Washington State Parks

Park overview:

Olallie State Park, a 2,500 acre day-use park on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, is a popular location for hiking, picnicking, fishing and rock climbing. The park features dramatic waterfalls, cliff formations and old-growth trees over 10 feet in diameter. The park's most popular destinations are Twin Falls, Weeks Falls, Cedar Butte and Mount Washington.

Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.

The park is open year round for day use only.

Agency information:

Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.

Campsite Information:

The park has no camping.

Park Features

Olallie State Park features multiple trailheads and access points to a variety of recreational activities in a rainforest setting. The park includes views of two waterfalls, including the 100-foot cascading Twin Falls and Weeks Falls. Old-growth trees spanning up to 10-feet in diameter add color to the park and dramatic cliff formation along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains are popular for rock climbing. The park connects with the Iron Horse Trail and John Wayne Pioneer Trail, providing visitors with access to miles of hiking and biking trails.

History

In 1950, Puget Sound Power and Light Company sold 160 acres along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River, including Twin Falls, to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. At that time, an informal trail led from a roadside rest area on the Snoqualmie Pass Highway to Twin Falls. The area was officially named “Twin Falls State Park” in 1974. Later in 1976, 210 acres to the east of the park were added. The park was then renamed “Olallie State Park” in 1977 for the Chinook Jargon word for berry, which was chosen due to the abundance of huckleberries in the area. Around this time, Interstate 90 was built and the rest area and trail to Trail Falls eliminated.

In the early 1980s, State Parks was approached by a private company interested in constructing two hydroelectric plants in the park; one at Weeks Falls and the other at Twin Falls. After a public planning process, the hydroelectric plant plans were modified to reduce the impact on local fish and retain the scenic aspects of the falls. Construction of the two power plants was completed in 1990. To mitigate the aspect impacts of the plants, a new trail from the west end of the park to Twin Falls was constructed.

The park grew to include the northern slopes of Mount Washington in the 1990s and is now more than 2,500 acres in size.

Interpretive opportunities

An interpretive trail at the South Fork Picnic Area passes through a small grove of old-growth trees. Interpretive signage provides visitors with information about the Snoqualmie Wagon Road, the first road to run from Ellensburg to Seattle in the 1800s.

Services/Supplies

	Available in the area
	• Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Groceries • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Propane

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 0.1 mi. ADA Hiking Trails • 6 mi. Hiking Trails	• Fishing (freshwater)	• Bird Watching • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Rock Climbing • Wildlife Viewing
The rock-climbing area is adjacent to the park, above the Iron Horse Trail. Rock-climbing equipment is necessary. Fatal accidents have occurred when amateurs have climbed without proper equipment. Olallie provides access to the Iron Horse Trail, an old Milwaukee Railroad path that starts in North Bend and extends to the Idaho border. The Iron Horse Trail permits mountain biking and horseback riding. The river is seasonally open for fishing. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. Kayaking only is allowed downstream of Twin Falls. Twin Falls Trailhead The Twin Falls Trail follows the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River through the rainforest along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains. The trail is best known for viewpoints of Twin Falls. A little over a mile from the trailhead, a set of stairs descend to a viewpoint of the Lower Falls as they plunge over a 135-foot cliff. Hike another quarter-mile to a bridge that spans the narrow Twin Falls canyon for a view of the Upper Falls. The trail continues another mile where it intersects with the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. The Twin Falls Trailhead is also a popular river access point for fishermen and put-in for kayakers. South Fork Fishing Access A small trailhead, the South Fork Fishing Access provides fishermen access to the north riverbank of the Snoqualmie River’s South Fork. Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and whitefish are the most abundant species of fish found in the South Fork. Homestead Valley Trailhead The Homestead Valley Trailhead provides access to a variety of outdoor pursuits. Hikers can use the John Wayne Pioneer Trail to access the east end of the Twin Falls Trail. Rock climbers can access the Deception Crags and the Mount Washington climbing areas which offer more than 100 routes that range in difficulty from 5.6 to 5.13b. The trailhead is often used as the end point for mountain bikers riding the John Wayne Pioneer Trail from the Hyak Trailhead through the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel and then another 12 miles downhill to Olallie. South Fork Picnic Area The South Fork Picnic Area has two separate picnic areas, one next to the Hall Creek Play Field and the other along the riverside of the Snoqualmie River’s South Fork and an interpretive trail. Both picnic areas have picnic tables and barbecue grills available at a first-come first-served basis. The Snoqualmie Wagon Road Interpretive Trail starts near the riverside picnic area and passes through a small grove of old growth trees to Weeks Falls. Interpretive signs tell the story of the Snoqualmie Wagon Road, the first road that ran from Ellensburg to Seattle in the late 1800s. The South Fork Picnic Area is also provides river access for fishermen. Far Side Trailhead The Far Side Trailhead provides hikers and rock climbers access to trails and crags in the Middle Fork Natural Resource Conservation Area. Visitors may hike along the 4.25-mile Dirty Harry’s Peak Trail to the 4,680 foot summit. From atop Dirty Harry’s Peak, visitors may take in views of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley to the west and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area to the east. Rock climbers have access to six separate climbing areas that range in difficulty from 5.5 to 5.12c. Cedar Falls Trailhead (Iron Horse State Park) The western terminus of Iron Horse State Park, the Cedar Falls Trailhead provides access to the 108-mile-long John Wayne Pioneer Trail and is the most popular route to the 1.5-mile-long Cedar Butte Trail in Olallie State Park. This family friendly trail provides a gentle hike to the 1,870 foot summit of Cedar Butte. The trail features views of the Boxley Blowout, a crater left in the hillside where a giant landslide and flood destroyed the downstream town of Edgewick in 1918.

Events

Events
Date/time	Event description	State Park
Aug. 3 - 5	Courage Classice Bicycle Tour - Olallie: Tour I-90 by bicycle from Snoqualmie Ridge to Skykomish during the three-day Courage Classic. Participants will pass through Olallie and Lake Easton state parks on day 1. A shuttle is available to take riders back to Snoqualmie Ridge after the event. Registration and fee required for participation. Presented by Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center. For course details and to register, visit www.courageclassic.org.	Olallie (425) 649-4275

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Picnic and Day-use Facilities

The park offers a total of 11 picnic tables in two picnic areas at the South Fork Picnic Area. All are available first come, first served.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Bears • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Rabbits • Raccoons • Squirrels • Weasels	• Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Grouse • Hawks • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Woodpeckers • Wrens	• Trout

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
Flora thrives in this temperate rain forest habitat. Huckleberries and salmonberries flourish in the lush understory of the forest canopy. Solitary old-growth trees are reminders of what the forest was like before European settlers arrived. An 80-foot bridge spanning the magnificent Twin Falls Canyon provides a unique view of the falls. The falls are particularly spectacular in winter when the water volume dramatically increases.		• Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Nobel Fir • Spruce • Yew • Alder • Ash • Birch • Maple • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Paintbrush • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Thistle