Hiking to Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park

Looking for more hikes and things to do in and around Olympic National Park?
Drive to Hurricane Ridge for a ridgetop hike, pay a visit to Sol Duc Falls and soak in the hot springs, or head to the coast to explore Rialto Beach & Hole-in-the-Wall. And if you’re visiting Lake Crescent in summer, don’t miss the chance to swim at Devil’s Punchbowl!

CURRENT INFO

For information about the Lake Crescent Lodge area, including Marymere Falls, visit the Olympic National Park website. Trail reviews are available on the WTA (Washington Trails Association) website. Info about this hike is also included in the books Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington by Susan Elderkin and Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano.

GOOD TO KNOW

Since Marymere Falls lies within Olympic National Park, be sure to hang an America the Beautiful pass (or other national parks pass) in your car window. Some individuals, including veterans and fourth graders, may qualify for a free pass. You can also purchase a $55 pass valid only for Olympic National Park, or pay a $30 entrance fee (valid for up to seven days) at a park entrance booth. Please note that there is no park entrance station for Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls, so you must purchase a pass elsewhere ahead of time or pay the entrance fee at the parking lot. Personally, I recommend the America the Beautiful pass, because it covers entrance fees for all national lands, not just national parks. In Washington State, this includes many trailhead parking fees on National Forest land.

Parking for Marymere Falls is located near the Storm King Ranger Station and the Barnes Point boat launch. A restroom is available. Parking is plentiful, but this area is popular and gets quite crowded on summer weekends. Please note that pets are not allowed on trails.

If you can, plan extra time here for swimming, boating, chatting with a ranger at Storm King, and checking out Lake Crescent Lodge. The lodge includes a gift shop and restaurant. Please check the Lake Crescent Lodge website for current hours.

HIGHLIGHTS

There’s something about Marymere Falls. It’s not a particularly large waterfall, and the water flow can be lean in summer. Still, there’s a magical quality to this delicate waterfall, and trail to the falls feels like wandering through a fairy woodland. Wooden bridges and a bubbling creek add to the charm of this pretty, all-ages hike.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Marymere Falls is an excellent short hike for kids of all ages. The wide path through the forest gives kids plenty of space to explore, and the bridges and stairs near Marymere Falls add an element of fun and surprise. If you have extra time, stop for some play time or a picnic along Barnes Creek.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

It’s easy to spend a full day in and around Lake Crescent Lodge and the Barnes Point area. Looking for a longer hike? After stopping by Marymere Falls, continue further along the Barnes Creek trail. Another option is the Mount Storm King trail. On a warm day, go for a swim in Lake Crescent, or just relax lakeside by the lodge. Check the schedule to see if any ranger programs are planned at the lodge or the Storm King Ranger Station.

There is so much more to see and do in Olympic National Park! Want to camp? We stayed at Fairholme Campground on the west end of Lake Crescent. On the northeastern shore of the lake, take a short hike along the Spruce Railroad Trail to Devil’s Punchbowl for a blissful swim. The Sol Duc Valley is another lovely area to visit, with a campground, hot springs resort and a hike to a stunning waterfall. Be sure to plan a visit to Hurricane Ridge for awe-inspiring views of the Olympic Mountains and great ridgetop hikes. Heading to the coast? Check out the incredible Rialto Beach.

For a post-hike snack, stop by Granny’s Cafe en route to Port Angeles for a towering cone of soft-serve ice cream.

It was the final day of our Olympic Peninsula trip. We packed up our campsite at Fairholme, then headed out on the now-familiar drive east along Highway 101, edging the shore of Lake Crescent. We had just one more stop to make along this beautiful lakeshore, a final hike into the woods in search of an enchanting waterfall.

Not that we were the only ones. A couple hundred other people were also off in search of Marymere Falls that day. It’s a popular hike, but understandably so. At only 1.8 miles round trip, it can easily be done in an hour. The trail begins at the quaint Storm King Ranger Station, within sight of the Barnes Point boat launch. Lake Crescent Lodge is only a couple of minutes away. But somehow, despite visiting on a busy Sunday afternoon, the hike to Marymere Falls is still magical.

We stopped first at the Storm King Ranger Station and checked out the question of the day. How tall is the tallest mountain in the Olympics? At just 7,980 feet, Mount Olympus takes the prize. We then headed down the trail, where a tunnel allows hikers to safely pass under Highway 101.

At this point, the trail is wide and flat. Easy, peasy. No doubt this contributes to its popularity. It also helps it feel less crowded, and provides ample space for hikers to pass one another.

A couple of longer trails branch off from the Marymere Falls trail. Not long after passing under the highway, we passed the turnoff for the Mount Storm King Trail, a much steeper route leading to a dramatic overlook of Lake Crescent. Further along, a sign points the way to the Barnes Creek Trail. While longer and hillier than the Marymere Falls trail, it’s a nice option if you prefer to escape the crowds.

Soon after the turnoff, the path to Marymere Falls leads to a graceful steel and wood bridge crossing Barnes Creek, followed by a smaller log bridge. This is the point where the trail changes from broad and level to steep and narrow. A series of stairs leads up from the log bridge to a final trail junction where a small wooden sign directs hikers to turn left. Unfortunately, not everyone notices (or heeds) the sign, so you may still find yourself squeezing past other hikers occasionally. Thankfully, most follow the sign.

The twisting trail wound past mossy maples and cedars until thin ribbon of water could be seen between the tree trunks. Graceful Marymere Falls tumbled over a rock wall to a small pool below. Delicate and wispy, it draws visitors in not with power, but with its ephemeral beauty.

After the first viewpoint, the trail continued upward to a higher look at the waterfall. It’s a steep climb, but short enough that many visitors make it without difficulty, especially when you take the time to pause and enjoy the views.

I took a final look, snapped a few photos, and was soon on my way down again. With so many other hikers on the trail, this wasn’t the place to linger. A better option, for those who wish to stay longer, is to find a spot along Barnes Creek to wade in the water or enjoy a picnic. We had no picnic with us today, and continued on without pausing.

Instead, something else caught our eye. Something tiny and humble, just a wee mouse, so intent on its meal that it paid not the slightest attention to the humans looming above. You never know what you might find on the trail if you just look close enough.

Back on the wide path, the kids raced back toward the ranger station. I paused to admire the sunlight sifting through the green branches overhead. For the moment, I was alone on the trail, and the beauty of the forest was nothing less than astounding. Somehow, even on a busy trail, it always manages to shine through. Grateful for the opportunity, I relished my minute of solitude. Sure enough, the magic of Marymere Falls lives on.