WaterfallNear Me

Ipsut Falls

Pierce County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Pierce County, Washington
Access status
Partial: park trail documented; the only road access is closed at the Fairfax Bridge
The walk
11.4 miles round trip (WTA)
Ground & access
Mostly level former road, then forest trail. A flood channel near the spur makes it hard to keep a bridge in place. Fallen trees and vegetation partly block the view.
National Park Service: Ipsut Falls
Ipsut Falls, WA
Ipsut Falls, WA
Photo creditPhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ipsut Falls is an 87-foot, two-tiered waterfall in a narrow canyon on Ipsut Creek, in the Carbon River area of Mount Rainier National Park. The National Park Service says there is no access to the Carbon River area by SR 165 until further notice, because the Fairfax Bridge outside the park is closed to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians and there is no alternate route. When access is possible, walk or bike the Carbon River Trail (former road) from the entrance to the Ipsut Creek backcountry camp. Bikes are allowed only on the former road. Continue on foot on the Carbon Glacier trail; at about a quarter mile, just past a creek crossing, a 200-foot side trail leads to the falls. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Carbon River Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park, the Carbon River Trail (former road) to the Ipsut Creek backcountry camp, then the Carbon Glacier trail to the Ipsut Falls spur

WTA lists 11.4 miles round trip. The National Park Service says the Ipsut Creek backcountry camp is 5 miles by trail from the Carbon River Entrance; the falls spur is a short distance beyond it.

Mostly level former road, then forest trail. A flood channel near the spur makes it hard to keep a bridge in place. Fallen trees and vegetation partly block the view.

Where to start

Carbon River Entrance, at the end of the road reached by SR 165 from Buckley through Carbonado. The National Park Service reports no access by SR 165 while the Fairfax Bridge is closed, with no alternate route.

Timing & water

The Carbon River Trail is open year-round, but road and trail washouts occur. Access depends on the Fairfax Bridge reopening.

Before you go

Mount Rainier National Park entrance pass required (standard pass $15 to $30). WTA lists an America the Beautiful Pass.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Pierce County, Washington.

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