Wallace Falls State Park

We decided to head outdoors for a winter waterfall hike. Weather wasn't ideal, so we back tracked from Bridal Veil to Wallace Falls State Park. Definitely the right call! Was a beautiful hike with lots of stopping points for photos. We brought our dogs, which was great for them. Certain parts of the trail can get crowded and I cannot even imagine how busy it would be during the summer with great weather, but a great option that close the Seattle on days that aren't ideal.

We had a lovely hike on Saturday afternoon. Arrived at 3:00 p.m., so the car park had a few lots available from people who had already left. We spent a total of 3 hours on the hike getting from the trailhead to the valley over a look and back. It is a beautiful hike, with the best views at the valley overlook. We did not manage to reach the upper falls. It was not too crowded and there were benches at intervals that were well spaced out. There were also campsite areas near the car park for those who wanted to stay overnight, which was $27 from May to September and $20 from September to May. Parking is $10 a day, though. If you have a valid Discovery Pass you did not need to pay, which we used. I was happy that we wore hiking boots because they provided ankle stability for the roots and rocks on the trail.

Absolutely gorgeous place to hike! Trail conditions in December were great. Slightly wet and muddy (totally fine with hiking shoes), but still very easy to get to the middle falls. It’s a somewhat moderate hike in some brief places, but not difficult.

Beautiful hike to 3 waterfalls, trail is moderately difficult at times but in good condition. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy everything along the way.

We did the entire loop hike. Took us 7 hours, with a 45 min stop at the lake. Started at 10 am on a Sunday. There were still a few parking spot available. Trails not too crowded. Majority of hikers only on the trail along the falls, the rest of the hike very quiet. The falls were all gorgeous. About 75% of the hike is shaded. There isn't much access to the lake, a lot of growth and dead trees on the edges but we found a rock gully that was a bit brushy but lead to a rocky beach. No shade there. Water was soooo cold, but refreshing from the heat! The hike is moderate, majority of an incline to the upper falls. Evens at the top on the trail to the lake, which is part logging road. Overall beautiful hike.

Great hike and a beautiful place. We made it to the upper falls but the nicest section was the middle falls and valley overlook. Lot of climbing so come prepared. Parking lot does fill up quickly so come early or you'll have to do street parking like I did today. Mostly shaded trail which is a plus if you end up coming late morning or afternoon. About a 90 min drive for us and totally worth it.

The experience was absolutely stunning! The waterfalls were breathtaking, and the trail was well-maintained….loved❤️

Beautiful well maintained park. The hike is lovely! Be warned it's mostly uphill to the Falls and can be challenging for some people. Many places to stop along the trail for breaks. Also when you get close to the Falls, there is a covered picnic area if you want to bring a lunch.

This trail is nice because it has different levels. When we take the kids, we only go to the first waterfall viewing point. It's safe and maintenance is up. Once I came during peak times and parking was a nightmare. So, come during the weekdays for sure!

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. :)

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.

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!

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.

Waterfalls and a lake! Gorgeous hike with many trail options depending on your mood. Discovery pass is needed and the parking lot is good for non truck driving people. A bathroom is at the bottom and another along the trail. An absolutely beautiful spot to hike. Near the lake it did actually get quite chilly to stop and have lunch. Be sure to wear layers. And bring snacks. Excellent nature adventure.

Beautiful place. Amazing views. Tranquil spaces and scenery to enjoy. The sounds and views are marvelous. Not enough good things to say about this place and the beauty of nature

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Wallace Falls contains 3 different waterfalls so that's already something cool to look forward to. The parking lot is well kept and contains restrooms, a hiking trail guest book (for safety in case something happens), and also a parking permit machine if you don't have a discover pass (you can also purchase an annual discover pass too). You can go however far you want up the trail but the whole trail contains lower, middle, and upper falls. There's also a picnic station at the middle falls area with a table and bench which is nice. Overall, the middle falls are the most beautiful. I didn't think the upper falls view was as nice. The hike overall was pretty moderate - it was cool they had signs that would let you know if you're entering a moderate or difficult section.

Great trail. Check the online camera for the parking situation before you go. The rental cabins are awesome and the showers are always clean.

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.

First time hiking this trail and it was such a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with family and friends! I'm not a hiker, so many trails are hard for me and this was a "Moderate trail" and honestly it was great! There where parts that are steep, but many flat surfaces to walk. The view is breathtaking and I love that throughout the hike you have many checkpoints to see the fall. It started raining when we where halfway up, but that did not stop us! bring good hiking boots, a good rain coat and your good to go. It is a short hike (2.7 miles up & down) and kid/pet friendly. So no need to leave your fury friends at home! If you don't have a Discovery Pass, you can purchase one there for $30 or pay the day fee of $10. Guys, the Discovery pass is way more worth it because its good for a whole year! If you need a good workout and want great sightseeing, I recommend this trail!

Great hiking spot. Plenty of spots to take pictures. Trails are very well maintained. I wish I had all the snacks and all the time in the world to walk all the tails in one day.

There is a reason this place is packed and super popular on any given day and it's gotta be because the views are spectacular! I also appreciate the ease and accessibility it is to get to the trailhead. I'm so used to old logging roads that having a designated parking lot and paved cement is a treat! This hike boasts several picture worthy moments, so you certainly cannot take a bad photo. The hike is a bit of a workout so please come prepared with water, maybe a snack, and some spf.

Great hike to chase waterfalls! Wallace Falls State Park is a popular one, as all good ones are. It's kind of a trek to get to, but once you're here, you'll forget about all of that on this peaceful and serene trail. We visited in the late fall, so it was cold, as most of the trail is shaded among the trees. There are two trails, one is paved, longer and easier and the other is the more popular one and only designated for hikers, the Woody Trail, which is what we did. It's shorter in distance, but there were spots of incline and stairs, as well as going down. It's 5.6 miles round trip and would say it was easy to moderate. For beginners, this is a great hike to try. But don't expect a walk in the park, as there were plenty of spots where your thighs will burn, specifically after the middle falls, heading towards the upper falls along the switchback. If you're doing this for the view and gram and really don't care about hiking or exercise, I'll be candid with you - the upper falls is a disappointment compared to the middle falls. I do think though that after hiking up to the upper falls from the middle falls that it actually felt way shorter than I anticipated and didn't think it was that much harder. The sense of accomplishment can't be compromised! Get here early! The parking lot was entirely full when we came before noon on a Saturday, as the park ranger was at the entrance telling drivers to park elsewhere. We ended up parking along the road in between the driveways of nearby houses. Even in the rain and cold weather, there were still quite a few people hiking. In fact, by the time we were going down, we were surprised to see how many people were hiking up, around 3:30pm, as dusk would be before 5pm in late November. It started to pour when we visited, but the trees provided some coverage. There's also a picnic shelter at the lower falls area. Layer up and don't wear anything fancy because the trail gets muddy and wet from the rain. At this time of COVID-19, most people were wearing masks. Glad to have hiked up Wallace Falls State Park for the great views and peaceful setting. I can see why this state park is popular, and only image how crowded it gets in the summertime.

This hike is not for the faint of heart, I took my four year old and we hiked all the way to the upper falls and we both loved it. The weather was really nice and the water falls were really flowing well.

Starting to sound like a broken record, this is definitely another MUST see and hike trail in Western Washington, sorry... not sorry, and neither will you be after enjoying the moderate hike along with the beautiful sounds of the Wallace river, always within hearing, as you walk the Woody trail, hearing the roar of the waterfalls as you get ever closer to seeing the beautiful waterfalls... not just one..not just two, but three amazingly beautiful roaring waterfalls. Note... it's a little steeper hike to the top waterfall, but well worth the effort.. trust me.. the pictures tell the story. The trail can be a little muddy, but, hey! You're in the PNW, it rains, and waterfalls create a really cool mist, just aware that it can be slippery in spots, hiking poles aren't required, but nice to have, especially going back down in the sometimes slick surfaces, or navigating the roots and rocks. The multiple bridges over streams and the north fork of the River, just to stop a listen to the water... peaceful bliss. I was blessed to do this during a Wednesday, and even though it was spring break for local schools, the trail was not crowded, even mid- morning, but was getting busier as I finished in the early afternoon. It comes in at the 6 mile mark, regardless of what AllTrails may say. But it is, for most of the trail, easy to moderate, with quite a few benches or logs to take a break, and a covered picnic bench area had the middle falls, if you desire to stop and have a picnic while looking and listening to the sounds of the waterfall and river. Lots of families hiking to at least the middle falls, confirming the ease of the hike. I don't know how it will be mid- summer, but now through to June would be a great time to check it out! Come early on the weekends to beat the crowd for this popular trail. Plan it, do it! Soon.. Yelping on, God bless, and Cheers!

Go take a hike! Will need Discover Pass to park or you can pay the day pass. It took us about an hour from Seattle to get here, we left early in the morning so there was no traffic which definitely helped. We started our hike around 7:30 am and there were only a small handful of cars in the parking lot. It was pretty easy for us to find this place, there are signs too off of Hwy 2 that point you in the correct direction. There's a good amount of parking at the trail head. During the summer months, coming at noon time will be tough to find a spot and you will have to park up the street and walk up and it will be super crowded....bleh! Very nice trail head, it's nicely kept up and very scenic for the first few miles. Getting to the Lower and Middle falls was pretty easy/moderate with some inclines and good photo spots. Going to the Upper falls can be a bit more challenging to moderate/slightly difficult but if you made it to the Middle falls, it's only about .5 miles to the Upper, so definitely go. We decided to keep going and head over to Wallace Lake, while it looks like the trail ends when you at the Upper falls, keep walking behind the sign and look for the little diamond reflector symbols on the trees. It looks like it is off trail but it isn't. Just follow those and you will see the existing trail and you end up on the upper ledge. It's about another 2 miles or so to Wallace Lake, it's flat but you will be walking on gravel/rocky road for a while which hurts my feet some. Great views at the tree line level to look over the entire area. You will eventually see some signage to point you to Wallace Lake, just keep going and you will see it. Wallace Lake doesn't have a shore to chill at but if you walk towards Jay Lake going north, you will see some open areas for good photo ops looking south. If you plan on camping, Jay Lake area is where you will have to go. There's alternate routes to head back, so we did that. On the way back, we took the scenic route adding a few extra miles to our round trip taking the DNR road, it took us about 90 mins or so, maybe more til we got back to the main trail head/ parking lot. The Woody Trail definitely had a lot more people around noon time and by the time we got back to my ride, the parking lot was completely full. Definitely bring some snacks, good amount of water, etc. The Fitbit clocked in 13 total miles for us, so I was pretty tired, my dogs were barking and I was glad to sit for a while before we headed back to Seattle.

I wanted to take my first hike in the area easy and this was the perfect one. The first half the bottom falls was relatively easy. You got to cross a couple bridges and climb some steps. After the bottom falls it got a little more difficult. There was quite an incline to the middle falls which in my opinion was the best view. In between middle and upper is an amazing valley view which is breath taking! Incline to the upper falls is extensive and really not that worth it. The space at upper falls is small with no real place to sit and enjoy; just a small lookout over the falls. I arrived around 815am on a Saturday. The parking lot was roughly 1/3 full at that time. I easily bought my discover pass from the kiosk (cash or credit card). I'm in good physical shape and round trip (5.5 mi) took me roughly 2:15. By the time I got back around 1045 the parking lot was full with no spaces left. I saw a variety of people on the trail from small kids to older adults. Just know it's roughly 1.5mi to the lower falls and there is only 3 picnic tables for sitting there. Bathrooms are available at the trail start and lower falls which were clean and useable. When I got back to the parking lot a small food/drink shack had opened up as well - not sure what they were serving though.

It was a great hike, we took our time to take pictures and enjoy the views, it took us 5 hours. 3-4 hours is what to expect for a beginner hiker. The falls are awesome, pretty rewarding! You need to have a discover pass to park at the parks parking lot, you can purchase it in place for 30$ (year pass) or 10$ (daily).

Very nice place. I went to there on Sunday, arrived around noon. First group of people leaving around that time so that it's easier to find spots in the parking lots.

Great hike for all ages and skill levels. Warm/clean and well maintained bathrooms. Plenty of parking, Discover Pass required and can be purchased onsite. Views and waterfalls are stunning. Quiet and highly maintained trails. There are four options for seeing the various falls. My skill set is moderate which gets me to middle Falls. Not an easy trek but worth the effort.

This place is great for small, medium and large hikes. There is a lot of shade on this hike with plenty of trees around it. Would highly recommend to anyone getting into hiking.

I loved this hike. You have an easy hike or the more challenging hike and both ways are beautiful and so much fun I definitely recommend this place they also keep up the grounds very nicely they seem to be doing a very good job keeping the place up but also leaving it wild thank you for providing places like this.

I gotta say, this is one spectacular hike when it comes to taking a stroll in the mountains when it's snowing. :) Came here around 11am on a Saturday and the lot was 2/3 full. Overall, if you're hiking this trail in the snow and intend to go to the very top, I highly recommend hiking poles or microspikes since the trek down can be pretty slippery and treacherous. As you start on the hike, the first half is a breeze. From the lower falls to mid falls, the incline level is moderate and not too difficult. You can even do a mini detour to the "Small Falls" aka the Interpretative Trail if you have time. I love how you can check out the various lookout spots along the river as well :) As you pass the mid falls (which in my opinion, the most picturesque spot), the hike does get a bit more challenging. During my trek, it snowed for a good amount of time, so eventually, things started to get icy. Once you're at the top, there is a nice rest spot before you begin your descent down. Ai. Snow + icy = tricky. I did take a small fall while going down (even with sturdy hiking boots on!) so do be careful when you hike down. I imagine this hike to be a breeze in the summer when there's no snow since it's a pretty smooth trail with minimal rocks and such. Overall, highly recommend doing this hike if you're a fan of snow :) It's also pretty family + pet friendly with the wide trails. Also, awesome waterfalls is a win win!

My family does a weekly hike and this week we chose this one. It is a fun trail with a couple different places to go. It does get very steep and unless you hike every day, your legs are going to be sore by the time you are done. It took our family about 4 hours to hike the 5.5 miles up and back. We went all the way to the upper falls. It was great! If you are looking for a good hike I would definitely recommend this one (unless you are just starting to hike. In that case you might want to start with something easier.).

Such a beautiful hiking trail with multiple scenic views! I made this hike with my puppy and took a few stops to take in the views but still completed the trail in 3.5 hours. It tracked around 6.3 miles. It wasn't a beginning trail but seemed wasn't as hard as people made it seem. There are a lot of rocks, so I would highly recommend hiking shoes. Also make sure to take a photo of the map before! There are multiple turns and you'll want to know where to go. Bring a Discover Pass, or make sure to bring cash or a card to pay $10 for parking. There is a park ranger office at the trailhead so they will go around to check validation.

This was one of the hikes we did in the summer during Covid. We went on a Monday and there were very few people on the trail. For most of the hike it felt like we were only people alone with nature. This is a great hike for beginners such as us.

Came here on a Tuesday morning, parking lot was about a third full when I arrived around 8AM. Need Discovery Pass which is $10/day or $30/year. There's a big map at the trailhead along with mileage to each of the falls and the lake, which is helpful. Did the loop to the lake first and then to upper falls down to lower falls. The hike up to the lake wasn't too steep, all shaded by trees. Every intersection has some signage and some have a map. The lake was quite pretty and big, and we walked to the end of it which ended at Pebble Beach. Pebble Beach was pretty, good place to view the entire lake on a sunny day. The trail down was pretty steep, some parts had a lot of roots and rocks. The waterfalls were quite pretty, especially the middle and lower ones. There were also a lot more people on the trails with the falls than the trail to the lake. Most of the trail down after the lakes were pretty shaded but some parts were in the sun, particularly the section right after the lake. Good hike, long but not too steep - enjoyed the lake and falls.

This is our favorite hike in WA and we go at least 3 times a year. The payoffs for the hike are amazing. The forest, the river, multiple waterfalls, and a view of the valley. There is a lot to see on this hike and take in soak in some nature. It start out easy and adds difficulty at each key viewing area, so you can turn around whenever you want and still see the amazing nature in WA. We've done this trail in the spring, summer, and fall. The spring has a higher river and stronger waterfalls which are pretty. The summer and late fall dry up the river a bit so there is an area to swim where normally the water is too high and the waterfall too strong. It is a tiny bit steep to get down to the water hole/waterfall and definitely dangerous if you let the water take you down stream. So I wouldn't recommend letting little ones climb down into the water hole. It's a fun little spot to cool off though! The valley view is amazing on a clear day. I'd recommend going up to that point in the spring and early summer as it's cooler. Overall I love this hike and highly recommend it to anyone. It's easy to start and get to the first waterfall. If you keep going to the middle falls it's a little harder but still worth it. The valley view a bit harder as well with switchbacks, so the difficulty increases bit by bit, but also worth it! The upper falls is "meh" in my opinion but every other spot is just amazing. Of note: There are bathrooms at the trail head and also at the lower falls (up the hill). There is also a covered picnic area at lower falls too which is nice.

I have been to Wallace Falls State Park a few times over the past couple decades. My second most recent visit was during the summer when I was about 16-17 years old. I didn't tell my parents before I came as the news of someone going open season and killing two women hiking in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest was still reverberating. Most recently I came on Wednesday 22 July 2020 as a 27 year old. On both of these visits I was a solo female hiker. When I came about a decade ago I purchased the day pass on site. Since I hadn't told my parents I was coming here I used this as an opportunity to double and triple check I had done everything right as the last thing I needed was a ticket showing up via mail at the house. This last Wednesday I used the annual Discover Pass I bought online in June. I signed the register, used the restroom, and read a number of the posted signs, alerts, and notices before heading off on the trail. The postings about what to do if one encounters a Mountain Lion (also called a Cougar or a Puma) or a Bear were confidence builders. I even took a picture of each sign for my own self reference while hiking. Though I don't think a bear would stop and let me read the picture on my iPhone if it was attacking... So I took heed of the cautions before starting out. On my visit as a teenager I pushed through the Woody Trail eager for the effort/exertion of a mountain hike. The trail is rocky has tree roots in the path, so I made sure to watch my step. Being more mature on my more recent visit I slowed down a bit in pace while hiking the Woody Trail and decided to explore the Small Falls Trail as well. I read the tale of The Grandmother Tree and journaled on a couple of benches along the Small Falls Trail before reconnecting with the Woody Trail and continuing on. Both times I set out with a final destination of Wallace Falls and both times I have heard the call of Wallace Lake and changed my destination as I hiked. So from the Woody Trail I took the Greg Ball Trail towards the lake. There is an outhouse restroom, picnic table, and informational pavilion by the start of the Greg Ball Trail. The trees and other flora along this trail are beautiful and provide much to soak in while hiking. This trail ranges in difficulty from 'easy' to 'more difficult' according to the trail markers. Only on my most recent visit did I make it to Wallace Lake. The time before last I was too afraid of the woods to make it all the way to the lake, so turned back made my way back to the car and left. But Wednesday I was a decade older and more experienced and no longer afraid of the woods to such an extent as to turn back. By the time I reached Wallace Lake I was dripping sweat. I found a spot on a log lodged in the mud along the shore of the lake and ate my lunch. On my way back out after lunch I looked up the trail towards Jay Lake and saw a tiny tailed rodent cross the path. I have made a promise to myself that every time I see a red squirrel (variety Douglas Squirrel) I have to at least try to take a picture of it. So pursue it I did and I saw it running off in the old growth. Each time I got it in my camera frame it would dart off as I took the picture. Alas, I was too slow to get a picture of it but I did try to get the picture. I saw more of the squirrel than I would have had I not made the effort. I slowly made my way down the trails first along the Greg Ball Trail then along the Old Railroad Grade Trail to mix it up. I saw more birds along the Old Railroad Grade Trail than the Woody Trail and encountered more people the closer to the parking lot I got. The incline of the Old Railroad Grade is slight and friendly to a variety of ages. Despite the smooth and steep terrain I traversed this past Wednesday I ran not a step on my hike, proudly walking every single step. I reached the trailhead, signed out on the register, used the restroom, refilled my water bottles with a large gallon container of water I keep in my car and departed for the day.

Wallace State Park is a great place to hike about a hour and a half away from Seattle. When we arrived it was difficult to find a spot to park -- the lot was full and the street parking as well. We waited it out and luckily came around noon, so many people were leaving for lunch. I definitely recommend arriving early or during typically meal times when people are coming and going. We decided to hike the Woody Trail, which starts off easy but gets raised to hard as you go farther up toward the Upper Waterfall. The trail in total up and down took 3 hours. You also get a great view of the WA skyline around Middle Falls!

Great hiking. Beautiful spot for a picnic. You have to have a Discovery Pass if you want to park at the park itself, otherwise you have to park down the road and walk in.

If you plan on doing the entire hike you definitely have to be prepared but even if you don't it's most definitely worth every bit of it we hiked the woody trail an it's a lot of going up and down so keep that in mind as well. Such a beautiful place though and lots of people but spread out.

One word: WOW. I've had Wallace Falls in my WTA hiking to do list for soooo long now. This last Sunday, the weather was perfect and it was just an overall great day for a hike so my best friend and I headed to Gold Bar. It's a little over an hour away from Seattle but totally worth the drive. First off, let me say this place has THE nicest trailhead I've ever seen. There's a little gift shop, actual CLEAN bathrooms, a faucet for filling up dog bowls, and tons of history on Wallace Falls. The actual hike itself is GORGEOUS. There is so much to be seen here. Plenty of mountainous views, plenty of valley views, and quite a few waterfalls. There's literally something here for everyone. We hiked up to the Valley lookout and that was at moderate difficulty in my opinion. There are some stretches of straight incline that can be hard for some but it's not too bad. All in all, I would DEFINITELY recommend this hike to advanced and beginning hikers alike. There were tons of people who brought their children too. P.S. DOGS MUST BE LEASHED. They have park rangers that will write you a ticket on the trail if your dog is unleashed.

A beautiful hike to waterfalls. This hike is absolutely gorgeous. You don't have to go all the way to the top to get a good view or pictures. I have only been as far as the middle falls and it was worth it. There is a picnic area to sit at to have lunch and a few different lookouts on the way up.

Such beautiful and well-maintained trails with a series of gorgeous waterfalls. There is ample parking at the trailhead with more than 60 spots. Additionally, clean restrooms are available with several stalls for the ladies. As others mentioned, the crackling sound coming from overhead power lines is kind of weird and almost sounds like rain at first. You'll soon forget that as you move toward the trails. "Woody Trail", the pedestrian-only path to the falls, is mostly an easy trail with a few moderate hills mixed in. Along the 2.8 mile hike to the Upper Falls, there was a series of smaller falls as well as the Lower and Middle Falls. There's also a point at which there's a clearing in the trees and it reveals a nice mountain landscape. If you're not in a hurry, consider communing with nature for a while at one of the many benches on the path. While the Middle Falls are just as impressive as everyone says, I also really enjoyed the Upper Falls as it's a flowing set of two. The full length of the trail has majestic moss-covered trees and thousands of bushy ferns, which makes for a peaceful journey. Enjoy.

Anything that involves waterfalls and breath-taking views of valleys always deserves 5-stars in my book. Just note... **Discover Pass ($10) required to park** - can be bought online and printed or purchased at a machine at the trailhead parking lot. This must be visible on your car's dashboard. This hike is great for all levels and you can increase or decrease the level of difficulty based on how high you hike up. Lower Falls - 2.8mi round-trip (easy), Middle Falls - 3.4mi (easy-intermediate), Upper Falls - 4.6mi (strictly intermediate). We hiked all the way to Upper Falls (2.5 hours round-trip), although the iconic view is from Middle Falls. Unlike other hikes, you can only view this waterfall from afar, but Wallace Falls was immense and beautiful regardless. The hike up got the heart pumping and we were sweating for sure. Half way through, there's an awesome viewpoint for the valley. I recommend going down to it, don't skip it! For a weekday morning, it took an hour to get there from Seattle with some rush hour traffic, so a bit out of the way. I can't imagine how busy this trail gets on the weekends because there were still quite a lot of people on a Monday morning. Also, the beginning of the hike has power lines overhead and when we passed there were workers spraying and weed-whacking. A bit unnerving, but the actual start of the trail is a ways down and the journey made up for the lack of solitude at the beginning. Well worth it!

This is a beautiful place to spend a day of hiking. Take plenty of water and make sure you take the right trail. The main road after the sign is a bike trail and is way longer. The falls are worth the hike!!!

What an amazing park to hang out in for a day! Got to the parking lot around 8:30am, it was busy, but I managed to get a parking space without issues. Bought a day pass at the little rangers hut ($10), and then was on my way up the trail a few minutes later. I took a slight detour shortly into the trail, heading up the Old Railroad, before meeting back at the lower falls trail. I actually think this route was less of an incline than the actual lower falls trail (which I took on the way back). I headed all the way to the Upper Falls... seems like many people on the trail stopped at the middle falls. The route to the Upper falls definitely has tons of switchbacks, and I wish I had some poles, especially for coming down. This really is a beautiful, peaceful trail, and was so happy when I made it to the Upper Falls! I highly recommend this state park, it is kept very well and one of those few times when you see where paying $10 actually goes! By the time I was coming back down, around 11:30am, there were tons of people now starting to head up, so by the time I arrived at the parking lot it was packed. This is a great adventure for sure!

Wallace Falls is out in BFE, off of highway 2, and I had never heard of it and probably would have never noticed it if my friend and I weren't going 10 mph getting back to civilization after leaving Leavenworth. You have to pay to park here if you don't have a Discover state park pass. Then you hoof it up the trail to see the falls. There are no amenities at all and no services either. The signage to get here isn't the best and my Verizon wifi died so be sure to watch the signs. We got lost on the way out there as a result of too much talking. The parking lot is also small. We saw some people parking on the street and walked up the hill into the park. However, there are signs that you aren't allowed to park there, so I would caution you not to so you don't get towed. There are 9 waterfalls here. You will see more as you go up higher in elevation. There is a set, obvious trail with even a bridge going over the stream, so if you're not the greatest hiker, you can still see some falls and get in a short hike. The higher and steeper the climb, the better the view and the more falls you'll see. You can also go swimming, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, and rock climbing here. Dogs are allowed on leashes. The whole trail is 5.6 miles long, so come early if you want to do the whole thing before it gets dark in the colder months.

2.7 miles (5.4 roundtrip) on "Woody Trail". Waterfall and Valley Views. Difficulty: Moderate. Discovery Pass Required. -------- If you want a starter hike, then this place is perfect for you. With plenty of things to see (nine waterfall views) and everything from the gradual to the steep, it's a good basic trail, assuming you stay on the "Woody Trail" with is the most south trail. It's the one that most if not will be on. There are a series of waterfalls, and that's what makes this place wonderfully to hike. The valley view is pretty awesome, and you feel like you accomplished something, even with the short hike up. The "Woody Trail" is a good 2.7 miles up (~5.4 round trip), so for those new to trails, this will be a full day adventure (casual hike up, food/snack, casual hike down, high fives). There is a bathroom at the trail head, and another about 3/4 of the way, but it's off the main trail on the Railroad grade/Greg Ball connector. If you are experienced, fast stepper, this is quick two hour roundtrip trail. I particularly like this for trail running, as it's a quick hike up. I like to veer off on the way down, and trail run on the Greg Ball trail, and around Boundary, or Railroad grade. If you decide to hike off trail at the top, and follow boundary trail, actually don't, it's not marked and the trail is not maintained, and if you don't have maps/GPS you will get lost. Stay on Woody Trail... it's also where all the views are.

One of my favorite hikes I've done! Came out with my dad last week and this was our first hike of the season- can't think of a more perfect place to start! I think the best part is the first part of the hike, walk through a ton of flower bushes and then get to the mountain run off with access to the water which is SO REFRESHING! While we only got up to the middle falls it was a great 4 mile hike round trip. Heard it gets steeper going up to the upper falls so opted out but such serene views from both the bottom of the trail and up at the falls. Perfect for families as it is kid friendly with option to opt for more challenge!

Better arriving before 11:00 am to make sure parking lot available in the weekends. We only have a round trip to the top of middle falls about 4.2 miles with 1,300 ft. elevation within three hours. However the views of falls/valley/Olympic skylines are stunning enough. All is perfect except the high voltage lines at the trailhead buzzing...

Finally got out to this hike on Sunday and was not disappointed. Relatively easy and well maintained paths lead to many beautiful vistas overlooking different parts of Wallace falls. The signs said the parking lot was full but the ranger was waving everyone in so we drove in and got a perfect spot right by the trailhead at around 10:30am. People were already coming down from the hike and there was a steady flow of groups going up and back throughout the time we were on the trail. This hike is well marked and you can't miss the lookout points. The trail is pretty wide in most areas so you don't have to wait for people to stop and step aside for you to pass too often. There are tons of areas where you can go off-trail (at your own risk) to get closer to the water and have a little adventure. The trail also has tons of species of mushrooms for the avid mycologist! I highly recommend this trail to hikers of all types! The difficult part at the top is still way easier than the starting uphill climbs at Rattlesnake ledge, Poo Poo Point, and Mailbox Peak.