- Distance and Travel Time (from downtown Seattle) : 92.4 miles (2h 38m)
- Trip Type: Day trip or Overnight trip
- Parking
Parking lot at the Madison Falls Trailhead at the entrance to Elwha Valley
- When to Go
May to Oct (be sure to check the weather and road conditions, especially in winter)
- Things to Do
Ferry ride, stroll along trails, see Madison Falls (0.1 mile easy walk from the parking lot), etc.
- Tips
1) The ferry departs every hour but weekends can get crowded and you may have to wait more than an hour so it is best to go early.
2) If the kiddos need a short break, stop at Port Gamble (which is a good place to take a break slightly past Kingston) and visit the General Store & Cafe and stroll through the little town.
3) If your family is not used to spending long hours in the car, spending a night in Port Angeles is a good option.
4) The Pacific Coast and Rain Forests is a bit too far away for a day trip so plan on several days if you want to explore the whole park.
5) Madison Falls is a short walk from the parking lot (0.1 mile). Even if your plans do not include exploring the Elwha Valley, it can make a great stop on the way to and from nearby locations in Olympic National Park.
6) The road leading into the Elwha Valley (Olympic Hot Springs Road) is currently closed to all motorized vehicles due to a road wash during the winter flood. It is gated right past the Madison Falls parking area but open to pedestrians and bicycles. It is a great chance to take a stroll on the road and let the kids ride their bikes or scooters to explore the national park up close on foot. The walk to the flood damage area is about one mile – the kids will be interested in seeing the damaged road.
- Nearby Areas
– [Short Trip, May in Seattle] Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park
– Short Trip, [May in Seattle] Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park
– [Short Trip, May in Seattle] Elwha Valley, Olympic National Park
– [Short Trip, May in Seattle] Mora / La Push – Second Beach, Olympic National Park
– [Short Trip, August in Seattle] Kalaloch Beach 4, Olympic National Park
– [Short Trip, May in Seattle] Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park
– [Short Trip, May in Seattle] Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Entrance to Elwha Valley
Madison Falls Trailhead
Madison Falls Trail and Madison Falls
Gated road open to Pedestrians and Bicycles
Road Wash Area with Temporary Bridge
The Walk Back to the Parking Lot