Rustic Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.2 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Rustic Falls
Rustic Falls is one of four small waterfalls on Cascade Creek in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, along with Cascade, Cavern and Hidden falls. It is visible from the trail about 0.1 mile from the small parking lot off Mount Constitution Road. The longer Cascade Creek Trail from Cascade Lake also passes through the area.
The Setting
Rustic Falls sits at 564 feet within San Juan County/Cypress Island Marine Biological Preserve, in the foothills of Washington.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the parking lot on Mount Constitution Road, a hiker-only trail leads about 0.1 mile to a signed junction where Rustic Falls is visible straight ahead. Short spurs from the same area reach Cascade, Cavern and Hidden falls, all within about 0.6 mile of the lot. A longer approach follows the Cascade Creek Trail about 1.1 miles from Cascade Lake to Cascade Falls.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Rustic Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed dogs are allowed on Moran State Park trails.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Rustic Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Winter and spring, when rain keeps Cascade Creek running, are the best times to visit. Flow drops in late summer.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Stay on designated trails to avoid damaging the environment and for personal safety.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Chuckanut Creek, 16.4 miles away, not on Rustic Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
3 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 4 years of record
14.20 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CHUCKANUT CREEK NEAR BELLINGHAM, WA (26 km away).
Today
Roaring
3 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
5 cfs
6/10Thu
Roaring
5 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
12 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
11 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
15 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
11 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, light rain (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to mid March, peaking in December.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Roche Harbor hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Rustic Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Rustic Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 43°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 3 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Washington.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The ground through the falls loses about 110 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 566 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 35 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 98 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 566 feet
- Measured by 3-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 110 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southwest
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Take the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island, then follow Orcas Road and Olga Road through Eastsound into Moran State Park. Turn left onto Mount Constitution Road; the small trailhead lot is on the right.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
The Mount Constitution Road lot holds only about six or seven cars. A Discover Pass is required for parking and can be bought at the park information center just before the entrance gate.
Elevation
564 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.647067° N, -122.831644° W
Land Management
Managed by OTHS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking. Wear sturdy footwear, as the trail may be slippery in wet conditions. Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
Where to Stay
Otter's Pond Bed and Breakfast
The Landmark Inn on Orcas Island
Lopez Farm Cottages & Tent Camping
Majestic Inn and Spa
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Blind Island
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You made it to a designated site along the Cascadia Marine Trail, our Nation's longest recreation water trail! Blind Island is a small, three-acre marine camping park located on the north side of Shaw Island. All of the campsites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are for the exclusive use of boaters arriving by human or wind-powered watercraft. Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, non-motorized boating, and wildlife watching. The BLM cooperatively manages the are
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Nearby Attractions
Cascade Falls, about 40 feet tall, is a short walk away, and Cascade Lake, Mountain Lake and the Mount Constitution summit are elsewhere in Moran State Park.
Wildlife
Visitors may encounter wildlife such as deer, birds, and squirrels. Always maintain a safe distance from animals.
Cities near Rustic Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Rustic Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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