The Best Day Trip to Snoqualmie Falls from Seattle, WA

Last updated on October 14th, 2024 at 01:23 pm

I was finally able to make a day trip to Snoqualmie Falls happen! If you’ve read any of my other Seattle blogs, you know that earlier this year I spent 6 weeks in Seattle for a work training. I had these grand aspirations of using the weekends to get out and explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest! While I did get to see quite a bit of the items on my bucket list, Snoqualmie Falls eluded me.

Just last week, I had to go up to Seattle for another work event and I decided to go up a day earlier and finally check this off of Washington State my bucket list! I’m so grateful that I did!

Like this day trip to Bainbridge Island, Snoqualmie is a super easy day trip as it is only a 35-45 minute drive from downtown Seattle. The town of Snoqualmie is also incredibly charming and a great place to stop for lunch or dinner after your time at the waterfalls.

In this blog post, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about planning your own day trip to Snoqualmie Falls, Washington.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a tiny bit of income if you decide to make a purchase or booking.

Why You Should Visit Snoqualmie Falls

Do you like waterfalls? Snoqualmie Falls is a 270-foot waterfall that is extremely powerful, especially in the Spring! It’s so powerful that a man named Charles Baker created the first completely underground hydroelectric plant to harness the energy into electricity. 

Do you like hiking? Snoqualmie Falls is surrounded by a two-acre park. There are two observation decks, one upper and one lower, connected by a hiking trail. While the trail itself is short, it is very steep. 

Don’t like hiking but still want to see the falls? No worries, you can see the falls from either the ADA accessible upper observation deck or walk the boardwalk trail from the lower parking lot to the lower observation deck. 

Do you like Native American History? Snoqualmie Falls is a sacred site to the Snoqualmie Tribe and it plays an important role in their history of creation. The Snoqualmie Tribe continues to meet at the falls or the surrounding area to practice sacred rituals. The Snoqualmie Tribe is very active in the fight against development of the area surrounding the falls. In 2019, the Snoqualmie and Muckleshoot Indian Tribes bought the Salish Lodge & Spa and the 45 acres of land surrounding the falls which was their traditional territory.

Do you like visiting places made more famous by movies? Snoqualmie Falls makes an appearance in the opening scene of Twin Peaks.

Do you like (mostly) free activities? The observation decks are free viewing areas for the falls. You do not have to pay to visit and if you follow my tips, you won’t even have to pay for parking!

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then join the other 2 million people who visit the Snoqualmie Waterfall yearly and go see what all the fuss is about!

Where is Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is located about 30 miles east of Seattle near the town of Snoqualmie!

How to Get to Snoqualmie Falls

There are multiple ways to get to Snoqualmie Falls, but by far the easiest is driving. I rented a car from the Seattle Airport for the day for less than $100 (including gas).

Snoqualmie Falls By Car

To get there, make your way to I-90 East towards Spokane. Take I-90 East towards Spokane. Use Exit 25 for Snoqualmie Parkway. Turn left onto Snoqualmie Parkway and follow it for about 4 miles. Turn right onto SE 99th Street, which becomes Falls Avenue SE.

You’ll see signs for Snoqualmie Falls Park. The main parking lot is located just past the Salish Lodge.

The drive will take anywhere from 35-45 minutes depending on traffic.

Book your rental car here.

Snoqualmie Falls by Public Transportation

Can you take public transportation to Snoqualmie? Yes, you can, but it will take you anywhere from 1.5-4 hours to get there. If that’s your only option, I recommend using Google Maps to give you the best directions from your location, but here is an overview.

You’ll take Sound Transit 554 to Issaquah Transit Center where you’ll transfer to King County Transit 208 to Snoqualmie and get off at Railroad Ave SE & Snoqualmie Pkwy then walk the rest of the way.

I do not recommend this option.

Snoqualmie Falls by Guided Tour

If you don’t want to rent a car, there are plenty of guided tour options from Seattle to Snoqualmie. I would recommend this over public transit! These guided tours are usually half a day and some have wine tastings in nearby Woodinville wine country included!

Here is one of the most popular guided tours to Snoqualmie Falls.

Where to Park for Snoqualmie Falls

If you’re driving to Snoqualmie Falls, you need to know where to park! There are three parking lot options, one is paid and the other two are free.

The paid parking lot is right next to the Snoqualmie Falls Visitor Center. It costs $7 for 0-2 hours and is an additional $5 per hour after that. 

Save your money and park in the free parking lot directly across the road. There are ample parking spaces. Once you park, you’ll walk across the pedestrian bridge past Salish Lodge & Spa  to safely reach the top of Snoqualmie Falls. 

Upper Falls Parking Lot Address: Use the address for Salish Lodge & Spa. The paid parking lot is just beyond it and the free parking lot is across the street. The address is, 6501 Railroad Ave SE Snoqualmie, Washington, 98024

Alternatively, you can park in the Lower Falls Parking Lot, which is also free. It’s best to park here if you don’t want to hike between the upper falls and lower falls. More on this later.

Lower Falls Parking Lot Address: 37479 SE Fish Hatchery Rd, Fall City, WA 98024

Best Time of Year to Visit Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is open year round and any time that you can add to make it happen is a good time to visit. No matter what time of year you visit, make sure to check the weather before visiting and dress appropriately!

The winter months present a unique time of year to visit the falls with layers of snow on the surrounding mountains. It may not be the best time of year to hike, but it does sound like a lovely time to cozy up in the Salish Lodge and enjoy the scenery from the spa.

The best season to visit Snoqualmie Falls is late spring as the falls are at their most powerful thanks to the snowmelt from the Cascade Mountains and winter rains.

The summer is a good time for hiking the area around Snoqualmie Falls as the weather is most stable. However, the water level will likely be at its lowers point of the year it’s peak tourist season, so expect crowds.

The fall is a beautiful time of year to visit as the trees start to change color. While the falls may not be their most powerful, their setting amongst the vibrant fall foliage is quite picturesque.

What to Bring on your Snoqualmie Falls Day Trip

When planning a day trip to Snoqualmie Falls, it’s helpful to pack a few short hike essentials to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Here’s a list of items to consider bringing:

Comfortable Walking Shoes: I don’t think hiking boots are necessary but you do need something slip proof and sturdy! I wore my Blundstones and they were perfect for this hike. I do not recommend Converse or similar shoes.

Weather-Appropriate Clothing

• Spring/Fall: Layered clothing and a light jacket for fluctuating temperatures.
• Summer: Breathable clothing and a hat to shield from the sun.
• Winter: Warm layers, waterproof outerwear, gloves, and a hat.

Water & Snacks: You can fill up your reusable water bottle at the cafe, but you may want to bring some snacks to enjoy while observing the falls. There are some picnic tables as well if you’d like to bring a little picnic!

Camera: Whether you use your smartphone or something else, make sure you bring a camera with you to capture the beauty of the area. 

Sunglasses & Sunscreen: On sunny days, sunglasses and sunscreen are must-haves to protect against the glare and sun exposure

Small Backpack: A small backpack is perfect to carry your essentials. 

Offline Maps: Reception goes in an out in the area, so download Google Maps Offline so you continue to have GPS!

Hiking Trails at Snoqualmie Falls

There is one main hiking trail that connects the upper viewing platform with the lower viewing platforms. It is short, yet steep! If you don’t want to hike anything steep, I recommend parking your car at the lower parking lot and just doing the lower portion of the trail.

You could even move your car to the upper parking lot to see the view of the falls from above if walking is not in the cards for you.

The main hiking trail is 0.7 miles and will take you about 1 hour to complete, if you’re not stopping for photos. I recommend budgeting about 2-3 hours for your total visit, including the hike to Snoqualmie Falls.

Once you take in the view of the top of the falls, follow the path to the dirt trail that leads behind the gift shop and Visitor Center (it’s very obviously marked). 

Along the 250 foot descent, there are placards detail the types of flora and fauna in the area. There are also really interesting new trees that have grown out of the stumps of logged trees. It’s a very beautiful walk.

When you reach the lower parking lot, you’ll connect with a boardwalk trail that passes over the power plant. This part is ugly, but keep going, it gets pretty again as it follows the river until you reach the end of the boardwalk.

From here you’ll see !he base of the falls

You aren’t all that close to the bottom of the falls, but please DO NOT cross over the boardwalk and rock hop to get closer to the falls!

There is also access to the Snoqualmie river near the start of the boardwalk trail. If you want some time to relax and have a snack before heading back up the hill, this is a great place to do so.

From here, return the way you came up the steep incline back to the car. There are benches along the trail if you need a rest.

Things to Do Near Snoqualmie Falls

Explore the Town of Snoqualmie

Before or after your waterfall adventure, head into the tiny town of Snoqualmie which looks like it could be out of any cutesy fall Hallmark movie.

This is a great place to have breakfast or lunch, stroll the main street, or check out the Northwest Railroad museum.

Most cafes, restaurants and shops are located on Railroad Ave or Falls Ave SE.

Go Wine Tasting

Unfortunately for me, the Sigillo Cellars tasting room was closed during my visit. But if it’s open while you’re in town, stop by for a mid afternoon sip and charcuterie board! On Friday and Saturday evenings there is also live music!

Where to Eat Near Snoqualmie Falls

Salish Lodge & Spa

There’s no closer place to eat near Snoqualmie Falls than the Salish Lodge & Spa. You can dine at the Lounge for breakfast from 10am-3:00pm or dinner from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. The Lounge seating is on a first come first serve basis. To dine at The Restaurant which has a beautiful menu, make a reservation. They serve food all day from 8:00 – 9:00 pm (with the menu changing for breakfast, lunch and dinner).

If you want something lighter, there is a cafe and coffee bar in the Visitor Center that’s open from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. They have a breakfast sandwich, a variety of pastries, and a nice coffee menu.

Snoqualmie Falls Brewery

I had lunch at Snoqualmie Brewery and while it has a lovely atmosphere in their outdoor seating area, the food was meh. I had the burger which was not great and was definitely not worth $20. The beer was nice though, so I’d go back for that and eat elsewhere.

Black Dog Cafe

I also stopped in at Black Dog Cafe for a matcha latte (you know I love them)! If you’re looking for something healthy, this is your spot. It’s a mostly vegan cafe with some vegetarian options. I can’t speak to their food as I only got the matcha latte, which I highly recommend. But from the plates I saw as I waited the food all looked really tasty.

It’s also a cool atmosphere with local artists work on the walls and there are open mic nights. It feels like a place where the community comes together and I really liked that. 

Snoqualmie Ice Cream

I don’t know what it is about me, but if a small town has an ice cream shop, I’m getting an ice cream! Snoqualmie Ice Cream is a cute little ice cream shop on Falls Ave NE with a variety of flavors and sundaes! 

I got the German Chocolate ice cream and it was delicious after hiking around Snoqualmie Falls.

Where to Stay Near Snoqualmie Falls

Salish Lodge & Spa

I’ve mentioned Salish Lodge & Spa a few times throughout this post. It has been consistently voted as one of the best luxury hotels in Washington. In addition to their delicious food menus in their restaurant and lounge mentioned above, their luxurious rooms each have a fireplace, and some have a balcony overlooking the falls. The onsite spa has soaking pools and an extensive menu of indulgent spa treatments. Plus it’s located literal steps away from the best view of the falls!

One thing to note when I visited last week, it looks like a portion of the lodge is under construction. You may want to call before booking to confirm whether or not construction will be taking place during your visit. 

Check rates and availability here.

Treehouse Point

For a truly unique experience, stay at Treehouse Point. There are 7 different treehouses on the property of varying sizes, but all nestled into the canopy of trees.

There is a lodge onsite as well where you can get breakfast in the morning or relax in the evening by the fireplace. 

It is the perfect place to escape from the busy city life for a night or two.

Check rates and availability here.

Snoqualmie Inn by Hotel America

If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option, check out the Snoqualmie Inn by Hotel America. The rooms are super comfortable and some have views of Mount Si. The staff are incredibly friendly and the hotel has amazing reviews!

Check rates and availability here.

There you have it, everything you need to know add the best day trip to Snoqualmie Falls to your Seattle itinerary. It is a beautiful place to visit and escape from the business of city life. Let me know if you visit and find any other fun things to do in the area!

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