Things to Do in Granite Falls

The mountains are calling. So are the trails, caves, and alpine lakes. Granite Falls has endless outdoor activities for explorers of all skill levels. Take in the panoramic views from an old fire lookout on Mount Pilchuck. Or treat your senses to a blue-green alpine lake in the middle of a cirque — a ring of cliffs and stone that typically surround a glacial lake — with a hike to Lake 22. You can even experience the snow-covered phenomenon of year-round ice caves at the Big Four Ice Caves. This list barely scratches the moss-covered surface of all there is to discover in the great outdoors of Granite Falls

The Granite Falls Historical Museum has won awards for its delightful and lovingly curated historical artifacts. It has a full-sized spar tree in the building. The museum workers here love to geek out on Victorian garb, railroad ephemera, and vintage motorcycles. This love letter to PNW history is definitely worth your time and attention.

The Mountain Loop Highway is a 90-mile-plus journey along a self-contained cycle, a circuit that takes you out to the wild woods before returning you to your urban origins. Expect stunning alpine lakes, ghost towns, towering timbers, and sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains. The Mountain Loop Highway is about as “far out” into the PNW wilderness as you can get on four wheels. It’s a car camping dream spot. This route is also known as the Mountain Loop Scenic Byway. And that’s byway as in, you don’t really need to go there. And maybe that’s the whole point: it’s out there just to be enjoyed.

Photo Credit: Cascade Loop Association