Olympic National Park: Half-Day Tour
Follow the Elwha Valley and walk through old-growth forest to Marymere Falls, with time beside Lake Crescent.
- Half day · around 4 hours
- Port Angeles departure
- Elwha Valley & Lake Crescent
Forest & waterfall
Lake Crescent · NPS / C. BubarMarymere Falls: a forest walk from Lake Crescent
Walk beneath old-growth trees to a waterfall above Lake Crescent. Marymere is a rewarding first forest hike, with a short climb to the viewpoints.
Choose it forA shorter waterfall hike
Time to allowAbout 1–2 hours as a planning allowance
Your baseLake Crescent / Storm King area
Pairs well withA lake picnic or shoreline walk
What the walk feels like
Marymere Falls is about 1.8 miles round trip from the Storm King area. The gentle forest approach leads to a steeper finish, with steps up to the waterfall viewpoints. Expect roots and damp ground along the way.
The woodland is a highlight in its own right. Pause among the big trees before the final climb, then enjoy the falls from the established viewing areas.
Allow more than walking time
Set aside one to two hours for the walk, photographs and the uphill section. Add time for parking during busy periods and for a picnic beside Lake Crescent afterward.
Bring water and shoes suited to damp forest trails. For a mixed group, the shoreline provides a lower-effort option while others complete the climb.
Combine the falls with a lake visit
After the hike, head back to Lake Crescent for a picnic and shoreline time. The forest and lake make a satisfying half day from Port Angeles, with the afternoon available for a paddle or a slower stop.
For a fuller waterfall day, continue toward Sol Duc and give its forest trail a separate place in the schedule. Stay near the lake if you want to spend the evening by the water.
Take the half-day tour or drive yourself
Book the local half-day tour for Marymere Falls, the Elwha Valley and Lake Crescent with a guide. Transport and naturalist interpretation are the main advantages; the itinerary includes the waterfall walk.
Drive yourself for a flexible start and more lake time afterward. Choose a downtown hotel for dinner on foot or a lake overnight for an early shoreline walk.
Go with a local guide
Make this part of your park day.
Choose it for the experience
A shorter park day
Follow the Elwha Valley and walk through old-growth forest to Marymere Falls, with time beside Lake Crescent.
Travel from Port Angeles with a guide and return after the outing. See available dates and the full itinerary on GetYourGuide.
Compare all three tours →Choose your next night
Find your stay ↗Stay for more time beside the lake.
Choose a lake overnight or a Port Angeles hotel for your forest-and-waterfall day.
Keep planning
More places to explore.
Clear water & old-growth forest
Lake Crescent
Explore Lake Crescent: Marymere Falls, shoreline picnics, Spruce Railroad Trail and paddling. Compare a lakefront overnight with Port Angeles hotels.
Explore the guide →
River, forest & a short waterfall walk
Elwha Valley & Madison Falls
Visit Elwha Valley and Madison Falls: a short paved waterfall walk, river scenery and a guided Lake Crescent pairing from Port Angeles.
Explore the guide →
Room for your kind of trip
Family hotels in Port Angeles
Find family hotels in Port Angeles: compare bed setups, breakfast, food facilities and waterfront or driving locations. View suitable rooms on Expedia.
Explore the guide →Build on this part of the trip