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Reviews, get directions and contact details for Tumwater Falls Park

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Tumwater Falls are a series of cascades on the Deschutes River in Tumwater, Washington, United States, near where the river empties into Budd Inlet, a southerly arm of Puget Sound in Olympia.GeologyThe Deschutes River carved a course through glacial debris left after the Pleistocene ice age until it reached volcanic bedrock, forming the falls as it coursed down to Puget Sound.HistoryTumwater Falls was the site of New Market, the first European settlement in Western Washington. It was also the site of the now-defunct Olympia Brewing Company.Olympia Light and Power Company constructed a dam and a hydroelectric power plant at the falls in 1890, a decade before the Snoqualmie Falls powerplant outside Seattle. The plant powered an Olympia–Tumwater streetcar, among other things. A dam at above sea level created a head for the powerhouse and still stands on the Deschutes River.The Tumwater Falls created an impassable barrier to salmon until 1952, when a fish ladder was built by the Washington Department of Fisheries (now the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife), to provide salmon access to the newly constructed fish hatchery located immediately above the falls. Prior to the 1952 hatchery operations, the Deschutes river above the Tumwater Falls was a river system free of the influence of migrating and spawning salmon, an unusual ecological occurrence in the riparian systems of Puget Sound.

Address: 110 Deschutes Parkway Southwest, Tumwater, WA 98501, USA
Phone: (360) 943-2550
State: Washington
Zip Code: 98501


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Reviews
Great path both foot & stroller friendly. We love visiting here even when it's a bit too wet/muddy for my kiddos little feet at other paths. Beautiful views, roaring water, fish, slugs and many beautiful wild flowers! This is a must visit for anyone wanting to gain a little history lesson of the area or see some nature on a casual walk. There is a bit of a slope downward to get to the end so it takes a bit of time and effort to get back up.
8 years ago (25-04-2017)
Has to be the most scenic spot in town. Great salmon spawning site in the early fall. Iconic and historical area, with multiple waterfalls along the shade covered walkway. Amazing amount of water flowing through the area a few months ago - look for videos online. We have found multiple FB rocks here.
8 years ago (04-05-2017)
Great walk anytime of year. Early spring brings rushing waters and raging falls, summer walks along the river are nice and cool, fall has the fish ladders full of salmon and beautiful colors, winter offers the perfect hike even in the rain. The mossy rocks, sprinkled with flowers and laced with small falls, a spot of sand to warm bare feet, peaceful sites for a picnic, a quick drawing or cat nap in the sun, it really is lovely.
8 years ago (17-04-2017)
We always stop here between Portland and Seattle. Toilets, clean picnic area and the falls. In season visit the fish ladder. Take a walk along the river, see the old brewery. The new one, next to the falls, is being developed.
8 years ago (04-06-2017)
Amazing park. Watching the rushing water cascade down the falls is amazingly​ peaceful. In the fall the salmon can be seen working their way up stream. There is a nice place to explore at the end of the falls. It is also neat looking at the signage and related history of the Olympia brewery.
8 years ago (19-03-2017)
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