Are you looking for beautiful waterfalls near Seattle to explore for the day? If so – keep reading!
There are plenty of waterfalls near Seattle – so if you’re looking for a beautiful day trip out in beautiful nature… then this list of amazing waterfalls near Seattle is going to tick your boxes.
Seattle is a bustling city that’s packed with amazing things to see.. And the waterfalls near Seattle are one of the best things out in nature!
However, when you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon, the many hikes in Seattle can lead to the most beautiful waterfalls near Seattle too!
So, if you’re looking to feast your eyes on nature’s marvels, then you’ll want to check out some of these beautiful waterfalls near Seattle, most are within an easy drive, so perfect for a day trip!
Trust us, you won’t be disappointed in these waterfalls near Seattle. Just be sure to bring your camera along (and a sense of adventure, of course!).
Franklin Falls
First on my list of waterfalls near Seattle, it’s Franklin Falls. This waterfall is less than an hour’s drive from Seattle, and definitely one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Seattle.
It only takes a small hike to get to Franklin Falls, and you’ll be rewarded with a truly stunning sight.
Don’t worry too much about this hike if you’re not the fittest, as the trail to the falls has very little elevation gain and is well-maintained throughout.
So, even the most serious couch potatoes should be able to handle this one!
Wallace Falls
Wallace Falls is another gorgeous waterfall near Seattle. Wallace Falls is not to be missed when checking out waterfalls near Seattle. Standing at 265 feet tall, Wallace Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Seattle.
Okay, so the hike on this one is slightly more arduous at 6 miles (as a roundtrip!), However, the wooded areas that the trail snakes through are well maintained, so it should be a pleasant walk!
What we love about Wallace Falls is the surrounding greenery. Many waterfalls are surrounded by rock, but Wallace Falls sits amongst lush trees and forestry. It really is a sight to behold, so don’t miss out!
Palouse Falls State Park
If you love old stuff, then you’re going to love Palouse Falls State Park, next up on my list of waterfalls near Seattle.
Known as a great beauty spot near Seattle, this place is the perfect choice for those who love their history.
Believe it or not, this waterfall actually dates to the Ice-Age and features a 200-foot drop and a breathtaking gorge, making it one of the oldest waterfalls near Seattle.
There are plenty of excellent observation points at Palouse Falls State Park, so be sure to check this waterfall out from every angle!
Snoqualmie Falls
One of the most beautiful waterfalls near Seattle has got to be Snoqualmie Falls. Though its name might be a bit of a handful, it’s forgiven for being so easy on the eyes.
To get to the falls the falls, there’s a short 1.4-mile roundtrip hike that you’ll need to take.
A manageable hike for all abilities, you won’t have any trouble trekking to these falls.
The great thing about these waterfalls near Seattle is that they’re super accessible; with an accessible viewing platform above the falls, it’s a great day out even for those who struggle with mobility.
If you were interested, this beautiful waterfall near Seattle was even featured in the TV series Twin Peaks! Cool, right?!
Twin Falls
Located less than an hour from Seattle is Twin Falls. Due to its amazing forest surroundings, it’s certainly one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Seattle.
This hike is perfect for families with kids, as the hike isn’t the shortest in the world (2.5 miles), but the trails are amazingly well tended to and the scenery is to die for.
The trail begins next to the south fork of the Snoqualmie River, so just keep an eye out! There are some great photo spots at Twin Falls, so don’t be afraid to look around a little to get the perfect shot of this waterfall near Seattle.
Read more about hiking in the USA: 15 Amazing Places for Hiking in South Carolina
Coal Creek Falls
Another beautiful waterfall near Seattle is Coal Creek Falls. Though this isn’t the tallest waterfall on our list, it’s surrounded by beautiful greenery that makes it well worth a visit.
With only a 2.5-mile roundtrip hike required to reach the falls, it’s a great option for families and beginner hikers.
If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to wile away a couple of hours, then you should absolutely pop Coal Creek Falls on your list of waterfalls near Seattle.
Spray Falls
Spray Falls is a stunning choice for waterfalls near Seattle, and it has one of the coolest shapes we’ve ever seen!
The hike to Spray Falls is through Mt Rainier National Park, so you catch some great glimpses of glacial slopes as you head to the falls. If you’ve got the time to stop, we recommend stopping at Eagle’s Cliff overlook which will give you an excellent view of this waterfall near Seattle.
Though the hike isn’t too long to Spray Falls, we do recommend leaving the better part of a day to explore this area as there’s quite a bit of elevation gain so you might want to stop once or twice!
This is a perfect choice for waterfalls near Seattle.
Read more about hiking in the USA: Fun things to do in Watkins Glen, NY
Spokane Falls
Classed as more of a city waterfall, Spokane Falls is a great choice for waterfalls near Seattle that’s well worth visiting. Though it’s located amongst city development, it’s still an awesome waterfall that stands out.
There’s not much elevation here, and the waterfall is quite shallow. However, it’s width makes it a pretty impressive sight, and you can easily get back to civilization after checking it out which we see as a huge plus!
It’s a lovely choice for waterfalls near Seattle if you fancy visiting a local town too where there are plenty of things to do!
Whatcom Falls
One of our top waterfalls near Seattle has got to be Whatcom Falls in Bellingham. We’re not kidding when we say that this waterfall sometimes looks like it’s straight out of a painting due to its amazing features.
If you’re looking for a great hike, there’s around 3 miles of trails to explore near the falls, so you can easily extend your visit to a full day out.
Why not bring along a picnic to this choice of waterfalls near Seattle and let your kids play on the playground for an hour or so?
Not only does this let them blow off some steam, but it gives you a bit more time to take in the area’s beauty – a win-win really!
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Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls near Seattle, and it’s located inside the Olympic National Park, and it sees lots of visitors every year.
If you’re an avid hiker, then you’ll be pleased to know that the falls provide one Olympic National Park’s best hiking trails, so be sure to allocate some time to the trails if you can.
Located only 30 minutes from Port Angeles, it’s an easily accessible beauty spot that should certainly be at the top of your list of waterfalls near Seattle to visit.
We hope that our list of the most beautiful waterfalls near Seattle has inspired you to get out of the city and explore!
Read more: Things to do and places to eat in Capitol Hill, Seattle
Though there are a great deal of waterfalls near Seattle that you can check out, the ones that we’ve shortlisted are definitely our favorites!
Thank you so much for linking to my fall in Spokane article! This is an AWESOME list of waterfalls – I’m bookmarking now!!