Staircase Rapids, despite its name, is a waterfall on the North Fork Skokomish River in Mason County, Washington, inside Olympic National Park.
The falls
World Waterfall Database confirms Staircase Rapids as a genuine waterfall, though its page gives no height, drop count, or update date.
Getting there
The waterfall sits in the Staircase area of Olympic National Park. The developed area there — Staircase Road, the campground, the ranger station, and the 2.1-mile Staircase Rapids Loop trail — reopened July 8, 2026, after being closed; other backcountry trails at Staircase remain closed following the 2025 Bear Gulch Fire. Entrance to the park costs $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per walk-in or bicycle visitor, valid for seven days; the park does not accept cash.
When to go
The unpaved access road can close for snow or unfavorable weather, so current road conditions should be checked before traveling.
On site
The open developed area includes the Rapids Loop trail, the campground, and the ranger station; trails beyond the loop remain closed under the fire closure.
Nearby
Unnamed waterfall on Five Stream is about 2.7 miles away, Skokomish Falls about 3 miles, and Honeymoon Falls about 3.1 miles.
Distances are straight-line.