A DETAILED Guide for Visiting Snoqualmie Falls
Last Updated on April 3, 2024 by Kelly
At 268 feet tall, Snoqualmie Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Washington State! (It’s even taller than Niagara Falls!) I’ve personally been to the falls dozens of times, and it’s easily one of my favorite attractions in Washington. In this post, I’m sharing my best tips for visiting Snoqualmie Falls! I’ll share where to find the best views, hiking options, dining with a view, and so much more.
About Snoqualmie Falls
Important Visiting Information
- Hours of Operation: Snoqualmie Falls is open from dawn until dusk.
- Fee: There is no admission fee to view the falls. It is free to the public.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed, but they must be leashed.
Snoqualmie Falls is a beautiful place to visit throughout the year. No two visits to the falls are alike. Even if you’ve already been there before, it’s worth going again just to see it under different weather conditions.
Because the falls are easily accessible from the Seattle area, over 1.5 million people visit each year!
There have been some exciting recent renovations. The gift shop was recently renovated by the Snoqualmie Tribe and now contains a beautiful visitor center.
Lower Observation Deck
Most visitors to Snoqualmie Falls completely miss the boardwalk to the lower observation deck, so don’t make that mistake! This viewing area is less crowded and is a hidden gem. The trail itself is stunning. The trail hugs the river and passes through old growth forests. Once you reach the lower observation deck, you’ll feel the cool mist from the falls.
The boardwalk riverside trail to the lower observation deck is very easy to complete. The trail is mostly flat (although there are some stairs) and is approximately .3 miles long. It’s a very quick walk to see the falls and back. We’ve completed this trail with our toddler with no trouble at all.
We recommend visiting this trail because you’ll see the falls from a completely different perspective! And once you are done, you can either hike a separate trail all the way up to the upper observation deck, or you can just re-park your car at one of the upper level parking lots.
Upper Observation Deck
The most popular place to view the waterfall is from the upper observation deck. Viewing the falls from here is very accessible because it doesn’t involve any hikes or trails. You simply need to park your car and walk down a short paved path.
From the upper deck, you’ll have an unrestricted view. Even though it can be crowded at this viewing point, there’s plenty of places to take photos.
Hiking Trail
There is also a trail that connects the upper and lower observation decks. If you don’t want to bother re-parking your car, you can use this trail to reach both viewing areas.
The trail is .7 miles long with a total of 250 feet of elevation gain (if you are hiking up it). Along the way, you’ll learn about the falls and the local tribes. Dogs are allowed on this trail, as long as they are leashed.
I’ve completed this trail several times, and it’s fairly easy to complete. I just recommend that you wear appropriate shoes when you hike this trail. I’ve seen people try to hike this trail in flip-flops, and I wouldn’t recommend it. The trail is unpaved, so there’s a fair amount of exposed roots and rocks along the way.
If you’re interested in the full trail description, we recommend that you view the Washington Trail Association’s website on Snoqualmie Falls.
If you visit the falls on a rainy day, we definitely recommend that you pack a good rain jacket or even a poncho. Mist from the falls can get you wet.
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The lodge also sells a number of souvenirs and treats. We recommend that you purchase their Pancake Mix. This is the pancake mix that we always have stocked in our pantry!
How to Get There
Snoqualmie Falls is located approximately 29 miles east of Seattle.
The main address for the upper observation deck is: 6501 Railroad Ave SE Snoqualmie, Washington, 98024
Parking
There are several places to park near the falls.
The first parking lot is near the gift shop (adjacent to the lodge). This is a small paid parking lot. It fills up very quickly on a sunny day!
The second parking lot is free and is located across the street from the lodge. There is a beautiful pedestrian bridge that will allow you to easily walk over the busy road to reach the falls. We’ve found this to be the best option for parking. It’s free and it’s right across the street!
If you’re staying at Salish Lodge, you can enjoy their valet parking.
Finally, there’s a lower parking lot that will take you to the trail that leads to the lower observation deck at Snoqualmie Falls. Although the upper observation deck is the most popular view, we also recommend taking the short riverside trail to the lower observation deck. There’s also a trail that connects the two viewing areas if you prefer to park once and don’t mind a little hike.
Tour Options
If you’re located in Seattle, one of the easiest ways to visit Snoqualmie Falls is to book a tour. The tour I linked above includes transportation to the falls as well as a visit to two different wineries in the nearby city of Woodinville. (We wrote a full post about our favorite wineries in Woodinville!) We definitely recommend the tour option if you are an out-of-town visitor because you won’t have to worry about booking a rental car or navigating public transportation.
Staying at the Salish Lodge and Spa
Perched right next to the waterfall is Salish Lodge. The lodge is one of Washington’s best hotels. Salish Lodge is a luxurious hotel that embraces all of the Pacific Northwest’s finest foods and traditions. Many of the rooms have direct views of the waterfall!
Salish Lodge contains 86 guest rooms, each of which have their own gas fireplace. The bathrooms feature either dual shower heads or oversized soaking tubs. It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
The spa at Salish Lodge has won numerous awards, including Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top 50 Hotel Spas in the United States.” The spa contains soaking pools, rainfall showers, a sauna, and a steam room, in addition to their treatment packages.
Dining
There are two dining options at Salish Lodge: The Dining Room and The Attic. We recommend making reservations in advance. (We weren’t able to get a table during our last visit because it was so busy!) In addition to these two restaurants, there’s also a cafe near Snoqualmie Falls that sells pastries, cookies, coffee, and ice cream.
The Dining Room is a fine dining restaurant at Salish Lodge that features fresh local ingredients. Many of the tables are located next to windows with views directly above the falls. One of the signatures meals at the Dining Room is the Country Breakfast, which has been a lodge staple since its early pioneer days! The breakfast contains four courses. Your server will pour honey from local hives high above your plate onto freshly-made biscuits. It’s definitely a bucket list experience for any visit to Washington.
The Attic is a more casual dining option. The lounge is open for adults 21+ and has some of the best views of the falls. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and a craft cocktail.
Featured on the Show Twin Peaks
The falls were featured on the popular TV show Twin Peaks. (You can see the waterfall in the show’s opening credits.)
In the show Twin Peaks, Snoqualmie Falls seems like a remote place in the wilderness. In real life, the waterfall is very accessible and draws crowds of people. In Twin Peaks, the hotel next to the fall is called The Great Northern Hotel. In real life, the hotel is called the Salish Lodge.
Twin Peaks had two seasons that aired in 1990 and 1991. It recently had a third season that aired in 2021.
History of Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls was first discovered by the indigenous people and has been stewarded by the Snoqualmie Tribe, which is one of the Coast Salish people. The name Snoqualmie is derived from the words “sah-KOH-koh” or “Sdob-dwahibbluh”, which is a Salish word for “moon”.
The surrounding land is sacred to the Snoqualmie people because it is where the First Man and First Woman were created by the Moon. Prayers at the falls are carried upward toward heaven in the mist. Be sure to visit the Snoqualmie Tribe’s website to learn more education and advocacy efforts.
White settlers began visiting in the 1850s. More settlers came to the area as the timber industry expanded. When the first power plant was built in the 1890s, even more people were drawn to the falls for employment opportunities.
When a railroad was constructed, even more people began to visit the falls from the Seattle area. People celebrated at the falls with lots of food and even a tightrope event over the falls.
The Snoqualmie Tribe recently reclaimed their sacred land in 2019. This purchase reflects hundreds of years of advocacy and preservation efforts by the tribe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim?
Swimming is prohibited at Snoqualmie Falls. You must stay on the marked trails. You cannot walk behind the falls.
Is it worth visiting?
We think it is definitely worth a visit Snoqualmie Falls! We have visited the falls dozens of times and keep returning. If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, we definitely think it’s worth planning an excursion to Snoqualmie Falls. We even included Snoqualmie Falls in our itinerary for visiting Seattle!
How long does it take to visit?
You can visit Snoqualmie Falls in as little as 30 minutes, or you can stay for much longer! If you just want to see the falls from the upper observation deck, 30 minutes is all you will need. If you’d like to visit the lower observation deck or visit Salish Lodge, you could easily spend a few hours visiting.
During our last visit, we spent two hours at the falls. We first completed the boardwalk to the lower observation deck, and then we drove to the top of the falls to see the upper observation deck.
Nearby Attractions
If you’re visiting the Snoqualmie area, you might also be interested in the following attractions:
- Snoqualmie Depot: This historic train station is now a museum and a fully-functioning train station. There is no admission charge to enter the museum, but donations are appreciated. The train ride does need an admission ticket. The scenic train ride is a wonderful way to view the Snoqualmie Valley!
- Fall City Floating: During the summer, a popular activity is floating the river! Thankfully there are companies that provide shuttles and equipment rentals.
- Remlinger Farms: This farm is located about 15 minutes away from Snoqualmie Falls. They are a very kid-friendly farm to visit, and they are famous for their mini pies! They have a carousel, mini-rides, and pony rides.
- Downtown Snoqualmie: The downtown area is filled with lots of unique shops, restaurants, wine tasting, and ice cream.
- Snoqualmie Falls Brewery: While you’re at the falls, be sure to check our Snoqualmie Falls Brewery. After walking around the falls, you can grab a pint or a growler while you eat classic pub food. The brewery is located about a mile south of the falls, so it’s really easy to stop by there after visiting the falls.
Summary
Snoqualmie Falls is one of our favorite places to visit in Washington State. We often bring our out-of-town guests to the falls, and they always tell us it was a trip highlight. We’ve personally visited more times than we count. It’s a beautiful gem in Washington State! If you’ve never visited before, we highly recommend that you visit. We hope this post on Snoqualmie Falls was helpful to you as you prepare your own visit!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
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