One of the biggest draws to Mount Rainier National Park is all the spectacular waterfalls throughout the park. In fact, it might surprise you to know that there are actually over 150 waterfalls at Mount Rainier with many of them over 300 feet tall.
You might be thinking though, well that’s great but how can I see these waterfalls and what hikes should I take at Mount Rainier to see some of the best?
Well, lucky for you we have got you covered as we created this ultimate resource for all the best hikes with waterfalls at Mounter Rainier National Park.
The 12 Best Mount Rainier Trails with Waterfalls: Complete List
For easy reference, this list is organized alphabetically. No matter what trail you choose or waterfall you see though it’s hard to go wrong as they are all amazing. Personally, I would recommend taking as many of the hikes and seeing as many of the waterfalls as you can while at Mount Rainier National Park.
| Trail | Length | Elevation | Waterfall | Waterfall Height |
| Carter Falls Section of Wonderland | 2.8 Miles | 600 Feet | Carter Falls & Madcap Falls | 53 & 34 Feet |
| Carbon River RD to Chenuis Falls | 6.4 Miles | 50 Feet | Chenuis Falls | 94 Feet |
| Christine Falls Bridge | .2 Miles | N/A | Christine Falls | 69 Feet |
| Comet Falls | 3.8 Miles | 1250 Feet | Comet Falls | 300+ Feet |
| Goat Falls | 1 Mile | 230 Feet | Goat Falls | ~100 Feet |
| Carbon River RD to Ipsut Falls | 10.8 Miles | Unknown | Ipsut Falls | 70 Feet |
| Skyline or Golden Gate Section Hike to Myrtle Falls | .8 Miles | Unknown | Myrtle Falls | 72 Feet |
| Lower Lakes to Narada Falls | 2.4 Miles | 862 Feet | Narada Falls | 188 Feet |
| Skookum Flats | 4.2 or 7.8 Miles | 100 or 300 Feet | Skookum Falls | 250 Feet |
| Snoquera Loop Falls | 3.9 Miles | 975 Feet | Snoquera Falls | 400 Feet |
| Spray Falls & Spray Park | 4.6 Miles | 1700 Feet | Spray Falls | 354 Feet |
1. Carter Falls Section of Wonderland Trail
- Location: South West Corner of Park: Longmire/Paradise Area
- Trail Length: 2.8 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: 600 Feet
- Waterfalls Located on Trail: Carter Falls & Madcap Falls
- Waterfall Heights: 53 Feet & 34 Feet
On this hike, you will be hiking the Carter Falls section of the Wonderland Trail which is a 93-mile trail that circles Mount Rainier. The trailhead for this section hike is located at the Cougar Rock Picnic area which can be found on Paradise Road when leaving the Longmire area.
When joining the trail you want to head east on the Wonderland trail from this entry point and follow the signs pointing to Carter Falls. This is a moderate section of the Wonderland Trail with an elevation change of around 600 feet.
On this trail, there are plenty of sights to see even before you get to Carter and Madcap Falls including massive Douglas firs, western hemlocks, and red cedar trees and the Paradise River which provides not only great water views throughout the trail but also provides a relaxing water soundtrack as you hike to Carter and Madcap Falls.
When hiking this section of the trail you will come upon Carter Falls first at around 2.6 miles and if you go another .2 miles up the trail from Carter Falls you will run into Madcap Falls which is not as tall a Carter Falls but still more than worth your time to see.
2. Carbon River Road to Chenuis Falls Trail
- Location: Northwest Corner of Park: Carbon River Area
- Trail Length: 6.4 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: 50 Feet
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Chenuis Falls
- Waterfall Height: 94 Feet
Before 2006 this used to be a very short hike from Carbon River Road however in 2006 massive rains caused severe washouts of the road leading to the park’s decision to close the Carbon River Road past the Carbon River Gate entrance permanently.
Because of this the hike now consists of two main sections including a walk along the old Carbon River Road before transitioning into a short hike to Chenuis Falls.
While this trail is relatively easy with little elevation change know that there are some areas that might prove tricky for some including 4 or 5 log bridges to cross the Carbon Riverbed floodplain as well as walking over large round river walks that could easily turn an ankle if your not paying attention.
While Chenuis Falls does not have any major drops and is more of a cascading waterfall it is still a beautiful waterfall and a great hike.
3. Christine Falls Bridge
- Location: South West Corner of Park: Longmire/Paradise Area
- Trail Length: .2 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: N/A
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Christine Falls
- Waterfall Height: 69 Feet
While Christine Falls isn’t so much of a hike as it is a few staircases as the waterfall is pretty much right off the Paradise Road we had to include the Christine Falls on this list as it is easily one of the most popular falls in the park.
The Christine Falls is located off of Paradise Road after Cougar Rock and before Glacier Bridge just past the Comet Falls trailhead.
While not a hike in the truest sense of the word, Christine Falls is a must-see at Mount Rainier National Park and definitely a waterfall you should visit.
4. Comet Falls Trail
- Location: Northwest Corner of Park: Carbon River Area
- Trail Length: 3.8 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: 1250 Feet
- Water Fall Located on Trail: Comet Falls
- Waterfall Height: 300+ Feet
One of my favorite and tallest waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park is Comet Falls.
While not the hardest trail at Mount Rainier it is certainly not easy either with a moderate level of difficulty. This trail has lots of elevation change and trail sections that can be difficult at times. Some hikers might find the trail to be challenging.
This hiking trail is full of action and sound because it allows you to follow along a whitewater creek upstream as it tears through glacier polished rocks and narrow gorges.
The parking lot for this trailhead is about a quarter-mile past Christine Falls on Paradis Road. Be forewarned though as there are only 16 parking spaces available for cars it tends to fill up very quickly so its best to visit this trail and waterfall early in the morning to get a parking space.
5. Carbon River Road to Denman Falls Trail
- Location: Northwest Corner of Park: Carbon River Area
- Trail Length: 15.5 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: Unknown
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Denman Falls
- Waterfall Height: 141 Feet
Denman Falls is perhaps one of the least known and least crowded waterfalls because of it’s remote location. As with Chenuis Falls, Denman Falls become much more challenging to get to after 2006 as this waterfall is also located on old Carbon River Road that is only open to foot traffic now.
So while the hike to Denman Falls is over 7 miles most of that distance is actually on old Carbon River Road which is pretty flat and easy hiking as it used to be a road before the heavy rains of 2006 washed out sections.
The actual hike to the waterfall is actually only about a quarter-mile once you leave old Carbon River Road making this hike unique due to its easy level of difficulty but long trail length.
To get to this hikes trailhead head down the Carbon River Entrance down the Westside road to the Carbon Road Entrance Gate.
6. Goat Falls Trail
- Location: Northeast Corner of the Park: Sunrise Area
- Trail Length: 1 Mile (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: 230 Feet
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Goat Falls
- Waterfall Height: Approximately 100 Feet
This waterfall and hike are definitely off the beaten path and you will more than likely wonder multiple times while driving to Goat Falls trailhead whether you have made a wrong turn or not. Trust me though it’s there and the fact that it’s a little more off the beaten path is a good thing as it makes the trail and waterfall way less crowded and much more of an intimate experience.
While this trail is short as it is only about a half a mile to Goat Falls it is a very pretty and relaxing hike that runs next to Goat Creek and takes you through a lush forest brimming with life.
While Goat falls is not the most impressive waterfall as the waterfall is partially obstructed by mossy boulders it’s still a really nice one to check out.
7. Carbon River Road to Ipsut Falls Trail
- Location: Northwest Corner of Park: Carbon River Area
- Trail Length: 10.8 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: Unknown
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Ipsut Falls
- Waterfall Height: Approximately 70 Feet
The Ipsut Falls trail and waterfall is another trail that takes you on old Carbon River Road. As with other hiking trails that include old Carbon River Road you can expect a relatively flat and easy hike that travels lazily through old-growth forest and beautiful natural scenery with the backdrop of birds chirping in the background.
Ipsut Falls is only a little over 3 tenths of a mile once you leave old Carbon River Road and Ipsut Creek Campground.
8. Skyline or Golden Gate Section Hike to Myrtle Falls Trail
- Location: Southwest Corner of Park: Longmire/Paradise Area
- Trail Length: .8 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: Unknown
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Myrtle Falls
- Waterfall Height: 72 Feet
This short easy hike is located just outside the Paradise Visitors Center and it not only offers a great view of Myrtle Falls but also a spectacular view of Mount Rainier.
In order to hike to Myrtle Falls and some amazing views, you will travel a short distance from the Paradies Visiter Center on a portion of the Skyline or Golden Gate trails.
Going east on the trail you will pass over Edith Creek Basin using a small footbridge and take a left off the path for the Myrtle Falls and Mount Rainier vista.
9. Lower Lakes to Narada Falls Trail
- Location: Southwest Corner of Park: Longmire/Paradise Area
- Trail Length: 2.4 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: 862 Feet
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Narada Falls
- Waterfall Height: 188 Feet
The Narada Falls and trail are both very popular in the Paradise area. Located just behind Paradise Inn is the Lower Lakes trailhead entrance which you will take to head towards Narada Falls. Once on Lower Lakes Trail, you will transition onto Narada Falls Trail.
If you are in the Paradise area while at Mount Rainier National Park this is definitely a trail and waterfall you should check out. However, be prepared for a moderately difficult hike and a pretty decent elevation change while hiking this trail.
This trail may not be well suited for some hikers depending on their fitness and skill level.
10. Skookum Flats Trail
- Location: Northeast Corner of the Park: Sunrise Area
- Trail Length: 4.2 or 7.8 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation Change: 100 or 300 Feet
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Skookum Falls
- Waterfall Height: 250 Feet
There are two ways to reach Skookum Falls by traveling along Skookum Flats Trail. The shorter hike takes you upstream to the falls with less than a 100 feet of elevation gain while the longer hike takes you downstream to the falls.
Both hikes are relatively easy with little elevation change making either one of these hikes great for just about any hiker.
11. Snoquera Falls Loop Trail
- Location: Northeast Corner of the Park: Sunrise Area
- Trail Length: 3.9 Miles (loop)
- Elevation Change: 975 Feet
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Snoquera Falls
- Waterfall Height: 400 Feet
The Snoquera Falls has one of the largest waterfall drops in Mount Rainier National Park at around 400 feet and it is an impressive sight.
The Snoquera Falls Loop Trail is also nice because unlike many other trails at Mount Rainier that require you to hike out and then back in on the same trail, this loop trail allows you to see different scenery throughout the loop.
It’s important to note however that the flow of the Snoquera Waterfall can change dramatically throughout the year from a raging waterfall in the springtime run off to barely a trickle in late summer. So depending on what time of year you visit this trail, you may not be able to safely cross the creek on the rock face due to water coming from the falls. If this is the case be safe and go back the way you came and don’t attempt to finish the loop.
12. Spray Falls and Spray Park Trail
- Location: Northwest Corner of Park: Carbon River Area
- Trail Length: 4.6 Miles (roundtrip)
- Elevation: 1700 Feet
- Waterfall Located on Trail: Spray Falls
- Waterfall Height: 354 Feet
Near Mowish Lake Spray Falls is a sight to behold with over a 350-foot drop.
Spray Falls can be reached by taking a small .2 mile spur off the trail leading to Spray Park which also is worth a visit and only another mile up the trail.
Be forewarned though as you can tell from the elevation change there is a lot of uphill hiking to be done on this trail. So if hiking uphill for large stretches of trail is not your thing you might want to think about visiting a different trail and waterfall.
What to Know While Hiking and Visiting Waterfalls at Mount Rainier
- While Mount Rainier National Park is open year-round some of the trails and especially roads leading to the trails mentioned in this article are not. Due to winter weather, many roads and areas are closed during the winter months in Mount Rainier National Park.
- Mount Rainier has a wide variety of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty with some being very difficult and challenging so it’s important to know your skill level when hiking and pick a trail appropriate to your fitness level and abilities.
- When visiting different waterfalls in the Mount Rainier area know that water flows that flow over the waterfalls can vary wildly throughout the year with the heaviest flows occurring during the springtime when the snow is melting off and in late fall due to heavier rains.
- Some of the trailheads and tails at Mount Rainier have very limited parking so it’s best to visit trails in the morning hours before the trails fill up or have a plan B trail in mind in case you can’t find parking. Remember overflow parking is not allowed along the side of the road at Mount Rainier.
- While it’s always important to wear appropriate footwear whenever hiking this is especially true around the waterfalls as the ground can often be very slippery and covered in moss.
- Bicycles and pets are not allowed on most hiking trails in the park.
- While the wildflowers are pretty at Mount Rainier National Park it is prohibited to pick them in order to preserve the beauty for the next hiker.
While all these waterfall hiking trails are great they are definitely not all easy. So if you are looking for some easy trails to hike while at Mount Rainier National Park check out our article “Top 10 Easy Mount Rainier Hiking Trails for Beginners“.
