These Olympic National Park Waterfalls Are So Stunning, They’ll Stop You In Your Tracks

If waterfalls in Olympic National Park were celebrities, they’d be the kind that gracefully roll out of bed looking flawless without even trying.

Hello there! It’s us, your well-trodden trail buddies, back again to spill the tea on the cascading beauties of Olympic National Park.

Now, we’ve seen a fair share of these natural wonders around the world and in Olympic National Park itself, and let’s just say, if you’re into the kind of drama that only Mother Nature can orchestrate, you’re in for a real treat.

So, as your self-appointed guides who can spot a waterfall from a mile away (through dense forest, in the rain, uphill both ways), we’re here to give all you intrepid waterfall chasers the lowdown on these spectacular cascades.

Put on your ponchos, kids, because it’s about to get misty.

---

Short On Time? Here’s The Scoop

Best Waterfalls In Olympic National Park

Do you have your waterproof boots laced up and your camera’s memory card empty? Let’s dive straight into the best waterfalls that Olympic National Park has to offer.

Sol Duc Falls In Olympic National Park

Best waterfalls in Olympic National Park? You betcha Sol Duc Falls is on that list, as it is one of the most popular in the park.

Sitting pretty at 40 to 60 feet, this stunner has more channels than your cable TV, often splitting its cascading glory into three or four mesmerizing streams.

Snuggled comfortably in the heart of the park, just a stone’s throw from Sol Duc Hot Springs and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, this watery spectacle is nature’s version of a Broadway show, and spoiler alert: it’s always a full house.

Mineral Creek Falls

Should you expect a water monster rearing its epic head at Mineral Creek Falls? Spoiler alert: Nope.

But what you will find is a 60-foot cascade of nonchalant elegance tucked away as one of the lesser-traveled falls in Olympic National Park.

This hidden gem strikes the perfect balance between “look at me!” and “nothing to see here, folks.”

Nestled outside the Hoh Rain Forest visitor center in the lush embrace of the park’s verdant greenery, it’s the kind of spot a wise forest gnome might recommend for a contemplative picnic or a cheeky escape from reality.

Marymere Falls

Bunch Creek Falls

If waterfalls had personality contests, Bunch Creek Falls would be the underdog that steals the show.

Standing at a lofty 60 ft, its cascades are Olympic National Park’s version of nature’s skyscrapers… minus the city noise and the need for elevators.

Found in the Quinault Rainforest, it’s the type of spot where you can enjoy your granola bar in peace, pretending you’re off the grid, while in reality, you’re just a short hike from civilization.

Madison Creek Falls

So, you want to witness a gravity-defying act without the over-the-top drama?

Enter Madison Creek Falls, a charming 50-foot drop in Washington’s Olympic National Park that’s practically the darling toddler of the waterfall family.

This little spectacle is perched just enough off the beaten path in Elwha Valley to give you exclusive bragging rights without actually requiring you to, you know, venture too far.

Not only did we spend a blissful time marveling at Madison Creek Falls’ effortless beauty, but the hike was as easy as pie, and imagine our surprise when, in the bustling month of May, it was like we had the whole place to ourselves – a rare treat in the world of outdoor adventures.

Strawberry Bay Falls

Strawberry Bay Falls is Olympic National Park’s attempt at keeping a juicy secret. The waterfall cascades for about 100 feet, giving it just enough height to make your neck crane.

Its charm lies in its tranquil vibe and its ability to make you whisper, “That’s pretty neat,” without realizing you’ve said it out loud. Olympic National Park waterfalls have that effect on people, after all.

Interestingly, Strawberry Bay Falls, located near La Push, ditches the forest runway with a cliffside plunge straight into the ocean. Poseidon’s got nothing on this aquatic spectacle.

And since you’ve managed to stumble your way here, you might as well take a gander at the tide pools on the beach because, clearly, you’ve got nothing better to do.

The agony of FOMO for this one is real for us. Of all the water shows we’ve chased, missing Strawberry Bay Falls on our visit really twists the knife.

Honestly, it’s like skipping the most epic, beachfront, waterfall-finale fireworks display on the Fourth of July. Probably the most unique on our list, and we missed it. Cue the tiny violins and a moment of solemn silence, please.

Incredible Olympic Peninsula Waterfalls Near The Park

Now, if you thought the falls inside the park were show-offs, just wait until you see their attention-seeking cousins strutting their stuff just outside the park’s borders. Let’s take a look.

Merriman Falls

Murhut Falls

So, you’ve mastered rolling out of bed for those early morning hikes, huh? Well, buckle up, buttercup; Murhut Falls is your next sleepy morning destination, coming in hot at a glitzy 155 ft (with a 120 ft header straight into a graceful 35 ft dive).

Nestled like a hidden gem in the Duckabush River area of the Olympic Peninsula, this waterfall is putting on a two-tiered spectacle that’s got the local squirrels chattering with anticipation.

Hamma Hamma Falls

Did you think the waterfalls only came in the go-big-or-go-home variety? Meet Hamma Hamma Falls, the modest cousin twice-removed in waterfall royalty.

With a quaint 25 ft drop followed by a showboating 50 ft plunge, it’s like watching nature do a double-take for a grand total of 75 glorious feet.

And this little spectacle? It’s strutting its stuff in the ever-so-cozy Hood Canal area of the Olympic Peninsula. Shhh, it’s the locals’ best-kept secret.

Beaver Falls

Beaver Falls is the underdog of waterfalls in the Olympic Peninsula, standing at a small but respectable 28 ft tall and a show-stopping 70 ft across. Because sometimes, width matters just as much as height, doesn’t it?

This aquatic marvel is out there flexing its muscles near Beaver Lake, proving that you don’t have to tower over the landscape to steal the show.

Spoon Creek Falls

Found near Lake Quinault, Spoon Creek Falls is no shy wallflower. Instead, it wants to be the life of the party.

Standing at an impressive 70 feet, this undercover celebrity of a waterfall is as tall as a stack of about fourteen adult-sized grizzly bears… not that you’d stack bears because, you know, they’re bears.

But here’s the cherry on top: it’s one of the least visited falls, meaning you can soak up the serenity without an audience. It’s like enjoying an indie band before they start playing in arenas and selling T-shirts for forty bucks a pop.

---

And in case you thought our list was exhaustive, think again. There are probably hundreds of shy, unnamed waterfalls playing hard to get all around the park.

Seriously, during our last visit in May, it was like playing peek-a-boo with cascading water at every turn. If you’re a waterfall aficionado like John (or just someone who enjoys the thrill of the chase), aim for a late spring or early summer visit.

Thanks to the grand finale of melting snow runoff, you’re likely to stumble upon these bashful beauties just waiting for a moment in the spotlight.

Olympic National Park Waterfalls Map

If you’ve been wondering where exactly these aquatic acrobats of nature are performing their splashy stunts, our Olympic National Park waterfalls map is your backstage pass to every hidden nook and cascading cranny. This makes them easy to find if you are heading out from Seattle to the park.

Tips for Hiking and Exploring Olympic Peninsula Waterfalls

---

Please Share If You Enjoyed!