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    Rattlesnake Lake

    4.5 (48 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Rattlesnake Lake Photos

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    Sheri H.

    A friend wanted to go walking around so we looked up a place and were both surprised by finding out Rattlesnake Lake was so close. Neither of us had heard of it before. It's a stunning lake with trails into the woods and by the park, with restrooms, and picnic areas. There's grass out to the edge of the lake, where we saw a lot of people were laying out in the sun or having a picnic. Swimming and fishing are allowed here. There's a boat launch, of course. This is for day-use only; rangers will ask you to leave once it hits dusk. No camping or fires allowed here, and you can't have more than 30 people in your group. No parking fee!

    About to start our hike up to the peak/ridge.
    Tanis L.

    Beautiful scenery and place for a hike even on a cold and grey day. The stumps in Rattlesnake Lake are a good reminder of what logging has done to the natural landscape and the previous expanse of forests. Signs around the lake provide information about the naming of the lake and the area's importance to Native Americans. The trail system has paths to various peaks/points. I took the trail nearest to the parking lot and the closest peak/ridge overlooking Rattlesnake Lake when I visited with a friend on the 25th of August 2018. The path to the peak and area overlooking Rattlesnake Lake is well maintained and a good climb/hike. There are some crevices at the top of the hike at the overlook area, so make sure to be careful where you step. It was foggy the morning we visited and visibility was so little we couldn't even see the neighboring mountain. Eery feeling to know there is a mountain there and not be able to see it. The weight of the fog starts to press in. Saw a few people on our way up the mountain and the parking lot was filling up, foot traffic continued to pick-up while we hiked. There were also restrooms (port-a-potti's) available for use when we visited.

    MY V.

    If you are ever in the Seattle area, this is a must see Lake and hiking trail up the mountain. The hike up was not to bad at all. I forgot how long it took for us to hike up the mountain. Great view from the top many of picture opportunities and relaxing a bit before hiking back down. At the bottom of the lake there are large field of grass where you could actually bring a blanket and relax there and have a picnic. It's a bit rocky so you can't walk barefoot near the lake. Nice parking area and there are restroom, which isn't the best. Overall great experience and will be back here when I am in Seattle area again!

    Tiffany Y.

    Rattlesnake Lake is a beautiful alpine lake that is not too far of a distance from Seattle if you have a car. The sign out front says there are no rattlesnakes, but we did see 1-2 other snakes minding their own business around the lake. There are hikes of varying degrees of difficulty, and the area close to the lake is perfect for picnicking. Highly recommend.

    Suraj S.

    While the trail is closed due to covid, the lake itself is a great place to bbq and picnic. It would be better to go there on a weekday to avoid the throngs of crowds that flock the lake. Huge parking lot. I didn't check the facilities but they looked good enough from the outside.

    A nice view from up top.
    Michael A.

    A second time hiking at this trail and enjoyed it very much! What a scintillating view on top! Amazing views and well worth the hike. About an hour and a half each way, round-trip. So, 3 hours for a leisurely hike up and down. Ain't too bad. Great scenery and a breath of fresh air out in nature. Take a hike!!!

    Erin H.

    Gorgeous spot that's easy to get to. There's a few short walks around the lake and if the water is down there's plenty of "shore" and rocks to play on. Our son loves scrambling to the top of several big rocks and I saw several others doing the same. It is also a great spot to have a picnic at during the warm months.

    Rattlesnake lake
    A.J. S.

    I don't know about majestic or invigorating (I want to hike with the chick that said that) but it's a really beautiful little lake outside of North Bend/Snoqualmie. It's not close to Seattle, by the way...but if you have a dog or little kids who love exploring it could be totally worth spending a day up there. On sunny days and weekends it's extremely crowded, but the walks around the lake, the rocky shore when the water level is down and the hike up to the ledge makes it a lot of fun to explore. Putting kayaks in would also be lovely. I think as a Seattlite I prefer something with the same features a little closer to town, but if you're closer it is highly suggested. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds!

    Chessie S.

    What a tini-tiny lake! We went in the winter, so there weren't so many people and the snow did make it quite magical, albeit a wintry kind of enchanting. Of the people that were there, were quite a few people with dogs and very small children. It is a level walk, so it's great for weak knees, wobbly toddler legs and a short outting to get the blood moving.

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    3 years ago

    Great hiking Even for kids but bring some snacks and water the view it is magnificent.

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    Too over crowded now way to many visitors and that's taking the fun out of the hike or visiting the lake.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Rattlesnake Lake

    Review Highlights - Rattlesnake Lake

    If you are ever in the Seattle area, this is a must see Lake and hiking trail up the mountain.

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    Melakwa Lake - Passing through Denny Creek on the way!

    Melakwa Lake

    4.7(3 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    Picked this hike from the Washington Trails book, about 9.5 miles roundtrip with a 2700 elevation…read moregain. This was a tough hike, even though I chose it since the book said "moderate" and even looking up some reviews people had said the hike as relatively simple to enjoy a fantastic lake view. We were both pretty dead at the end due to the length and steep inclines. Knees were pretty banged up because of all the rocks. The trail in the beginning wasn't so bad, definitely got my heart pumping because of the elevation, but as you go higher up there were a lot of switchbacks and seemingly no end in sight. We hustled up the mountain pretty quickly though, which was why we were so tired at the end. The view is definitely worth it in the end; recommend bringing a hammock! There's also plenty of sitting area through slabs of rocks. Coming down we encountered: 1) a girl who was crying we believe because of the toughness of the trail, 2) a couple who stopped us to ask how much longer it was to the top (they unfortunately weren't even halfway) which signifies how tough this hike was. Definitely recommend bringing more than enough water or you will definitely be dehydrated (like we were). Otherwise glad we did this and would recommend (you won't regret it but your body will hate you haha).

    Pretty but tough, Melakwa Lake gets you with its length and steady elevation gain. The trailhead…read moreis located in Snoqualmie and is part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Be sure to pick up a Northwest Forest Pass before you head over as the closest visitor center is about a 15 min drive away at Exit 52. If you've scoped out the WTA site already, it'll say that the trailhead has a parking lot for approximately 30ish cars with additional room to park along the side of the road. As the trailhead is shared with the very popular Denny Creek, I'd recommend you head early to snag a spot and to carpool - my friends and I arrived around 9AM and the lot was completely packed. There appears to be two parts to this hike - the family-friendly portion to Denny Creek and then the rocky and long jaunt up to Melakwa Lake. We saw a lot of families on the trail headed to the creek, which makes the perfect picnic spot during low water. If you want to continue on toward Melakwa Lake, head straight over to the other side of the creek where you'll find a tiny sign labeled "Main Trail" posted on a tree. The crowd thinned out after Denny Creek/the water slide (as referred to on WTA) as the hike got a bit tougher and rockier. If you have hiking boots, wear them, as you'll encounter two, long stretches of rocky terrain. The 2,000 ft elevation gain is gradual, but definitely noticeably on the last leg. You'll head up for what feels like forever before the trail starts to dip down again, taking you to the edge of the lake. This hike feels long, so be sure to bring an ample amount of water and snacks to help power on to the end! Once you're at the lake, there's room for you to sit out on the rocks before your journey back down. We even saw a few people swimming in the water - must've been so cold! XD My friends weren't the biggest fans of this hike, mainly because of the length, but I still think it's worth a visit with the right prep. Also, don't forget to bring bug spray! Apparently Melakwa is Chinook for mosquito, haha. :)

    Photos
    Melakwa Lake - The "water slide", which is impassable during high waters. Popular picnic spot for families!

    The "water slide", which is impassable during high waters. Popular picnic spot for families!

    Melakwa Lake
    Melakwa Lake

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    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail

    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail

    4.3(3 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Great hike! 11 miles RT if you go to both the front and back sides of Otter Falls. Elevation gain…read moreis completely minimal and dogs are allowed - it says they must be on leash but all except two dogs I saw were actually on leash. The trail is so flat a wheelchair could make it except for the numerous creek crossings that were a little dicey depending on your footwear. Note that there is some washout leading up to the trailhead so unless you have a tall truck you will need to Park about a 1/2 mile away and climb over the rubble. Most of the road leading up to the trailhead has already been patched so our little car made it without issue. I wore my trainers since this hike was rated as easy. My feet were definitely sore later in the evening. Anytime you plan to walk 11 miles there will likely be some pain somewhere in your foot so don't be deterred! Had I worn my hiking boots I probably wouldn't have the soreness in my ankles but hiking boots are definitely not required for this hike. I have the kind of knees that will sometimes hurt on the way down from hikes with large elevation gains but because this one is so minimal I was able to jog from the trailhead back to the car after the entire hike. This trail was not heavily trafficked and provided a wonderful excursion for the day. We started the hike at 11:15am and arrived at Otter Falls around 1pm for lunch and relaxation. There's not much to sit on unless you want to sit where the falls are on steep granite. Again my trainers were not grippy enough to hang up there for long. Hike boots would be great for this part. We lounged around at the falls, continued on to the backside to see the view from the footbridge, and got down about 4:30pm. Note that this hike was a little buggy (annoying flies and other buzzes in your ears but I didn't need mosquito spray.)

    This is a pretty easy trail for beginning hikers or ones that want to hike, but have to give…read morecertain parts of their body time to heal and / or not be too strenuous on. Another great point about this trail is that it is dog friendly. Throughout the trail there are small inclines, but no switch backs and the inclines are no more than walking up hills in Seattle. Close to the beginning of the trail there is a choice to go towards Quartz Creek (to the left) or Snoqualmie Lake. You want to go straight ahead to Snoqualmie Lake. There are certain parts of the trail that you can stop at and turn back with still feeling that you have had a sufficient hike. The first point would be Marten Creek, which has a wooden bridge over it and a waterfall to your left. At this point, you have hiked in about 3 miles. Another couple miles up is where you will encounter Big Creek Falls. Which is amazing. The trail does continue on, but Big Creek Falls is usually where most people stop. One point, a little after Marten Creek, it looks like the trail ends. If you go to the right, you can tell that it will lead you right back to the trail. To the left is a pile of rocks. You will want to climb up (not much of a climb or hard to do) through those rocks to continue on. After you reach the top of them, you will see the trail again. Throughout the trail there are a few smaller creeks that you will have to walk over, but no more than a foot wide. Round trip is about 10 miles, if you go to Big Creek Falls, and definitely worth all the miles you walk. Elevation gain is about 700 feet. Directions: Head out I-90, to North Bend take exit 34 Edgewick Road, turn left under I-90, go past the Texaco gas station and turn right on Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road (FR 56), drive the gravel road 12+ miles, just after crossing the Taylor River bridge there is a fork in the road stay left on the Taylor River Road (FR 5630), continue to the gate and park in the lot.

    Photos
    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail
    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail - Otter Falls backside (where the pools are)

    Otter Falls backside (where the pools are)

    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail - Otter Falls frontside

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    Otter Falls frontside

    Goldmyer Hot Springs

    Goldmyer Hot Springs

    4.0(22 reviews)
    28.9 miFirst Hill

    Its's not worth the effort *for a day trip*... cant speak for camping. Coming from Tacoma for a 2…read morehr drive with 45 minutes of it being an insanely precarious road and then a 5 mile "hike" which is a walk on a dirt road, not to mention the lottery system and the instructions on how to even visit... I was expecting A LOT more! The pools were small! Thankfully one group was leaving as we arrived so there was only 3 other people hanging out with us. Otherwise, it would have been SO cramped! My husband couldn't even stretch out and hes 6 foot. If you've never experienced nature/spa or are not from WA then I guess you might enjoy this, but I wouldn't do it again. Pros: caretakers are super nice, seems like guests are all going to be friendly and respectful, area is VERY well kept and clean, pools are cool despite being small, temps are great, "hike" is boring but easy! Cons: way too much boring effort to get here (especially for a day trip), pools are very small, last part of road to get to the parking lot is VERY rugged... you NEED a high clearance vehicle and someone who can navigate huge potholes/trees/ debris, etc. "Hike" is boring but easy!

    We heard about this natural hotsprings in its super remote location in North Bend and just had to…read moretry it! It is a preserved miner's hotsprings that is on private land and is completely run by volunteers with the exception of a few individuals who are paid to make reservations and live on the grounds year-round. It is not easy to get reservations here especially with the pandemic. Once they were able to open this summer they started returning calls and we were lucky enough to be able to reserve the hotsprings for a small group of less than 5 people on a Monday. The fee was reasonable at 20 per person and they included detailed directions and instructions on getting to and using this facility. The drive in is no joke, seriously. We live in North Bend and are familiar with that area as we hike many of the trails over there frequently but we did not plan enough time for the 5 mile non paved road. Even thought it's only 5 miles it is VERY rough with lots and lots of potholes and difficult washed out patches that our Xterra made it up but might be difficult for other cars. Once we made it to the Dingford trailhead parking lot we left our car and started the 5 mile hike to the hotsprings. It's a really beautiful walk without much elevation gain through the forest and along the river but it is very rocky so your feet and toes will definitely get a beating. We kept up a good pace with around a 15 min/mile walk so we made it there in about 1.5 hours. We rang the bell and were greeted by the host who was very informative and pleasant. We signed our release forms and headed up to the springs for a beautiful and relaxing 4 hour time slot of enjoying the 3 different (but small) pools and the picnic table for lunch. It is also right at the top of a waterfall so you can sit out and enjoy the view and relax when you get tired of soaking. There is a cave where the hot water emerges that used to be open but is currently closed due to COVID concerns. The pool this hot water spills into is the hottest and really can only hold 2 people and then this pool spills into a larger one where 4 of us sat comfortably. There is also a cold one with river water which made for a great plunge. We really enjoyed our stay and had a great lunch at the picnic tables (no garbage sites so plan to pack in and pack out everything you bring). They also had non flushing porta potties you can use with one at the top by the hotsprings and a couple others at the bottom by the campground which is currently closed due to the pandemic. The campground is usually open year-round though and we are really looking forward to coming up during the fall or spring sometime. The five mile return hike is definitely tough especially with your feet being soft from soaking. I recommend you bring an extra pair of socks and maybe even consider sitting out for the last half hour or so and let your feet dry out before the return hike..my tootsies were pretty blistery when we returned!

    Photos
    Goldmyer Hot Springs - Finally here !!!

    Finally here !!!

    Goldmyer Hot Springs - From official website

    From official website

    Goldmyer Hot Springs

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    Rattlesnake Ridge - Hairy moss

    Rattlesnake Ridge

    4.4(170 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Rattlesnake Ridge is an awesome hike that is quintessential to the area. It's popular for good…read morereason as it's accessible and has great views of Rattlesnake Lake and beyond. For anyone who loves hiking in the Seattle area, they've likely already visited Rattlesnake Ridge. So take your visitors from out of town here and it'll be a solid time. Because it's a popular trail in North Bend, like any others in the area, get here early if hiking on the weekend. We visited on a holiday where many people had the day off, so ended up parking on the side of the road as the parking lot for this trailhead was all full in the late morning. You've been warned! Bathrooms are located at the start of the trail and is where the lake is for beautiful views and a swim. The trail itself starts through a forest and is mostly covered by the trees. At the top is where it's clear, so it's a great hike for sun coverage. But you'll still break a sweat as it inclines. It's four miles roundtrip, and there are other trails attached to it for further adventures. For those who are used to hiking, this is an easy one to do. AND, it's dog-friendly! Loved seeing all the dogs here. I recommend climbing Rattlesnake Ridge and soaking in the views at the top. You won't regret it.

    I have done this hike over a dozen times and still come back…read more 30-40 min drive from Seattle so not a far trek. 1.9miles each way and 3.8 Roundtrip so not a super long hike but not short either. It's perfect with great views. Expect the trail to be busy on weekends during the summer months. I always like to start early and end early. Would say it takes 2-3 hours round trip depending on your level of fitness (this includes some time at the top to enjoy the views, take a sip of some water or coffee, and eat a light snack). Highly recommend (wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and some snacks for the top).

    Photos
    Rattlesnake Ridge - To the ledge

    To the ledge

    Rattlesnake Ridge - Up there.. Goals

    Up there.. Goals

    Rattlesnake Ridge - View

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    View

    Fall City Floating - Another photo of the torn floatie

    Fall City Floating

    3.4(80 reviews)
    11.0 mi

    From start to finish Fall City Floating was amazing!…read moreReservations were a piece of cake! The parking lot was easy to access, clean port a potties. Check in was easy with complimentary lockers for keys & phones. There was a shop to purchase dry bags, shoes & your own floats. Your reservation included a mesh bag to put your trash, shoes or personal belongings in. Suggestion: Pack a large zip lock for snacks & another with sunscreen & phone. Both fit in the mesh bag with 2 bottles of water. Tip: A large sign that I was approaching the parking lot would have been helpful. Staff were so friendly and great at answering our questions, as we were new to this adventure. Quick van ride up the river & unloaded with a phone number to call if we had any issues. During the ride you'll listen to a safety presentation. Insider info: you cannot pay extra for the sun to come out or the river to be heated (we asked) We brought our own tubes & for $3 staff would fill them. The rental tubes did not have cup holders, which our friends would have liked. The rental tubes came with straps to connect the tubes. Paddles were provided for all floaters (even if you bring your own tube; you'll want one!). You can also rent a cooler! Life jackets are required & provided free of charge, to borrow. There are places to stop and get out for lunch, rope swing & log jumps. We were on the river for about 3 hours and enjoyed 3 "rapids". July 3 we could have probably floated without stopping in 90 minutes-2 hours. You get out at the parking lot. It's a bit of a walk up and across the field, to the car & tube rental return. Tip: Wear tight fitting shoes! I saw 3 flip flops/crocs floating down the river! Invest in aquasocks!!! My 10 year old said "This is a memory I'll remember forever! I can't wait to share this with my class when I go back to school!!" We bought our tubes at Walmart & they did great. I would say if you have an adventurous younger kiddo (under 7 years) consider a double tube. The friends we were with had kiddos who got a bit scared when we unhooked during the rapids. They weren't scary rapids but the kids had to figure out how to paddle and get back to the group. I have a 6 year old & would love to bring him next time. Oh, and don't leave Fall City before getting a burger & shake at Small Fryes, just across the way from the parking lot.

    Very organized, easy to follow, and a great float! The folks working emphasize safety and how to…read moremake the best of your time. Highly recommend on a nice day!

    Photos
    Fall City Floating - Rope swing

    Rope swing

    Fall City Floating - Torn and taped floatie

    Torn and taped floatie

    Fall City Floating

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    Rattlesnake Lake - lakes - Updated May 2026

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