Marymere Falls Trail

Marymere Falls Trail is a 1.8-mile out-and-back from Storm King Ranger Station to a small loop of viewpoints at a 90-foot waterfall. The 0.9-mile figure is one way. Allow about an hour to an hour and a half for the forest walk, the climb near the falls and time at the overlooks. It is a good short choice if you want an old-growth walk with a dramatic finish; the final stairs make it more work than the mileage suggests.

From the ranger station, the path passes under US 101 through a short culvert, then winds into the trees. Dirt and fine gravel give way to stretches of ground, wooden bridges and boardwalk. The forest is the main event on the way in: ferns and moss soften the path edges, and the canopy keeps much of the walk shaded. A Barnes Creek overlook gives you a reason to pause before the waterfall section.

The trail reaches the falls by a short loop rather than one single dead-end platform. Take the stairs to both viewpoints: one looks down toward the falls, while the lower view brings you closer to the water and the 90-foot drop. From the platforms, frame the falling water with the dark rock and forest around it; a vertical view captures more of the drop than a wide shot of the whole ravine.

Most of the route feels like a manageable forest walk, but the last approach climbs steep, uneven stairs over short bridges and roots. The official guide lists about 400 feet of elevation gain. Steps and wet wood can be slippery after rain, so take your time near the viewpoints. If anyone in your group cannot manage stairs, turn back at the Barnes Creek overlook and treat the forest walk as the destination; the falls platforms are beyond the steep section.

Use the Marymere Falls Trailhead by Storm King Ranger Station for the listed distance. Lake Crescent Lodge is a separate, longer access. The trailhead lot can fill during busy summer hours, so an early start improves your chances of parking. Normal Olympic National Park entry fees or a pass apply; no separate Marymere permit is listed. Pets are not allowed on park trails except Spruce Railroad Trail.

The waterfall route stays in the forest rather than following Lake Crescent's shore. The lake nearby sits in a deep valley carved by glaciers; its basin reaches 624 feet below the surface. Lake Crescent Lodge has restaurants if you want a meal after the hike, but it is a separate stop rather than an amenity along the trail.