Madison Falls, Madison Falls Trailhead, Olympic National Park, Washington
Madison Falls - 0.1 Miles
Madison Falls Trailhead
Madison Falls
Madison Falls
| Round-Trip Length: | 0.1 Miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 277' - 322' (322' max elevation) |
| Elevation Change: | +45' net elevation gain (+52' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Dogs Allowed: | No |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Madison Falls is located just off Olympic Hot Springs Road in Olympic National Park.
A short paved trail follows Madison Creek to the base of the falls, which drops 45' into an accessible pool (.05 miles : 322'). The creek continues to its confluence with the Elwha River, located just over the road.
The Elwha River Restoration Project
The Elwha River is the Olympic Peninsula's largest watershed, scene to one of its most robust native salmon runs. This changed with the construction of the Elwha Dam (1913) and Glines Canyon Dam (1927), which blocked access to natal waters just five miles from the river mouth.
Though state laws required that construction of any kind allow for fish passage, both dams were built without it.
In 1992 Congress passed a law requiring restoration of this watershed - and its fish. The federal government purchased the dams and, after much legal wrangling, began removal in 2011.
Opening the river in 2013 will restore over 70 miles of salmon habitat, which biologists believe will return populations to historic numbers in 20-30 years.
GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
View these GPS points on a Google Map
- N48 02.460 W123 35.405 — 0.0 miles : Madison Falls Trailhead
- N48 02.534 W123 35.339 — .05 miles : Madison Falls
Worth Noting
- The Madison Creek - Elwha River corridor is a wintering ground for Roosevelt Elk.
Fishing Information
- Fishing is not permitted on the Elwha River, or any of its tributaries.
Rules and Regulations
- There's a $15 fee to enter Olympic National Park ($30 annual pass).
- Pets are not permitted on trails. Pets are permitted in campgrounds and must be leashed at all times.
Directions
The Madison Falls Trailhead is located 9.3 miles from Port Angeles on Olympic Hot Springs Road.
From Port Angeles, drive 7.3 miles west on US 101 to Elwha Valley - Olympic Hot Springs Road. Turn left (south). The trailhead is located 2.0 miles down on the left.
Contact Information
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362-6798
Visitor Information: 360.565.3130
Road & Weather Hotline: 360.565.3131
Wilderness Information Center and Backcountry Permit Office (WIC)
360.565.3100
Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
360.374.6925
Forks Information Station
360.374.7566 or 360.374.5877
Quinault Wilderness Information Office
360.288.0232
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