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Gorgeous 60-foot waterfall right at the entrance of Olympic National Park and one of the most easily accessible waterfalls I've ever visited! The trail is only 1/4 mile from the parking lot, all paved, and mostly flat - so is good for all mobility levels. The paved trail is very well maintained - but there are a few spots towards the end that have been pushed up by tree roots so it may get a tad bumpy but there is railing for stability if needed. And I would say this waterfall is handicap accessible. AllTrails has this at 0.2 miles, 26 feet elevation gain - so definitely very easy. Once at the end, you're rewarded with this stunning waterfall, surrounded by ferns and moss covered trees in every shade of green - true PNW beauty! There are unpaved (and muddy) pathways down to the base of the falls right next to the creek - and when we visited in winter, the falls were quite powerful - you'll definitely get wet from the mist lol. You can walk a little ways along Madison Creek as well - and the scenery is like something out of Jurassic Park - it's awesome! The falls aren't the only attraction - across from the parking lot, you're treated to expansive views of the mighty Elwha River and accompanying mountains. The Elwha River is the largest watershed on the Olympic peninsula. It's a huge, fast flowing river - and has been "restored" since they destroyed the two dams back in 2014 - and now the salmon and trout populations are making a huge comeback - it's fantastic!! The water is unique too - a milky grey from all the nutrient rich silt and a lovely contrast to all the PNW greenery. There are info signs, restrooms and picnic tables by the parking lot. We used our National Parks pass (aka America the Beautiful pass) so not sure how you pay otherwise. If you go in the opposite direction of Madison Falls from the parking lot, you'll eventually come to the site of the dam they destroyed on the Elwha - which is on my list to do next time I visit!
Before heading back home from Olympic National Park, we made a short easy hike to this gorgeous waterfall! It was about 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot, all paved mostly good for all mobility levels. It was worth the drive.
Beautiful falls! An easy 0.1 mile paved walk from the parking lot to the falls. While you might find some more impressive waterfalls on your journey, the fact that this one is so easily accessible and is still gorgeous lands it an easy 5/5. If you're in the area of the park, I would definitely include Madison Falls in your itinerary.
Talk about a great view-to-effort ratio! This was a short hike (roughly 200 feet or 0.2 miles) from the trailhead and the parking lot to the waterfall. It is so short that it's wheelchair accessible which I've never heard of for a hike. This waterfall is not as well known as others in Olympic National Park but it was huge and beautiful. This is not really a hike and you might not spend a lot of time here but it was a nice and quick pit stop.
A two minute walk up a easy, well-maintained path to the falls. Slightly underwhelming (compared to soooo many of our falls in the PNW), but a sweet lil falls nonetheless. An especially good waterfall option for those with children or anyone who can't manage longer treks. Large parking area, vault toilet.
Madison Falls is a great "day of arrival" introduction to Olympic National park. It's located about 20 minutes outside of Port Angeles in the Elwha Valley. The valley is closed to vehicular traffic after the falls parking lot so the area gets quite congested. Around 5:30 on a Tuesday evening, the lot was mostly full. The pathway to the falls are paved and it's a short walk. The forest and trail felt immediately cooler as you dip under the trees. It's quite the payoff for little effort. If you have extra time you can go across the road and take some photos of the river and even take a walk beyond the gate to Elwha valley. I didn't' venture that far but stopped to see the park work mules who are housed for the summer in the area. There is no entrance fee for these falls, so if you're not visiting the full park, it's a great side trip if you're in the area.
Loved stopping by Madison Falls in the Elwha Valley region during our visit to Olympic National Park. From the parking lot there already is a great view of the river and some mountains. After a brief little walk through a gorgeous forest, you're greeted by a tall and beautiful falls. I didn't see many other while there (weekday morning though). Loved that it was dog-friendly for our pups too.
Short hike easy access to all age convenient parking and some tables for quick snack very nice waterfall
This place was an absolute gem of a find and is absolutely worth checking out! It's located a few miles off the highway just outside of Port Angeles. After driving down into the national Park, we were greeted by a lovely river on one side and a parking lot on the other. The entrance to the park was closed when we got there, but the walk to Madison Falls was quick and easy. We were with our in-laws, and at times they have trouble walking. This place has an ADA approved (read, nicely paved) Path that is less than a 10th of a mile down to the waterfall. It's not some small little falls, but rather a 30 foot falls that comes down into a nice little pool And runs off in a small river. It's great for pictures and is docile enough that the kids can go play in it. Since you're in the rainforest, there are tons of large, moss laden trees that make for a picturesque and very serene backdrop. We ended up going down one of the small peripheral paths and exploring some grassland as well as some large trees. It was a great place to see some beautiful nature and have the kids runoff a little bit of energy. If you're in the area, this place is well worth seeing!
Wow what an incredibly rewarding and stunning view for so little work. I was pretty surprised to see how easy the paved walk was and it was a very short trip from the large parking lot to the gorgeous waterfalls. I wish we would have spent more time here because there was a lot to see. There's an inviting river directly across from the parking lot as well as benches at the end of the waterfall walk for peaceful contemplation. This .3 mile walk takes you on a journey through the forest shaded by the impressive trees overhead. The scenery of the walk is beautiful and relaxing and then suddenly you take a turn and there is this otherworldly towering cascade of water. Approximately 40-50 ft it is impressive and adorned by delicate mossy rocks and lush ferns. We were there on a weekday and were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves that morning. The water and mist off the falls was refreshing and the stream it ran into wasn't cold at all. It was a great way to start our trip and if I had it to do over again I wouldn't have packed so many things into this day so we could have spent more time here.
Short walk from the parking lot, nice waterfall. It's more like a 5 min walk or so just to enjoy the views.
This waterfall is small but beautiful. It is a short 0.2 mile walk to the falls to a nice little view of the waterfall.
If you're in the area, this is a quick and easy walk to a beautiful waterfall. There is a restroom at the parking lot also. Very slight incline on the path to the falls, only a short minute walk from the parking lot.
3 months ago
2 years ago
A short 0.2 roundtrip paved hike trail nestled through the rainforest with a beautiful 60-ft waterfall. A picnic area and bench at the end of this short trail will leave you in awe! It will take about 5 minutes or less to reach the waterfall; the pathway can get a little muddy, so I recommend you wear shoes/boots with excellent traction, especially in the wet season. The Elwha River is across Madison Falls; you can glimpse salmon and trout! Unfortunately, we didn't experience this; however, the spring/summer is the best time. read more
Short and sweet trail leading you to a very beautiful waterfall that you'll surely remember forever. About a 5 minute walk on a paved trail that will take you around some magnificent trees to a 60ft waterfall. I found myself a seat, closed my eyes for a few minutes and just listed to the cascading water. There are no words beautiful enough to describe listening to this very sound. It was gentle and serene. It put me into an immediate place of peace. Plenty of parking and even a few picnic tables to enjoy. It's so green in every direction. There's also an open field right next door that's the site of the late 19th-century Sweet family homestead that is now used for the parks horses and mules to pasture in the summer months. Across the street you'll find the Elwha River which is another great place to sit and look up at your breathtaking surroundings. read more
Gorgeous 60-foot waterfall right at the entrance of Olympic National Park and one of the most easily accessible waterfalls I've ever visited! The trail is only 1/4 mile from the parking lot, all paved, and mostly flat - so is good for all mobility levels. The paved trail is very well maintained - but there are a few spots towards the end that have been pushed up by tree roots so it may get a tad bumpy but there is railing for stability if needed. And I would say this waterfall is handicap accessible. AllTrails has this at 0.2 miles, 26 feet elevation gain - so definitely very easy. Once at the end, you're rewarded with this stunning waterfall, surrounded by ferns and moss covered trees in every shade of green - true PNW beauty! There are unpaved (and muddy) pathways down to the base of the falls right next to the creek - and when we visited in winter, the falls were quite powerful - you'll definitely get wet from the mist lol. You can walk a little ways along Madison Creek as well - and the scenery is like something out of Jurassic Park - it's awesome! The falls aren't the only attraction - across from the parking lot, you're treated to expansive views of the mighty Elwha River and accompanying mountains. The Elwha River is the largest watershed on the Olympic peninsula. It's a huge, fast flowing river - and has been "restored" since they destroyed the two dams back in 2014 - and now the salmon and trout populations are making a huge comeback - it's fantastic!! The water is unique too - a milky grey from all the nutrient rich silt and a lovely contrast to all the PNW greenery. There are info signs, restrooms and picnic tables by the parking lot. We used our National Parks pass (aka America the Beautiful pass) so not sure how you pay otherwise. If you go in the opposite direction of Madison Falls from the parking lot, you'll eventually come to the site of the dam they destroyed on the Elwha - which is on my list to do next time I visit! read more
Before heading back home from Olympic National Park, we made a short easy hike to this gorgeous waterfall! It was about 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot, all paved mostly good for all mobility levels. It was worth the drive. read more
Beautiful falls! An easy 0.1 mile paved walk from the parking lot to the falls. While you might find some more impressive waterfalls on your journey, the fact that this one is so easily accessible and is still gorgeous lands it an easy 5/5. If you're in the area of the park, I would definitely include Madison Falls in your itinerary. read more
Talk about a great view-to-effort ratio! This was a short hike (roughly 200 feet or 0.2 miles) from the trailhead and the parking lot to the waterfall. It is so short that it's wheelchair accessible which I've never heard of for a hike. This waterfall is not as well known as others in Olympic National Park but it was huge and beautiful. This is not really a hike and you might not spend a lot of time here but it was a nice and quick pit stop. read more
A two minute walk up a easy, well-maintained path to the falls. Slightly underwhelming (compared to soooo many of our falls in the PNW), but a sweet lil falls nonetheless. An especially good waterfall option for those with children or anyone who can't manage longer treks. Large parking area, vault toilet. read more
3 years ago
Madison Falls is a great "day of arrival" introduction to Olympic National park. It's located about 20 minutes outside of Port Angeles in the Elwha Valley. The valley is closed to vehicular traffic after the falls parking lot so the area gets quite congested. Around 5:30 on a Tuesday evening, the lot was mostly full. The pathway to the falls are paved and it's a short walk. The forest and trail felt immediately cooler as you dip under the trees. It's quite the payoff for little effort. If you have extra time you can go across the road and take some photos of the river and even take a walk beyond the gate to Elwha valley. I didn't' venture that far but stopped to see the park work mules who are housed for the summer in the area. There is no entrance fee for these falls, so if you're not visiting the full park, it's a great side trip if you're in the area. read more
3 years ago
Loved stopping by Madison Falls in the Elwha Valley region during our visit to Olympic National Park. From the parking lot there already is a great view of the river and some mountains. After a brief little walk through a gorgeous forest, you're greeted by a tall and beautiful falls. I didn't see many other while there (weekday morning though). Loved that it was dog-friendly for our pups too. read more
2 years ago
Short hike easy access to all age convenient parking and some tables for quick snack very nice waterfall read more
This place was an absolute gem of a find and is absolutely worth checking out! It's located a few miles off the highway just outside of Port Angeles. After driving down into the national Park, we were greeted by a lovely river on one side and a parking lot on the other. The entrance to the park was closed when we got there, but the walk to Madison Falls was quick and easy. We were with our in-laws, and at times they have trouble walking. This place has an ADA approved (read, nicely paved) Path that is less than a 10th of a mile down to the waterfall. It's not some small little falls, but rather a 30 foot falls that comes down into a nice little pool And runs off in a small river. It's great for pictures and is docile enough that the kids can go play in it. Since you're in the rainforest, there are tons of large, moss laden trees that make for a picturesque and very serene backdrop. We ended up going down one of the small peripheral paths and exploring some grassland as well as some large trees. It was a great place to see some beautiful nature and have the kids runoff a little bit of energy. If you're in the area, this place is well worth seeing! read more
6 years ago
Wow what an incredibly rewarding and stunning view for so little work. I was pretty surprised to see how easy the paved walk was and it was a very short trip from the large parking lot to the gorgeous waterfalls. I wish we would have spent more time here because there was a lot to see. There's an inviting river directly across from the parking lot as well as benches at the end of the waterfall walk for peaceful contemplation. This .3 mile walk takes you on a journey through the forest shaded by the impressive trees overhead. The scenery of the walk is beautiful and relaxing and then suddenly you take a turn and there is this otherworldly towering cascade of water. Approximately 40-50 ft it is impressive and adorned by delicate mossy rocks and lush ferns. We were there on a weekday and were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves that morning. The water and mist off the falls was refreshing and the stream it ran into wasn't cold at all. It was a great way to start our trip and if I had it to do over again I wouldn't have packed so many things into this day so we could have spent more time here. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
This waterfall is small but beautiful. It is a short 0.2 mile walk to the falls to a nice little view of the waterfall. read more
6 years ago
Wow! What an incredible waterfall. And beautiful moss covered trees. Luckily it was a very short walk to get to because it was raining. Definitely worth the stop. I honestly had no idea how beautiful Washington State is. read more
3 years ago
It's an extremely easy short walk from the parking lot on a nicely paved trail with a very slight incline meaning you could wheel somebody up here with a wheelchair with no problem and the view of the Falls is easily accessible for everyone. A great hike for somebody who can't go far either because they're older or younger with a really nice waterfall at the end of the trail. Once you drive onto Olympic Hot Springs Road you basically follow it until it ends in the parking lot there is where are you parked go to the falls in the falls are on the left side of the parking lot as you're pulling up to the parking lot driving in. read more
