Chasing Waterfalls on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula
From moss-draped rainforest canyons to coastal cliffs, the Olympic Peninsula is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to explore waterfalls in every season.
Use out interactive map to find your Falls.
Sol Duc Falls
This classic Olympic National Park waterfall sends curtains of water dropping 40–60 feet through several dramatic channels. The best vantage point is the viewing platform perched above the stream, reached by an easy, family‑friendly 1.6‑mile round‑trip trail. It’s a rewarding stop in any season, but it really puts on a show during the rainy months and peak early‑spring runoff.
Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is a graceful 90‑foot horsetail waterfall tucked behind Lake Crescent, reached by a classic path through old‑growth forest. The hike is mostly gentle, with a short steeper section and wooden staircases near the viewing platforms, making it a great first waterfall stop for new visitors.
Madison Creek Falls
These scenic 50‑foot horsetail falls flow steadily throughout the year. A paved, 200‑foot path leads to the base and is wheelchair accessible, with picnic tables conveniently located near the parking area. The site sits close to a historically significant area of the Elwha Valley, adding extra interest to a quick stop.
Bunch Creek Falls
Bunch Creek Falls is a lush, tiered waterfall in the Quinault Rain Forest, framed by moss, ferns, and dripping green canyon walls. It is often visited as part of the Lake Quinault loop drive, which strings together multiple short trails, viewpoints, and historic sites.
Gatton Creek Falls
This classic tiered waterfall tumbles about 60 feet in a stair‑step series of drops. You can’t see every tier from a single viewpoint, which adds to its sense of depth and mystery. A moderate 1.3‑mile round‑trip hike leads to the main viewing area.
Merriman Falls
One of the easiest waterfalls to reach in the Lake Quinault area, this photogenic cascade sits just a few steps from the road. Water drops about 40 feet through lush, moss‑covered rainforest, making it a favorite quick stop for photos. It’s visible year‑round, but really shines between October and May when flows are strongest.
Beaver Falls
Tucked along the slow‑moving Hoko River, this hidden gem drops about 8–10 feet into a punchbowl pool. The narrow V‑shaped canyon downstream is just as scenic, and careful hikers can spot a second, roughly eight‑foot drop farther along the gorge. Keep an eye out around milepost 7, and plan your visit between November and May for the best conditions.
Maple Creek Falls
Maple Creek Falls is a picturesque waterfall that many visitors experience by kayak or raft, combining gentle paddling with rainforest scenery. Because access depends on river levels and logistics, it is a great candidate for a guided trip with local outfitters.
Spoon Creek Falls
This rare punchbowl waterfall drops into a deep river swimming hole, making it a memorable destination. The two tiers fall about 25 feet and then 12 feet, and you can enjoy it in any season, with the most impressive flows during the rainy months and spring runoff. Reaching it can involve some route‑finding and driving gravel roads, so it’s best for confident navigators—be sure to approach via the east road that follows the river.
Mineral Creek Falls
Mineral Creek Falls is a smaller, zig‑zagging cascade tucked into the Hoh River corridor, framed by ferns and dripping moss. Flow is often strongest from late fall through spring, making it a great shoulder‑season add‑on to a Hoh Rain Forest day.
Strawberry Bay Falls
A slender, horsetail‑style waterfall inside Olympic National Park drops more than 100 feet from a coastal cliff straight toward the ocean. Located just off La Push Road near the Quileute Reservation, it’s reached via an easy, mostly flat 1.3‑mile walk to a sandy beach viewpoint. Flow is highly seasonal, with the most dramatic views typically between November and May.
High Steel Bridge Falls
Take in a 125‑foot waterfall view from the High Steel Bridge, soaring 420 feet above Vincent Creek. From this vantage, a horsetail plume drops into a dramatic gorge far below. It’s especially impressive from November through early spring, when heavy rains in the Skokomish River basin boost the flow.
Rocky Brook Falls
This tall, powerful waterfall is one of the area’s best‑known and most frequently visited cascades. Dropping 229 feet in a horsetail sheet through a narrow gorge into the Dosewallips River, it usually runs strong throughout the year. A short, easy walk from the road brings you right to the base for an up‑close view.
Hamma Hamma Falls
This is the uppermost and largest easily reachable waterfall on the Hamma Hamma River, dropping a total of 75 feet in two steps of about 25 and 50 feet into a narrow gorge. The best vantage point is from the concrete bridge that spans the falls, where you can clearly see the tiers. Expect noticeable seasonal changes in volume, with flows swelling during wetter months and easing off in drier periods.
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