Skip to content
Book the Falls
Snoqualmie Falls

United States · Cascades, Washington

Snoqualmie Falls

A short drive from Seattle, the falls have generated hydroelectric power continuously since 1898 from a plant built directly into the rock behind the drop, one of the earliest of its kind. Its churning base pool famously opened the title sequence of Twin Peaks.

Meher Anand Kasam · CC BY-SA 3.0
Site of one of the oldest operating hydroelectric plants in the US Essentials guide

A short drive from Seattle, the falls have generated hydroelectric power continuously since 1898 from a plant built directly into the rock behind the drop, one of the earliest of its kind. Its churning base pool famously opened the title sequence of Twin Peaks.

Snoqualmie Falls drops 82 metres (269 ft) across a face roughly 30 metres wide on the Snoqualmie. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Snoqualmie, with SEA the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.

Winter and spring rains give the heaviest flow; a hydroelectric plant regulates output year-round.

What you can do here

Hiking

From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.

Photography

Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.

When to go

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Winter and spring rains give the heaviest flow; a hydroelectric plant regulates output year-round.

Entry: Free viewing park

Getting there

  • Base townSnoqualmie
  • AirportSEA
  • CountryUnited States
  • RegionCascades, Washington, North America
  • AccessEasy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint

On the map

47.5417, -121.8375

Quick answers

How tall is Snoqualmie Falls?

Snoqualmie Falls drops 82 metres (269 feet), across a face about 30 metres wide. It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Snoqualmie.

When is the best time to visit Snoqualmie Falls?

Peak flow is March to May and November to December. Winter and spring rains give the heaviest flow; a hydroelectric plant regulates output year-round.

What can you do at Snoqualmie Falls?

Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.

How do you get to Snoqualmie Falls?

The usual base is Snoqualmie, and the closest airport is SEA. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Free viewing park.