Is swimming allowed at Teepee Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Teepee Falls.

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Teepee Falls near Marblemount, Washington, showing about 159 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Nearby gauge (Sauk River) · 1,750 ft³/s · About average

Teepee Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Teepee Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Teepee Falls.

Washington

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) State Resource Management Area SRMA · SDNR

Difficulty

Drive Up

About Teepee Falls

Teepee Falls is a 50 to 60 foot series of cascades on Big Creek, directly beneath the bridge where Suiattle River Road (Forest Road 26) crosses the creek's chasm, about 10 miles up the road from Highway 530. You can look straight down on the falls from the bridge. A faint, steep path on the west side of the bridge drops about 100 vertical feet to the lower tier.

The Setting

Teepee Falls sits at 801 feet within Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) State Resource Management Area, in the foothills of Washington.

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. Teepee Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

Trail Description

There is no formal trail. The main view is from the Suiattle River Road bridge over Big Creek. To see the lower tier, a faint path leaves the road on the west side of the bridge and descends about 100 vertical feet; it is steep and unsuitable for anyone uneasy with heights.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Teepee Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $0.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Teepee 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 and rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 46°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The bridge view is high above a deep chasm and the path to the lower tier is faint and steep. Stay back from the edge and keep children close.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Sauk River, 8.1 miles away, not on Teepee Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

1,750 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

3.53 ft

Water depth at gauge

46°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 46 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

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

SAUK RIVER NEAR SAUK, WA

USGS 12189500

8.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 714 sq mi

Altitude: 266 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SAUK RIVER NEAR SAUK, WA (13 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

1750 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

1890 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

1972 cfs

6/10

Thu

Moderate

1746 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

2083 cfs

6/10

Sat

Moderate

2075 cfs

6/10

Sun

Moderate

2000 cfs

6/10

Mon

Moderate

1977 cfs

6/10

Best window: Thu — moderate flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to late July, 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 Marblemount hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Teepee Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid

Teepee Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 57°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: 1780 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 159 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 792 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 146 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 57 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southwest, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

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

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 792 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 159 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; 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 southwest).

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From Darrington, drive north on Highway 530 toward Rockport and turn east onto Suiattle River Road (Forest Road 26). The road crosses Big Creek on a large bridge about 10 miles in; the falls are directly under the bridge.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park off the road near the Big Creek bridge, keeping clear of traffic on Suiattle River Road. No developed lot was documented.

Elevation

801 feet above sea level

Coordinates

48.343725° N, -121.440677° W

Land Management

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) State Resource Management Area SRMA

Managed by SDNR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Watch for vehicles while viewing from the bridge. Cell service is limited on Suiattle River Road, so download directions before you go.

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

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Nearby Campground

BUCK CREEK CAMPGROUND

7.3 miles away · 29 sites

Reservable

Overview Situated on the banks of Buck Creek in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Buck Creek campground offers stunning scenery and access to numerous recreational activities popular in the Northern Cascade Range in Washington. Scattered beneath a towering canopy of old-growth forest, the sites in this campground are secluded and within walking distance to the waterfront, making it an ideal setting for visitors wanting to camp in a private, rustic setting.Recreation Situated along Buck Creek

Book on Recreation.gov