12 Kid-Friendly Waterfall Hikes for Seattle-Area Families

Kids will love: Steps and bridges fashioned from old-growth logs.

Highlights: The Marymere Falls Nature Trail is well trodden by families in search of the 90-foot cascading falls that drop from a notch in a high, sheer cliff. Set off from the parking lot of the Storm King Ranger Station on a paved portion of the trail that passes under U.S. 101, then forks off to the left aside a gentle stream through mossy old-growth woods. Be sure to look up — these trees are giants!

You’ll soon come to another trail junction; take a right and cross Barnes Creek on a sturdy bridge built by volunteers with the Washington Trails Association. From here it’s a quick 200-foot climb to the narrow, fern-laden ravine. Falls Creek plunges out of the cliff into a moss-ringed pool near the trail. Take stairs to the right of the falls for a fantastic view near the upper portion.

Distance: 2 miles round-trip, 400 feet elevation gain

Info: Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent

Conditions Check conditions and trip reports at WTA website.

Directions: Take U.S. 101 west from Port Angeles 20 miles to milepost 228, turning right onto a road signed “Lake Crescent Lodge and Marymere Falls.” Drive 0.2 miles to a stop sign, turn right and park. No parking pass is required.

Next stop: Bridal Veil Falls