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.
Table of Contents
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.
GET THE ULTIMATE WEST COAST MAP
Get our curated list of the best adventures, things to do, and places to grab a brew loaded onto your maps with just two clicks!


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!
MORE ON THE WEST COAST:

READ MORE: The Best of Oregon
READ MORE: The Best of Washington
READ MORE: The Best of California
*GRAB THE BEST WEST COAST ADVENTURE MAP FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP!*