Waterfall Hikes Near Des Moines, WA

32,667 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
31 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Des Moines? There are 31 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Des Moines. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 47.3914°N, -122.3156°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Des Moines

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

31 of 31 gauged

10 of 31 waterfalls near Des Moines are flowing strongly today

Affi Falls Moderate Alice Falls Moderate Cress Falls Moderate Garda Falls Moderate Van Horn Falls Moderate Cataract Falls Barely Flowing Denman Falls Barely Flowing Ethania Falls Barely Flowing Giant Falls Barely Flowing Larrupin Falls Barely Flowing Spray Falls Barely Flowing Chenuis Falls Barely Flowing Ipsut Falls Barely Flowing Ranger Falls Barely Flowing Deschutes Falls Barely Flowing Dingford Creek Falls Roaring Florence Falls Roaring Otter Falls Roaring Franklin Falls Roaring Keekwulee Falls Roaring Snowshoe Falls Roaring Kennedy Falls Strong Lilliwaup Falls Moderate Little Mashel Falls Moderate McCauley Falls Moderate McKenna Falls Strong Olney Falls Moderate Wildcat Falls Moderate Victor Falls Barely Flowing Twin Falls Strong Snoqualmie Falls Roaring

Updated 17 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Sunny · 75°F

Tod 73°F Partly Sunny
Sat 74°F Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 75°F Mostly Sunny
Lab 75°F Mostly Sunny
Tue 73°F Partly Sunny
Wed 75°F Sunny Best
Thu 75°F Partly Sunny

Flowing best right now near Des Moines

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Snoqualmie Falls Roaring · 438 cfs 100th percentile
  2. 2 Dingford Creek Falls Roaring · 174 cfs 100th percentile
  3. 3 Snowshoe Falls Roaring · 34 cfs 99th percentile
  4. 4 Keekwulee Falls Roaring · 34 cfs 99th percentile
  5. 5 Franklin Falls Roaring · 34 cfs 99th percentile
  6. 6 Otter Falls Roaring · 232 cfs 96th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Des Moines hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Des Moines

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Des Moines (2 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Snoqualmie Falls waterfall

Snoqualmie Falls

5.2 miles away
Washington
Easy
1.5 miles 300 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Des Moines (18 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Victor Falls waterfall CC

Victor Falls

5.6 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Wildcat Falls

13.5 miles away
Washington
Moderate
4.5 miles 800 ft
Little Mashel Falls waterfall

Little Mashel Falls

13.8 miles away
Washington
Moderate
5.3 miles 600 ft
Twin Falls waterfall

Twin Falls

5.5 miles away
Washington
Moderate
3.6 miles 500 ft

All 31 Waterfalls Near Des Moines

Ethania Falls waterfall

Ethania Falls

33.9 miles away
In Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Larrupin Falls waterfall

Larrupin Falls

34 miles away
In Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Cress Falls waterfall

Cress Falls

34.1 miles away
In Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Denman Falls waterfall

Denman Falls

34.3 miles away
In Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Moderate
2.5 miles 400 ft
Otter Falls waterfall

Otter Falls

17.8 miles away
Washington
Moderate
9.0 miles 700 ft
Van Horn Falls waterfall

Van Horn Falls

31 miles away
In Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Garda Falls waterfall

Garda Falls

24.8 miles away
In Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
Affi Falls waterfall

Affi Falls

25.6 miles away
In Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Olney Falls

21.4 miles away
Washington
Moderate
5.5 miles 1,300 ft
Kennedy Falls waterfall

Kennedy Falls

45.4 miles away
Washington
Moderate
9.0 miles 800 ft

Florence Falls

22.1 miles away
Washington
Moderate
8.0 miles 800 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Des Moines

Are there free waterfalls near Des Moines?

There are 11 free waterfalls near Des Moines, including Cataract Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Des Moines?

There are 2 easy waterfall hikes near Des Moines, including Franklin Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Des Moines?

There are 18 dog-friendly waterfalls near Des Moines, including Cataract Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Des Moines?

There are 22 kid-friendly waterfalls near Des Moines, including Cataract Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Des Moines?

The shortest waterfall hike near Des Moines is Affi Falls at 1.5 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Des Moines?

The tallest waterfall near Des Moines is Spray Falls at 354 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Des Moines require permits?

Yes, 9 waterfalls near Des Moines require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Des Moines?

Yes, 30 waterfalls near Des Moines have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Des Moines?

The closest waterfall to Des Moines is Victor Falls, approximately 17.3 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Des Moines, Washington

Lester Hot Springs

42.3 mi 120°F

This 120-degree spring sits within the City of Tacoma Watershed at 1,582 feet elevation, emerging 72.3 degrees above ambient in...

Goldmeyer Hot Springs

43.6 mi 127°F

Goldmeyer Hot Springs emerges at 127 degrees in the central Cascades, producing water 78.9 degrees above ambient temperature at...
Mt Rainier Fumaroles

Mt Rainier Fumaroles

49.9 mi 162°F

Mount Rainier fumaroles reach 162 degrees at 14,217 feet elevation, emerging 154.8 degrees above ambient at Washington's highes...
Longmire Mineral Springs

Longmire Mineral Springs

52.5 mi 77°F

Longmire Mineral Springs flows at 77 degrees within Mount Rainier National Park at 2,758 feet elevation, emerging 31.9 degrees ...
Ohanapecosh Hot Springs

Ohanapecosh Hot Springs

63.8 mi 122°F

Ohanapecosh Hot Springs flows at 122 degrees within Mount Rainier National Park at 1,920 feet elevation, emerging 74.5 degrees ...

Garland Mineral Springs

65.7 mi 84°F

Garland Mineral Springs flows at 84 degrees in the Snoqualmie National Forest, producing water 39.6 degrees above ambient tempe...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Des Moines, Washington on SoakingSprings.

Explore Washington springs

Where to Stay

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