Easy waterfall hike with serious winter avalanche risk noted by Forest Service: closed winters; access road and Sno-Park may not operate.
Day-use fee: $5/vehicle/day or $30 annual; Digital Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, or Interagency Pass accepted
The Franklin Falls Sno-Park does not operate some winters, and Denny Creek Road (FS Rd 58) is closed to motorized traffic in winter; the Forest Service warns against entering the Franklin Falls Basin or Denny Creek Trail in winter due to significant avalanche risk.
Franklin Falls is a scenic easy-to-moderate waterfall near North Bend, managed by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The trail is popular in summer when the Denny Creek Road access is open, and leashed dogs are permitted.
Critical winter safety information: The Forest Service explicitly warns against entering the Franklin Falls Basin in winter or early spring due to significant avalanche risk. The access road is closed to motorized traffic during winter months, and the Franklin Falls Sno-Park does not operate every winter. A day-use fee or Northwest Forest Pass is required. Plan your visit for late spring through fall only.
Summer through fall when the Denny Creek Road is open and avalanche risk is minimal. The Forest Service warns against winter travel in the Franklin Falls Basin.
1.5-2 hours
Skip in winter or early spring; the Forest Service explicitly warns against entering the Franklin Falls Basin or Denny Creek Trail due to significant avalanche risk. The Sno-Park may not operate some winters.
Day-use fee: $5/vehicle/day or $30 annual; Digital Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, or Interagency Pass accepted
The managing agency's page (linked below) has the current trailhead and route details — round-trip distance wasn't published when we checked.
Yes, per the managing agency's own page — but check current leash rules before you go.
We track 11 waterfalls in North Cascades.
There are 3 other waterfalls we track in King County. All North Cascades waterfalls →
fs.usda.gov
USFS Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest official trailhead page, checked Aug 2026
Checked August 2026.