Part of the appeal of Angeline Falls is that it rewards a little effort: the closer you get, the cooler the air and the louder the water, and the photos rarely do it justice.
Geology and background
What makes Angeline Falls special
Angeline Falls is a horsetail fall 450 feet high and more than 120 feet wide, on an unnamed tributary of the West Fork Foss River in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area of King County, Washington. It flows from the outlet of Angeline Lake to the head of Delta Lake, so the fall is the link between two lakes: water leaves one, drops 450 feet, and arrives at the next.
The width is what you notice first. At more than 120 feet across, the water spreads into a broad horsetail rather than a single narrow plunge, and the fall is perennial, running through the year on the lake’s outflow rather than on rain alone.
Its neighbours are close. Big Heart Falls is 0.4 miles away, Upper Foss River Falls 1.0 mile away and Lower Foss River Falls 1.4 miles away, so the Foss River valley holds several falls within a short walk of each other.
Angeline Falls is a horsetail waterfall: the water stays in contact with the rock face as it descends, spreading wide instead of falling free. The fall sits between two lakes, Angeline Lake above and Delta Lake below, and the drop is the stream’s descent from one lake basin to the next. That lake-to-lake course is why the flow is perennial: the lake above stores water and releases it steadily.
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream. Download an offline map before you lose signal: this is wilderness country, and signal is not guaranteed.
Best time and crowds
This is a perennial fall, fed by Angeline Lake, so it runs through the year. No stream gauge is linked to Angeline Falls, so recent rain and snowmelt are your best guides. Expect the most water in spring and early summer, when the snow is melting.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Pair it with Big Heart Falls, 0.4 miles away: the two falls are practically neighbours.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town: signal is thin in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: a 120-foot-wide fall throws spray a long way.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Waterfalls mark a change in the ground beneath a stream: a fault, a glacier-cut valley wall, or a band of hard rock the water cannot wear down as quickly as what lies below it.
Water flow and seasons
No stream gauge is linked to Angeline Falls yet, so recent rain is your best guide. The weather panel on this page adds up the last three days of rain at the fall.
Flow tends to peak in spring with snowmelt and seasonal rain, and again for a day or two after a big storm. By late summer smaller falls can drop to a thin ribbon.
The trail and the viewpoint
We do not have a trail length for Angeline Falls yet. Some falls are a few steps from a parking area, others take a real hike, so check the park or a trail app before you set out.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
We do not list a park for this fall, which often means a small trailhead or roadside pull-off with few or no facilities.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
No entry fee is listed. Parks may still charge for parking or day use, and federal lands often accept an annual pass instead.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Angeline Falls
Angeline Falls is in Washington. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (47.5834, -121.3104) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our Washington waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Angeline Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Weekday mornings are the quietest. On summer weekends, popular falls can fill their parking by mid-morning, and the viewpoint becomes a queue.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
Without a listed trail length, plan for half a day: enough time to find the trailhead, walk in, spend an hour at the water and walk out without rushing.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Angeline Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Angeline Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Angeline Falls, Washington located?
Angeline Falls is in Washington. Its GPS coordinates are 47.5834, -121.3104.
What kind of waterfall is Angeline Falls, Washington?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Angeline Falls?
Its height has not passed a source check yet, so we do not show a number or include it in tallest lists.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
No fee is listed, though parking or day-use fees may apply. Most falls are open dawn to dusk; check the managing agency for seasonal closures.
Is Angeline Falls good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
No gauge is linked, so use the last three days of rain in the weather panel: more rain usually means more water.
The bottom line
Angeline Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Check the flow before you go, start early to beat the crowds, and stay well back from the edge.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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