Snoqualmie Falls is a 268-foot waterfall on the Snoqualmie River approximately 30 miles east of Seattle, Washington, featuring upper and lower viewing platforms and a 0.7-mile hiking trail through temperate rainforest. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting Washington state’s second-most visited natural attraction.
An easy way to get there is on a Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle city half day tour that also includes the Fremont Troll, the Hiram J Chittenden Locks, Kerry Park and Pike Place Market.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Park open year-round, dawn to dusk. Visitor centre and gift shop: Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-17:00 (Memorial Day-Labor Day). |
| Admission | Free entry. Gift shop parking lot and lower parking lot $7. Larger parking lot over the bridge, free. |
| Address | 6501 Railroad Avenue SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 |
| Getting there | 30 miles east of Seattle via I-90 and SR-202. 30-40 minutes’ drive. Limited bus service available. |
| Time needed | 20 minutes for upper viewpoint only. 1-1.5 hours including lower trail and viewpoint. |
Snoqualmie Falls opening hours
Snoqualmie Falls Park is open year-round from dawn to dusk. The upper observation deck and trails are accessible daily. The site is unstaffed outside visitor centre hours. Falls are illuminated in the evening.
The Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Museum and Visitor Centre operates Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, Memorial Day (late May) through Labor Day (early September). The museum is closed on Monday, Tuesday and outside the summer season.
The gift shop and ice cream counter operate during visitor centre hours. Toilets are available year-round.
Opening hours and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
Snoqualmie Falls admission and parking
Admission to view Snoqualmie Falls is free. There are no entrance charges.
Parking charges:
- Upper parking lot (closest to observation deck): $7 for 2 hours, $5 for each additional hour. Payment at self-service kiosks by credit card. Licence plate number required.
- Overflow parking lot (across SR-202): Free parking with pedestrian bridge access to the park. Accommodates 150 vehicles. ADA accessible.
- Lower falls parking lot: $7 for 2 hours.
RV parking is available. Dogs on leads are permitted. Drones are not allowed.
How to get to Snoqualmie Falls
From Seattle, take Interstate 90 East to exit 25 (Snoqualmie Parkway). Turn left onto WA-18 East, then left onto Railroad Avenue. Continue through the traffic circle (third exit) staying on Railroad Avenue. The park entrance is on the left shortly after the circle. The journey takes 30-40 minutes from downtown Seattle.
By public transport, King County Metro does not operate a direct service to the falls. The nearest bus connections require transfers and significant walking. Visitors without cars typically drive, use taxis or join organised tours from Seattle.
The Northwest Railway Museum operates seasonal excursion trains from North Bend to Snoqualmie. Check the railway museum website for schedules.
Why book the Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle city tour?
- See iconic Snoqualmie Falls: Visit one of Washington State’s most famous waterfalls and enjoy its striking 82-metre cascade set amid lush greenery.
- Seattle highlights included: Explore major city sights such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and waterfront with commentary from your guide.
- Guided commentary: Learn local history, culture and interesting facts about the region as you travel between stops with an experienced guide.
- Convenient transport: Round-trip travel from central Seattle is included, making it easy to experience both nature and city without planning logistics yourself.
- Perfect for short visits: Ideal if you want a taste of Seattle’s urban highlights and the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty in one combined outing.
Parking at Snoqualmie Falls
Two parking options are available:
Upper parking lot is located immediately adjacent to the gift shop and observation deck. This paid lot accommodates standard vehicles. The lot can fill quickly on weekends, holidays and sunny summer days, particularly between 10:00 and 16:00. Payment machines accept credit cards only.
Lower overflow lot is located across SR-202 with free parking for approximately 150 vehicles. Access to the park is via a pedestrian footbridge. This lot is ADA accessible and provides a good alternative when the upper lot is full.
A third small parking area exists near the lower trail access but has limited spaces.
How long to spend at Snoqualmie Falls
Most visitors viewing only the upper observation deck spend 15-20 minutes. The observation deck is less than 100 yards from the upper parking lot.
Visitors hiking the 0.7-mile trail to the lower observation deck typically spend 1 to 1.5 hours. The trail descends 374 feet through temperate rainforest, requiring 20-30 minutes downhill and 30-40 minutes for the return climb.
The park includes picnic tables, Centennial Green (a small meadow), the visitor centre and gift shop, allowing visitors to extend their stay as desired.
Accessibility at Snoqualmie Falls
The upper observation deck is fully accessible from the upper parking lot. The distance is less than 100 yards on paved, level pathways. The viewing platform features safety fencing and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The lower overflow parking lot is ADA accessible with a pedestrian footbridge providing level access to the park.
The 0.7-mile hiking trail to the lower viewpoint is not wheelchair accessible. The trail descends 374 feet with switchbacks, uneven surfaces and tree roots. Hikers should be in reasonable physical condition.
Accessible toilets are located near the upper parking area and gift shop. Picnic tables are accessible.
What to see at Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls plunges 268 feet over a granite precipice, making it over 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls. The waterfall is formed by the Snoqualmie River, which drains the Cascade Mountains west of Snoqualmie Pass.
Water flow varies significantly by season. During heavy rain or snowmelt (typically November to March), the full width of the river flows over the precipice, creating a curtain form with impressive spray. During dry summer months, much of the river is diverted for hydroelectric generation, reducing the waterfall to a smaller flow on the left side.
The upper observation deck provides side-on views of the waterfall from the rim. Information boards explain the falls’ geological formation, cultural significance and hydroelectric history. The viewing area includes the Centennial Green meadow where weddings are frequently conducted.
The 0.7-mile interpretive trail descends through temperate rainforest featuring moss-covered bigleaf maple, Douglas fir, western hemlock, sword ferns and salal. Interpretive plaques identify native plants and provide Snoqualmie tribal names. The lower viewpoint offers front-on views of the waterfall and the 1910 powerhouse (not open to public).
Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Plant is one of the Pacific Northwest’s oldest hydropower facilities. Charles Baker built the world’s first completely underground hydroelectric plant here in 1898-1899. The facility generates enough electricity to power approximately 16,000 homes. The Hydroelectric Museum (open summer only) displays historic equipment and explains the plant’s development.
Cultural significance: The Snoqualmie Tribe considers the falls sacred, believing it to be humanity’s place of origin where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer. The site remains a traditional burial ground and place for prayers, restoration and reflection. In October 2019, the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe purchased the falls, Salish Lodge, gift shop and 45 acres for $125 million.
Practical tips for visiting Snoqualmie Falls
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit during weekday mornings or late afternoons to avoid weekend crowds. The falls receive over 1.5 million visitors annually. |
| The waterfall is most impressive after heavy rain or during spring snowmelt. Summer flow is significantly reduced by hydroelectric diversion. |
| Wear sturdy footwear if hiking the lower trail. The path includes tree roots, rocks and steep sections. |
| The lower trail is heavily used; wildlife sightings are uncommon though birds frequent the forest. |
| Bring layers; the forest trail is cooler than the exposed upper viewing area. |
| Picnic tables are available in the upper park area. Barbecuing is not permitted. |
| The falls are illuminated in the evening, creating photographic opportunities after dark. |
Facilities at Snoqualmie Falls
The gift shop and visitor centre sell souvenirs, books about the falls, local crafts and Snoqualmie-themed merchandise. An ice cream counter serves various flavours. The shop operates Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-17:00 during summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day).
Toilets including accessible facilities are located near the upper parking area. Facilities are available year-round.
Picnic tables are scattered throughout the two-acre park. Five tables are available on a first-come basis. Barbecuing is prohibited.
The Salish Lodge and Spa overlooks the falls from the cliff edge. The lodge operates a restaurant, spa and luxury accommodation. The lodge is owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe but managed by Columbia Hospitality.
Frequently asked questions about Snoqualmie Falls
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Snoqualmie Falls suitable for children? | Yes. The upper viewing area is easily accessible and safe with fencing. Supervise children on the lower trail due to steep sections and cliff edges. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Snoqualmie Falls? | No. The falls are free to visit with no booking required. Simply arrive and park. |
| Is Snoqualmie Falls open on Sundays? | Yes. The park is open daily year-round. The visitor centre operates Wednesday-Sunday during summer only. |
| Is Snoqualmie Falls wheelchair accessible? | The upper observation deck is fully wheelchair accessible from the upper parking lot. The lower trail is not wheelchair accessible. |
| Was Snoqualmie Falls in Twin Peaks? | Yes. The falls featured prominently in the opening credits of the 1990s TV series “Twin Peaks”, significantly increasing visitor numbers. |
| Can you swim at Snoqualmie Falls? | Swimming is extremely dangerous and not recommended. The falls generate strong currents, undertows and cold water temperatures. |
Geological formation
Snoqualmie Falls formed approximately 10,000-15,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. The Puget Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet covered the region. When the ice retreated, glacial meltwater carved new river channels through the landscape.
The Snoqualmie River encountered a ledge of resistant rock—likely andesite or basalt from ancient volcanic flows. The river plunged over this hard rock layer, forming the waterfall. Over millennia, the falling water has eroded softer rock downstream, causing the falls to retreat upstream.
The 268-foot drop represents the boundary between harder volcanic rock above and softer sedimentary rock below.
Things to do near Snoqualmie Falls
Northwest Railway Museum (1 mile) features historic railway cars, a railway depot and operating excursion trains. The museum operates trains between North Bend and Snoqualmie on weekends and holidays.
Rattlesnake Ledge Trail (10 miles) is a popular 4-mile roundtrip hike climbing 1,160 feet to a viewpoint overlooking Rattlesnake Lake and Mount Si. The trailhead is in Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area.
Mount Si Trail (12 miles) offers a strenuous 8-mile roundtrip hike climbing 3,200 feet to summit views of the Snoqualmie Valley, Seattle and Cascade peaks. Allow 4-6 hours.
Snoqualmie Casino (2 miles) operated by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe offers gaming, restaurants, entertainment and a cigar lounge.
Twin Falls Trail (12 miles) is a moderate 2.6-mile roundtrip hike through old-growth forest to views of Twin Falls on the South Fork Snoqualmie River.
More Washington travel
Other Washington State travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A practical guide to visiting the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.
- Watch the salmon run at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.
- What you need to know about visiting the Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Falls, Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park.
- How to get the best view of Seattle from Kerry Park.
- How to see the Fremont Troll in Seattle.
