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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
North Cascades Region
Wallace Falls State Park
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Wallace Falls State Park © Kyle Cesmat kylecesmat / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar, United States
Wallace Falls State Park Wallace Falls - Lower Falls © Dan Dovey
Afternoon light on the Lower Falls
Wallace Falls State Park Wallace Lake © Dan Dovey
Looking WSW across Wallace Lake in afternoon light
Wallace Falls State Park © User:Skilibarda / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
July 7, 2007. View of the Wallace Falls, Middle Falls, at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar, WA.
Wallace Falls State Park Wallace Falls - Middle Falls © Dan Dovey
The Middle Falls cascade down ledges
Wallace Falls State Park © Lee Koshman
Wallace Falls State Park Wallace Falls © Tom Purse
Wallace Falls State Park © Ting Huang
Wallace Falls State Park © Ting Huang
Wallace Falls State Park © Ting Huang
Wallace Falls State Park © Tom Purse
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WALLACE FALLS STATE PARK
WALLACE FALLS STATE PARK
14503 Wallace Lake Road
Gold Bar, Washington   98251
(lat:47.8992 lon:-121.6718) map location

Phone: 360-793-0420
Reservations: 888-226-7688
The Wallace Falls State Park Management Area is a 4,735-acre camping park with shoreline on the Wallace River, Wallace Lake, Jay Lake, Shaw Lake and the Skykomish River. Located on the west side of the Cascade Mountains, the park features a 265-foot waterfall, old-growth coniferous forests, and fast- moving rivers and streams. Cougars have been sighted several times near Wallace Falls, and peregrine falcons inhabit the rock cliffs of the Index Town Wall. The scenery is outstanding in this park, which includes numerous waterfalls, three back-country lakes and a river. Wallace Falls drops from a height of 265 feet. The park offers a rock-climbing wall eight miles east near Index. Atop Mount Pilchuck, 60 miles away, a fire lookout provides a spectacular, panoramic view. Swimming access is five miles east at Big Eddy.
Nature of the Area

History of the Area
The lake, falls and mounts are named "Wallace," after the name "Kwayaylsh." Joe and Sarah Kwayaylsh, members of the Skykomish tribe, were the first homesteaders in the area.
Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Cabins
The five cabins at Wallace Falls State Park are within walking distance of the Woody Trail, which provides access to Wallace Falls and Wallace Lake. Each cabin features a 6-foot covered front porch, picnic table, fire pit, barbecue stand, electric heat, lights, and locking doors. Each cabin is furnished with bunk beds that sleep three and a full-size futon bed for two. Two of the cabins have two rooms, and two of the cabins have a ramp that is ADA accessible. Pets are allowed in cabins 3 and 4 with a $15 plus tax pet fee per night.
Camping
The park has two walk-in tent sites and two restrooms close by. There are two showers that campers can use, however, fees are required. The camping sites are 20 to 50 feet in from the parking area. Sites are very private, with picnic tables and campfire rings. Both campsites are first come, first served.

Backcountry camping Overnight permits are required for Jay Lake and Wallace Lake. Please call the park office to acquire a permit prior to arrival at 360-793-0420. There is a maximum of 5 persons per campsite. Camp only at designated campsites.

Boating
There is a boat ramp at Big Eddy (a satellite park five miles east) for put-in or take-out on the Skykomish river.


Location
Wallace Falls State Park is located near Duvall, Monroe and Bothell

Picnicking
The park provides two kitchen shelters without electricity, plus five sheltered and five unsheltered picnic tables. Both are available first come, first served. Picnic tables are all first come, first served. The park is extremely busy on summer days. Parking usually fills by 11 a.m. on the weekends.
Trails
1. Wallace Falls Trail: This is the most popular trail in the park, stretching 5.6 miles round trip with a moderate difficulty level. It offers stunning views of three waterfalls and ends at an overlook offering panoramic vistas.

2. Woody Trail: A relatively easy hike that's about 0.4 miles long, this path takes you through lush forests to reach Small Falls - perfect for families or beginners.

3. Greg Ball Trail: Named after a local hiking advocate, it's approximately four-mile-long route leading hikers along North Fork Skykomish River before ascending towards Wallace Lake.

4. Old Railroad Grade Loop: An easier option spanning around two-miles which follows old railroad tracks used during logging operations in early years of last century.

5. Wallace Lake via Greg Ball/Woody Trails Combo: Combining these trails creates roughly ten mile loop providing access both to falls and lake while traversing diverse landscapes including riverbanks,forests & wetlands.

6. North Fork Walla Walla Horseback Riding Route: Although primarily designed for horse riders,this six:mile track can also be enjoyed by walkers who prefer less crowded routes.

7. Sky Valley Lookout Point Hike: Short but steep one mile climb up from main parking area leads visitors to lookout point where they get sweeping view over entire valley below.

8. Lower Picnic Area Pathway: Easy half:aile stroll suitable even for those using wheelchairs or strollers; connects lower picnic areas with restrooms facilities near entrance gate.

9. Upper Picnic Area Walkways: Network of short interconnected pathways winding their way between upper picnic tables ; ideal choice if looking just stretch legs without venturing too far into wilderness.

10. Fishing Access Paths: Several small paths branching off main trails lead down riverside spots favored by anglers seeking catch trout stocked regularly within park waters.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
April 15
park review stars; one to five awesome lots of trees
July 24 Too many people by Rusho
park review stars; one to five Great hike, but go early or you will have to park 2 miles down the road amongst the thousands of people who flock to this area on a sunny day. Lots of beginner hikers with no water or food or extra clothing really bugs me! The falls are beautiful, but again there are so many people you have to stop constantly and wait for them to pass. But if you like stopping alot, then this hike is for you.
July 10 Great Family Hike by Cascadesview
park review stars; one to five Took our 3 year old on this hike, he made it all the way to the lower falls and back to within a mile of the parking lot on his own (did the last mile in the mostly-unnecessary baby carrier).
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Area Campgrounds
Thousand Trails Thunderbird
26702 Ben Howard Road
Monroe, WA
360-794-4030
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Located two miles northeast of Gold Bar, Wash.

From the west : Take U.S. Hwy. 2 (Steven's Pass Highway) east 12 miles from Monroe to Gold Bar. Once in Gold Bar, follow the signs two miles northeast to the park.

From the east : Take U.S. Hwy. 2 west about 43 miles from the summit of Steven's pass to the town of Gold Bar. From town, follow the signs two miles northeast to the park.

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Washington State Parks

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