Sometimes it’s nice to go on a weekend getaway that’s a bit out of the ordinary. And since Washington's waterfalls are amazing during every season, try making some of the state's most beautiful natural wonders the focus of your travels the next time you feel like an adventure. With relatively little hiking, this itinerary takes you past some of the most beautiful waterfalls in NW Washington, and we think you're absolutely going to love it. This waterfall road trip in Washington also skips over the most popular falls in WA and instead highlights some hidden gems so you can truly get out and explore.
Ready? Check out the official Google Map.
This route begins in the beautiful city of Ellensburg.
Beginning a road trip here just makes sense. It’s smack in the center of the state, so no matter where you live, you can head here to begin your incredible journey. If you’re in Ellensburg during the morning hours and you’re feeling adventurous, you'll want to head to the Umtanum Creek Falls Trail near Selah.
From Ellensburg, head down N. Wenas Road through the LT Murray Recreation area until you reach the trailhead, which will be on the right. This easy, 1.8-mile hike takes you past this incredible waterfall. The trail to Umtanum Creek Falls is a beautiful hike, so take your time!
Next, you'll drive two hours west on I-90 until you reach Weeks Falls.
The Weeks Falls Trail is short (half a mile in and out), and it can be a nice, quick stop to stretch your legs. Just take Exit 38 off I-90, take a right, and turn left into the park entrance.
Twin Falls is just a few more miles west on I-90, and it’s definitely worth a stop if you have enough time left in your day!
The hike to Twin Falls is about 3.6 miles round trip, so plan accordingly.
After a long day of exploring falls in Washington, you’ll be ready for some relaxation… and a little pampering.
Spend the night at the Salish Lodge and Spa, which rests right at the top of Snoqualmie Falls. Almost every room has a view of this iconic waterfall, which provides the perfect level of ambient noise as you drift off to sleep. Not many people get to see these falls in Washington light up at night, so you're in for a treat! These are truly the best views of one of the most exquisite waterfalls in Washington. Visit the official website to book your stay.
The next morning, you'll head into Seattle to find the Waterfall Garden at Pioneer Square.
Grab brunch or lunch to go from one of the many restaurants in the area, and then go find this hidden gem. You won’t believe you’re still in the city!
Your next stop is the beautiful Wallace Falls State Park!
Wallace Falls is about an hour-long drive from Seattle, and you can easily spend the rest of your day exploring this one; in fact, you'll probably want to! The waterfall trail itself is about 4.5 miles long, and it's definitely worth taking.
Once you've seen the beautiful Wallace Falls, you ought to head to the historic Cascadia Inn in Skykomish for a good night's rest!
The Cascadia Inn has an onsite restaurant and lounge, as well as 14 comfortable rooms to choose from. It's small, quaint, and oh-so-relaxing.
Book your stay on the official website.
The next morning, you'll wrap up your waterfall road trip with a short drive to the Deception Falls Interpretive Trail.
The trail itself is short)(about 0.6 miles), and the falls here are as petite as they come, but there's a relaxing picnic area where you can enjoy a quiet meal before you head home.
Our waterfalls are so beautiful! Which waterfalls in Washington are your favorites? Have any ideas about which ones we should feature in the future? Let us know by filling out this handy form!
Washington's waterfalls are truly something - and we have literally thousands to choose from! If you're looking for a road trip to explore even more of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington, check out this mapped-out journey.
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