LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
McCauley Falls
Washington • 75 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Private land: get the owner's permission before approaching the falls. Without permission, view them only from SR 203.
Difficulty
Drive Up
About McCauley Falls
McCauley Falls is a seasonal, roughly 75-foot horsetail on Hanstead Creek on the valley wall just north of Duvall, above the Cherry Creek valley. The falls are on private land. The owners ask visitors to get permission first, after past problems with vandalism, dumping and illegal parking. Without permission, the falls are partly visible from SR 203 in winter when the trees are bare.
The Setting
McCauley Falls sits at 338 feet in the coastal lowlands of Washington. The falls drop 75 feet.
Height: 75 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. McCauley Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
What to Expect
The falls drop 75 feet.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at McCauley Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
Permit required
A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required for parking at trailheads in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
🏊 Is There Swimming at McCauley Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Winter and spring, when Hanstead Creek is flowing and bare trees open up the view from the road.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
SR 203 is a busy highway with narrow shoulders. Stay well off the roadway when viewing.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Snohomish River, 6.3 miles away, not on McCauley Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
4,550 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 63 years of record
1.95 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SNOHOMISH RIVER NEAR MONROE, WA (10 km away).
Today
Strong
4914 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Strong
4802 cfs
9/10Thu
Moderate
4410 cfs
8/10Fri
Strong
5430 cfs
8/10Sat
Strong
5543 cfs
8/10Sun
Strong
5131 cfs
8/10Mon
Strong
6218 cfs
8/10Best window: Tomorrow — strong flow, cloudy (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to mid June, peaking in June.
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 Duvall hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is McCauley Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
McCauley Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 57°F to 45°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 4750 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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 311 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 75 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 346 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 131 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 280 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 346 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 311 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
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
Drive SR 203 about 1.3 miles north of downtown Duvall. The best public view is from alongside the highway just north of the parking area for the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Cherry Valley Unit; walk a short way along SR 203 to clear the trees.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Use the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Cherry Valley Unit parking area on SR 203. Do not park on private property near the falls.
Elevation
338 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.764822° N, -121.953733° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Do not enter the private land below the falls without the owner's permission. Visit in winter or spring when the creek flows and the leaves are down.
Where to Stay
Joy House
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Seattle-Bothell, WA
Executive Residency by Best Western Navigator Inn & Suites
Snoqualmie Inn by Hotel America
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
US Highway 2 - Skykomish Area east to Stevens Pass
17.4 miles away · 0 sites
Traveling along Highway 2, enter the center of the forest along the Skykomish River, a rafting adventurers' dream.Grab your skis! In just two hours you will be gliding down the slopes at Stevens Pass Ski Area. Check in at the Stevens Pass Historic District for an overview of the area's colorful railroad and mining past.Recreation Area MapNational Scenic Byway
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Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Duvall, Washington on SoakingSprings.
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Nearby Attractions
The Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Cherry Valley Unit and the town of Duvall.
Cities near McCauley Falls
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