These are the Washington waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Snoqualmie Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in Washington, or browse by town: Snoqualmie, Tanner, Dayton, Eatonville, Gold Bar. You can also compare our best waterfalls in Washington and most beautiful waterfalls in Washington.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 60% of all Google reviews of Washington waterfalls.
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1. Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls near Snoqualmie takes the top spot, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 4,480 reviews.
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4,480 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in Washington, about 42% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 6.8 times as many as Franklin Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 14,925 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 85% five-star reviews. "Well-known, scenic 270-foot waterfall surrounded by a 2-acre park, observation deck & gift shop." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Snoqualmie, about 1.1 miles to the southeast.
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2. Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls, near Tanner, is next up, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 660 reviews.
King County, WA 98045 (GPS 47.4248, -121.4329)
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660 Google reviews make it number 2 in Washington, about 6% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 3,361 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 83% five-star reviews. "3-tiered waterfall on the Snoqualmie River’s south fork, a popular hiking & picnicking destination." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Tanner, about 15 miles to the west.
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3. Palouse Falls
Palouse Falls, near Dayton, is next up, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 637 reviews.
Franklin County, WA 99143 (GPS 46.6635, -118.2236)
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637 Google reviews make it number 3 in Washington, about 6% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 2,090 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 84% five-star reviews. "Popular & picturesque natural wonder & waterfall dropping 200 feet into a winding gorge." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Dayton, about 26 miles to the southeast.
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4. Little Mashel Falls
Head to Little Mashel Falls near Eatonville, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 328 reviews.
Pierce County, WA 98328 (GPS 46.8493, -122.2726)
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328 Google reviews make it number 4 in Washington, about 3% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,440 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 80% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Eatonville, about 1.3 miles to the north.
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5. Deception Falls
Deception Falls near Gold Bar is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 290 reviews. Visitors come here for trails, loop trail, and rushing water.
King County, WA 98288 (GPS 47.7146, -121.1934)
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290 Google reviews make it number 5 in Washington, about 3% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 2,297 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 89% five-star reviews. Reviews most often mention trails, loop trail, and rushing water. The nearest town is Gold Bar, about 25 miles to the northwest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in Washington?
Snoqualmie Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 4,480 Google reviews. It is near Snoqualmie in King County.
How was this list made?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 60% of all Google reviews of Washington waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in Washington?
Our directory lists 212 waterfalls in Washington. See every one, with filters and a map, on the Washington waterfalls page.
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.
Summary
Snoqualmie Falls near Snoqualmie is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in Washington, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 4,480 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
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.
For more options, see every waterfall on the Washington waterfalls page, read 15 Best Waterfalls in Washington, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.