Twin Falls

Twin Falls is a 135-foot tiered waterfall on the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Olallie State Park, where the river squeezes through a narrow basalt gorge and drops in two dramatic steps. The upper falls plunge into a turbulent pool before the river immediately drops again through the lower tier, with the combined effect resembling a staircase of white water framed by sheer canyon walls. A pedestrian bridge spanning the gorge between the two tiers provides one of the most dramatic waterfall viewpoints in western Washington.

The 2.6-mile round-trip trail descends through second-growth forest of Douglas fir and bigleaf maple, crossing several footbridges before reaching the falls overlooks. The lower viewpoint provides a head-on view of both tiers, while the bridge between them puts hikers directly in the mist. The trail gains 580 feet on the return, with the steepest section near the bottom. Well-maintained steps and boardwalks make the footing secure.

Located just off Exit 34 on I-90, Twin Falls is less than 45 minutes from Seattle and accessible year-round. The falls are most impressive November through May when rain and snowmelt fill the river. Summer brings lower flow but pleasant hiking conditions. A Discover Pass is required for parking.