Did you know Snoqualmie Falls gets more visitors than every other natural attraction in Washington State except Mount Rainier?
Just how many visitors is that? More than 1.5 million per year, per History Link!
This easily makes Snoqualmie Falls the most famous waterfall in Washington. That’s a bit of a double-edged sword. It’s famous for a reason, but if you’re looking for a tranquil escape into nature, this isn’t it. Looking out over the raging waterfall, I had a strange feeling that it was a waterfall in a zoo, held captive by the myriad of paved walkways, parking lots, and lodges. It’s a beautiful place, but it’s so curated that it loses its wildness.
So, is it worth visiting such a famous, overcrowded waterfall? Well…yes. While I wish it weren’t so crowded, Snoqualmie Falls is a must on any waterfall bucket list.
In today’s post, I’ll share the highlights of the short Snoqualmie Falls hike, tips for your visit, and the fascinating history of the falls.
Why is Snoqualmie Falls so Popular?
Part of the popularity of Snoqualmie Falls is its accessibility—it’s only a ~45-minute drive east of Seattle, an easy jaunt off Interstate 90. The upper viewpoint is right next to the parking area, and the trail to the lower falls viewpoint is only 0.7 miles in one direction. For those who want an even shorter walk, there’s another parking lot closer to the lower falls. Whenever a beautiful place is so accessible, it’s bound to be crowded.
Snoqualmie Falls on Film
Another reason for Snoqualmie Falls’ popularity: A TV series called Twin Peaks was filmed here, first in the 90s and then more recently in 2017.
If you’d like to see Snoqualmie Falls on film without watching a feature-length movie, check out our video of the Snoqualmie Falls highlights below!
Our video of Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls Hike Highlights
The Snoqualmie Falls hike is a short out-and-back route that connects the viewpoint at the top of the falls with the viewpoint at the base of the falls. It’s 0.7 miles each way, for a roundtrip of just under 1 ½ miles. I’d highly recommend walking the trail when you visit, so you can see both viewpoints and appreciate the peaceful forest walk in between.
I’d also recommend starting at the upper falls, since the upper falls lot is free. The walkways at the upper viewing area are paved, and the path transitions into a normal dirt walking trail as it travels down the hillside toward the lower falls. For a short stretch, the trail is peaceful and quiet as it travels through a quintessential Pacific Northwest temperate forest. Maple trees, Douglas firs, and cedars tower over the path. Ferns rise from the forest floor. Hemlock trees cling to old cedar stumps.
The Snoqualmie Falls hike abruptly leaves the forest near the lower falls, where a hydroelectric power station materializes.
The first sign of the hydroelectric plant is this pair of giant pipes that look like water slides. As explained on the interpretive signs on site, these pipes are called ‘penstocks.’ River water is channeled into the penstocks before it reaches the falls. The force of the water falling through the penstocks turns turbines in the power station, creating electricity.
The Snoqualmie Falls trail then travels past the hydroelectric equipment, where it becomes a boardwalk that hugs the edge of the river. This section is a bit less crowded than the upper viewpoint, and it leads to a striking head-on view of Snoqualmie Falls from below.
One thing to keep in mind about the Snoqualmie Falls hike: Although it’s very short, it’s all downhill on the way out, so on the way back you’ll have a bit of an uphill climb. Just good to know in advance!
Best Time to Visit Snoqualmie Falls
The falls change through the seasons. If you visit at different times of year you’ll find they’re not the way you remember, but they’re always beautiful in a different way. The photos in this post are from early June, when the falls are full from spring rains and melting snow. In late summer, you’ll find a much calmer waterfall.
The crowds are largest on weekends and in summer. If you can go on a weekday or in a different season, you’re likely to find fewer people. We visited on a Friday in June, and it was quite crowded, but not totally packed.
Snoqualmie Falls Parking
We parked at the free upper falls lot. The lower lot costs $7, so be careful where you park! A pedestrian bridge allows visitors to easily cross the road from the upper parking area to the first Snoqualmie Falls viewpoint. The Snoqualmie Falls hike is accessible from this upper viewpoint, so the upper falls lot is appropriate trailhead parking.
We found this upper viewpoint to be the busiest area, since it’s so easy to access, but it provides a great vantage point for appreciating the power of these immense falls.
Cultural Significance of Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is sacred to the Snoqualmie Tribe. The full legend is here, but in short, Moon the Transformer was said to have created Snoqualmie Falls, along with the rivers of the region and people to live along each river.
While the hydroelectric plant was built at the end of the 1800s and the area has seen much development, the Snoqualmie tribe purchased the lodge at the top of the falls and 45 acres of surrounding land in 2019 (per the Snoqualmie Tribe’s website). Part of the area is back in the care of the tribe.
On the drive back from our Snoqualmie Falls hike, I was left thinking of the falls as a striking, but complicated, place. It’s at once a sacred site and a place overcome by tourists, a natural wonder and a hydroelectric power plant. A place of contrasts for sure.
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Thanks for joining us for the Snoqualmie Falls hike. For more travel ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.
Happy exploring!
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