Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most powerful and visually impressive waterfalls in Washington State. You can either hike or drive between its upper and lower observation areas to see the waterfall from above and below. We’ve visited Snoqualmie Falls in different seasons and you’ll see how the waterfall changes in our photos.
In this guide we walk you through visiting Snoqualmie Falls in Washington for the first time, based on our own experiences.
Our Experience
Snoqualmie Falls was one of the very first places we visited after temporarily moving to Washington State in the spring of 2021, and it was one of the last places we visited before leaving 6 months later to travel the world again. So we were lucky enough to enjoy the waterfall in both spring and fall, the two best times of year to visit for photography.
Both times we parked near the upper observation area and hiked down to the lower viewpoint. What we like is that it’s so easy to visit and you only need a few hours at the most. And later in the guide you’ll see our favorite photos from both trips. Read more about us.
Waterfall Information
- Height: 268 feet
- Average Width: 100 feet
- Type: Curtain
- Drop: Single
Snoqualmie Falls is a 268-foot tall curtain waterfall with an average width of around 100 feet. The height remains constant but the width can be longer or shorter depending on the volume of rainfall or snowmelt at various times of year. In spring the waterfall is much wider and more powerful than in the fall.
What we like the most is that there are no tiers or breaks in the waterfall. It’s a straight shot plunge from top to bottom and it’s an awesome spectacle.
Snoqualmie Falls Parking
Figuring out where to park can be confusing as you arrive at Snoqualmie Falls because you’ll be welcomed by four different parking areas. At the upper falls area there’s two small lots on the waterfall side of the road and one large lot on the opposite side of the road. And there’s also a lower falls parking lot 2.3 miles away.
Upper Falls:
- Small lot 1 – Snoqualmie Falls Lodge (Salish Lodge) parking
- Small lot 2 – Paid parking near the gift shop
- Large lot – Free parking for all
We strongly recommend you park in the free lot because you’ll save money and there’s plenty of spaces. You’ll simply walk across a wooden bridge to access to the upper observation deck. And there’s no fee to enter Snoqualmie Falls, so if you park in the free lot you won’t have to pay anything at all to enjoy visiting the waterfall, which is exactly what we did both times.
- Here’s the Google Maps location for the free upper parking lot.
Lower Falls:
There’s one parking area near the lower area of Snoqualmie Falls, but it costs $7 to park your vehicle so we recommend hiking down from the top if you’re able.
- Here’s the Google Maps location for the lower parking lot.
Things To Do
There’s not a huge amount of things to do in terms of activities when you visit Snoqualmie Falls. It’s more of a relaxing family outing with lovely waterfall views, maybe a hike to the bottom and maybe a spot of lunch in the nearby Salish Lodge.
Here’s what you can do:
- Take photos of the waterfall
- Hike from the top to Lower Falls for a different perspective
- Learn about the waterfall and how it supplies the region with power through various information boards
- Eat lunch at The Attic or dinner at The Dining Room inside Salish Lodge
- Shop in Salish Lodge gift shop
Both times we visited the waterfall we followed exactly the same path from upper to lower falls, took photos from both decks and enjoyed being outside surrounded by nature. There’s really not much else to do!
Upper + Lower Observation Decks
During your visit you have the opportunity to see Snoqualmie Falls from both its upper and lower observation decks.
Upper observation deck:
The upper area is easy to access and it has the quintessential Snoqualmie Falls view from above and to the side. But because it’s so easy to access, it’s also far busier than the lower observation deck. You can walk alongside a fence with unobstructed views as far as a two-tiered viewing area which is usually filled with people taking photos.
Lower observation deck:
Unless you drive and pay for parking, the lower observation deck is harder to access because it requires hiking a fairly steep trail. The Lower Falls viewing area is located at the end of a wooden boardwalk, and it’s a stunning scene. We highly recommend taking the time and making the effort to see the Lower Falls area because it’s usually quieter and you’ll get a completely different perspective.
Hiking Snoqualmie Falls Trail
We’re going to walk you through the hike exactly as it was for us and with our photos, so you know what to expect:
1. Upper Observation Deck
After parking and crossing the pedestrian footbridge, we arrived at the Upper Falls observation deck and Snoqualmie Falls was roaring below and slightly to the left of us. We heard it before we saw it!
We stopped here to enjoy the view, took some photos and continued walking down steps towards the main viewing area to snap more photos. It was busier when we visited in fall because the vibrant colors attracted more visitors.
2. Hiking To Lower Falls
We hiked the 0.7-mile (one way) trail to reach the lower observation deck. It was steep in places but it was a nice walk down a wide and flat path. We’d say it’s suitable for the whole family, as long as moderately steep climbs are achievable.
We read for information boards about flora and fauna along the gravel trail as we descended through attractive vegetation, which was most beautiful when we visited in fall and the colors had changed.
3. Lower Park Plaza
Our walk down was easy enough and before we knew it we’d arrived at Lower Park Plaza and the lower parking area, which had a restroom and information board explaining how the waterfall creates electricity.
Hugging the left side of the plaza area, we took a gravel trail leading to a circular tunnel made of metal components which were once used on hydro-electric water pipes.
4. Wooden Boardwalk
Straight after the metal tunnel (which looked like an art installation), we began walking on a wooden footbridge that crossed over the top of two enormous water pipes and a power house.
We continued walking along the wooden bridge as it stuck close to the cliffside and followed the Snoqualmie River. The boardwalk was narrow and quickly became crowded when just a few more groups entered.
5. Lower Observation Deck
Within a minute we could see the waterfall in the distance. The lower observation deck area was surprisingly small and tight for the amount of people who wanted a clear view of the waterfall or to photos of themselves.
Snoqualmie Falls is clearly visible through two thin tree trunks which frame the waterfall nicely. It’s possible to walk closer to the waterfall in winter when it’s frozen, but it’s not accessible any other time of year so we turned back from the boardwalk and walked back to the free parking lot at Upper Falls.
READ: The best quotes about waterfalls
Best Time To Visit Snoqualmie Falls
We think spring and fall are the two best seasons to visit Snoqualmie Falls. In spring you’ll benefit from seeing the waterfall at its most intense and powerful, whereas in fall you’ll be able to enjoy stunning autumnal foliage surrounding the waterfall. It’s also quieter in both spring and fall when compared to summer.
Here’s what you can expect in each season:
- Spring – Powerful waterfall, reasonable crowds and comfortable temperature for hiking.
- Summer – Less water falling, overcrowded and hot temperatures.
- Fall – Even less water falling but vibrant colors, reasonable crowds and comfortable temperature.
- Winter – Frozen waterfall, unique photo opportunities, no crowds but cold and uncomfortable.
Early morning or late afternoon are the two best times of day to avoid the worst of the overcrowding and heat on warmer days. The worst time to visit is between 10:00am and 3:00pm when it’ll be busiest. And we would personally avoid visiting on weekends, especially during holidays between April and October when the area will be severely overcrowded.
Travel tip: If you want to see the waterfall in all its majesty, you should visit after heavy and consistent rainfall.
Salish Lodge And Spa
If you’re thinking about treating yourself to a luxury stay near the waterfall, you should consider booking a night at the onsite lodge directly next to Snoqualmie Falls called Salish Lodge and Spa.
Salish Lodge is rated very highly by thousands of previous guests, with rave reviews about the staff, views, rooms and service. It’s also pet friendly, has free parking and has two on site restaurants.
BOOK: Direct | Booking.com
Where To Eat
There’s two restaurants at Snoqualmie Falls and both are located inside Salish Lodge, which is immediately next to the upper observation deck.
- The Restaurant – Casual restaurant serving up small plates and pizzas as well as beer, wine and specialty cocktails from Wednesday through Sunday.
- The Lounge – A beautiful spot inspired by the surrounding PNW beauty serving breakfast, lunch, small plates and cocktails.
Both restaurants are very highly rated and regarded. If you’re planning to stay for lunch or dinner, we highly recommend you book in advance because Salish Lodge is a hugely popular place to eat.
Alternatives:
If you don’t want to eat at Salish Lodge or you’d prefer something a little more low key, you can drive 1 mile south to the small town of Snoqualmie where you’ll find plenty more dining options.
Top rated eateries in the area:
- Italian – Gianfranco Ristorante
- Barbecue – Buckshot Honey
- Mexican – Caadxi Oaxaca
- Indian – Aahaar Indian Restaurant
- American – Snoqualmie Falls Brewery
We stopped in at Snoqualmie Falls Brewery after our second visit to the area in autumn and it was fantastic. Mark had fish and chips (it’s hard to resist as a British guy living in the US!) with a tasty hazy IPA and Kristen had a burger with a cold crisp cider.
Our Favorite Snoqualmie Falls Photos
It goes without saying that the waterfall is incredibly photogenic. And over the course of two separate visits we ended up with far too many photos! So here’s more of our favorites:
The Morgan Conclusion
Snoqualmie Falls is a stunning waterfall with two very different viewpoints. It’s a popular attraction near Seattle because it’s family friendly, easy to visit and completely free. You can either hike or drive between the two waterfall viewing areas, which is useful if you’ll be visiting with any less able family members.
After two visits to the waterfall, we’d say it’s a must-visit natural attraction for locals living in the area. We love the colors in fall, so we’d say late September and early October are the best times to visit for photography. Overall, it’s a great place to see and we hope the parking stays free!
More From Washington
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- How to hike Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
- Hiking Wallace Falls State Park waterfall trail
Want more Washington content? Head to our Washington Travel Guides to explore National Parks, popular day hikes and best things to do around Seattle.
We hope this guide to visiting Snoqualmie Falls helps with planning your visit to Washington!
Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.