Snoqualmie Falls

About this place

Snoqualmie Falls is an 82 m waterfall on the Snoqualmie River between the towns of Snoqualmie and Fall City in Washington State, about 38 km in a straight line east of Seattle. It is one of the state's most popular natural sights, drawing more than 1.5 million visitors a year, and it became known worldwide through the television series Twin Peaks. For the Snoqualmie People, who have lived in the valley since time immemorial, the falls are central to their culture and beliefs: in their tradition they are the place where the first man and woman were created, and where the rising mist carries prayers up to the Creator. In 1898 a hydroelectric plant was built here, and much of the river is still diverted to generate power. The river drops over a sheer rock face into a misty pool ringed by evergreen forest, and after heavy rain or snowmelt the water can spread across the whole cliff in a thundering curtain. At the top, a small park of 0.8 hectares has an observation deck beside a lodge, and a trail leads down to a lower viewpoint near the base of the falls. Visiting is free, but the upper parking lot is paid. The falls are fullest from November to March and in spring, and the spray can soak the lower viewpoint, so bring a rain jacket.