Pacific Coast Scenic Waterfalls

Located minutes from Olympia, Tumwater Falls is an iconic landmark near the state capital.  These thundering multi-tiered showy falls along the Deschutes River are located within a 15-acre park created on land donated by the Olympia Brewing Company.  Meander along manicured paths and saunter over foot bridges and under historic road bridges taking in a little history along with the sensational scenery.

From its origin at Summit Lake in the Black Hills, Kennedy Creek flows just shy of 10 miles to Oyster Bay tumbling over a two-tiered waterfall along the way. Reaching these pretty falls involves a half day hike on a closed-to-vehicles logging road through patches of cuts and mature standing timber.

While Vincent Creek Falls are quite stunning crashing 250 feet into the South Fork Skokomish River in a deep narrow canyon; the High Steel Bridge which allows for their viewing is even more spectacular. The 685-foot long bridge spans 375 feet above the canyon.

Amble on a circuitous route in the Big Creek drainage within the shadows of Mount Ellinor; and delight in a series of small tumbling cascades. This wonderful loop utilizes old logging roads, new trails and a series of beautifully built bridges. It was constructed by an all-volunteer crew that continues to improve and maintain this excellent family and dog-friendly loop.

This loop involves a section of an historic route across the Olympic Mountains to a suspension bridge spanning the North Fork Skokomish River near a series of thundering rapids. Cross the North Fork Skokomish on a solid bridge and follow a trail that was once part of the original O’Neil Mule Trail. In 1890 Lieutenant Joseph O’Neil accompanied by a group of scientists led an Army expedition across the Olympic Peninsula. Among his party’s many findings was a realization that this wild area deserved to be protected as a national park.

Talk about a bridge over troubled waters. From the Mildred Lakes Trailhead walk across the high concrete bridge at the road’s end. You no doubt heard the roar of the falls when you drove across it. Now peer over the bridge and witness the cataracts responsible for the racket.

Hidden in a lush narrow ravine and once accessed by a treacherous path, Murhut Falls were long unknown to many in the outside world. But now a well-built trail allows hikers of all ages and abilities to admire this beautiful 130-foot two-tiered waterfall. The trail starts by following an old well-graded logging road. It was past logging in this area that led to the discovery of these falls.

One of the tallest waterfalls on the Peninsula, Rocky Brook Falls is also among the prettiest. Follow the trail past a small hydroelectric generating building and come to the base of the stunning towering falls fanning over ledges into a large splash pool surrounded by boulders. This classic horsetail waterfall crashes more than 200 feet from a small hanging valley above.

This spectacular waterfall used to be easily reached by vehicle. But the upper Dosewallips Road has been closed to vehicles since 2002 after winter storms created a huge washout that has yet to be repaired. Now to reach this waterfall you must hike or mountain bike the closed road.

As far as cascades go, Fallsview Falls lacks the “Wow factor.” However the canyon these falls tumble into is pretty impressive. And if you plan your visit for late spring, blossoming rhododendrons line the trail and frame the view with brilliant pinks and purples.

The falls are small but their location is stunning in a remote cliff-enclosed cove on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Getting to these falls is best for sure-footed explorers as it involves descending a steep trail to the coastal hideaway—then a tough climb back.

A short paved trail leads to these pretty little falls located within Olympic National Park in the famed Elwha Valley. Hikers of all ages and abilities can make this short walk to the mossy maple and cedar lined grotto that houses Madison Creek Falls. This path is also one of the few within the national park that is open to dogs (on leash).

Follow the Smoky Hill Trail on a steep and short descent. Once known as the Lake Mills Trail, this obscure path led to the southern tip of Lake Mills where it was fed by the Elwha River. But with the removal of the Glines Canyon Dam, Lake Mills is no more—and this trail was renamed. Its new name however is actually its old name—it’s what this trail was called before the creation of the lake.

Hike to a rocky gorge where the Elwha River thrashes over a series of rapids. The approach to the Goblins Gate is via the historic Press Expedition Route. In 1889-90 James H. Christie funded by the Seattle Press newspaper, led a group of five men, a couple of dogs, and a pack of mules on an exploratory journey across the Olympic Mountains. It was the first successful European-American crossing of the Olympic Mountains. Christie and company named many landmarks along the way including the Goblins Gate for its ghoulish looking rocks guarding this chasm.

Boulder Creek Falls consists of a series of thrashing cascades in a wilderness valley cloaked with luxuriant old-growth forest. The hike to these falls is an all-day event but their location far from the popular Olympic Hot Springs and Boulder Lake usually means you’ll have a little solitude while savoring them.

Located just off of a busy highway and reached by a wide short nature trail help make Marymere Falls one of the most popular waterfalls on the Olympic Peninsula. But if it was harder to reach, this 90-foot horsetail cascade set in deep mossy timber would still be a well-visited destination.

An iconic landmark, Sol Duc Falls is Olympic National Park’s most famous and photographed waterfall. The falls tumble about 40 feet into a tight rocky slot, but what really makes them stand out among the many cascades of Northwest is their unique shape. The Sol Duc River abruptly flows at a right angle careening into (depending on water flow) three or four chutes into the gorge.

Hike to beautiful sandy Third Beach on the wild Olympic Coast and witness a waterfall tumbling more than 100 feet from a towering headland straight into the rocky surf. Strawberry Bay Falls (also known as Third Beach Falls) is one of the larger and more accessible of the cascades that plunge into the ocean along this rugged stretch of Washington. Reach it by hiking the popular Third Beach Trail.

Mineral Creek Falls is tucked within spiraling Sitka spruces, towering firs, and moss draped maples in Washington’s most famous rainforest. It’s a pleasant hike through primeval forest and along the glacier-fed Hoh River to reach these pretty falls.

Not the tallest, nor most popular of the handful of waterfalls within the Quinault Rainforest, Cascade Falls is perhaps the prettiest. The trail leading to them is a delight to walk passing through groves of magnificent ancient mossy conifers and maples and along chattering waterways. And while the hike to Cascade Falls is short—perfect for an evening stroll—you can easily spend all day here hiking on connecting trails to more groves of primeval giants and crashing cascades.

It’s nearly impossible to miss these falls if you’re driving by on the South Shore Road as they practically crash down into the road itself. During the winter and fall rainy season their roar definitely makes sure you can’t miss them. One of the most easily accessible falls in the Olympics, all you need to do is pullover, grab your phone or camera and walk just a few step to soak (literally during the rainy season) up their grandeur.

Not a destination for the casual waterfall admirer, the Enchanted Valley is for hardcore backpackers who want to experience the very essence of the Olympic Peninsula rainforest. Follow the East Fork of the Quinault River through a primeval cathedral forest to a big open valley flanked by sheer walls that sheen with scores of waterfalls.

Spoon Creek Falls plunge into an impressive box canyon. It’s a short hike to reach them. Descend into the canyon and get an up-close-and-personal view of the pretty 93-foot falls. The trail first travels through old-growth forest coming to an obscure viewpoint of the falls dropping into the gorge below.       Continue to another limited viewpoint. This one however is of the impressive West Fork Satsop River Gorge.

Overlooked by many waterfalls admirers due to its close proximity to Wynoochee Falls, Maidenhair Falls is a pleasant little surprise in a quiet corner of the Olympics. From the parking area, locate the Wynoochee Lakeshore Trail and follow it north.

Little Porter Falls are located at the confluence of the South and West Forks of Porter Creek. Here one branch cuts through a cleft while the other plunges over ledge into a big punchbowl. Follow a quiet trail through stately moss-covered trees to a small hidden rocky chasm to view them.