Marymere Falls sits inside Olympic National Park, so the walk in comes with the park around it: marked trails, signed junctions and, usually, other things worth a stop on the same day.
The draw here is the moment the sound reaches you before the water does. People plan whole days around falls like Marymere Falls: a walk through the woods, cold spray at the base, and a quiet spot to sit for a while.
Geology and background
What makes Marymere Falls special
Marymere Falls is a 90.5-foot waterfall in Olympic National Park, near Lake Crescent in Washington. It is one of the more popular attractions in the area, and the reason is access: the falls are reached by a 0.9-mile, well-maintained dirt trail through old-growth lowland forest, close to U.S. Highway 101. It is an easy walk to a proper fall, which is a rare combination in the Olympics.
The setting is the old forest. The trail runs through fir, cedar, hemlock and alder, and crosses two wooden bridges. Falls Creek comes down from Aurora Ridge, tumbles over Marymere Falls, and then flows into Barnes Creek on its way to the lake. The fall is the last step of that short journey from ridge to creek.
Its neighbours are spread out. Salmon Cascades is 6.6 miles away and Lover’s Lane Falls 7.1 miles away, so Marymere is a stop on its own rather than one of a cluster.
Falls Creek descends from Aurora Ridge and drops over the falls before joining Barnes Creek. The old-growth lowland forest around the trail is the other half of the visit: fir, cedar, hemlock and alder, with two wooden bridges carrying the trail across the water. The forest is lowland and wet, which is why the trees are so large and the ground stays green.
The trail starts near Lake Crescent, close to U.S. Highway 101, and runs 0.9 miles through the old-growth forest to the falls. 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. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Prices and passes
Entry fee: $30.
Best time and crowds
No stream gauge is linked to Marymere Falls, so recent rain is your best guide. 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.
This is one of the most visited falls in the park because it is easy to reach and close to the highway. Arrive early or late: the middle of a summer day is peak time, and the trailhead lots can be full by late morning.
Safety
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.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray and the Olympic weather, which changes fast
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Go early: this is one of the park’s most visited falls, and the trailhead fills up.
Pair it with Salmon Cascades, 6.6 miles away, or Lover’s Lane Falls, 7.1 miles away.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Take your time on the 0.9-mile trail: the old-growth forest is half the visit.
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
No stream gauge is linked to Marymere Falls yet, so recent rain is your best guide. The weather panel on this page adds up the last three days of rain at the fall.
Flow tends to peak in spring with snowmelt and seasonal rain, and again for a day or two after a big storm. By late summer smaller falls can drop to a thin ribbon.
The trail and the viewpoint
We do not have a trail length for Marymere 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 Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is in Olympic National Park, Washington. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (48.0503, -123.78834) 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 Marymere 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
Weekday mornings are the quietest. On summer weekends, popular falls can fill their parking by mid-morning, and the viewpoint becomes a queue.
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 Marymere Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Marymere 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 Marymere Falls, Washington located?
Marymere Falls is in Olympic National Park, Washington. Its GPS coordinates are 48.0503, -123.78834.
What kind of waterfall is Marymere Falls, Washington?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Marymere 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 Marymere 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?
No gauge is linked, so use the last three days of rain in the weather panel: more rain usually means more water.
The bottom line
Marymere Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Check the flow before you go, start early to beat the crowds, and stay well back from the edge.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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