Sunset Falls.
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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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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 VW campervan parked up beside a picnic bench in the forests of Sunset Falls campground.
Sunset Falls Campground.

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.

Sunset Falls framed by trees in the forests of Washington.
Sunset Falls, small but mighty.

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:

A map of the hiking trail to Sunset Falls.
Click the image to view the map for Sunset Falls.

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!

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