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
Less distance, more outside
Spruce Railroad Trail · NPS / E. GoodeEasy hikes near Port Angeles: compare six shorter walks
Six shorter walks with a clear choice for each kind of day: a paved waterfall path, a forest loop, lakeshore miles or mountain meadows. Compare the distances and terrain below.
Shortest waterfall Madison Falls
Forest & lake Marymere Falls
Flexible distance waterfront trail
Mountain option short ridge paths
Choose your version of the day
Compare the walk, not just the distance.
| Walk | Approximate distance | Ground and effort | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Falls | 0.2 miles round trip | Paved, short approach | The lightest waterfall outing |
| Marymere Falls | 1.8 miles round trip | Forest path; climb and steps at the falls | Forest plus a waterfall |
| Moments in Time | 0.6-mile loop | Short forest loop near the lodge | A gentler lake-area outing |
| Spruce Railroad Trail | Choose your out-and-back | Paved main route; tunnels and shared use | Flexible lake walking |
| Hurricane Ridge short paths | Route-dependent | Mountain setting; seasonal conditions | Short paths around the main viewpoints |
| Port Angeles waterfront | Choose your out-and-back | Paved urban shoreline route | A walk without a park drive |
Madison Falls: the shortest waterfall option
Madison Falls is the quickest waterfall choice here: about 0.2 miles round trip on a paved path. Start at the Madison Falls parking area in the Elwha Valley and add time for the river landscape nearby.
Vehicle access ends at this area because of the washout farther up the valley. For a short forest stop and an easy return to Port Angeles, this is our first pick.
Marymere Falls: a forest walk with an uphill finish
Marymere Falls is about 1.8 miles round trip from the Storm King area. The forest approach is gentle, with steps and a climb near the waterfall. Choose it for a short hike with a clear destination.
Afterward, spend time beside Lake Crescent. For a flatter forest outing, choose Moments in Time; the Marymere finish is less suitable for strollers or groups avoiding stairs.
Moments in Time: choose a quieter forest-and-lake loop
Moments in Time is a 0.6-mile loop near Lake Crescent Lodge. Choose it for forest and lake scenery at a slower pace, with less emphasis on climbing to a destination.
Allow for the approach from your parking spot as well as the loop. For wheelchair or specific mobility requirements, use the detailed NPS surface and access description.
Spruce Railroad Trail: choose your turnaround
The paved Spruce Railroad Trail follows Lake Crescent’s north shore for 4 miles each way. Walk a shorter out-and-back for an easier outing, choosing a turnaround before starting.
Bring a light for any tunnels on your route and share the trail with cyclists. Devils Punchbowl uses a rougher side route. Drive to the north-shore access for this walk; Marymere starts on a different side of the lake.
Hurricane Ridge: viewpoints before a longer climb
For a short mountain walk, start with the meadow paths around Hurricane Ridge’s main parking area. Hurricane Hill is the longer option: about 3.2 miles round trip with a sustained climb.
Use a clear day and the current road status for the ridge. Lake and valley walks provide a strong lower-elevation choice when the high country is closed or clouded in.
Port Angeles waterfront: the flexible local walk
Start at City Pier and follow the waterfront for the distance you want. Turn back toward downtown for restaurants and rest stops. This is the easiest choice for a walk straight from a central hotel.
For a guided forest day, book the half-day tour linking Elwha, Marymere and Lake Crescent. It includes the Marymere trail, transport and interpretation.
A guided walking option
Forest and waterfalls, with the driving handled.
A shorter organized park day.
The half-day tour combines the Elwha Valley, Marymere Falls and Lake Crescent. Choose it for that route and its guided walking; transport does not remove the uphill finish at Marymere.
Compare all park tours →A base that works
Choose the overnight for the outing.
Compare town convenience with the setting you want to wake up in.
Breakfast before the parkQuality Inn Port Angeles
Start with breakfast included, park for free and head out for the day. Quality Inn offers a practical downtown-edge base for northern park drives and meals in town.
- Continental breakfast and self parking included
- In-room refrigerator and microwave
101 E 2nd Street · Cherry Hill / downtown edge
A downhill walk to the waterfront. For early park starts, match breakfast service to your departure.
View rooms on ExpediaBefore you choose
Useful answers.
Which is the shortest waterfall walk?
Madison Falls is about 0.2 miles round trip on a paved path. Marymere Falls is a longer forest walk with a climb near the end.
Is a short trail always suitable for a wheelchair?
No. Grade, steps, width and the current surface matter. Use detailed accessibility descriptions for the exact route.
Is Hall of Mosses close to Port Angeles?
Hall of Mosses is a short loop in the Hoh Rain Forest. Make it part of a full western park day from Port Angeles, with time for the drive and forest.
Keep planning
More places to explore.
Forest & waterfall
Marymere Falls
Walk to Marymere Falls from Lake Crescent: 1.8 miles round trip through forest, with steps to the viewpoints. Plan your visit or book a guided half day.
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 →Explore at your own pace
Olympic Discovery Trail from Port Angeles
Walk or ride the Olympic Discovery Trail from Port Angeles. Compare waterfront, Morse Creek and Lake Crescent outings, with distances and bike hire.
Explore the guide →