Overview
IMPORTANT: There are no rattlesnakes at Rattlesnake Ridge, Rattlesnake Ledge, Rattlesnake Mountain, or Rattlesnake Lake. North Bend/Upper Snoqualmie Valley History says that it used to have grassy open fields in places, and the wind rustling the dry grass sounded like rattlesnakes. Rattlesnake Lake and Rattlesnake Ridge got their name from Seattle pioneer Arthur A. Denny when the rattle of seed pods on the nearby prairie frightened a road surveyor into thinking he was being attacked by a rattlesnake. In fact there are no poisonous snakes in Western Washington. East of the Cascades, however, there are lots of rattlesnakes.
The Rattlesnake Ridge area includes the park areas just south of I-90 between Exits 27 and 38. These include Rattlesnake Lake, Cedar River Watershed, Rattlesnake Ledge, Rattlesnake Mountain, and the Raging River Mountain Bike Trail System. There are two points of access: Snoqualmie Point Park (Exit 27) and Rattlesnake Lake (Exit 32). Rattlesnake Lake parking is free but the Snoqualmie Point Park (also a Twin Peaks filming location) requires a Discover Pass.
Things to do
At Rattlesnake Lake, there is fun for the entire family: picnicking, hiking, photography, swimming, kayaking, fishing, biking, and waterfalls. Have a picnic at Rattlesnake Lake and enjoy the nearby water activities and hiking. Hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge and see amazing views of the Lake, Cascade Mountains, and the Snoqualmie Valley. Cedar River Watershed Education Center has a dozen or so really interesting tours into places closed to the general public. Several of the tours only occur once per year. Dogs are OK everywhere on leash.