[ad_1]
Falling water from the sky! But it’s not rain? A lake to swim in! With a loud scary splashy thing in it?
That’s us imagining what your dogs think when they see a waterfall. Who really knows, but what we DO know is it’s our favorite way to end a hike. It’s so much easier to keep putting one paw in front of the other when you know the payoff is an epic, majestic waterfall, don’t you agree? Here are five of our fave waterfalls near Seattle. For those of you with Basset Hound vs Terrier energy (we see you, we are you) we even included a couple with no hiking involved.
1. Waterfall Garden Park
- Address: 219 2nd Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104
- Hours: Sunday & Saturday, 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
No need to leave the city center for this waterfall! One of Seattle’s best kept secrets, Waterfall Park in Pioneer Square is a serene little getaway packed with a bunch of history. This pocket park was created in the 1930s in adjacency to a little messenger service that operated nearby called UPS–maybe you’ve heard of them? They operated there for about a decade before moving to Connecticut, but the little park remains. Dogs are big fans of the humans who deliver their packages, so take ‘em for the history AND the waterfall.
2. Coal Creek Falls
- Region: Issaquah Alps – Cougar Mountain
- Length: 2.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation: 416 ft. gain, 1,066 ft. highest point
- Pass: None
Coal Creek is an easy day hike that’s pawfect for the whole fam (pup included). About 17 miles east of Seattle on the edge of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, it’s a super popular destination for locals (especially on nice weather days). There are many trails in this park, so bring a map or a working GPS app to find Coal Creek! Hikers will spend a little over a mile on a well-maintained path that descends to the Falls. Pack a lunch or a snack to hang out there before returning the 1+ mile back to your car. Pro tip: If you find street parking on the drive up, take it. The parking lot’s probably full.
3. Snoqualmie Falls
- Region: Snoqualmie-North Bend Area
- Length: 1.4 miles, roundtrip
- Elevation: 250 ft. gain, 450 ft. highest point
- Pass: None
Easily the most popular waterfalls in the Seattle-area, you can’t go wrong with the epic views you get from The Falls. The short 1.4-mile trek is an easy way to see the Falls from the upper and lower viewpoints. Dogs are allowed on leash, and it’s a great hike for four-legged beginners. Looking to splurge? Salish Lodge & Spa is one of the state’s best resorts, and sits directly overlooking the Falls. P.S. They have a puppin’ pawsh dog package.
4. Franklin Falls
- Region: Snoqualmie Region – Snoqualmie Pass
- Length: 2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation: 400 ft. gain, 2,600 ft. highest point
- Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
Another fan favorite, you’ll have to drive a little fur-ther to reach Franklin Falls, but it’s worth it to see the roaring waterfall at the end of the trail! Enjoy this hike with beginners, kids, dogs, or all of the above. Franklin Falls is made up of three tiers of waterfalls, totaling 135 feet! The last tier (a 70 ft. waterfall) is visible about one mile into the hike. The upper two tiers are out of sight from the trail, but believe us when we say you’ll feel their combined power. Be prepared to get a little wet from the Falls and your dog shakin’ it off.
5. Frink Park
- Region: Puget Sound and Islands – Seattle-Tacoma area
- Length: 1.3 miles of trails
- Elevation: 400 ft. gain, 300 ft. highest point
- Pass: None
You’ve likely driven through Frink Park in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle, but have you spent time on its trails? Many locals have not, despite the fact that it’s a gorgeous ravine with trails regularly used for hiking, biking, trail running, and nature trips. Its dense vegetation and tower cedar trees will make your dog forget he’s 10 minutes from downtown Seattle. The gentle babbling stream running throughout culminates in a cute lil’ waterfall beneath a charming bridge.
What’s your favorite waterfall in the Pacific Northwest? Let us know in the comments or in our Dog-Friendly Seattle Facebook Group.
Featured photo: Lilian Jeane Schiffer
Sidewalk Dog’s mission is to help dog parents spend more time with their puppers by discovering and sharing activities they can do and places they can go—together! Sniff out our award-winning newsletter and Instagram, and join our Dog-Friendly Seattle Facebook Group.
More reads you’ll ruv:
More Wag-Worthy Reads
[ad_2]
Source link
