One of the best hikes in Olympic National Park is the Marymere Falls Trail. It’s also one of the easiest, and most rewarding trails! We’re glad you’re here, because we’re going to tell you all about it.
With moss-covered trees, vegetation everywhere, and its iconic 90-foot waterfall, the Marymere Falls hike is a quintessential Pacific Northwest hike. It’s not one to miss!
Keep reading to help you prepare to hike the enchanting Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park!
Pssssst: This is one of many amazing stops on our Olympic Peninsula road trip! Grab our free itinerary as you plan your next epic trip!
Hike To Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park
Marymere Falls Trail Details
This trail is perfect for families, beginner hikers, and waterfall chasers! This hike has stable steps with railings the entire way, making it suitable for seniors as well.
- Distance: 1.8 miles round trip, 500’ elevation gain
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Olympic National Park – Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent
- Fees? Technically a National Park Pass is required ($30/day), but it’s rarely checked here. (Just be willing to take that risk if you go without!)
- Parking: The lot is big (can hold a lot of cars) and paved
- Restrooms: On-site, indoor facilities at the trailhead
What makes Marymere Falls so special?
The forest surrounding Marymere Falls is straight out of a fairytale.
With old-growth forest and moss-covered trees, the Marymere Falls Trail is truly an iconic Pacific Northwest hike featuring one of the best Washington waterfalls!
Read More: The Complete Photography Guide to Olympic National Park (Made by locals!)
It has some of the best examples of PNW trees, ferns, rivers, and there’s moss everywhere! If the Hoh Rainforest is too far for you to visit, this is still an amazing example of the diversity of the Olympic Peninsula.
It was also one of the first hikes we took when I was pregnant with our first baby. Berty and I loved wandering on the path, dreaming of taking our little guy back here someday!
Marymere Falls Trail is special for being one of the best easy hikes in Olympic National Park that offers visitors these iconic views on a well maintained trail.
Read More: 23 Fun Facts About Olympic National Park
Best Time to Visit Marymere Falls
While the hike is accessible any time of year, the best time to visit Marymere Falls is in the spring when the falls are at their fullest!
It’s a VERY popular trail, so if you want to avoid crowds and get a parking spot, plan to come early in the day or in the off-season (winter, early spring, or on weekdays).
If you hike in the winter, be sure to bring microspikes, as it can snow on the trail and make hiking the ascent to the falls more challenging.
This is especially true in deep winter – we visited in January and the snow had turned to sheets of ice! We were thankful for our microspikes! Don’t forget to download our guide to packing for the Olympic National Park for the full winter list!
Directions to Marymere Falls Trailhead
The Marymere Falls trailhead shares the same trailhead as the Mount Storm King Trail.
To reach the trailhead from the nearby town of Port Angeles, drive west for 20 miles on US 101 and turn right at milepost 228 into a large parking area.
Continue for 0.2 miles to the Storm King Ranger Station (on the shores of Lake Crescent) where you will find the Marymere Falls trailhead.
The parking area is near the Storm King Ranger Station, which also has restrooms and a boat launch.
You can also begin your hike to Marymere Falls from the trailhead at Lake Crescent Lodge.
What To Expect on The Trail
The Marymere Falls Trail is well maintained and has low elevation gain until a short, steep ascent to the waterfall at the end of the hike.
During your hike, you’ll cross two sturdy bridges – one over Barnes Creek and the other over Falls Creek.
To reach the falls, you will hike up 200’ of nature stairs to the falls overlook.
There are two viewpoint spots – the upper viewpoint and lower viewpoint, which can be reached on the Marymere Falls Loop.
Once you’ve arrived, spend lots of time enjoying the view from many perspectives – you’ve earned it!
TIP: If you do the Marymere Falls Loop at the end of the hike and it’s a bit slippery from rain, hike it counterclockwise. This way you’ll avoid hiking down the steep descent without handrails!
Other Hikes Near Marymere Falls
Want to keep hiking? Here are some other cool hiking trails nearby Marymere Falls!
Mount Storm King: Challenging, steep hike to a beautiful viewpoint of the Lake Crescent on the same trailhead as Marymere Falls.
Spruce Railroad Trail: Easy, 5-mile hike along Lake Crescent with 250’ elevation gain. Keep your ear out for the voice of Hallie Illingworth as you hike – the trail may be haunted!
Sol Duc Falls Trail: Another beautiful, easy hike to an iconic Washington waterfall. The trail is 1.6 miles roundtrip with 200’ elevation gain.
Accommodations in Olympic NAtional Park
If you’re looking for places to stay in Olympic National Park, some good spots near Marymere Falls include:
- Olympic Lodge by Ayres in Port Angeles
- Lake Crescent Lodge on the lake
- Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort on the Sol Duc River
Other Olympic National Park Resources
11 Things To Do In Port Townsend, Washington
The Ultimate Guide to Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park
30 Best Things To Do In Olympic National Park