Easy waterfall hikes near Seattle for kids (all under 2 miles)

If you’re searching for easy waterfall hikes near Seattle, you already know the challenge: plenty of beautiful trails, but not all of them are realistic with young kids. We set out to find short, kid-friendly waterfall hikes (all under 2 miles) that deliver on both ease and wow factor — and tested each one with a toddler along for the adventure.

Tumwater Falls (Easy 0.8-mile loop)

• Location: 110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater 98501 (about a 90-minute drive from Seattle, depending on starting point and traffic).
• Trail length: 0.8 mile loop with several viewpoints
• Parking: Free
• Stroller-friendly? Gravel path and shallow stairs (near the bottom falls). Heavy-duty jogging strollers may work.
• Restrooms: Located at Brewery Park and Tumwater Historic Park. Bathrooms are well-maintained flush toilets and you can access them year-round.

Field notes: Three cascading waterfalls and a 15-acre park make this our favorite toddler hike yet! There’s a small park near the upper falls with boat structures. The larger park, at the bottom, also has a variety of play structures to climb and ride. There were plenty of places to stop and learn about the rich history of Tumwater with placards to read along the hiking trail.

If you love crossing bridges, there are two on the trail. Be careful of shallow and slippery steps after the rain and from the mist of the falls.

Before the lower falls bridge, there is a fence adorned with locks. Some have names on them and hearts, while most of them are plain. If you’d like to add to your hiking experience, bring a lock with you and leave the names of all those on your journey, or place the lock on the fence for another personal reason, like in honor of someone special.

Bonus: Visit the park in the fall (September/October) to see the salmon run.

Snoqualmie Falls (Easy 1.4-mile out and back)

• Location: 6501 Highway 202 Snoqualmie, 98065 (about 45 minutes from Seattle)
• Trail length: 1.4 miles out and back trail
• Parking: Free parking is found near the upper observation area. The smaller lot closest to Salish Lodge charges $7/day. The lower observation area also has free parking.
• Restrooms: Bathrooms are located at the upper and lower falls.

Field notes: Snoqualmie Falls is a popular hike just east of Seattle. The waterfall can be viewed from the paved upper platform or the lower observation area. If you want to hike between the two vantage points, it is a 1.4-mile out-and-back trail. This mighty 268-foot waterfall is believed by the Snoqualmie Tribe to be humanity’s site of origin.

On the way down to the lower falls, we learned about the different types of plants within the old-growth forest. Signs identify trees, plants, flowers, and fruit in the woods. Be sure to stop and examine the massive root structures of the trees. Maybe play a game of hide-and-seek!

Once you reach the lower area, by the picnic tables, there are two ways to go. One will lead you to the river, and the other will lead you to the observation platform. We took a break and chose to go to the river’s shore. Watch for rough and suddenly changing currents. We threw rocks and stomped around the beach. Then, we headed across the bridge to learn about the historic hydroelectric plant. You’ll be able to walk through a tunnel of turbine skeletons, look way up high to the water pumps, and peek into the large building that is powering the turbine that takes in the water and powers the town with electricity.

Walk down the steps to the lower observation platform. This is a nice place to take pictures with views of the waterfall behind you. Then get ready for the 250-foot incline back up to the parking lot.

Bonus: There is a gift shop and restaurant adjacent to the Salish Lodge & Spa that offers refreshments and food.

Marymere Falls (Easy 1.7-mile out and back)

• Location: Located on the Olympic Peninsula, off Highway 101, near Port Angeles
• Trail length: 1.7-mile easy out-and-back hike with several vantage points
• Parking: Available at the Storm King Ranger Station
• Stroller-friendly? No
• Restrooms: Flush toilets located at the Storm King Ranger Station. Drinking water also available here.

Field notes: The trail is level and starts off on a paved path. At the junction, continue onto the trail to the left, into the old-growth forest. Follow the trail to Marymere Falls and reach your destination, after walking down a ravine. As you get closer to the falls, you’ll gain about 200 feet of elevation.

There are two bridges that cross over creeks that might be slick, so be careful walking across. The second bridge is narrow and made from a felled tree. Just after you cross that bridge, you will see a small vista without a guardrail. Hold on to your child’s hand to avoid running or walking off. Then, immediately following are switchback stairs. My toddler wasn’t a fan of climbing up these stairs until he got to the hollowed tree. Stop and take a look. It’s a good distraction from the work it took to get to the falls.

This heavily trafficked trail gets crowded on weekends and peak season (spring and summer).

Bonus: Finish the hike with a great photo at the small boat launch overlooking Lake Crescent near the ranger station. Or, make it a weekend away and stay at Lake Crescent Lodge.

Sol Duc Falls (Easy 1.6-mile out and back)

• Location: 12076 Sol Duc-Hot Springs Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363 (the trail is located beyond the Hot Springs Resort at the end of the road)
• Trail length: 1.6 miles out and back
• Parking: There is a lot at the end of the road. National park pass required.
• Stroller-friendly? No
• Restrooms: Drop toilets are available year-round

Field Notes: Sol Duc Falls is not your typical 90-degree plunge waterfall and it’s the most unique one we have experienced. You might get lucky, depending on water levels, and see four channels cascade into the moss-lined rocky canyon below. This easy trail starts under the dense forest canopy. We crossed a few streams and several short wooden bridges. When we reached the historic shelter, once the original Sol Duc Hotel, we could hear the 50-foot triple-channeled waterfall. There were signs to help direct us and we appreciated not having to follow a map.

The trail continues past the falls. If you want to return to the parking lot, you will need to double back. In April, portions of the trail were covered in roots and slick from the snow. Watch little ones on the stairs and near the cliffs, closer to the falls since minimal guarding exists. Signs were also posted, warning of possible cougars in the area.

Bonus: When there’s snow on the ground it’s a perfect time to take a break on the hike and have a snowball fight!

Murhut Falls (Easy 1.4-mile out and back)

• Location: Hood Canal Ranger District, east side of the Olympics (about 3 hours from Seattle)
• Trail length: 1.4 miles, out and back
• Parking: Free parking at the trailhead. The gravel road leading to the parking lot is riddled with
• potholes.
• Stroller-friendly? No
• Restrooms: Closest vault toilet at the Ranger Hole trail just before Duckabush Road

Field Notes: The Murhut Falls trail is well-kept and is lined with large ferns that open into an old-growth forest. Although the trail was classified as an easy hike, it proved challenging for my toddler. I needed to keep a keen eye on him while holding his hand. The trail begins with a gradual ascent, flattens for a while, and then climbs to the waterfalls. Be extra cautious with kids in this final ascent because of steep dropoffs on the side of the narrow trail. There are minimal guardrails, so be sure to watch little ones.

There are two vantage points to see the 130-foot tiered waterfall. The lower vantage point is steep and leads to the riverbank, while the second one takes you higher. Enjoy the bench overlooking the impressive falls at the top.

Bonus: Go during the summer when the trails are lined with Pacific pink rhododendrons.

More kid-friendly hikes to explore

If your family is ready to branch out beyond waterfalls, these guides offer even more easy trails around the region:

• Easy hikes near Seattle for kids | A roundup of short, family-friendly hikes — from beach walks to forest trails — all close to home.
• Mount Rainier hikes for kids | Heading farther afield? Explore easy, scenic trails across Mount Rainier National Park that are great for families.