Upper Wallace Falls

Snohomish County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: 240 ft (73.2 m)
Location: Snohomish County, Washington
Access status: Published state park trail to the Upper Falls viewpoint; Discover Pass required
The walk: 2.8 miles each way; WTA lists 5.6 miles round trip with 1,300 feet of gain
Ground & access: Well-maintained trail with 1,300 feet of gain, most of it on the switchbacks between the Middle and Upper Falls. Some short sections above the Middle Falls are more rugged. Stay at the designated viewpoints.

Washington Trails Association: Wallace Falls

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

Upper Wallace Falls is the uppermost of the three waterfalls on the Wallace River in Wallace Falls State Park. From the trailhead by the information kiosk and restrooms, walk under the power lines into the forest. At the split about half a mile in, go right through the wooden gate onto the hiker-only Woody Trail. Stay on the Woody Trail past side paths to the picnic area at the Lower Falls, about 2 miles from the trailhead, then continue to the Middle Falls overlook. From there a steep half-mile of switchbacks leads to the Upper Falls, where the trail ends. Two of the upper drops can be seen from the fenced viewpoint. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Wallace Falls State Park trailhead near Gold Bar, along the Woody Trail past the Lower Falls and Middle Falls viewpoints, then up switchbacks to the Upper Falls viewpoint

Washington State Parks calls it a 2.8-mile hike to the top of Wallace Falls. WTA says the path concludes at the Upper Falls at 2.8 miles and lists 5.6 miles round trip, out and back.

Well-maintained trail with 1,300 feet of gain, most of it on the switchbacks between the Middle and Upper Falls. Some short sections above the Middle Falls are more rugged. Stay at the designated viewpoints.

Where to start

Wallace Falls State Park parking lot at the end of the park access road. From US 2 at Gold Bar, turn onto 1st Street, then right onto May Creek Road, and keep left at the Y-junction after 1.3 miles. The lot can fill on weekends; do not park along the access road.

Timing & water

Open year round, 8 a.m. to dusk, per Washington State Parks.

Before you go

Discover Pass required (one-day pass $10, annual pass $45, per Washington State Parks). WTA says a pass dispenser is in the parking lot.

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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