By Karen Povey, WNPF Board of Directors
Winter in Washington brings endless gray skies and relentless drizzle that can test even the most devoted Pacific Northwesterner’s patience. But come spring, nature offers a spectacular reward for weather-weary Washingtonians and out-of-town visitors as all that rain and high-country snow transform into thundering cascades, creating some of our country’s most amazing natural spectacles.
Washington boasts over 2,900 waterfalls – more than any other state – including the tallest waterfall in the continental United States. Across the three national parks—North Cascades, Olympic, and Mount Rainier—these cascades tumble through ancient forests and carve through volcanic rock, creating tableaus of mist and rainbows.
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Our state’s bounty of waterfalls is the result of a perfect mix of geography and climate. Washington’s varied topography—from steep volcanic slopes to glacier-carved valleys—provides the ideal landscape for dramatic falls.
The Cascade and Olympic mountains capture massive amounts of moisture from Pacific weather systems. Temperate rainforests in the Olympics can receive 12 feet of rainfall yearly, sustaining year-round waterfalls. And when the massive winter snowpack on Mount Rainier (which receives an average of 640 inches of snow annually) begins its seasonal melt, the result is spectacular!
Whether you’re seeking easily accessible roadside wonders or backcountry gems that require more exploration, Washington national parks offer memorable waterfall experiences for everyone. Here are some of our favorites.
Ladder Creek Falls – Tucked behind the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem, these illuminated falls are accessible via a short 0.5-mile loop trail. The evening light show that bathes the falls in changing colors makes this an enchanting stop, especially for families or those with limited mobility, but you can enjoy the falls both day and night. Access is easiest from the North Cascades Highway (SR-20), with the trailhead near the Gorge Powerhouse.
Rainbow Falls – This stunning falls is easily reached from the Stehekin Valley Road, around 3.5 miles from Stehekin Landing and served by the Valley’s shuttle bus. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the lower viewpoint and a short, but steep, walk to the upper viewpoint for a closer look. In spring, when the 312-foot fall really roars, be prepared to get drenched by the swirling mist during your photo op. While reaching Stehekin requires a ferry ride across Lake Chelan to this portion of the park, the journey is well worth it. The remote location ensures you’ll enjoy these falls in relative solitude, particularly on weekdays.
Agnes Gorge – At 4.7 miles, the out-and-back trail to Agnes Gorge starts at the end of the road for the Stehekin Valley shuttle service. You’ll pass a spectacular waterfall trailside and reach a “gorge-ous” end point with clear rushing water, a waterfall, and lots of rocks for hopping or stretching out on. Bring a picnic because you’ll want to hang out here for a while. It’s a hot hike come summertime, but once you dunk your shirt in the water, you’ll be happy you made the trek! You’ll find plenty of solitude here, especially on weekdays.
Colonial Creek Falls – The tallest waterfall found in the lower 48 states is Washington’s Colonial Creek Falls. Colonial Creek tumbles 2,568 feet down thirteen drops from the meltwater of Colonial Glacier, high on Colonial Peak. The receding alpine glacier has created a lake substantial enough to produce a year-round flow down the mountain, but the falls are typically obscured by snow that persists into early summer. Even late into the summer, getting up close and personal with Colonial Creek Falls is difficult. Motorists can get a distant panorama from State Highway 20, or experienced hikers can make steep hike through difficult terrain to reach it. Despite its record status, the fall is a bit anticlimactic compared to other, more easily accessible cascades in the area.
Sol Duc Falls – Perhaps the park’s most photographed waterfall, Sol Duc splits into multiple channels before dropping 48 feet into a rocky canyon. The 1.6-mile round-trip trail begins at the end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road. Visit in spring when snowmelt maximizes flow, or in autumn when colorful foliage frames the falls. It’s beautiful, but don’t expect much solitude.
Salmon Cascades – Five miles up the Sol Duc Road, stop by this viewing platform to witness the iconic leap of determined fish up a waterfall on their way to spawn. The view of the cascades is lovely year-round, but if you hope to see fish, look for Coho salmon in September and October, or steelhead trout from late March through May. These anadromous fish (meaning they live in both fresh and salt water) are born in the Sol Duc River but spend most of their lives in the Pacific Ocean before returning home to spawn.
Marymere Falls – This elegant 90-foot waterfall is accessible via a 1.8-mile round-trip trail from Storm King Ranger Station near Lake Crescent where you may even encounter some elk! The well-maintained path winds through stunning ancient forest groves before reaching a viewing platform at the base of the falls. The gentle grade makes it suitable for most hikers.
🛑 Travel Alerts: As of April 14, 2025, the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is closed until further notice due to the closure of the Fairfax bridge. Read more about this closure from WSDOT. Additionally, between July 11 – September 1, 2025, a timed-entry permit is required for the Sunrise Corridor of Mount Rainier. Visit the park’s page for more details.
Narada Falls – One of Rainier’s most accessible waterfalls, Narada’s 168-foot cascade is viewable from a parking area along Paradise Road. For the best (and most wet) perspective, take the short but steep quarter-mile trail to the base where the spray creates frequent rainbows on sunny afternoons. Use caution if taking the trail to the falls before the snow is melted out – it can be extremely icy, slippery, and dangerous.
Spray Falls – To reach this thundering 354-foot waterfall you must take the bumpy gravel road to Mowich Lake at the northwest corner of the park (closed in winter). Arrive early to secure parking. Hikers can find the start of the trail at the southside of the campground. The trail quickly splits; keep left along the Spray Park trail. After two miles of relatively flat and forested trail, you’ll find a 0.2 mile spur to Spray Falls. If you have time, continue the trail to Spray Park for magnificent wildflower meadows in mid-summer.
Comet Falls – You’ll find the Comet Falls Trail pullout with parking along the road from the Nisqually entrance. The 3.8 round-trip trail follows a whitewater creek upstream through forest and talus slopes. (Listen for the “meeping” of pikas in their large colony among the rocks.) You’ll come to your first peek of Comet Falls and see the viewpoint for lovely Bloucher Falls but continue on and soon you’ll arrive at 301-foot Comet Falls and great place to relax amidst the swirling spray.
Washington’s waterfalls provide breathtaking natural beauty, but visitors should always prioritize safety when exploring these features. Always remain on designated trails and observation platforms. Rocks near waterfalls can be deceptively slippery from constant spray and algae growth. Keep a safe distance from edges and never climb over barriers or venture off-trail for photos.
Be especially cautious during spring runoff when water volumes increase dramatically. What might appear as a gentle cascade in late summer can become a dangerous torrent after heavy rainfall or during snowmelt season. Parents should maintain close supervision of children, and pets should be kept leashed at all viewpoints (where allowed).
For backcountry beginners, we have great resources like “What is Leave No Trace?” or “What are the Ten Essentials?” – visit our blog today!
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Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. With your help, we raise funds to preserve and protect Washington’s national parks, funding volunteer programs, youth and family experiences, science and research, and projects that will keep these parks strong and vital now and forever.
Cover photo by Patrick Vallely, WNPF Creative Partner and blog photos by Karen Povey.