Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Wallace Falls State Park

    4.6 (198 reviews)

    Wallace Falls State Park Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Wallace Falls State Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Entrance sign to Wallace Falls State Park
    Seth A.

    It's been 10 years since I first wrote a review about Wallace Falls State Park. I feel like I was a novice storyteller back then. Now fast forward to the present day and I'd like to replay what this park is about in better detail... Wallace Falls is located 56 miles northeast of Seattle in a town called Gold Bar, WA. I returned here in the middle of August 2024 and it was pretty quiet overall. It's still $10 to park. They have a self use kiosk to swipe your credit card. The primary purpose for exploring Wallace Falls is getting to observe 3 waterfalls...the Lower Falls, Middle and Upper Falls. These waterfalls can be reached along a 5.5 mile roundtrip hike, with barely much elevation. Most of the trail navigates through the forest and conditions can be ideal for visiting in late summertime. 4 - 5 hours is enough time for experiencing Wallace Falls unless you get out on some of the more remote paths like Greg Ball Trail, Woody Trail, the Upper Grade and the Old Railroad Grade - DNR Road. To be exact on distances... - 1.8 miles to the Lower Falls - 2.1 miles to the Middle Falls - 2.75 miles to the Upper Falls Lower Falls is a small waterfall gently splashing down into the Wallace River. Although there were no warning signs preventing access, some visitors hopped the fence, climbed on the rocks and went swimming here. I don't know if you're allowed to do it. I would caution against it, but that's just my opinion. Lower Falls is okay at best. The Middle Falls may have the best reputation for appearing dramatic looking at 367 feet total broken up into 3 tiers. The problem is...the focal point part of Middle Falls (the 265 foot drop) is situated really far in the backdrop and you have to zoom in with your phone to capture the moment. It's not like you're confronting it face to face. Selfie taking had minimal impact for me. For the Upper Falls if anything, the last 6/10th's of a mile trek will have the most elevation out of the entire journey. But, it's just navigating up a staircase and through switchbacks. The Upper Falls is 240 feet tall (broken down into 5 separate tiers), but it's much closer to the observation point compared to the Middle Falls. You'll be able to see 2 of the 5 sections of the Upper Falls here and the bigger drop had some adventurous people repelling down the cliffside. That added to the photography. I believe this Upper Falls is the most rewarding of all 3 viewpoints. Finally, return back to the parking lot unless you're continuing onwards for more hiking. In total and now reflecting back on this second visit a decade later, Wallace Falls still wasn't as accessible of an experience as I was anticipating. And compared to the many majestic waterfalls around the Washington and Oregon cooridor of the Pacific Northwest, it just leaves more to be desired.

    Pondering life.
    Kathryn Y.

    Always a five star experience here hiking and enjoying the views. The trails here can be quite challenging because of the steepness. But it's always worth the effort. Technical trails that involve paying attention to your feet because of the amount of branches and possible tripping hazards if you're not paying attention. Plenty of benches along the trail to stop and rest. I even saw swimming holes! Not sure how people got down to them but they looked amazing! Maybe next time. I'm sure the time of year and water levels effect them. There are places at the beginning of the trail to access the water. This is a dog friendly trail so be prepared to share. The parking lot is small and I recommend arriving early, today I did not. But found a spot in the main lot with patience. Enjoy your life. Get out in nature! SYOY!

    Lower falls
    Gina B.

    Beautiful hike! However, I'm not someone who has the hiking energy of the average Washingtonian. My legs are still not used to these steep hills. So this was more difficult than I anticipated. Yes, I am a weakling. The path starts out very open and flat as it follows some electric lines. I saw a few dark brown objects on the ground that at first glance, looked like skinny logs of dog feces... but when I peered closer, they moved... whoa, they were large slugs! There is a point where you can see the mountains in the distance, and there's a diagram that labels their names. I always love those. I enjoyed the rushing creek along the path, and loved that it streamed beneath big rocks upon which I was able to sit and rest. The tall mossy trees everywhere provided much beauty and shade (perhaps a bit too much- it got a chilly). However, I was exhausted by all the uphill rocky/rooty trails. I had to keep looking down to make sure I didn't trip, often taking my eyes away from the scenic nature surrounding me. It took me too long to get to the lower falls, and when I got there, it was nice, but I thought to myself, "That was way too much work for this view." So, if you're a wannabe hiker but not a good hiker, like me, I still think this park is worth walking through because it's so pretty- but you may not make it to even the "lower falls" unless you have someone/something to really motivate you along the way. My motivator was a fan of a rival sports team passing me up. I'm not even that into sports, but I know I hate that team. :)

    Edna D.

    This is really pretty hike with nice trail. You get to enjoy the spectacular views of the waterfall. Most of the trail goes along the river, very pretty. Would recommend this hike highly.

    Emily T.

    Absolutely love this state park! From Seattle it took us about an hour drive. For this park you need to have the Discover Pass or you can purchase one onsite when you arrive. The park opens at 8am. Lots of parking when we arrived around 8:15am on a Saturday. They have pretty clean bathrooms onsite as well before you enter for the hikes. This park and hike is dog friendly! Lots of beautiful waterfalls! We had a group of 4 and 2 doggos. It was unfortunately a little wet and rainy but luckily we came prepared. The hike was pretty moderate/easy. Some uneven terrain but it had lots of overlooks and areas to rest if needed. The views were spectacular from some of the overlooks and the water was nice and plentiful when we went!

    Lower Falls
    Vanessa L.

    Such a fun hike to go on! It only took us about 2 hours to get to the top and an hour to get down. The hike is a total of about 3 miles. Lower Falls takes 2 miles, Middle Falls takes another 0.3, Upper Falls another 0.6 miles. Most people stop at the Lower Falls and do not continue because there is a picnic area there. Middle Falls and Upper Falls get about the same foot traffic but its about half of the traffic that the Lower Falls gets. As our first hike of the year, it was doable. We also saw people of all ages hiking this, so it is doable no matter the age or hiking level you are at. This hike requires a Discover Pass to park at their parking lot, but you can park at the bottom, which is a little bit away from the entrance. Parking is full and a bit busy. We arrived at 10 am on Sunday, 2 hours after the park opened, and it we werent the only ones searching for a parking spot. However, we were lucky someone was leaving and we snagged a spot. When we left at around 3 pm, the parking lot was still a bit full but there were a couple parking spots open with a couple people still pulling into the lot. Overall, I recommend this hike as a fun outing. You can definitely enjoy the falls at the bottom but if you want a better view or just go hiking, the end results are worth it.

    America the beautiful pass recommended for all travelers trail goers photography majors and gods people in major and minor Jesus christs
    Amber G.

    The hike the people the scenery the company all supranational America the beautiful pass recommended amongst Prayer with the rangers

    Rosi A.

    There is something about the combo of mountains and water, so we specifically opted for a hike that involved waterfalls this time around. This park offers a few options - you can hike only to the lower falls (relatively easy), middle, or all the way up. The latter option offers some spectacular views of the valley and the mountains, as well as the falls. The last stretch is by no means an easy one - lots of roots and rocks on the trail, and it is a pretty steep incline. That said, you don't have to be an expert hiker to conquer it. I've included a few photos to show the trail condition in the lower part and closer to the top. As of August, the falls are a bit dried up as it has been a hot summer. But still worth a visit - the sound of the waterfall accompanies you all the way up, and it is soothing, to say the least. All in all, even during prime time on a late Saturday morning, it was not too crowded, and there were stretches where we were the only people on the trail. Did not see much of wildlife, however, there have been sightings of a cougar recently. So general common sense and caution are advised. Take plenty of water and snacks, the hike is ~4h total. If you want to park at the trailhead, a Discover Pass is required. That said, this parking lot is small and fills up quickly. Instead, there is plenty of parking on the side of the road about 0.5 miles away.

    waterfall
    Lo G.

    Went on a Sunday morning - what a way to start the day! I loved hearing the waterfalls throughout this short but challenging hike. Prepare for mud & rain.

    Francine C.

    We had such an amazing time at Wallace State Park. It was exciting. Going up the miles to each waterfall it was like a shot of dopamine for each new view. It was a good change of pace from me being at Florida native I love the mountains. Not much wildlife but it's a beautiful site to see. Dogs are welcome. Don't forget to bring water to stay hydrated. Quite a fun activity. An don't forget to take the family and your pet.

    Tiffany Y.

    Wallace Falls is a gorgeous state park with a moderate hike in some beautiful old-growth forests with lots of waterfall and valley views along the way. The parking lot was pretty big although I imagine it could get busy in the summer months. The falls were looking great during our fall hike after a few weeks of some rain in the area. The trail was well-maintained and lots of families and dogs out on the trail. Great way to get outside!

    Map
    Nick C.

    Visited Wallace Falls State Park early on a Friday morning. Hiking is a must on a trip to the Pacific northwest. There is ample parking, you just need to pay at the meter. The hike is moderate, it took a bit over 2 hours to get to the falls and back. Most of the hike to the falls is uphill, the way back is the same but downhill. The views are spectacular. Definitely recommended if you're looking for a hike in the Seattle area.

    Courtney L.

    While I'm not an avid hiker, I feel that it's almost mandatory to immerse myself in the Washington wilderness at least once or twice during the summer. We heard Wallace Falls is a must-see spectacle so we made our way over to Gold Bar to view it firsthand. To our surprise, there was still plenty of parking available when we arrived around 10:00A on a Wednesday. With this being a state park, you can either use the Discover Pass for admission or pay $10 for parking. We were also pleased to find fully functioning restrooms at the entrance with hot running water and soap! Interestingly, the trailhead starts out parallel to buzzing power lines... that sure is one way to get visitors energized for the hike ahead! Soon enough, you'll approach a fork with two paths to choose from - the one on the left is a bike trail while the one on the right leads to the waterfall viewpoints. We went right and immediately noticed gradation in the terrain. The pathways are well-defined and maintained, but they are pretty uneven with rocks and roots sticking out of the soil. The hike begins with a walk alongside the river below; there are even a couple inlets where you can step down to reach the water and dip your toes in. The first 0.5 miles is considered "easy" based on the distance markers, but then transitions to "medium" at the 1.0 mile mark. There were some steep sections after crossing this checkpoint where I definitely felt the burn! Across the way, you'll cross some short bridges and encounter both upward and downward-facing slopes with varying levels of steepness. Once you eventually reach a picnic shelter, you'll also find a nice view of the Lower Falls with a tease of the Middle Falls above. Walk about another 0.5 miles to see the Middle Falls in all its glory. While the waterfall is somewhat far away, it's a beautiful sight to fully view it from top to bottom. Many hikers will continue up to the top, but we were happy with our trek and decided to head back. For those who are beginner hikers like me, I'd consider the difficulty to be moderate. Having a hiking stick and boots may be ideal, but the four of us made it to the Middle Falls in basic tennis shoes. Just watch your footing; the bumpy pathways, stairs and areas of loose gravel can all be tripping hazards. From the trailhead, the hike to the Middle Falls is supposedly just 2.1 miles, but it definitely felt much longer. We had a good time, but were thoroughly tired after returning back to the car. Between the majestic views, lush old-growth forest and the calming sounds of the running river, this hike is great for anyone looking to spend a day in nature.

    Almost to upper falls

    See all

    Photo of Tinny L.
    203
    13
    5

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    26 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Seth A.
    46
    1077
    9626

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily T.
    776
    1174
    2327

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amber G.
    0
    81
    1000

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Francine C.
    24
    102
    536

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nick C.
    464
    1423
    3539

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 73
    Thanks 0
    Love this 76
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 1
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Willy M.
    619
    1093
    2637

    7 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 19
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tanis L.
    283
    1056
    6355

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John G.
    125
    563
    2422

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara M.
    112
    882
    1275

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mimi N.
    968
    711
    3874

    8 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Clyde N.
    14
    46
    20

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew M.
    114
    233
    30

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Wallace Falls State Park

    Is there an RV area with hook ups?

    There is no RV area. There are two walk-in tent sites available on a first come first serve basis.

    Are there campsites with full hook-ups? Is there long term camping allowed (6-9 months)

    No, there are no campsites with hookups. Also, long term camping is not permitted. There are two walk-in campsites (tent only sites), the parks does not accommodate RVs or other vehicle camping.

    During the weekends, what are the least busiest times to visit? If we are not able to go first thing in the morning is it still crowded in the later in the afternoon?

    I would say in the morning early. because it takes a while to hike up there so give yourself time. Go early miss the rush. Summer is the busiest.

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Wallace Falls State Park

    If you park in the lot, you do need a Discover Pass ($30) or you can pay at the trailhead for a day pass ($10).

    Mentioned in 24 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 129 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Blanca Lake

    Blanca Lake

    4.6(38 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Came here on a Friday afternoon around 3:30PM, long gravel road to the trailhead, quite a few cars…read moreparked there too. Bathroom and map at the trailhead. Hike is pretty steep, constantly uphill for about 3 miles, all in the trees though. Mosquitoes around, bug spray is good. After 3 miles, trail goes down pretty steeply, lake was really pretty, not very cold water! Sat there for a bit to enjoy the water and view, really calming. Didn't see very many people on the trail, had the lake to ourselves. Bad part of the hike is the need to go back uphill after the lake, but it's not too bad. Took 2 hours to get to the lake, 2 hours back, was a bit dark and got a bit cold towards the end of the hike. Hiking poles definitely helped!

    It is 11.5 miles, you have to park your car 2 miles before the trail starts which adds up total or…read more4 extra miles. It would be good idea to go on sunny day and start hike early. We went around 8:00am got at lake around 11:30am, only few small breaks and took 3 hours to come back. When we reached the lake it was mesmerizing. Thinks to remember: 1.Take a lot of water and snacks with you. It is hard hike so stay hydrated. 2. Bug spray if needed we had it but did not use it because bugs were not too bad. 3. Go early to beat the heat and this hike requires $5 day use fee and Northwest forest pass. 4. Since it's not 7.5 miles be ready to do extra 4 miles. Total of 11.5miles This hike was hardest hike for us so far but the view worth the hike. I would highly recommend to go there at lest once in life time. The view is breathtaking!!! Good luck, you will love it.!!

    Photos
    Blanca Lake
    Blanca Lake
    Blanca Lake

    See all

    Wallace Falls State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...