Madison Falls

Madison Falls is a beautiful 60-foot waterfall located in the Elwha Valley of Olympic National Park, just a short drive west of Port Angeles, Washington. The Elwha Valley is reached from Highway 101 by turning onto Olympic Hot Springs Road. Madison Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to visit in Olympic National Park, making it a great stop for nearly everyone exploring this part of the park.

The Madison Falls Trail begins at the Madison Falls parking area near the park boundary. From the parking area, a paved trail travels only about 0.1 mile one way through a beautiful forest to the base of Madison Falls. The trail has very little elevation gain and is wheelchair accessible, making this one of the most accessible waterfall hikes in Olympic National Park.

At the end of the trail, Madison Falls drops about 60 feet down a moss-covered rock face surrounded by thick green vegetation. Moss-covered trees, ferns and the dense forest of the Elwha Valley create the classic Olympic National Park setting that makes this short walk well worth the stop.

It is important to understand that access farther into the Elwha Valley is currently limited. Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to vehicles beyond the Madison Falls parking area because of extensive flood damage and a major road washout in 2017. The Madison Falls parking area and Madison Falls Trail remain accessible, but you cannot drive farther into the Elwha Valley from here. Pedestrians and bicyclists can continue beyond the closure using the temporary bypass route. As of 2026, the National Park Service continues to list the road as closed to vehicles, and visitors should check current park conditions before their trip.

Even with the road closure, Madison Falls remains an easy and worthwhile stop. With its extremely short trail and beautiful forest setting, it is a great way to experience the Elwha Valley while visiting the northern side of Olympic National Park.