Seattle is one of the best big cities in the country for waterfalls. Snoqualmie Falls, about 23 miles east of downtown in a straight line, drops 268 feet beside a free viewing area and is a short walk from parking. Keep going east on I-90 and Twin Falls, Teneriffe Falls and Franklin Falls are all short-to-moderate hikes off the interstate.
Farther out, US 2 passes Deception Falls east of Gold Bar, Mount Rainier National Park has Narada and Christine Falls right off the road to Paradise, and Olympic National Park's Marymere and Sol Duc Falls make a long day or an overnight from the city. Up north, Nooksack Falls is on the Mount Baker Highway.
Flow is highest from late fall through spring, when rain and snowmelt feed the Cascades. National forest trailheads usually need a Northwest Forest Pass or day pass, state parks need a Discover Pass, and the national parks charge entrance fees, so check which one covers your stop. Winter snow closes some trailhead roads, including Franklin Falls's.
By David F. · Published November 4, 2026 · Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Seattle.
Day-Trip Waterfalls at a Glance
| Waterfall | State | Distance | Google rating | Fee | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snoqualmie Falls | WA | 23 mi east | 4.8 (4,480) | No | Leashed |
| Franklin Falls | WA | 44 mi east | 4.8 (660) | Yes | Leashed |
| Little Mashel Falls | WA | 52 mi south | 4.7 (328) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Deception Falls | WA | 54 mi east | 4.8 (290) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Marymere Falls | WA | 74 mi northwest | 4.8 (267) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Narada Falls | WA | 64 mi southeast | 4.9 (260) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Nooksack Falls | WA | 93 mi north | 4.7 (260) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Eagle Falls | WA | 40 mi east | 4.4 (242) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Bridal Veil Falls | WA | 38 mi east | 4.8 (174) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Twin Falls | WA | 32 mi east | 4.8 (148) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Silver Falls | WA | 69 mi southeast | 4.9 (132) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Teneriffe Falls | WA | 30 mi east | 4.6 (129) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Victor Falls | WA | 32 mi south | 3.9 (105) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Christine Falls | WA | 63 mi southeast | 4.8 (103) | Not checked | Not checked |
| Sol Duc Falls | WA | 73 mi west | 4.8 (101) | Not checked | Not checked |
"Not checked" means we haven't verified that detail yet, not that the answer is no. Open a waterfall's page for its trail, parking and swimming details where we have them.
