Wallace Falls State Park

The Wallace Falls trail follows the Wallace River uphill through a beautiful second- and old-growth forest of western hemlock, cedar, and Douglas fir. The path is wide, well-maintained, and gains elevation steadily without any brutal pitches. You pass nine distinct waterfalls along the way, but the three main viewpoints (Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls) are the highlights. Middle Falls, at 265 feet, is the showstopper and one of the tallest cascades in the western Cascades that you can reach on a family-friendly trail.

The forest canopy keeps most of the trail shaded and reasonably dry even in wet weather, which makes this a solid year-round option. After rain, the falls run heavy and loud, and the river crossings churn with whitewater. In summer, the parking lot fills by mid-morning on weekends. If you want some quiet, start early or come on a weekday.

There are benches at most viewpoints, a restroom at the trailhead, and a second toilet about 1.5 miles up the trail. Dogs are welcome on leash, but keep them close near the falls. The state park enforces this strictly after incidents with dogs being swept over the edge.