Madison Falls

Madison Falls. Details and photos of Madison Creek Falls and the surrounding areas in a no-fee zone of the north Olympic National Park near Port Angeles, WA.

This waterfall on the Olympic Peninsula is located just 9 or so miles west of Port Angeles Washington.

The falls are within the Olympic National Park limits, however the Park’s fee area commences just a few meters beyond the Madison Creek Falls turn-off. You can come visit the falls any time, no entrance fee required.

Madison Falls near Port Angeles, WA


Downtown Port Angeles is 10.8 miles east of Madison Falls. The drive will normally take about 17 minutes. But, if Port Angeles is not your starting point, then:  

  • Sequim is 22 miles (35.4 km) away, or approx. 40 minutes drive time
  • Port Townsend is 52 miles (83.7 km) away, or approx. 1 hour 15 minutes drive time
  • Forks is 51 miles (82 km) away, or a 1 hour drive
  • Seattle is 87 miles (km) away via Bainbridge Ferry, an approximately 2.75 hours commute if the ferry wait is not excessive.

Getting to Madison Falls

A very nice view of Madison Falls west of Port Angeles

Right: The Falls. More photos below. (Clicking on any of the photos opens a gallery of full-size photos.)

Take Hwy 101 west, leaving Port Angeles. Travel 7 miles. Literally just before the highway crosses the Elwha Bridge you’ll hang a left on Olympic Hot Springs Road and head south for 2 more miles. The turn off to the falls is well marked. If you arrive at the Olympic Park entrance kiosk, you've gone too far.

Stats

Highway sign points the way to the FallsHighway sign points the way to the Falls

Name: Madison Falls, or Madison Creek Falls. The falls go by both names, with the former apparently being the current official version.

Whatever you call it, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Height of the Falls: Various sources offer differing heights for Madison Creek Falls. The “official” surveyed height is 76 feet tall, according to the World Waterfall Database. Some of this measurement may include sections of waterfall immediately above the main, dramatic, waterfall.

TripAdvisor Reviews of Madison Creek Falls

Views of Madison Falls and the Elwha Valley

Shadows prevail down in the ravine at the bottom of the waterfall. Note the heavy moss growing on the rocks down which the falls tumble.Shadows prevail down in the ravine at the bottom of the waterfall. Note the heavy moss growing on the rocks down which the falls tumble.

Above: Madison Creek Falls, in the Elwha Valley, north Olympic National Park, Washington State.

Below: Take time and discover additional idyllic scenes at the foot of the falls and in the surrounding areas. A log jam creates this pool in Madison Creek just below the waterfall. Moss surrounding the falls glows a vibrant green in the few rays of sunshine that reach the 76 feet to the bottom of the falls.

Below: This is the view of the Elwha River at the entrance to Madison Creek Falls facing north. On this beautiful morning in early March, the water is running gray from glacial snow runoff. The trees are beginning to think about budding, and grasses are showing signs of life.

The Elwha River at the entrance to Madison FallsThe Elwha River at the entrance to Madison Falls

Below: On a clear day this is your view from the parking lot next to the falls.

View of the snow-clad Olympic Mountains to the south of the Falls in the Elwha River Valley.View of the snow-clad Olympic Mountains to the south of the Falls in the Elwha River Valley.

45-Second Video of the Falls

Amenities at Madison Falls

  • Ample picnic area in view of the snow-capped Olympic Mountain Range
  • "Facilities"
  • Completely paved 'trail' to the falls, including railings in some areas, not that the trail is anything less than level.
  • Two benches for sitting and enjoying (not pictured)
  • Temperate rain forest ambience, including and certainly not limited to giant trees and giant tree stumps, ubiquitous moss, and the nearby presence of the Elwha River.
  • Not the least of the amenities by far are the views and the experience itself


Large grassy picnic area in clear view of the snow-capped Olympic Mountain RangeLarge grassy picnic area in clear view of the snow-capped Olympic Mountain Range
These "facilities" are certainly better than nothing!These "facilities" are certainly better than nothing!
Trail is wide and paved all the wayTrail is wide and paved all the way
Visitors glimpsing Madison Falls for the first time remain spellbound for long moments.Visitors glimpsing Madison Falls for the first time remain spellbound for long moments.

These photos may be impressive to one degree or another, but seeing it for yourself is a sure way to sense the true majesty of these Falls, the Olympic National Park, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Have You Been to This Beautiful Place?
Tell Your Story and Share Your Photos With Us!

Nature can present us with unexpected, memorable, and breathtaking moments! Do you have a great story or an interesting experience that took place in this beautiful part of the Olympic National Park? We'd love to hear about it! Feel free to share it in the form below. Be as wordy and as descriptive as you like. Include photos as well, if you have them; there is plenty of room for it all on our website.

Just click into the title box below and go from there. When published, you'll have "your own" page on MyPortAngeles which you can share with friends or anyone who asks!

We're happy to ensure professional and amateur photographers get credit for their work. Leave us your name in the form below, and means of contact, website, or FB page info so we can link back to you.






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