Hood Canal Waterfalls

getting there

dosewallips state park

On US-101 drive 12 miles south of Quilcene and the entrance to the park is at Milepost 307.  Parking for daytime use is on the east side of the highway.  Use caution when crossing the highway to the campground and walking 0.2 mi to the trailhead.

Ranger Hole & Murhut Falls

On US 101 drive 18 miles south of Quilcene and turn east onto the Duckbush River Road. The Ranger Hole trailhead in on the left (south) in 3.6 miles, and the Muthut Falls trailhead is at the end of the road in another 2.4 miles.

Falls View Canyon

Turn west off of US 101 into the Falls View Campground 3.5 miles south of Quilcene.

On the trail

Dosewallips State Park

Maple Valley & Steam Donkey Trails, 3.2 mile loop with 550 feet of elevation gain

Start the loop by crossing a small bridge.  Turn right at a junction and follow signs for Maple Valley.  Soon the trail will follow the Dosewallips River and then turn into Maple Valley.  Then a steep climb starts with views of moss covered trees and ferns. When you reach a fire road turn right to see the sign for the Steam Donkey loop on the other side of the fire road.  Taking a right on the fire road will return you to the campground and make for a shorter hike.  Follow the Steam Donkey loop trail crossing small bridges over creeks until the trail starts heading downhill and finally recrosses the fire road.  Look left for the Maple Valley trail sign and follow that downhill to return to your starting point.

Ranger hole

Ranger Hole is 2.1 miles with 200 foot elevation gain. The trail starts at a historic ranger station and travels to an isolated fishing hole on the Duckabush River.

murhut falls

An easy 1.6 mile day hike with 300 feet in elevation gain and a 1,050 ft high point. Marvel at the 130 foot falls that drops down a dark chasm.

Falls View Canyon

The Falls View Canyon Trail starts at the left of the parking area and goes downhill to the river. It's 1.5 miles round trip and 300 feet of elevation gain. The Falls View Loop provides access to the waterfall overlook and picnic tables.

Rocky Brook Falls

These falls are ~200 feet off the Dosewalips Road ~3 miles from US-101.

notes

• In season, visit the Hama Hama Oyster Rama Festival in Brinnon.
• Consider camping at Dosewallips Sate Park

Information for Leaders

scheduling

• If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the recommended party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.
• If you are scheduling a course field trip, please contact our Member Services Team to confirm the field trip and any permitting regulations.

permits

• The Mountaineers has a commercial use permit with Washington State Parks for all free and fee-based outings at state parks. Leaders should carry a print or digital copy of our  commercial use permit to show rangers they may encounter.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking, Trail Running
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Length: 3.5 mi
• Elevation Gain: 550 ft
• High Point: 425 ft

• Land Manager: Dosewallips State Park
• Parking Permit Required: Discover Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 18
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 18