One of my favorite family hiking trails near Issaquah Washington, where we live, is Twin Falls Trail in North Bend! The trail head is located on 159th Street in North Bend, WA and takes about 20 minutes from the Issaquah downtown. We started hiking this trail when the kids were much younger and this was our third time.
Tips to get you on your way…
- Distance: 3.5-ish Miles (But don’t feel like you have to tackle it all right away, this hike is good to go and stop as you go along. No one is winning a prize!)
- Payment: If you have your Washington Discover Pass: https://store.discoverpass.wa.gov/ that will cover it. There were also payment options at the trail head.
- Address for your GPS: 159th Street in North Bend
- Good for Families? Yes! My kids love it and we have been using this trail to condition them for others since the littlest was 5.
- Biggest Pro: It’s a magical forest with a babbling shallow, clear river! When I say magical… there are bridges with the water running under you, cool moss growing on giant trees, faces you can make out of the different rocks, just HEAVEN. At times I feel like I’m on a movie set… this is real? Maybe its because I didn’t grow up here? Another cool part is cooling off while you hike.
- Con: You can’t easily get close to the waterfalls, they are view-able, but more from a distance. Although not sure I would want the kids next to that powerful of water anyway! viewing from a far is JUST FINE! It’s also pretty steep at times… bring some M&M’s to entice the little ones! haha!
Yes it is very populated during weekend peak times of 9am – 4pm. Go on a weekday. But hey I kind of like populated trails deep in the forest so the cougars and bears stay away! haha! Just sayin! I haven’t quite embraced the ‘wild’! ha! I prefer to stay alive and with my limbs.
The entire trail is about 3.5 miles and winds in and out of the trees, with the babbling South Fork Snoqualmie River running along side you the entire time. There are definitely some steep parts that will give you and your entire family a run for your money, but the rewards of the magical forest and cooling off in the river that you can literally see to the bottom of are SO worth it.
More Tips!
- Bring a picnic, and take breaks along the way so it isn’t to strenuous on your crew.
- This is a great spot to take visiting relatives and friends that have never seen ‘hiking’ you can ease them, and take them to the first landing where there is a view-able water wall. Unless your guests are used to hiking and walking I wouldn’t go past that honestly.
- Bring a towel or two – you will want to at least dip your feet in the beautiful river
- Tell stories as you hike. Would you rather… or what’s your favorite things… stuff like that!
- Look for faces and magical things! I love to find a face in a tree or on a rock. Magical light shining thru tree’s, or something that looks like a fairy could live there. STOP and enjoy what you see! Take a picture or 2 if that’s your thing, and my kids know – its DEFIANTLY my thing!
- Dress in layers! This trail is often very shaded and can get cold one minute and then super sunny or you get warm from climbing some of the inclines.
- Always bring water and a snack! I always bring fruit and a dry snack like crackers. BUT I also bring M&M’s or Skittles – something fun that I can use to entice people up some of the steeper areas of the hike! haha! Sounds strange but it works!
Helpful Resources:
All Trails.com: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/twin-falls-trail
Recent Reviews – I like to look and see if there are any trail conditions I should be aware of before we make the drive! With 3 kids always best to do your homework BEFORE you might ruin a Saturday with a closed trail! Here are some review sites where I have already put in the search for you!
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g58640-d10445267-Reviews-Twin_Falls-North_Bend_Washington.html
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/twin-falls-trailhead-north-bend
Issaquah Adventures 