Lower Wallace Falls

Snohomish County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Snohomish County, Washington
Access status: State park trail to the lower falls viewpoint
The walk: About 2 miles one way via the Woody Trail (WTA)
Ground & access: Well-maintained trail with some steep climbs. Dogs must be leashed at all times.

Washington Trails Association: Wallace Falls State Park

Lower Wallace Falls, WA
Photo credit
Photo: Zincopper11, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lower Wallace Falls is a set of six steps on the Wallace River in Wallace Falls State Park, the first major falls on the trail to the main Wallace Falls. From the parking lot, start at the kiosk and restrooms, walk under the power lines and continue into the forest. At the half-mile split, go right through the wooden gate onto the hiker-only Woody Trail; the left fork is the longer Railroad Grade. Follow the river, then climb, staying on the Woody Trail past side paths, to the picnic area at the Lower Falls. Only the upper steps can be seen from the trail: cascades in front of the picnic shelter and a 26-foot drop into a pool, seen from a fenced viewpoint. The Middle Falls overlook is less than half a mile farther. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Wallace Falls State Park trailhead near Gold Bar, the hiker-only Woody Trail along the Wallace River to the picnic shelter at the Lower Falls

WTA puts the picnic area at the Lower Falls two miles from the trailhead on the Woody Trail. Waterfalls Northwest says the longer Railroad Grade route is about 2 3/4 miles to the North Fork crossing, a quarter mile before the shelter.

Well-maintained trail with some steep climbs. Dogs must be leashed at all times.

Where to start

Wallace Falls State Park lot: from US 2 in Gold Bar, turn onto 1st Street, go 0.4 mile and turn right on May Creek Road, then keep left at the Y after 1.3 miles. The lot can fill on weekends.

Timing & water

The park is open 8 a.m. to dusk year round.

Before you go

A Discover Pass is required.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Snohomish County, Washington.

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