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Coal Creek Falls
4.6 ★★★★★ 418 Google reviews · Running trail in Bellevue, Washington · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Coal Creek Falls' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Waterfall in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildlife Park reached via a walking/hiking trail.
What runners say about Coal Creek Falls
“There were a few trees down from the recent weather and a few mud bogs but otherwise was in great condition.”
“Coal Creek Falls is a beautiful, peaceful hike with a great mix of forest scenery and a rewarding waterfall at the end.”
“A great family friendly trail with beautiful views, lots of nature to explore and things to learn about!”
Great 2+ mile hike with options to do a loop, out and back, or connect with with a wide network of trails with lots of natural beauty. Falls and stream are great motivation for kids making this a good kids hike. Falls tend to dry to a trickle in summer months and start to pick up by October.
If you want to go to some place near to Bellevue or Redmond area, you can go this falls which is hardly 30 minutes drive. Went today afternoon, not much crowded, lot of parking spaces available. Trail is good, may be muddy if it rains, not too much elevation except in 1 place.
There’s not a more perfect urban trail outside of Seattle than to Coal Creek Falls! A 3 mile, round trip loop that has something for everyone and every age (or paw—dog friendly).
This was our first hike to Coal Creek Falls with my son, and we were pleasantly surprised to see so many families with small kids on the trail. The hike is easy and takes less than an hour to reach the falls from the parking lot.
Trail conditions & character
“While the waterfall isn’t very large, you can get quite close to it, which makes the experience enjoyable—especially for kids.”
“The hike is easy and takes less than an hour to reach the falls from the parking lot.”
“Great 2+ mile hike with options to do a loop, out and back, or connect with with a wide network of trails with lots of natural beauty.”
“Trail is good, may be muddy if it rains, not too much elevation except in 1 place.”
“Trail is good, may be muddy if it rains, not too much elevation except in 1 place.”
“Water level is good, expect more water flow if it rains previous days.”
Plan your run at Coal Creek Falls
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitekingcounty.gov
- Phone+1 206-296-0100
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–6 pm |
Running trails near Bellevue
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,334 reviews
Vast protected park featuring forested areas, hiking trails, scenic vistas & wildlife.
Sky Country Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 201 reviews
Popular area, accessible to novice hikers, offering trails passing waterfalls and a dam.
Wilderness Peak
4.5 ★★★★★ 53 reviews
Nature-filled area for hiking and running trails, plus scenic points and streams.
Coal Creek Natural Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 830 reviews
Heavily wooded protected area of second growth forest with signs of the area's early coal industry.