With all due respect to TLC, chasing waterfalls is a pretty great pastime here in the Pacific Northwest. Washington is home to hundreds and hundreds of known waterfalls, but many of them lie at the end of some pretty treacherous trails. Luckily, there are plenty you can access with not much effort at all. These six waterfalls are particularly easy to access, so you can bring your entire family along! Have you ever caught yourself wondering where the best waterfalls in Washington are located? Well, this list should help.

1. Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie, WA 98024, USA
Steve Walser / Flickr
The massive Snoqualmie Falls is visible from the street, and reaching it requires no hiking at all. Still, if you go beyond the viewpoint at the top, you can walk about 1.5 miles on nature trails around it. Not only is this beauty breathtaking, it happens to be about 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls as well. It's also considered one of the best falls in Washington.
2. Palouse Falls
Palouse Falls, Washington 99143, USA
Linda, Fortuna future / Flickr
What would a summer be without a trip to Washington's official state waterfall? Palouse State Park is breathtaking, and it's so remote you may not even feel like you're in Washington anymore. The waterfall is less than a mile from the parking lot, so this is a perfect day trip for the whole family. It's one of the best easy waterfall hikes in Washington.
3. Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls, Washington 98045, USA
cohoman / TripAdvisor
The beautiful Franklin Falls Trail is located just off I-90 near North Bend. The hike is about two miles round-trip, but it's nice, easy, family-friendly terrain. And the visual reward is worth it.
4. Myrtle Falls
Myrtle Falls, Ashford, WA 98304, USA
Justin Brown / alltrails.com
Mount Rainier National Park is an iconic part of Washington, and the Myrtle Falls Trail is one of its most breathtaking hikes. While the waterfall itself is lovely, it's the backdrop of Mount Rainier that makes it amazing. Best of all, this trail is only about one mile round-trip. What an easy hike with a waterfall!
5. Silver Falls
Silver Falls, Washington 98361, USA
Tim Bell / alltrails.com
Silver Falls is also located in the Mount Rainier National Park scenic area. The three-mile loop might be a little lengthy for tiny hikers, but older children (and kids at heart) tend to love it. You will love Silver Falls, one of the best falls in Washington.
6. Tumwater Falls
Tumwater Falls, Tumwater, WA 98501, USA
bigbobr / TripAdvisor
If you live near the historic little city of Tumwater, you've got a beautiful waterfall that's practically in your backyard. Located at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, the cascade is surrounded by a 15-acre park. This is a popular place to see the local salmon run from August through October.

Work some local waterfall hikes into your schedule; they’ll make you appreciate the unique beauty of our beautiful state! Which of the best waterfalls in Washington are your favorites? Tell us about them in the comments.

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Best Waterfalls In Washington

Tori Jane | March 19, 2022

What are some of the best waterfall hikes in Washington? 

Some of the best waterfall hikes in Washington include the following:

  • Woody Trail, which leads to Wallace Falls. It’s located about an hour outside of Seattle, so it’s easy to reach. Find that hike at Wallace Falls State Park in Washington.
  • Twin Falls Trail in Olallie State Park is just two and a half miles long and features a series of large cascades.   

 

How many waterfalls in Washington are there?  

There are more than 100 waterfalls in Washington, many of which are accessible by road, bike, or foot. Some require grueling, long hikes, and others are so easy to reach that one can simply pull up in a car and walk a few feet. The tallest waterfall in Washington, Colonial Creek Falls, is also the tallest waterfall in the continental United States, dropping a total of 2,568 feet over the course of 13 individual drop-offs. Other waterfalls in Washington that are of note include the legendary Snoqualmie Falls, which is easily the most famous waterfall in Washington. Check out these hidden waterfalls in Washington.

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