The Ultimate Washington Waterfalls Road Trip Is Here – And You’ll Want To Do It
If you ever find yourself wondering, “What are some waterfalls near me in Washington?” — you’re not alone. We have breathtaking waterfalls everywhere in Washington; so many, in fact, that if you were to stop at every one of our state’s cascades, it could take days… maybe even weeks. Wondering where to even begin? The Olympic Peninsula is the best place to start, with some of the most magical falls in and around the Olympic National Park. If you’re up for the ultimate adventure, here’s an easy trip you can take to see seven falls in about 9-10 hours. Check out this Google map for more directions, and don’t forget to bring a camera!
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
There's nowhere better to kick off and end your trip than at a coastal waterfall. This horsetail cascade can be seen at the south end of Third Beach. It's a short walk along the sandy shore to reach the 100+ foot falls that plunge down cliffs to the rocks and Pacific Ocean below.
Next, you can find this enchanting cascade right off Highway 101, south of Lake Crescent. The 90-foot waterfall can be easily accessed by way of a 1.8-mile hike through old-growth forest.
Just west of Port Angeles, this horsetail-shaped waterfall drops about 50 feet near the Elwha River. Luckily, the trail out to the falls is short, paved, and wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy its splendor.
Rocky Brook Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the Olympic Peninsula, and also one of the easiest to access. It's only a short, 200-yard walk to reach the falls that veil down 229 feet over a huge rock wall. In the summer, Rocky Brook Falls is a popular swimming spot, too!
The trail out to this gem isn't far from Rocky Brook Falls. It's short and easy, and there's exotic beauty just waiting to be photographed at the end. This two-tiered waterfall drops about 130 feet down a mossy wall into a small pool lined with trees. Read more about this kid-friendly waterfall hike in Washington, and others, here.
Perhaps the most underrated waterfall on the Olympic Peninsula is this hidden cascade, which drops over 70 feet in two tiers. The trail to the falls is easy, mostly downhill and less than a mile round-trip.
Before wrapping up your trip, this waterfall up the road from the Lake Quinault Lodge is too lovely to miss. Located along South Shore Road, Merriman Falls is the easiest to access in the whole Quinault area. The cascade drops about 40 feet down a short cliff into a pile of rocks covered in moss and ferns. From here, you can either loop back to check out more coastal beauty at Third Beach, or cut down on mileage and start heading home. Either way, there will be plenty of photos to take along the way. Read more about why we love this easy-access waterfall here.
Ready to grab your keys yet? Where else would you recommend visiting?
Still wondering “What are some epic waterfalls near me in Washington?” We thought you might be! Here are 10 easy-access waterfalls in Washington to add to your bucket list.
Address: Third Beach Trailhead (Strawberry Bay Falls), La Push Rd, La Push, WA 98350, USA
Address: Marymere Falls, Washington 98363, USA
Address: Olympic Peninsula, Washington 98331, USA
Address: Rocky Brook Falls, 2405 Dosewallips Rd, Brinnon, WA 98320, USA
Address: Murhut Falls Trailhead, NF-2530, Hoodsport, WA 98548, USA
Address: Spoon Creek, Washington 98563, USA
Address: Merriman Falls, Quinault, WA 98575, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
waterfalls near me in Washington
August 09, 2021
Sarah
How can I find more waterfalls near me in Washington?
If you’re searching waterfalls in the Evergreen State, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Only In Washington, we take our waterfall chasing very seriously. As such, we have put together several different road trips that will take you to beautiful cascades in every corner of the state — so no matter where in Washington you’re located, you are sure to be near some truly epic falls! We recommend starting with these 10 stunning waterfalls in Washington, which features some of the best of the best in terms of Evergreen State falls: Wallace Falls, Panther Creek Falls, Franklin Falls, and Madison Creek Falls — just to name a few!
What’s the official state waterfall of Washington?
The rumors are true — yes, Washington does have its very own official state waterfall. The superlative superstar is none other than Palouse Falls, a 198-foot waterfall surrounded by dramatic cliffs in the eponymous Palouse Falls State Park. (To put it in perspective, Niagara Falls is only 167 feet high!) In 2014, Washington designated Palouse Falls as the official state waterfall. The idea came from a group of students at Washtucna Elementary School, and we think it was a great suggestion by these little Washingtonians!
What are the best waterfall hikes in Washington?
Washington has some of the best waterfalls in the country, and you’d better believe we have an abundance of amazing waterfall hikes, too! Mount Rainier National Park is home to some spectacular waterfall hikes in Washington — a breezy .01 mile walk will lead you to Narada Falls. This two-tiered cascade is a sight to behold! Also in Mount Rainier National Park is a hike to Myrtle Falls, one of Washington’s most underrated waterfalls. This stroll is only about a half mile long, and the views are tremendous. To learn more about the best waterfall hikes in Washington, check out these incredible treks.
Address: Third Beach Trailhead (Strawberry Bay Falls), La Push Rd, La Push, WA 98350, USA
Address: Marymere Falls, Washington 98363, USA
Address: Olympic Peninsula, Washington 98331, USA
Address: Rocky Brook Falls, 2405 Dosewallips Rd, Brinnon, WA 98320, USA
Address: Murhut Falls Trailhead, NF-2530, Hoodsport, WA 98548, USA
