King County · Puget Sound
North Bend
Thirty minutes east of Seattle at the base of the Cascades, North Bend trades traffic for trail access and serves up cherry pie at the real Twin Peaks Double R Diner.
North Bend sits at the eastern edge of the Snoqualmie Valley where the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River meets the Cascade foothills, 30 miles east of Seattle via Interstate 90. With about 8,600 residents, the city is small in scale but outsized in hiking access: Mount Si, the most climbed peak in Washington State, rises directly above town, and Rattlesnake Ledge and Twin Falls are both within 10 miles, with Franklin Falls a short drive farther east toward Snoqualmie Pass.
North Bend is also the real-world filming location for much of David Lynch’s television series Twin Peaks. Twede’s Cafe on North Bend Way, the real Double R Diner, still serves cherry pie and black coffee to fans who make the pilgrimage. The Northwest Railway Museum runs weekend train excursions through the Snoqualmie Valley from the 1890 Snoqualmie Depot, and the North Bend Premium Outlets at the base of the Cascades draw shoppers from across the region. For outdoor visitors, no destination on I-90 offers more trailhead variety within a shorter drive.
Getting Here
North Bend is 30 miles east of Seattle, approximately 35 to 45 minutes via I-90. Take exit 31 (North Bend Way) for downtown and the North Bend Premium Outlets, or exit 32 (436th Ave SE) for the Mount Si, Little Si, and Rattlesnake Ledge trailheads. By transit, King County Metro Route 208 connects North Bend with Issaquah, where Sound Transit Route 556 and the 2 Line light rail continue to Bellevue and Seattle. The Trailhead Direct seasonal shuttle (summer weekends, ORCA accepted, $2.75) runs from Seattle to the Mount Si trailhead.
Things to Do
Hiking
Mount Si: Washington's Most-Climbed Peak
Mount Si is the most popular hike in Washington State, an 8-mile round trip with 3,150 feet of elevation gain to a summit overlooking the Snoqualmie Valley, Mount Rainier, and the Olympics. The trail climbs through dense forest to a rocky open slope below the Haystack formation. Arrive by 7 AM on summer weekends, the parking lot fills quickly.
Hiking
Rattlesnake Ledge: The Valley View That Earns Its Crowds
A 4 mile round trip with about 1,150 feet of gain to a rocky outcrop above Rattlesnake Lake with panoramic lower Cascades views. Despite the name, there are no rattlesnakes, the moniker comes from the sound dry grass makes in the wind. Weekday mornings are significantly quieter than summer weekends.
Hiking
Little Si: The Right Introduction to the Cascades
At 3.8 miles round trip with moderate elevation gain, Little Si is the recommended first hike for Seattle-area newcomers and a reliable option when the Mount Si lot is full. Good valley views from the summit, dogs welcome, suitable for families with older children.
Waterfall
Twin Falls: Old-Growth Forest and a Double Cascade
Twin Falls drops in two stages through a narrow basalt canyon in Olallie State Park, reached by a 1.3-mile trail along the South Fork Snoqualmie River through 200-foot Douglas firs. A sturdy bridge sits near the base of the lower falls, and a short climb reaches the upper viewpoint overlooking both drops. Easy enough for families, impressive enough for its own trip.
Waterfall
Franklin Falls: Year-Round Access to a 70-Foot Drop
One of the easiest significant waterfall hikes in the state, a 2-mile round trip on gentle terrain to a 70-foot cascade at the base of a basalt amphitheater. Franklin Falls runs year-round and is especially dramatic in winter when ice formations build on the surrounding rock. The small parking lot fills quickly, arrive before 9 AM on weekends.
Culture
Twede's Cafe: Cherry Pie at the Real Double R Diner
Twede's Cafe on North Bend Way was the filming location for the Double R Diner in David Lynch's Twin Peaks and still serves cherry pie and black coffee in a setting maintained to resemble the show's interior. It is a genuine working diner with a full menu, not a museum exhibit. The cherry pie is the point.
Train
Northwest Railway Museum: Historic Trains Through the Valley
The museum operates weekend excursions through the Snoqualmie Valley aboard restored historic passenger cars, departing from the 1890 Snoqualmie Depot or North Bend Depot. The 2-hour trip crosses a valley bridge, stops at the Railway History Center, and provides a car-free view of the upper valley. Trains run three times daily on weekends from spring through fall.
Shopping
North Bend Premium Outlets: 50 Stores at the Cascade Foothills
About 50 brand outlet stores at the base of the Cascades just off I-90 exit 31. A common stop on the way to or from Snoqualmie Pass and the largest retail concentration in the upper Snoqualmie Valley. Busiest on summer weekends, quieter on weekday mornings.
“North Bend is where Mount Si, Twin Falls, and the real Double R Diner coexist within a few miles of each other, 30 minutes east of Seattle.”
Explore Washington State
Where to Stay
Salish Lodge and Spa
Set directly above Snoqualmie Falls in neighboring Snoqualmie, the Salish Lodge is the most famous lodging in the area and appeared as the Great Northern Hotel in Twin Peaks. The property has a spa, wood-burning fireplaces, and views of the 268-foot falls from many rooms.
Check ratesEdgewick Inn
A budget-friendly motel in North Bend near the Mount Si trailhead and downtown, offering comfortable accommodations within walking distance of North Bend Way restaurants. The right choice for hikers who want a clean bed close to the trail rather than a resort experience.
Check ratesFind a Cabin Near North Bend
Find a Cabin Near North Bend
Food & Drink
Twede’s Cafe on North Bend Way is the Twin Peaks Double R Diner, still serving cherry pie and black coffee in a setting that has been maintained to resemble the show’s interior. Scott’s Dairy Freeze is the classic local stop for thick milkshakes, burgers, and waffles after a hike. Rio Bravo is the go-to for Mexican with a patio and house-made margaritas. Pour House Bar and Grill suits post-hike beer cravings with outdoor seating and Buffalo chicken tenders.
Festivals & Events
Spring through Fall, Weekends
Northwest Railway Museum Excursions
The Northwest Railway Museum runs weekend train excursions through the Snoqualmie Valley from spring through fall, departing from the historic 1890 Snoqualmie Depot. Trains run three times daily and include a stop at the Railway History Center. The museum's indoor exhibit hall is open year-round.
Summer, Saturdays
North Bend Farmers Market
The seasonal Saturday market brings fresh produce, local vendors, and community activity to downtown North Bend during the summer months. Check the current season's schedule before you go, since dates and location can shift year to year.
December
Snoqualmie Valley Holiday Events
The Northwest Railway Museum runs holiday themed train excursions in the weeks leading up to Christmas, drawing families from across the region. Confirm this year's dates and tickets through the museum, as these events sell out early.
Day Trips
Snoqualmie (5 miles west) has Snoqualmie Falls and the Northwest Railway Museum depot. Issaquah (15 miles west) offers the Issaquah Alps trail network and Gilman Village. Snoqualmie Pass (30 miles east) has ski areas and summer Cascade trailheads. Leavenworth (65 miles east) is a longer day trip for the Bavarian village and Wenatchee River access.
Planning Your Visit
Spring through fall is prime season, though many trails are accessible year-round at lower elevations. Franklin Falls is excellent in winter when ice formations build on the basalt amphitheater walls. Mount Si parking fills by 7 AM on summer weekends, arrive early or take the Trailhead Direct shuttle. North Bend is a natural complement to an Issaquah day since the two are 15 miles apart on I-90. Most of what North Bend offers is within a 10-mile radius, making it an efficient day trip or overnight.
More North Bend on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Bend, Washington known for?
North Bend is known for its hiking access, particularly Mount Si (the most-climbed peak in Washington), Rattlesnake Ledge, and Twin Falls. It is also famous as the filming location for David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, with Twede’s Cafe still operating as the real Double R Diner. The North Bend Premium Outlets are the largest outlet retail center in the upper Snoqualmie Valley.
Is North Bend worth visiting?
Yes, particularly for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Si, Rattlesnake Ledge, and Twin Falls are all within 10 miles and cover a range of difficulty levels. Twin Peaks fans will find the filming locations an engaging addition to an outdoor day. The entire North Bend visit pairs naturally with nearby Snoqualmie Falls and Issaquah on a single I-90 day trip.
How do you get to North Bend, Washington?
North Bend is 30 miles east of Seattle via I-90, approximately 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Take exit 31 for downtown and the Premium Outlets, or exit 32 for the Mount Si and Rattlesnake trailheads. King County Metro Route 208 connects North Bend with Issaquah. The Trailhead Direct seasonal shuttle runs from Seattle to Mount Si on summer weekends.
When is the best time to visit North Bend?
Spring through fall is the primary hiking season. Summer weekends are the busiest, with Mount Si parking filling by 7 AM. Spring brings waterfall flows to their peak on Twin Falls and Franklin Falls. Winter is excellent for Franklin Falls, which develops dramatic ice formations on the basalt walls and is accessible on an easy trail.
How many people live in North Bend, Washington?
North Bend has approximately 8,600 residents (2024 estimate). Despite its small size, it is one of the most-visited outdoor recreation destinations in the Seattle metro area, with Mount Si alone drawing hundreds of thousands of hikers annually.
What is the Twin Peaks connection to North Bend?
David Lynch filmed significant portions of Twin Peaks in and around North Bend and neighboring Snoqualmie in the early 1990s. Twede’s Cafe on North Bend Way served as the exterior and interior of the Double R Diner, and the Salish Lodge above Snoqualmie Falls appeared as the Great Northern Hotel. The surrounding landscape, including Mount Si, appeared throughout the series as the backdrop for the fictional town of Twin Peaks.