If you’re visiting Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, you will definitely want to include the hike to Marymere Falls. The trail, which goes through old growth forest and ends up a beautiful single drop 90-foot waterfall, is a highlight of any trip to Olympic National Park.
This trail guide will give you all the information you need to know before setting out on the hike.
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Marymere Falls Trail Guide
You might also like:
>> Olympic National Park Guide
>> Best Hikes in Olympic National Park
>> Best Things to Do in Olympic National Park
>> Best Hikes Near Lake Crescent
>> Hurricane Ridge Visitors Guide
>> Best Hikes at Hurricane Ridge
>> Best Sol Duc Hikes
>> Best Hoh Rainforest Hikes
>> Best Lake Quinault Hikes
>> Best Olympic National Park Beaches
>> Best Tide Pools in Olympic National Park
>> Best Waterfalls in Olympic National Park
What You Need To Take/ Wear on The Lake Crescent – Marymere Falls Hike
This is a pretty easy and short trail, so you won’t need a lot of special gear or clothing. However, there are some basics that are always a good idea to have with you when you hike,
- Good hiking boots or shoes. You could hike this trail in regular shoes, but the loop near the end is up and down and the trail can get muddy after rain, so good solid hiking footwear will help.
If you need to get some, take a look at my Guide to Buying the Best Hiking Shoes/ Boots to help you know what to look for and get some recommendations. - Trekking poles. Again, these are not strictly necessary since most of the trail is flat, but the loop section is up and down, and hiking poles can help your knees on this section.
I have these Foxelli trekking poles – they are really light weight, adjustable, and have several tips and grippy handles. Get them here. - A camera. I love the GoPro HERO 12. It is designed for travel. It’s water resistant and durable and takes photos, video and even does streaming. Check current prices on the GoPro HERO 12 here
- Water. The hike is not that long, but I still recommend always taking some water with you when you hike.
I love this hydroflask. It’s easy to carry, keeps temperatures well, and comes in multiple colors. - Day Hike Essentials. Check my list of essential things to take and wear on a day hike to make sure you have everything you need.
Guided Tours of the Marymere Falls Hike
If you only have time to visit Olympic National Park as a day trip from Seattle (or don’t have your own vehicle), there are several tours that include this hike.
All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour of Olympic National Park from Seattle
This all-inclusive day tour includes pickup/ drop off from downtown Seattle hotels, breakfast, a gourmet lunch, and the entrance fee to Olympic National Park. Stops include the Elwha River Valley and the Salt Creek Recreation Area for tide pooling (tides permitting), but most of the time is spent at Lake Crescent and this hike to Marymere Falls.
BOOK THIS DAY-TRIP TO LAKE CRESCENT HERE
Full Day at Olympic National Park
If you want to cover more ground and see more places on the Olympic Peninsula, this tour is jam packed. Stops include Lake Crescent and the Marymere Falls hike, of course, but you will also visit Salt Creek Recreation Area or Dungeness Spit; Hurricane Ridge; Sol Duc Falls or Elwha River Valley (itinerary can vary).
BOOK THIS FULL DAY ON THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA HERE
Marymere Falls Trail Details
Distance: 1.8 miles
Type: lollipop/ lasso
Elevation change: 500 feet
Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy, but there are steps
Marymere Falls trailhead: Storm King Ranger Station or Lake Crescent Lodge (see Parking section below for more details)
Highlights: Old growth forest; 90-foot waterfall
Fee: There is no special trail fee but you do need to pay the Olympic National Park entrance fee.
Buy it online or, if you are planning to visit more than just Olympic National Park this year (Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park are both close), it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
Open: All year
Parking for Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park
This is one of the most popular trails in Olympic National Park. Marymere Falls and the entire Lake Crescent area can get crowded. This means that getting a parking spot can be tricky from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. If you’re visiting the area for the day, try to arrive there early or late to get a spot.
Where do you park for Marymere Falls?
There are a couple of options. You can start the hike to Marymere Falls from the Storm King Ranger Station or from Lake Crescent Lodge. Both of these have parking available.
To get to the Storm King Ranger Station parking, after you turn off Highway 101, go right at the first junction and you’ll arrive at a circular parking lot. If this is full, you can go straight at the intersection and there is another parking lot near the boat ramp.
The main horseshoe-shaped parking area near the Ranger Station has restrooms. The trail starts near the ranger station.
To get to the Lake Crescent Lodge parking, turn left at the first intersection after leaving Highway 101. Then take the second right. By the lake, this road curves around through a parking area.
If it’s full, go right and there is another small parking area closer to the lodge. If that’s also full, the road that heads back towards the highway has a wide shoulder and you can park there (a field is on your right). Do not park along the main Lake Crescent Road.
The trail starts at the end of this small road side parking/ field when it crosses Lake Crescent Road.
Marymere Falls Trail Map
The Marymere Falls Trail Description
Starting from Lake Crescent Lodge, head up the road that leads back towards the highway, with the meadow on your right.
Soon the trail crosses the road and heads into the forest. There’s a small sign that says “Marymere Falls. No pets, weapons or vehicles.”
After a couple of minutes, you’ll come to a junction of a trail off to the left indicating Storm King Ranger Station and Marymere Falls straight ahead. The trail on the left is actually the trail to the Moments in Time Trail, though it does eventually go to the ranger station, too.
Continue straight to go to Marymere Falls. The trail is flat as it winds through old growth forest with moss-covered trees and large ferns.
About five more minutes later, you’ll come to another junction. There’s a trail to the left and you can see the road through the trees. Go right (straight) at this fork.
The trail then goes under the road. Although it runs beside Barnes Creek, the bridge is low and not at all picturesque.
You’re again walking past ferns and moss-draped trees. About five minutes after passing under the road, you’ll come to another junction with a sign indicating the Storm King Ranger Station to the left. If you start the hike at the Storm King Ranger Station parking, this is where you’ll meet up with the main trail.
Leaving from the Storm King Ranger Station, you’ll start along a paved path and continue through the forest for 0.5 miles until you get to this junction. This section of the trail also passes under Highway 101, but the tunnel is slightly less ugly than the one from the Lake Crescent Lodge trailhead. You’ll turn left here to head towards the falls.
The trail continues through the forest with towering spruce and fir trees and Bigleaf Maple Trees. The trail is basically flat and although it’s not paved, it’s well-maintained and very easy to follow.
A short while later, you’ll see a small trail off to the left. This is the Storm King Trail, which climbs over 2,000 feet to the top of Storm King Mountain, where there are sensational views of Lake Crescent.
Continuing straight and leaving this trailhead behind, you’ll come to yet another junction a few minutes later – this one is the start of the Barnes Creek Trail off to the left. This is a 3 miles each way out-and-back trail along Barnes Creek. The Marymere Falls Trail is to the right.
A few more yards and you’ll arrive at Barnes Creek. You can see the wooden bridge a short distance away. Barnes Creek was named after Charles Barnes, a member of the Press Expedition and a homesteader on the shores of Lake Crescent.
There are two bridges across Barnes Creek – a very solid wooden one and another that is made a single huge log, cut in half length ways. There are hand railings, so it’s perfectly safe and easy to navigate.
Up until this point, the trail has been fairly flat, and is considered accessible, but the rest of the trail, which is mostly a loop, immediately starts to climb up stairs.
You’ll soon come to where the trail splits. This last part of the trail is a one-way loop to the falls, connecting back to this same point. Follow the sign and go left. The trail climbs up to the falls from here.
In less than two minutes you can see a glimpse of the falls and then you’ll arrive at the first of two viewing areas. This is the lower viewing area, and there’s a really clear view of the waterfall here, plunging over a rocky cliff into a small pool at the bottom. This is the best view of the falls, in my opinion.
It’s a classic horsetail waterfall – which means that it is long and thin like a horse’s tail and stays in contact with the rock surface the whole way. At 90 feet, this is the tallest waterfall in Olympic National Park.
Why is it called Marymere Falls?
Marymere Falls was named after Mary Alice Barnes, the sister of Charles Barnes.
The upper viewpoint is a short distance further along. You can see the lower viewpoint in the foreground and a nice view of the falls framed by ferns.
The trail then starts to descend as it loops back and after about five minutes meets back up with the main trail.
From there, it’s a short walk back to the bridge. On the return, you can hike to Storm King Ranger Station or Lake Crescent Lodge.
You can also connect this hike with a challenging trek up the summit of Storm King Mountain or a short and easy walk through the woods on the Moments in Time Trail. See Best Hikes at Lake Crescent for details on those trails.
FAQS about the Trail to Marymere Falls, Washington
How do you get to Marymere Falls?
Marymere Falls Directions: From Port Angeles, head west on Highway 101, the main road the rings the Olympic Peninsula. At milepost 228, you’ll see a large sign for Lake Crescent. Turn right here. Then follow the parking directions above.
Are dogs allowed at Marymere Falls?
No. Dogs are not permitted on the Marymere Falls Trail – not even on a leash.
How long of a hike is Marymere Falls?
The Marymere Falls Trail is 0.9 miles each way. It’s 1.8 miles in total.
Is Marymere falls an easy hike?
Yes. The final loop section has a steep ascent/ descent, but that section is short and most of the hike is flat.
When is the best time to visit Marymere Falls?
The falls have water all year, but they’re at their fullest in early spring. Spring and fall are less crowded. Summer is very busy.
Are there any restrooms on the Marymere Falls Trail?
There are restrooms at both the Storm King Ranger Station and Lake Crescent Lodge, but none on the trail.
Do you need a pass for Marymere Falls?
There is no special trail fee but you do need to pay the Olympic National Park entrance fee.
There is actually no Olympic National Park entrance fee station at Lake Crescent, so there is no way to buy a pass if this is the only part of Olympic National Park you’re visiting (there are entrance fee stations on the roads to Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc and the Hoh Rainforest).
To do the right thing and make it easy, you can buy it online or, if you are planning to visit more than just Olympic National Park this year (Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park are both close), it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
Which is better: Marymere Falls or Sol Duc Falls?
They are both different, so if you visit both, I would. Marymere Falls is easier to access than Sol Duc, but Sol Duc is perhaps a little more unusual in its setting and shape.
Can you swim in Marymere Falls?
No. However, you can swim in nearby Lake Crescent (though it’s chilly!).
How long does it take to get to Marymere Falls?
It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Port Angeles to the Marymere Falls trailhead/ Lake Crescent. If you’re coming from the other direction, it’s 45 minutes from Forks to Lake Crescent.
Is the Marymere Falls hike accessible?
The section up to Barnes Creek is considered accessible, though the trail does have some tree roots over it and it can be muddy after rain. The final loop section up to actually see the falls is NOT accessible.
If you’re traveling with young kids, I’d take a hiking baby carrier for this section. If you’re looking to buy one, check out my guide to The Best Baby Carriers for Hiking, or get my top pick here.
Travel Insurance for Hiking to Marymere Falls, WA
I’m a strong believer in travel insurance. This hike is not especially difficult, but things can still go wrong. Good travel insurance can protect you not only against medical and emergency repatriation, but can also cover things like trip cancellation, loss and/ or theft of property, etc.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Enjoy the Marymere Falls Trail, WA!
Do you have any tips or questions about hiking the Marymere Falls trail? I’d love to hear about them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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Marymere Falls Trail Guide
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and all of the main national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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