikes Near Seattle
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There are tons of hikes throughout Washington State and the Pacific Northwest, and even though Seattle is a bustling tourist destination and thriving city, you can easily find amazing hikes nearby. Yes, there are tons of things to do while visiting Seattle, but the real beauty is outside in nature. Since moving to Seattle, I’ve taken up hiking and was blown away when I discovered that there are so many hikes just an hour away from downtown Seattle where I live! Seattle and Washington itself are so diverse; within an hour you can be playing in the snow at Mt. Baker or whale watching off the coast of one of Washington’s many islands. You will never be bored here, trust me. Today, I’m sharing two amazing hikes that are great, even for beginners, and that are just one hour away from Seattle! And if you’re looking for waterfalls near Seattle, I’ve got you covered. Both of these hikes have waterfalls and are absolutely stunning!
Snoqualmie Falls
Located 30-40 minutes from downtown Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls trail is a fun & easy activity for all ages. You can find free parking at either the lower or upper falls lots and the lower lot has a well-maintained restroom. The trail is 1.4 miles roundtrip and leashed pets are allowed. We started at the bottom and made our way up to the upper viewpoint where you’ll find a paved section with plaques telling the history of the falls and a railed lookout point. This stunning 268-foot waterfall gets 1.5 million visitors a year and has been a huge player in providing the surrounding area energy since 1898! When visiting the falls, there are actually three viewpoints and I suggest stopping at them all. The upper viewpoint lets you view the waterfall from the top and this is when you can see how massive the waterfall actually is. In addition, there is a lower viewpoint which lets you see the waterfall from the bottom, but the boardwalk-type trail takes you around the bottoms of the cliff for a closer view where you may even get a nice mist from the waterfall. The third viewpoint is also at the bottom of the falls, but this path takes you further downstream to view the falls from a distance. At this viewpoint, there are lots of large boulders that you can climb on and explore.
If you’re looking to stay near Snoqualmie, the Salish Lodge is a wonderful option and is actually located at the top of Snoqualmie Falls! That’s the building to the left of the falls in this post’s main image. It’s conveniently located about 30 minutes from Seattle and is very close to the Cascades where you can enjoy everything from skiing to fishing in the Summers. The lodge also has a fantastic spa, so if you time your hikes right, you can visit the spa afterward for some well-deserved R&R! If renting a car from Seattle isn’t an option for you, there are great tours offered on Viator that take you from Seattle on a guided tour of the falls, with some even stopping at wineries!
Twin Falls
Another great waterfall near Seattle is Twin Falls trail which is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Seattle, or an additional 15-20 minutes from Snoqualmie Falls. This trail is longer than Snoqualmie Falls, but is still great for beginners! Twin Falls Trail is a 2.6-mile hike roundtrip with over 500 feet of elevation gain. You can use the Discover Pass for parking and this trail is a dog-friendly trail. This is another popular trail and for good reason! Throughout the hike, you’ll come across unique tree formations, paths that lead down to the crystal clear river, and large boulders to climb on. This has been my most strenuous hike so far as there are quite a few switchbacks that are steep, but seeing the beautiful falls was worth it. This trail on average takes about an hour and a half to complete, but one thing to note is that this trail bumps into another trail so know your stopping point. I didn’t realize that beforehand so once I got to the bridge that goes across the top of the falls, I kept going… and going until I pulled out my phone and realized I had completed the Twin Falls hike almost a mile back. So learn from my mistake and turn around at the falls, unless you’re more advanced and want to continue on the John Wayne Trail.
As you approach the falls, you’ll find a series of stairs that lead to a viewpoint to your right. This will let you see the falls from a mid-level (pictured below top left). You’ll see that Twin Falls is actually one waterfall that splits in the middle, hence the name Twin Falls. After taking in these views, head back up the stairs and continue on the path to your right until you reach a wooden bridge. This bridge crosses over the falls giving you a tops-down view and if you look back behind the falls, you’ll see another waterfall in the distance (pictured bottom right). I visited in February and the snow was melted but there was still ice in some spots on the trail near the waterfall so always keep an eye out if you’re hiking during the Winter months..
I hope this has inspired you to explore outside of downtown Seattle next time you visit. Both of these hikes can be done on the same day, with the Snoqualmie Falls trail being shorter than the Twin Falls trail. I did Snoqualmie Falls first and then drove another 15-20 minutes to get to the Twin Falls trailhead. After a day of hiking, we stopped in nearby North Bend for delicious and authentic Mexican food at Rio Bravo, and then crossed the street for a sweet treat from Scott’s Dairy Freeze for the ride home. If you’re visiting Seattle, I recommend using Enterprise in downtown Seattle for a car rental for the day. This Enterprise location is very easy to get to from downtown and the staff is extremely nice, quick, and accommodating. Hiking and being in nature is such a treat and my appreciation grows with each trail I’m on. If you’d like to explore more trails near Seattle, be sure to check out the Washington Trail Associations website.
I can’t wait to share more hikes with you!
-Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
