Updated July 2026
Otter Falls
A very tall slab cascade that sheets down a granite face into tiny Lipsy Lake before draining to the Taylor River near North Bend. The long approach follows the Taylor River Trail, with only the lower portion of the falls visible.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Otter Falls in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
The Taylor River Trail to Otter Falls reaches it about 9.5 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 793 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous. The nearest town is North Bend. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
spring. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Washington waterfalls
- Big Creek Falls · 125 ft
- Boulder River Falls (Feature Show Falls) · 120 ft
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Christine Falls · 69 ft
- Coal Creek Falls · 28 ft
- Comet Falls · 320 ft
- Curly Creek Falls · 86 ft
- Falls Creek Falls · 335 ft
Sources
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