You probably knew that Moran State Park on Orcas Island was home to Mt. Constitution, five freshwater lakes and Cascade creek but did you also know that, largely because of all of those amazing features, Moran State Park also has plenty of waterfalls to explore? Sure does. While there are several of the unnamed seasonal sort, there are plenty of named waterfalls worth chasing during your glamping adventure especially if you’re visiting in early spring after the wet winter season.
Cascade Creek is a precious ecological, recreational and educational resource that flows from Mountain Lake on Mount Constitution in Moran State Park into Buck Bay on East Orcas Island and is thought to be where the name for Cascade Falls came from. While the source of the name isn’t verified, it sure makes sense to us. Cascade Falls is the largest waterfall in the San Juan Islands and topples down about 40’ of big rock face into a small pool smack in the middle of lots of old growth cedar. It sure makes for a nice photo and a great spot for peace and a picnic.
Cavern Falls is the second largest waterfall along Cascade Creek in Moran State Park. This one might be viewed best before or after foliage as it’s a bit tucked away.
Rustic Falls might be the first falls you see as you navigate hiking trails in Moran State Park on Orcas Island and it sure is pretty! It’s the smallest of the waterfalls along Cascade Creek but, again, is a great one for a photo-op and easy to get to, too. Last and not quite least is Hidden Falls. We hear that these falls are called ‘hidden’ because the trail doesn’t really get you to them.
While these are fun falls to chase, you’ll likely find plenty more on your own as there are oodles of unnamed (at least to us) falls that splish splash all over this wilderness wonderland.
You’ll need to have proper rest after all of that chasing so we recommend that you check out our glamping tents tucked right into the beautiful wilderness of Moran State Park on Orcas Island.
