Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: Park pass ($30 per vehicle).
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open. NPS conditions (updated October 27, 2026) say the Lake Crescent area is open, including the Marymere Falls trailhead. Storm King Ranger Station, Fairholme Campground and Log Cabin Resort are closed for the season. What the status labels mean
Marymere Falls is about 90 feet tall, per NPS, and the trail to it is the most popular day hike at Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The route runs 0.9 mile each way from Storm King Ranger Station, ending in a short loop with two viewpoints reached by stairs. Dogs aren't allowed, and the Olympic entrance pass is $30 per vehicle. NPS listed the trailhead open on October 27, 2026.
About Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is about 90 feet tall, according to NPS, while Wikipedia lists 90.5 feet. NPS calls the walk to it the most popular day hike at Lake Crescent.
The water is Falls Creek. It drops over the falls from Aurora Ridge and then flows into Barnes Creek, per Wikipedia. The NPS Lake Crescent brochure says the trail runs through old-growth forest.
Marymere is also the start of a much harder hike. The NPS brochure says the steep Mount Storm King trail branches off the Marymere route.
Getting there and parking
Park at Storm King Ranger Station, off US 101 at about milepost 228. WTA describes a large paved horseshoe lot with restrooms and a boat launch. NPS also lists Lake Crescent Lodge as a starting point for the walk.
From Port Angeles and Sol Duc
NPS says Lake Crescent lies about 18 miles west of Port Angeles. The park's miles-and-times table gives 21 miles and about 30 minutes from Port Angeles to Lake Crescent (Storm King Ranger Station).
From Storm King to the Sol Duc Valley (Eagle Ranger Station), the same table lists 16 miles and about 1 hour. NPS also names the Barnes Creek route to Marymere as a favorite hike at the lake.
Park pass
Marymere Falls lies within Olympic National Park. Its entrance pass costs $30 per private vehicle or $15 per person on foot or bike, valid for 7 days. The Olympic annual pass is $55, and WTA lists a park pass for this trailhead.
US 101 runs straight through Lake Crescent, and the NPS fees page doesn't say where entrance stations are. Carry a valid pass anyway. Olympic takes no cash, and you can buy a pass ahead on Recreation.gov.
Visiting from outside the US? NPS lists the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass at $250, and Olympic's fee page shows no park-specific surcharge. November 11 is the last fee-free day of 2026 for US citizens and residents.
Sol Duc Falls is another Olympic walk, 0.8 mile each way from the end of Sol Duc Road, and the same park pass covers it. That road often closes in winter, NPS says.
Myrtle Falls at Paradise is another short walk, in Mount Rainier National Park, with its own entrance fee.
Map and nearby falls
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The Marymere Falls Trail
Ranger station to the falls: the trail runs 0.9 mile each way, or 1.8 miles round trip, per NPS. The NPS brochure gives about 400 feet of gain; WTA says 500 feet, with a high point of 1,100 feet.
How hard is it: stairs and the loop
Creek crossings: WTA says the route crosses Barnes Creek and then Falls Creek. After the second crossing it climbs about 200 feet into the ravine below the falls.
The viewpoint loop: a short loop at the end gives you two views, WTA says. One looks down on the falls from the hillside. The other is a lower platform facing the base. Both are reached by stairs.
Mount Storm King: this steep spur leaves the Marymere route. The NPS brochure lists it at 2.2 miles one way with about 2,000 feet of gain. Plan it as a separate, much harder outing.
The NPS accessibility page gives only the length, 1.8 miles out and back, with no accessibility rating. Because of the stairs, the viewpoints are not fully accessible.
When to visit
NPS listed the Marymere Falls trailhead open on October 27, 2026, and we found no NPS notice that the trail closes in winter.
Best season and winter on US 101
On October 27, 2026, NPS listed the Lake Crescent area and the Marymere Falls trailhead as open. Storm King Ranger Station had closed for the season, so don't count on rangers at the trailhead. The brochure says the station opens in summer if staffing allows.
We found no NPS notice that the Marymere trail closes in winter, and the NPS road page listed no US 101 closure at Lake Crescent. Lake Crescent Lodge and Log Cabin Resort are closed in winter, per the brochure.
The sources we checked don't name a best month for flow at Marymere. NPS calls it the most popular day hike at Lake Crescent, so expect other hikers on the trail.
Leave dogs at home in every season. At Lake Crescent, NPS allows pets only on the Spruce Railroad Trail, which is a separate route from Marymere.
| Height | 90 ftNote: about 90 ft per NPS; Wikipedia gives 90.5 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | 1.8 mi round trip from Storm King Ranger Station, with a short loop and two viewpoints at the falls. It has 400 to 500 ft of gain, depending on the source |
| Difficulty | Easy (stairs at the viewpoints) |
| Entry fee | Olympic National Park entrance pass: $30 per vehicle or $15 per person (7 days), $55 annual. The NPS fees page doesn't say where entrance stations are. |
| Permit / reservation | No hiking permit; NPS entrance pass required |
| Parking | Storm King Ranger Station lot, US 101 milepost 228 |
| Dogs | Not allowed; NPS says pets and bicycles are not permitted on Lake Crescent trails except the Spruce Railroad Trail |
| Swimming | No rule found for the falls; viewing is from two viewpoints on the loop (WTA) |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No; stairs lead to both viewpoints (WTA) |
| Restrooms | Yes, a trailhead toilet plus restrooms near Storm King Ranger Station (WTA) |
| Crowds | NPS calls it the most popular day hike at Lake Crescent |
| Managed by | National Park Service, Olympic National Park |
Safety and swimming
We found no swimming rule for Marymere Falls. Enjoy the falls from the two viewpoints on the loop and stay on the trail.
Take the stairs slowly, especially with children. WTA says the route crosses Barnes Creek and Falls Creek, so watch your footing near the water.
If you add Mount Storm King, remember it climbs about 2,000 feet in 2.2 miles, per the NPS brochure. That is a big step up from the falls walk. Our waterfall safety guide has more general tips.
Where to stay near Marymere Falls
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Photos
Marymere Falls FAQ
How long is the Marymere Falls hike?
About 1.8 miles round trip (0.9 mile each way) from Storm King Ranger Station, per NPS. Elevation gain is about 400 feet in the NPS brochure and 500 feet per WTA.
Is the Marymere Falls hike easy?
Mostly. It's 0.9 mile each way with about 400 feet of gain (NPS) or 500 feet (WTA). WTA says the trail climbs about 200 feet into the ravine after the second creek crossing, and stairs lead to both viewpoints.
How tall is Marymere Falls?
About 90 feet, per NPS. Wikipedia lists 90.5 feet.
Are dogs allowed on the Marymere Falls trail?
No. At Lake Crescent, NPS permits pets only on the Spruce Railroad Trail.
Where do you park for Marymere Falls?
At the Storm King Ranger Station lot off US 101, near milepost 228 on Lake Crescent. WTA says it has restrooms and a boat launch.
Do I need a pass for Marymere Falls?
Yes. The falls are in Olympic National Park, where the entrance pass is $30 per vehicle for 7 days or $55 a year. WTA lists a park pass for this trailhead.
Is Marymere Falls wheelchair accessible?
Not fully. WTA says stairs lead up to both viewpoints at the falls, and NPS gives the trail no accessibility rating.
How does Marymere Falls compare with Sol Duc Falls?
Marymere is about 90 feet tall and 0.9 mile each way from US 101, per NPS. Sol Duc Falls is 50 feet and 0.8 mile each way, at the end of Sol Duc Road. Neither allows dogs, and one park pass covers both.
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Sources
- NPS: Marymere Falls Trailhead
- NPS: Lake Crescent Area Brochure
- NPS: Physical/Mobility Accessibility
- NPS: Olympic current conditions (updated Oct 27, 2026)
- NPS: Olympic National Park fees
- WTA: Marymere Falls
- Wikipedia: Marymere Falls
- NPS: Visiting Lake Crescent (updated Feb 6, 2026)
- NPS: Getting Around, miles and times table (updated Sep 25, 2026)
- NPS: Olympic current road conditions
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service, Olympic National Park before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.