10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Washington (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Washington's 212 named waterfalls, starting with Dry Falls. The list spans the Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington, North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor, and Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 92 publicly accessible Washington waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Dry Falls
Soap Lake, WA · Grant County · Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 482 photos of it on Google, about 4.3 for every review. 88% of its 111 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Scenic, expansive landscape of scalloped cliffs & groundwater-fed lakes, plus a visitor center." Reviewers single out its beautiful lakes, photo opportunities, and scenery. It is one of 32 named falls in the Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington region. The nearest town is Soap Lake, about 16 miles to the southwest.
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2. Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie, WA · King County · North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 14,925 photos of it on Google, about 3.3 for every review. 85% of its 4,480 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Well-known, scenic 270-foot waterfall surrounded by a 2-acre park, observation deck & gift shop." The setting includes Borst Lake (lake, 1.0 mi). It is one of 69 named falls in the North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor region. The nearest town is Snoqualmie, about 1.1 miles to the southeast.
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3. Deception Falls
Gold Bar, WA · King County · North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,297 photos of it on Google, about 7.9 for every review. 89% of its 290 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Reviewers single out its viewing platforms. The setting includes Windy Mountain (summit, 1.7 mi) and Embro Lake (lake, 1.8 mi). It is one of 69 named falls in the North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor region. The nearest town is Gold Bar, about 25 miles to the northwest.
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4. Cascade Falls
Friday Harbor, WA · San Juan County · Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 159 photos of it on Google, about 4.3 for every review. 92% of its 37 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "Picturesque 40-ft. waterfall accessed by a short hiking trail through national park forest." Reviewers single out its photo ops. The setting includes Little Summit (summit, 0.8 mi) and Entrance Mountain (summit, 1.1 mi). It is one of 17 named falls in the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound region. The nearest town is Friday Harbor, about 11 miles to the southwest.
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5. Palouse Falls
Dayton, WA · Franklin County · Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,090 photos of it on Google, about 3.3 for every review. 84% of its 637 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Popular & picturesque natural wonder & waterfall dropping 200 feet into a winding gorge." The setting includes Fryxell Overlook (summit, 0.2 mi) and Findley Lake (lake, 1.7 mi). It is one of 32 named falls in the Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington region. The nearest town is Dayton, about 26 miles to the southeast.
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6. Sol Duc Falls
Port Angeles, WA · Clallam County · Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 650 photos of it on Google, about 6.4 for every review. 92% of its 101 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Nature site with a scenic waterfall accessible by a short hike & a wooden bridge." The setting includes Hidden Lake (lake, 1.1 mi) and Deer Lake (lake, 1.7 mi). It is one of 17 named falls in the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound region. The nearest town is Port Angeles, about 21 miles to the northeast.
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7. Gorge Creek Falls
Darrington, WA · Whatcom County · North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 195 photos of it on Google, about 5.3 for every review. 78% of its 37 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its view and photos. The setting includes Mount Ross (summit, 1.6 mi) and Bouck Lake (lake, 1.7 mi). It is one of 69 named falls in the North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor region. The nearest town is Darrington, about 36 miles to the southwest.
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8. Sunset Falls
Yacolt, WA · Clark County · Mount Rainier and the South Cascades
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 218 photos of it on Google, about 5.9 for every review. 76% of its 37 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its scenic and beautiful place. It is one of 94 named falls in the Mount Rainier and the South Cascades region. The nearest town is Yacolt, about 8.2 miles to the northwest.
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9. Crystal Falls
Colville, WA · Stevens County · Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 140 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 77% of its 44 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its scenic views and view. It is one of 32 named falls in the Columbia Plateau and Northeast Washington region. The nearest town is Colville, about 12 miles to the west.
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10. Franklin Falls
Tanner, WA · King County · North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 3,361 photos of it on Google, about 5.1 for every review. 83% of its 660 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "3-tiered waterfall on the Snoqualmie River’s south fork, a popular hiking & picnicking destination." The setting includes Beaver Lake (lake, 0.6 mi) and Lodge Lake (lake, 1.1 mi). It is one of 69 named falls in the North Cascades and the Snoqualmie Corridor region. The nearest town is Tanner, about 15 miles to the west.
When to Visit Washington's Waterfalls
West of the Cascades, rain sustains falls for much of the year, but the most powerful flows come with spring snowmelt from about April through June and again with autumn and winter rains. Higher falls such as those around Paradise on Mount Rainier are often snowbound until early summer, so July and August are the main season there. In eastern Washington, Palouse Falls and Spokane Falls peak with spring runoff, usually from March to May, and both drop considerably by late summer. Winter brings heavy rain at low elevations and deep snow in the mountains, closing some park roads and making approaches like the Franklin Falls trail prone to avalanches. Summer weekends bring the heaviest crowds.
Before You Go
Washington's falls are split among national parks, national forests and state lands. State parks and Department of Natural Resources lands generally require a Discover Pass, while many national forest trailheads require a Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass, and the national parks charge entrance fees. Popular trailheads along I-90 and US 2 fill early on weekends, and Snoqualmie Falls draws crowds year-round. Hazards vary by region: in the Cascades and Olympics, cold, swift glacial and snowmelt rivers, moss-slick logs and rocks, and winter avalanche paths; at Palouse Falls, unfenced basalt cliffs where people have fallen to their deaths. Wildfire smoke and closures can affect eastern Cascade trails in late summer.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Washington Waterfalls
See all 212 waterfalls in the Washington waterfall guide, or browse by town: Soap Lake, Snoqualmie, Gold Bar, Friday Harbor, Dayton, Port Angeles, Darrington, Yacolt.
More Washington Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Washington?
Dry Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 111 Google reviews. It is near Soap Lake in Grant County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 92 publicly accessible Washington waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
How many waterfalls are in Washington?
Our directory lists 212 named waterfalls in Washington. See them all, sorted by town, in the Washington waterfall guide.
Why is Palouse Falls in such a dry landscape?
Palouse Falls was shaped by enormous Ice Age floods from glacial Lake Missoula, which carved canyons and cliffs into the basalt of the Columbia Plateau. The Palouse River still flows over the resulting cliff, even though the surrounding region is semi-arid.