Looking for a waterfall hike near Seattle?
Luckily, there’s no shortage of hikes near Seattle that will lead you to a stunning waterfall. As the summer crowds disperse and the days cool off, it’s a great time for hiking with the whole family. We rounded up the top five waterfall hikes near Seattle that you should do at least once. Most of these hikes are within an hour’s drive from Seattle and they are all beginner- and kid-friendly.
Check out these five stunning waterfall hikes near Seattle:
1. Snoqualmie Falls
Fans of Twin Peaks, this one is for you. Snoqualmie Falls is only a short drive away from Seattle, but you could make a weekend getaway of it and book a stay at the Salish Lodge that overlooks the falls. This hike is an easy one and ideal if you have kids or pets tagging along. You can enjoy two incredible views of the iconic falls at the upper and lower viewpoints.
Get more information about this hike on the Washington Trails Association website.
🚗Driving time from Seattle: 35 minutes
🚶♀️Length of hike (roundtrip): 1.4 miles
🔈Difficulty level: Easy
2. Twin Falls
Another short and family-friendly waterfall hike close to Seattle, Twin Falls is just past Snoqualmie Falls. There are actually three waterfalls at the end of this hike. It can be popular and quite crowded in the summer months, but in the fall you may be able to enjoy the walls of maidenhair ferns, old-growth trees, and fall foliage in peace.
Get more information about this hike on the Washington Trails Association website.
🚗Driving time from Seattle: 35 minutes
🚶♀️Length of hike (roundtrip): 2.6 miles
🔈Difficulty level: Easy/moderate
3. Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls has its best flows between April and July but it’s much less crowded in the fall. The hike to get to the falls is easy, making this a scenic adventure for beginner hikers and kids. Note that this trail does have avalanche danger in the winter months, so get out there now before the snow and ice arrive.
Get more information about this hike on the Washington Trails Association website.
🚗Driving time from Seattle: 1 hour
🚶♀️Length of hike (roundtrip): 2 miles
🔈Difficulty level: Easy
4. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls has a moderate difficulty rating but is still considered doable for families with kids. You can climb a staircase right next to an impressive waterfall cascading down a 100-foot rock face. This popular trail gets busy in the summer months so this autumn is a great time to check it out.
Get more information about this hike on the Washington Trails Association website.
🚗Driving time from Seattle: 1 hour
🚶♀️Length of hike (roundtrip): 4 miles
🔈Difficulty level: Moderate
5. Myrtle Falls
If you want a mountain view to go along with your waterfall hike, head to Myrtle Falls in Mt. Rainier National Park. This accessible trail is entirely flat and paved. The scenic viewpoint is only 0.4 miles from the Paradise parking area; after reaching it, you can head back to the car or press on for a longer hike. In the spring and summer, keep an eye out for wildflowers; and in September and October, you’ll see vibrant fall foliage throughout the park.
Get more information about this hike on the Washington Trails Association website or on the Mount Rainier visitor website.
🚗Driving time from Seattle: 2 hours and 30 minutes
🚶♀️Length of hike (roundtrip): 0.8 miles
🔈Difficulty level: Easy