In the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie, a broad valley just outside North Bend packed with easy-access wilderness, a gentle trail leads to a giant granite face. Here, Otter Falls tumbles to a chilly lake. Expect plenty of creek crossings on the 5.5-mile route, a veritable abundance of running water along the entire trek.

In winter, the Interstate 90–adjacent waterfall can freeze into a wall of ice, making it a favorite snowshoe destination. But the spring thaw allows the water to show off its grandeur, and the mile-long approach means the payoff comes quickly. Expect lots of company along the way.

At the end of a one-mile trail just off Hood Canal, Murhut gives classic waterfall vibes: two near-vertical drops into round pools, fallen logs strewn about the area. Waterfalls have a story to tell about insistence and even destruction, and Murhut’s tale is of shaping the deep woods around it.

Expect a little snow on the trail well into spring at this famous falls. Though only two miles each way, the uphill makes the trek a workout—cool off with the misty spray that gives the falls its matrimonial name. Once you’ve hiked it, you’ll try to spot this iconic cascade from the road every time you motor toward Stevens Pass.

Though our giant volcano has plenty of spectacular waterworks, their high elevation means they’re best (or only) visited in midsummer and early autumn. This particular showpiece, on the other hand, sits on the highway to the national park entrance, in the foothills around Rainier. The trio of falls is reached via confusing web of trails within the Pack Forest, so be sure to bring a map for the five-mile round trip.

This is a favorite rainy-day hike, as the views here are close-up and the vibe only improves with a heavy mist. The falls is made up of several drops, tumbling almost 400 feet in total, and hikers should keep to the well-marked 2.8-mile route; the state park’s off-trail slopes are treacherous even when dry.