Elwha Valley

Directions: From Port Angeles, follow US 101 west to milepost 240, just before the Elwha River Bridge. Then turn left onto Olympic Hot Springs Road (signed “Elwha Valley”) and continue 10 miles to its end and trailhead.

Note: Road is currently closed beyond Madison Creek Falls Trailhead due to washouts. Hiking and biking road to trailhead is permissible. Check with ranger station for updates.

Ownership: Olympic National Park
Distance: 8.4 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: moderate
National Park or Interagency Pass required
Dogs prohibited

Boulder Creek Falls consists of a series of thrashing cascades in a wilderness valley cloaked with luxuriant old-growth forest. The hike to these falls is an all-day event but their location far from the popular Olympic Hot Springs and Boulder Lake usually means you’ll have a little solitude while savoring them.

Start by following the Olympic Hot Springs Trail to a suspension bridge over Crystal Creek. Then reach a busy camping area where a short trail leads left to the hot springs. Continue straight through magnificent old-growth forest and reach a junction. Then head left and cross the North Fork Boulder Creek and hike through towering primeval firs, cedars, and hemlocks.

At just beyond 4 miles come to two short side trails leading left to pretty little Boulder Falls, a series of cascades on the South Fork of Boulder Creek set in a mossy ravine. The lower falls plunge 25 feet into an inviting pool giving you a much colder and less crowded soaking spot than the hot springs.

Waterfalls in the Area