Visiting Sunset Falls in Washington
Sunset Falls is the last stop on Lucia Falls Road—a famous 10-mile stretch with four stunning waterfall hikes that you can easily conquer in a single day.
These falls sit inside the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, so while this is the last in line of some nearby waterfalls, there is plenty more to discover the deeper you go into the forest.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunset Falls.
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Table of Contents
- Exploring Sunset Falls
- Sunset Falls Hike
- Sunset Falls + More Nearby Waterfalls
- More Waterfalls Around Washington
- Hiking Twin Falls Trail: What You Need to Know!
- Snoqualmie Falls Hike: What You Need to Know!
- Franklin Falls Hike: What You Need to Know!
- Your Guide to Hiking The Sol Duc Falls Trail
- Palouse Falls State Park: Your Complete Guide
- Exploring Moulton Falls & Yacolt Falls + Lucia and Sunset Falls!
- Your Guide to Lacamas Park: Trails, Lakes, and Waterfalls!
- 7 Awesome Waterfalls Near Seattle, Washington
- 21 Epic Waterfalls in Washington
Exploring Sunset Falls
Sunset Falls sits inside of Gifford Pinchot National Forest—a massive expanse that sprawls over 1 million acres. Sunset Falls is a great introduction to this lush area.
There is a parking lot near the trailhead, and it gets full pretty fast, so plan to arrive early even if you’re visiting during the week.
A campground with restrooms sits near the falls, making this a great place to base yourself for further exploration of nearby waterfalls or other parts of the national forest.
NOTE: You need to pay the $5 daily fee or display your NW Forest Pass for access to Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Sunset Falls Hike
Distance: 0.1 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 3 feet
Other important info:
- Dogs are allowed
- There is a fee for this trail, pay $5 or display your NW Forest Pass
From the parking lot, you can pick up the “trail” to Sunset Falls.
The short path leading to the falls is more of a scenic stroll than a full-on hike. However, the waterfall is beautiful, and there are plenty of trails in the vicinity if you want to add some miles to your excursion.
The falls are multi-tiered, and the water beneath them pools into a beautiful aqua-blue color. It’s definitely a great payout for such a short trail!
There are some benches where you can sit and observe for a while, and during the warmer months, feel free to take a dip in the area below the falls!
RELATED: 25 EPIC Hikes in Washington to Tackle
Sunset Falls + More Nearby Waterfalls
Before you hit up Sunset Falls, you can explore some of the other waterfalls along Lucia Falls Road, including Lucia Falls, Yacoult Falls, and Moulton Falls.
Read our guides:
All the falls sit within 20 minutes of one another, so you might as well check them all out while you’re in this area!
We hope this post helped you discover more about exploring the Sunset Falls area!