Everyone loves a waterfall. It’s a proven fact. They have a 100% approval rating, which won’t change anytime soon! Furthermore, everyone loves a close waterfall to home. Cue up these best waterfalls near Seattle.

Below we dive into ten impressive waterfalls close to the Seattle metro area. Most of these are pretty easy hikes that are good for the entire family. Thanks for reading, enjoying these original photos, and following Leave No Trace principles to protect these natural wonders!

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10 Incredible Waterfalls Near Seattle Worth Visiting

Let’s get crackin’, shall we!?

Preparing for your best waterfalls near Seattle hike

Are there waterfalls near Seattle?

Yes! There are way more than ten waterfalls near Seattle. This article will touch on the ten closest to the Seattle Metro area. If you go to the Olympic Range, you can find a dozen right there to hang out at!

What to wear on your waterfall hikes near Seattle

Plan to wear most of your normal hiking attire, but having waterproof boots with good grip is smart. Most of these you can’t get too close to/don’t have a ton of spray, so your chances of getting soaked are minimal.

What passes/permits do I need for the waterfalls near Seattle?

You’ll need an NW Discover Pass for those in Washington State Parks. You can buy these as a day pass or spend $30 for an annual pass. I purchased an annual pass, and if we didn’t hit the six visits, it’s a nice donation to the state parks.

Outside of Myrtle Falls (National Parks Pass), the rest are on public lands, and you likely don’t need any other pass – but double-check just in case something has changed.

Just day trips to gorgeous Washington waterfalls

Other articles may include various waterfalls way out there. These fantastic waterfalls near Seattle are all within a reasonable drive from the Seattle metro area. The furthest drive would be Myrtle Falls in Mount Rainier National Park.

So with these expectations, you can expect not to drive more than 90 minutes to 2.5 hours for a lovely waterfall experience!

Jaw-Dropping Waterfalls Near Seattle to Explore

1. Wallace Falls

Probably my favorite of the waterfalls near Seattle. This gorgeous hike is full of magical waterfalls, with the middle one being my favorite. Plus, we caught it in the afternoon light with a stunning rainbow glistening in the mist. Talk about perfection!

Hike Distance: 6 miles round trip (all miles in this article are total)

Travel time from Seattle: 1.25 hours

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 8/10

2. Bridal Veil Falls

Getting to Bridal Veil Falls is a straightforward hike on its own. If you couple it with hiking up to Lake Serene, it’s a bit more challenging, though I fully recommend getting up to the lake. However, Bridal Veil Falls is one of the lovelier waterfalls near Seattle, and you can get up close and personal with it!

Hike Distance: 4 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 1.25 hours

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 6/10

3. Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is a cheat code for visiting waterfalls near Seattle. It’s a hundred yards from the road, and the entire place is easily accessible. Plus, it’s a dang good waterfall to look at! I’ve seen it in a few different seasons, but summer is best when snowmelt makes it roaring!

Hike Distance: 0.25 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 50 minutes

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 6/10

Need hiking ideas around Washington? Here are 20 amazing trails.

4. Franklin Falls

Franklin Falls is a gorgeous waterfall situated under Interstate 90. But even though you can hear the occasional car, it’s still a great hike and relatively easy. (Just be careful towards the end, as it can be slippery!)

Hike Distance: 4.5 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 60 minutes

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 4/10

5. Myrtle Falls

The most famous waterfall at Mt. Rainier National Park, Myrtle Falls, is a short jaunt from the Paradise Visitor Center. You really can’t line up a more perfect waterfall with Tohoma rising in the background. If you keep going, you’ll be on the Skyline Loop Trail, a majestic hike with waterfalls, mountain views, and wildflowers.

Hike Distance: 0.5

Travel time from Seattle: 2.75 hours

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 6/10

Related: A guide to visiting Mt. Rainier

6. Teneriffe Falls

This is a great hike and one of the harder ones on this list! While photos make the falls look big, it’s pretty small, and getting close up requires being surefooted on a steep dirt path. (Though still easily manageable.) I removed my shoes and waded in knee deep which was so lovely on a hot day!

Hike Distance: 5.5 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 60 minutes

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking:5/10

7. Twin Falls

Twin Falls is fantastic and gives hikers many opportunities to see the sights. There are two short uphill sections, but otherwise, this hike is great for all ages. I checked it out in December, and it still had a good amount of water flowing, which means it’s really flowing in the spring.

If you’re looking for an amazing waterfall hike near Seattle, do this one!

Hike Distance: 4 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 60 minutes

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 5/10

8. Whatcom Falls

A must-see waterfall experience just outside of downtown Bellingham. I loved hiking around Whatcom Falls as it’s super easy, and the main waterfall is feet from the parking lot. Once you leave the main bridge, you can find a couple of smaller waterfalls about .75 of a mile down the trail.

Hike Distance: 3 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 90 minutes

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 5/10

9. Boulder River Falls

Probably the only one of the waterfalls near Seattle that you didn’t know of. This one isn’t as publicized, but it’s absurdly nice and easy to get to! We even did this one in early April, and scattered snow was on the trail.

While the trail goes on for a few more miles, we made this our endpoint.

Hike Distance: 3.5 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 1.5 hours

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 7/10

10. Coal Creek Falls

This one’s seasonally/weather dependent. I went during the fall, and there wasn’t much water flow. The hike, though, is easy and calming. Highly recommend it for those with families or looking for a stroll through the woods. (I did it recovering from chemotherapy and found it perfect!)

Hike Distance: 2.5 miles

Travel time from Seattle: 35 minutes

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 2/10

11. Spray Falls

Tucked into the less visited northwest section of Mt. Rainier National Park, Spray Falls is a wonderfully beautiful cascading waterfall. While not powerful, you’ll still get wet from the mist as you approach. You’ll start from Mowich Lake and hike toward Spray Park.

About halfway, take the fork to the right, and in a couple of minutes, you’ll arrive at a small creek crossing. Look left, and you’ll see Spray Falls.

I was blown away, and it’s definitely one of the best waterfalls near Seattle.

Hike Distance: 3.5 miles round trip

Travel Time from Seattle: 2 hours

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 9/10

12. Narada Falls

Another of the Mount Rainier waterfalls, this one is on the Paradise side, about halfway from the park entrance. It’s a short walk down to the viewing platform and perfect for the entire family. Again, not right in Seattle’s back door, but one of the best waterfalls near Seattle nonetheless.

Hike Distance: .75 miles round trip

Travel Time from Seattle: 2.25 hours

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 5/10

Carter Falls and Madcap Falls

And the last of our Mount Rainier National Park waterfalls. This one starts near the Cougar Rock Campground and goes along the southern section of the Wonderland Trail. The trail has some elevation, about 500 feet, but is a great one for families with little kids.

Madcap is just a hundred yards past Carter Falls and has better photography options. Carter Falls has a lot of tree branches in the way.

Hike Distance: 3 miles round trip

Travel Time from Seattle: 2.5 hours

Waterfalls Near Seattle Beauty Ranking: 6/10

Bonus waterfalls near Seattle: UPS Waterfall Garden Park Seattle

So this one is a bit different than the rest. While it is technically one of the waterfalls near Seattle, it’s not natural. We stumbled upon this in downtown Seattle, and it’s a lovely little place to find some tranquility. It’s right by the downtown Flatstick’s.

Hike Distance: 0 feet

Travel time from Seattle: 0 mins

FAQ: Waterfalls Near Seattle

When is the best time to chase waterfalls near Seattle?

Spring and early summer is the best time to chase waterfalls near Seattle. The waterfalls are roaring in April and May thanks to our never-ending rainy season (haha) and snow melt!

What is the easiest waterfall to see in Washington?

Snoqualmie Falls and Myrtle Falls are the two easiest-to-reach waterfalls in Washington. Both require less than a quarter-mile walk, and the reward is worth it. However, because these are so accessible, the crowds are immense, and you will be surrounded by dozens of people if not more!

Is Snoqualmie Falls worth it?

It’s totally worth it, but you will not be alone (unless you go for sunrise). It’s insanely popular and easy to reach, which means people flock there all day. Just be mentally prepared for the madness, and it’ll be okay.

Lastly, visiting mid-week will help with crowds, too.

Wrapping up – Best Waterfalls near Seattle

Seattle and its surrounding areas are home to some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast seeking adventure or a peaceful escape from city life, these magnificent waterfalls offer an unparalleled beauty that will leave you in awe.

From the iconic Snoqualmie Falls to lesser-known gems like Wallace Falls and Franklin Falls, the best waterfalls near Seattle present their unique charm and allure.

So, if you find yourself in Seattle, don’t miss the opportunity to explore these natural wonders and immerse yourself in their brilliance.

Until next time adventurers, take care and be safe.

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