Madison Falls is almost a roadside waterfall in Olympic National Park because it only requires a walk of about 100 meters. There is no gain in elevation, and the trail is paved, so Madison Falls would be appropriate for anyone. The trail is even wheel-friendly, so all abilities can have a look at Madison Falls.
Madison Falls does require a short drive off the main road to the trailhead. It is located in the Elwha area, which is just east of Lake Crescent and about 10 miles from Port Angeles. (You can easily find it on the park map.) Just drive south down Elwha Road for a few miles until you see the signed trailhead. The hike is on the left side of the road and has trailhead restrooms and a good sized parking area.
Trailhead parking is usually not a problem at Madison Falls as the lot is fairly large and cars are moving in and out so quickly. The walk begins at the left corner (north) corner of the parking lot. The trail walks through the trees over to Madison Falls.
The great thing about Madison Falls is that it is so beautiful. The flow of water is fairly strong even in fall, and the water plummets over 50 feet. It has a nice horsetail shape, too. We enjoy all of the waterfalls in Olympic because everything is so green around them.
When you visit Olympic National Park and the Port Angeles area, don’t skip Madison Falls. It is a short, easy stop and well worth the 20 minutes it will take to make the short drive and then walk to the falls.
