Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie / Issaquah, Washington, USA

About Snoqualmie Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Snoqualmie Falls was easily the most popular and most visited waterfall that we have been to so far in the state of Washington.

However, we think the adjectives spectacular and powerful should also be thrown in there as well.

Snoqualmie_Falls_007_08262011 - Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls

And this was despite the fact that the Puget Sound Power and Light Company managed to divert some of the Snoqualmie River’s flow for the purposes of hydroelectricity.

So even though this waterfall was in a compromised state, it was still an awesome sight with its gushing year-round flow.

We could only imagine how wild this 268ft waterfall must have been during its wilder days before regulation.

The Popularity of Snoqualmie Falls

Given all these factors, I guess it shouldn’t have been surprising that this waterfall was so popular.

Snoqualmie_Falls_17_011_07292017 - Approaching the very crowded upper viewing decks for the Snoqualmie Falls on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of Summer
Approaching the very crowded upper viewing decks for the Snoqualmie Falls on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of Summer

After all, it was merely a half-hour or so of driving from Seattle to get here (depending on the severity of the traffic).

Moreover, we had a pretty easy time checking out the falls from its well-developed walkways and viewing platforms that allowed us to view the falls from above as well as from below.

In fact, we even witnessed some road rage as people were competing for limited parking space.

In one instance, one person managed to snag a parking spot right in front of someone who was patiently waiting for the prior occupant to pull out.

Snoqualmie_Falls_17_013_07292017 - Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge in the late afternoon on a warm Summer's day in 2017
Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge in the late afternoon on a warm Summer’s day in 2017

Indeed, things can get pretty tense when something like this is so popular.

Experiencing Snoqualmie Falls from the bottom

In addition to the obvious upper lookouts near the Salish Lodge, we also went further downstream from the falls.

That was where we managed to find a steep-but-well-developed trail that led us to the lower parking lot as well as some hydro infrastructure.

There were also a few relics alongside the trail, which the kids loved and the adults loved to use as photo ops.

Snoqualmie_Falls_035_05262006 - Looking back at the riverside trail leading to the bottom lookout for Snoqualmie Falls
Looking back at the riverside trail leading to the bottom lookout for Snoqualmie Falls

Beyond the hydroelectric facilities, the trail became a boardwalk along the banks of the Snoqualmie River.

Eventually, the trail terminated at a lookout with a direct view towards the base of Snoqualmie Falls.

Meanwhile, the walk between the upper lookouts and the lower lookout was said to be a half-mile in each direction.

While the view from here wasn’t close enough to be totally bombarded with the spray from the falls, it was noticeably cooler down here.

Snoqualmie_Falls_17_058_07292017 - View from the bottom of Snoqualmie Falls
View from the bottom of Snoqualmie Falls

Plus, this different perspective at the river level was certainly worth the exercise and the experience.

Timing A Visit To Snoqualmie Falls

As for the timing during the day to photograph this waterfall, our experience has shown us perhaps morning wouldn’t be the best time to visit.

That was because the falls was easily shrouded in fog and mist in the morning.

Conversely, we happened to be here on at midday on a sunny late August day in 2011 when the sun was right on top of us.

Snoqualmie_Falls_018_05262006 - Snoqualmie Falls barely visible through the morning fog during our first visit in 2006
Snoqualmie Falls barely visible through the morning fog during our first visit in 2006

That pretty much left the gorge darkened by shadows while the gorge rim was washed out in the sunlight.

On our third visit in late July 2017, we arrived late in the afternoon where the falls started to become completely shaded by the neighboring cliffs.

So given these observations, if it was a sunny day, the best photographic conditions would probably be in the mid-afternoon.

Changes at Snoqualmie Falls

In our first visit in 2006, we pursued the base of Snoqualmie Falls as we followed a pretty naturesque trail towards a boardwalk going past some hydroelectric facilities that appeared to still be in use.

It was far less crowded and more primitive back then.

Snoqualmie_Falls_034_08262011 - On our second visit to Snoqualmie Falls in 2011, we were unable to access the lower trail along the Snoqualmie River
On our second visit to Snoqualmie Falls in 2011, we were unable to access the lower trail along the Snoqualmie River

On our second visit in 2011, the lower area was inaccessible as it was in the midst of some pretty extensive construction to completely make over the facility and public access.

When we returned for a third time in 2017, it looked like the work was complete.

Even though it still seemed like the lower parts of the Snoqualmie Falls complex remained far less busier than its upper counterparts, it appeared to be better able to handle the increased visitor numbers.

There was even a separate trail leading to river itself for an opportunity to cool off on hot days.

Snoqualmie Falls Developments

Snoqualmie_Falls_17_004_07292017 - The Salish Lodge perched above Snoqualmie Falls
The Salish Lodge perched above Snoqualmie Falls

The building at the topleft of Snoqualmie Falls (as shown in the photograph at the top of this page) was the Salish Lodge and Spa.

It certainly seemed pretty upscale though we didn’t dine and stay there.

It did seem to be a pretty popular spot to have weddings, which was definitely the case on our last visit here in late July 2017.

Moreover, something that was interesting was that there was a stream gauge indicator in the lobby area indicating what the flow of the Snoqualmie River was.

Snoqualmie_Falls_17_045_07292017 - The lower trail passed before this imposing diversion pipe heading right towards a building to the right of the trail
The lower trail passed before this imposing diversion pipe heading right towards a building to the right of the trail

Apparently, the area around Snoqualmie Falls continues to be developed for additional housing.

Not everyone is on board with the ongoing developments, especially from the Snoqualmie Tribe.

While politics are not the focus of this website, you can read more about their grievances at this website.

Authorities

Snoqualmie Falls is near Issaquah in King County, Washington. It is administered by the city of Snoqualmie. For information or inquiries about this area as well as current conditions, visit their website or Facebook page.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: seattle, issaquah, snoqualmie, renton, bellevue, 90, washington, waterfall, king, salish



Visitor Comments:

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Snoqualmie Falls, flood of November 1985 May 9, 2021 1:49 pm by Steve Gillett - Thought you might like these pix of Snoqualmie Falls in the flood of November, 1985. The floodplain downstream was close to completely inundated--I've added a couple of pix of it as well, located somewhere between Duvall and Carnation. Sorry for the poor quality scans of decades-old slides, but I thought there might be some historical… ...Read More
Name of Waterfalls (Snoqualmie Falls) February 14, 2009 5:23 am by Linde - Do you know the name of the waterfalls in this picture? Thanks & Regards Linde ...Read More
Snoqualmie Falls October 6, 2008 9:28 am by Dr.V.K.Kanniappan - Hi, I went to Seattle during 2002 along with my wife to visit my son working for Tata Consultancy Services, at Seattle. I was 58 years old during my visit. I had the opportunity to visit the Snoqualmie Falls. I felt very enchanted and happy. After reading this article, I feel like visiting US again… ...Read More

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Snoqualmie Falls, flood of November 1985 May 9, 2021 1:49 pm by Steve Gillett - Thought you might like these pix of Snoqualmie Falls in the flood of November, 1985. The floodplain downstream was close to completely inundated--I've added a couple of pix of it as well, located somewhere between Duvall and Carnation. Sorry for the poor quality scans of decades-old slides, but I thought there might be some historical… ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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