Are there fees or permits required for Alpine Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Alpine Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Alpine Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Alpine Falls.

Nearby gauge (South Fork Skykomish River) · 633 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Alpine Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Alpine Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Alpine Falls.

Washington • 25 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Alpine Falls, see below

Snoqualmie National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

momo go CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Alpine Falls

Alpine Falls is a compact, photogenic 25-foot cascade tucked into the forested slopes of Washington’s Cascade Range. A popular stop for travelers and day-hikers, the falls sit within the Snoqualmie National Forest and are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, offering a quick, scenic reward framed by mature evergreens and moss-covered rock. Access to the falls is straightforward: the U.S. Forest Service lists the Deception Falls Trail (Trail #1078) as the official access route.

The Setting

Alpine Falls sits at 1,394 feet within Snoqualmie National Forest, in the foothills of Washington. The falls drop 25 feet.

Height: 25 feet

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The easy hike follows Deception Falls (#1078), a 0.1-mile out-and-back trail over pavement. The trail is fully developed (Class 5).

USFS Trail

DECEPTION FALLS #1078

Trail Class

Fully Developed

Surface

Ac Asphalt

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

0.06 mi

Trail Description

The immediate access to Alpine Falls follows USFS Deception Falls Trail #1078 and includes a short paved segment (surface: AC - ASPHALT) recorded at approximately 0.06 GIS miles. The USFS notes a typical grade of 12–20% for this segment and assigns a trail class of 5 for the listed section.

What to Expect

The falls drop a gentle 25 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is paved and may be accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Contact the managing agency to confirm current conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Alpine Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Alpine Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Snoqualmie National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

The trail may be slippery near the falls due to mist and wet rocks. Exercise caution and stay on designated paths. In winter, check road conditions before traveling.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Fork Skykomish River, 6.3 miles away, not on Alpine Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

633 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

606 797 1.6k 1.8k

Based on 10 years of record

18.01 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

SOUTH FORK SKYKOMISH RIVER AT SKYKOMISH, WA

USGS 12131500

6.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 243 sq mi

Altitude: 900 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SOUTH FORK SKYKOMISH RIVER AT SKYKOMISH, WA (10 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

588 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Roaring

635 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

673 cfs

8/10

Thu

Strong

666 cfs

9/10

Fri

Roaring

746 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

724 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

779 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

730 cfs

6/10

Best window: Thu — strong flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to late June, peaking in May.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Is Alpine Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Alpine Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 44°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 472 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Washington.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

The ground through the falls loses about 81 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 25 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,396 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 37 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 49 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Alpine Falls near Skykomish, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Alpine Falls near Skykomish, Washington, showing about 81 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,396 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 81 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Alpine Falls is located off Highway 2 near Stevens Pass. From the highway, there is a short access road leading to a small parking area near the falls.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area near the falls, but it may fill up quickly during peak seasons.

Hours

Elevation

1,394 feet above sea level

Coordinates

47.717054° N, -121.225934° W

Land Management

Snoqualmie National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the day to avoid crowds, especially during summer weekends. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be wet or muddy near the falls.

Where to Stay

Luxury A-Frame with Hot Tub, Fireplace & Firepit

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Money Creek Campground

8.5 miles away · 24 sites

Reservable

Overview Situated on the banks of the South Fork Skykomish River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Money Creek campground offers some of the most stunning scenery in the northern Cascade Range in Washington. Scattered beneath a towering canopy of old-growth forest, the sites in this campground are widely spaced and several are at the river's edge, making it an ideal setting for visitors wanting to camp in a private, rustic setting.Recreation In addition to being a prime location for hiking

Book on Recreation.gov