WaterfallNear Me

Madcap Falls

Lewis County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Lewis County, Washington
Access status
National park trail to a fenced viewpoint; map placement of the name is disputed
The walk
The Northwest Waterfall Survey puts Madcap Falls about 500 feet past Carter Falls
Ground & access
Forest trail with a climb above the Nisqually River. The footbridges over the Nisqually River can wash out.
Northwest Waterfall Survey: Madcap Falls

Madcap Falls is a 34-foot cascade of the Paradise River in Mount Rainier National Park, a short way upstream from Carter Falls. From the marked trailhead just down the road from the Cougar Rock Campground entrance, the Wonderland Trail crosses the changeable Nisqually River on footbridges that are sometimes out, then climbs above the river and follows the Paradise River upstream to the signed Carter Falls viewpoint. Continue about 500 feet past Carter Falls to a fenced viewpoint above Madcap Falls. Return the same way. The survey notes that maps have placed the name Madcap Falls at different spots on this stretch of river; it treats this cascade above Carter Falls as Madcap Falls, and this listing is at that cascade.

Plan your visit

Carter Falls trailhead near Cougar Rock Campground, the Wonderland Trail across the Nisqually River and up the Paradise River past Carter Falls to the fenced viewpoint above Madcap Falls

The Northwest Waterfall Survey says that after climbing above the Nisqually River the Wonderland Trail follows the Paradise River for 1.1 miles to the signed Carter Falls viewpoint, and that Madcap Falls is about 500 feet past Carter Falls. It gives no round-trip figure.

Forest trail with a climb above the Nisqually River. The footbridges over the Nisqually River can wash out.

Where to start

Marked Carter Falls trailhead on the road from the Nisqually Entrance to Paradise, 8 miles east of the Nisqually Entrance and 6.5 miles west of the turnoff to Paradise, just down the road from the Cougar Rock Campground entrance.

Timing & water

No seasonal closure is mentioned. Check that the Nisqually River footbridges are in place.

Before you go

A Mount Rainier National Park entrance pass is required: $30 per private vehicle for seven days. Passes are sold at the entrance stations by credit or debit card only.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Lewis County, Washington.

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