Being part of Olympic National Park helps. Trails to Madison Falls are generally maintained and signed, and the park is the first place to check for closures before you go.
It is also one of the few falls we can link to a live USGS stream gauge, so you can check how much water is coming down before you leave home.
Part of the appeal of Madison Falls is that it rewards a little effort: the closer you get, the cooler the air and the louder the water, and the photos rarely do it justice.
Geology and background
What makes Madison Falls special
Madison Falls, also known as Madison Creek Falls, is a small, light waterfall in Olympic National Park, near the Elwha River west of Port Angeles, Washington. It is about 50 feet high, with a light flow in a horsetail shape: the water stays in contact with the rock as it comes down, spreading thin rather than plunging free. It is a quiet fall, and that is the point. It asks little of you and gives back a calm stretch of forest and water.
The other thing to know is what you cannot see. Another, higher falls sits above the first, but it is completely inaccessible, so there is no trail to it and no way to reach it. What you see from the path is the whole visit, and that is fine: the paved trail to the falls is very short and wheelchair accessible, which makes this one of the easiest falls in the park to reach.
Its neighbours are spread out. Lover’s Lane Falls is 12.7 miles away, Salmon Cascades 15.6 miles away and Mineral Creek Falls 18.1 miles away, so Madison Falls is a stop on a wider drive through the Elwha valley rather than one of a tight cluster.
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name: map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream. The paved trail to the falls is very short and wheelchair accessible.
Prices and passes
Entry fee: $30.
Best time and crowds
The flow here is light, so timing matters. A stream gauge is linked on this page: check the live flow before you go. Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the fall can thin to very little.
Safety
Stay on the paved trail and behind railings. Wet rock near the fall is slick even on a short, easy path. Never climb the cascade or try to reach the higher falls above: it is completely inaccessible, and the ground above the trail is not a route. Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Check the live gauge before you go: the flow is light, and the gauge tells you whether it is running well.
Do not try to reach the higher falls above: it is completely inaccessible.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Check the Olympic National Park page on the day for closures and entry requirements.
Most waterfalls form where a stream crosses from hard rock onto softer rock. The soft layer wears away faster, the hard lip is left overhanging, and over thousands of years the fall slowly cuts its way upstream.
Water flow and seasons
The stream that feeds Madison Falls is tracked by USGS gauge 12045500. A reading well above the seasonal median means a fuller fall, and usually a wetter, muddier trail.
Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
We do not have a trail length for Madison Falls yet. Some falls are a few steps from a parking area, others take a real hike, so check the park or a trail app before you set out.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
Facilities depend on Olympic National Park: larger parks usually have a signed trailhead, restrooms and a parking area, while smaller reserves may have none of these.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
An entry fee of $30.00 is listed. Fees change, and some parks charge per vehicle rather than per person, so confirm before you go.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Madison Falls
Madison Falls is in Olympic National Park, Washington. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (48.04221, -123.58912) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our Washington waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Madison Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Arrive early or late. The middle of a summer weekend is peak time almost everywhere, and small trailheads can be full by 10 a.m.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
Without a listed trail length, plan for half a day: enough time to find the trailhead, walk in, spend an hour at the water and walk out without rushing.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Madison Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Madison Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Madison Falls, Washington located?
Madison Falls is in Olympic National Park, Washington. Its GPS coordinates are 48.04221, -123.58912.
What kind of waterfall is Madison Falls, Washington?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Madison Falls?
Its height has not passed a source check yet, so we do not show a number or include it in tallest lists.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
A fee of $30.00 is listed. Most falls are open dawn to dusk, but check the managing agency for gates and seasonal closures.
Is Madison Falls good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
Check USGS gauge 12045500 for today’s streamflow, and the last three days of rain in the weather panel.
The bottom line
Madison Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Go early, check recent rain, wear grippy shoes, and give yourself time to sit and listen once you get there.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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