Are there fees or permits required for Otter Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Otter Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Otter Falls.

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

Otter Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Otter Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Otter Falls.

Washington

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 2 other waterfalls also named Otter Falls, see below

Snoqualmie National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

orkybash CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

nwpuzzlr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

9.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

700 ft

About Otter Falls

Otter Falls (also called Otter Slide, Otter Slide Falls or Otter Creek Falls) tumbles down the southern wall of Mount Anderson in King County, Washington, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of Snoqualmie National Forest, the falls have a cumulative drop of about 1,600 feet, though the mountainside’s moderate pitch means only roughly a third of that height is visible from the valley floor. The creek’s drainage is fairly small and runs mostly over granite that doesn’t retain water, so flow can be modest outside peak snowmelt—making for dramatic granite slides and photogenic cascades when conditions are right. The trailhead approach follows forested terrain along the Taylor River and uses sections of the USFS NORDRUM LAKE (Trail #1004). Expect a moderately challenging backcountry outing: the route to Otter Falls is typically done as a 9.0-mile out-and-back with about 700 feet of elevation gain and is rated moderate. If you’re camping, Middle Fork Campground is the closest option at roughly 7.1 km away, and the entire area is managed by the USFS, so plan for wilderness conditions and variable water flow.

The Setting

Otter Falls sits at 1,804 feet within Snoqualmie National Forest, in the hills of Washington.

Trail & Hike Details

9.0 mi distance 700 ft climbed

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Nordrum Lake (#1004), a 9.0-mile out and back trail over natural surface. Expect 700 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).

USFS Trail

NORDRUM LAKE #1004

Trail Class

Moderately Developed

Surface

Nat Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

0.24 mi

Trail Description

The hike to Otter Falls is an out-and-back of about 9.0 miles round trip with roughly 700 feet of elevation gain and a moderate difficulty rating. Much of the approach is forested terrain along the Taylor River; footing is on native surfaces (USFS surface: NAT - native material). The route includes sections of USFS NORDRUM LAKE, Trail #1004 (mapped GIS segment 0.24 miles), which is Class 2 and is characterized by a typical grade in the 12–20% range. Expect mostly singletrack on natural tread with some steeper pitches; the trail is suitable for experienced day-hikers comfortable with sustained grades and backcountry conditions.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Otter Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Otter Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Otter Falls, as the waterfall flow is strongest due to snowmelt. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may bring snow, making the trail more challenging.

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 can be slippery after rain, and snow may make it difficult to navigate in winter. Always check weather conditions before heading out and carry the Ten Essentials.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Fork Skykomish River, 9.8 miles away, not on Otter 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

9.8 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 (16 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 Baring hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Otter Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Otter Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 41°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.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 315 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,826 feet.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 400 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 99 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing southwest, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Otter Falls near Baring, Washington, showing about 315 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 1,826 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 315 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Otter Falls is accessed via the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead, located off Forest Road 56 near North Bend, Washington. The trailhead is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Seattle.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead. The lot may fill up during weekends and peak seasons, so arriving early is recommended.

Hours

Elevation

1,804 feet above sea level

Coordinates

47.587888° N, -121.467042° W

Land Management

Snoqualmie National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes as the trail can be muddy in places, especially after rain. Bring insect repellent during the summer months. Cell service is limited, so download maps or directions in advance.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

With 9.0 miles and 700 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof

Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.

Where to Stay

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

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

Middle Fork Campground

4.4 miles away · 39 sites

Reservable

Overview This campground is located along the Middle Fork of the scenic Snoqualmie River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Beneath a canopy of towering Douglas fir, cedar and Western hemlock, and located near several hiking trails within a short driving distance, this campground is a perfect site for both individual and small group camping excursions.Recreation In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, horseback riding and picnicking in summer and early fall, Middle Fork o

Book on Recreation.gov