Sol Duc Falls
Sol Duc River Valley
Directions: From Port Angeles follow US 101 west turning left onto the Sol Duc Hot Springs Road (just beyond Lake Crescent). Then drive 14 miles to trailhead at the road’s end.
Ownership: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: easy
National Park or Interagency Pass required
Kid-friendly, Dogs prohibited
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.
Follow a wide and well-trodden trail through lush bottomlands and groves of impressive towering ancient trees to a restored Civilian Conservation Corps–built shelter. Then head right toward the thundering sound of swiftly moving water. Cross a mist-sprayed bridge and admire the fanning Sol Duc falls crashing into a narrow chasm where the sun rarely shines. Across the bridge find a viewpoint for an even closer look at the falls. Watch for dippers hunting for insects in the splash zone.
Port Angeles, WA
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.
Enchanted Valley, WA
Enchanted Valley is for hardcore backpackers who want to experience the very essence of the Olympic Peninsula rainforest.
Quinault, WA
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.
Quinault, WA
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.
Hoh Rainforest, WA
These pretty falls are tucked within towering and moss draped trees in Washington’s most famous rainforest on a pleasant hike through primeval forest and along the glacier-fed Hoh River..
Olympic Coast, WA
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.
Lake Crescent, WA
The falls tumble about 40’ into a tight rocky slot, but what really makes them stand out among the many cascades of Northwest is their unique shape.
Lake Cushman, WA
The rapids’ name come from a cedar staircase Lieutenant Joseph O’Neil built over a rocky bluff to get a group of scientists past them in 1890.
Lake Crescent, WA
Marymere Falls, a 90’ horsetail cascade set in deep mossy timber, is one of the most popular waterfalls on the Olympic Peninsula.
Elwha River, WA
This dramatic explosion of force occurs where the Elwha River crashes through a rocky gorge – aptly named by first explorers, Goblins Gate.