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

31 waterfalls near Des Moines have live flow data today

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

Updated 42 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Partly Sunny · 70°F

Thu 71°F Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain
Fri 65°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Sat 66°F Light Rain Likely
Sun 66°F Slight Chance Light Rain
Mon 68°F Mostly Cloudy
Tue 68°F Mostly Cloudy
Wed 70°F Partly Sunny Best

Flowing best right now near Des Moines

Updated about 3 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Spray Falls Strong · 503 cfs 88th percentile
  2. 2 Cataract Falls Strong · 503 cfs 88th percentile
  3. 3 Denman Falls Strong · 503 cfs 88th percentile
  4. 4 Ethania Falls Strong · 503 cfs 88th percentile
  5. 5 Larrupin Falls Strong · 503 cfs 88th percentile
  6. 6 Giant Falls Strong · 503 cfs 88th percentile

Know when to go.

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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

13 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

20.9 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Wildcat Falls

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

Little Mashel Falls

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

Twin Falls

14.3 miles away
Washington
Moderate
3.6 miles 500 ft

All 31 Waterfalls Near Des Moines

Ethania Falls waterfall

Ethania Falls

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

Larrupin Falls

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

Cress Falls

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

Denman Falls

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

Otter Falls

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

Van Horn Falls

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

Garda Falls

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

Affi Falls

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

Olney Falls

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

Kennedy Falls

21.7 miles away
Washington
Moderate
9.0 miles 800 ft

Florence Falls

41.6 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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