Paradise Falls
Pierce County, Washington
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Pierce County, Washington
- Access status
- Partial guide: distant view from Skyline Trail footbridges; only one source describes this falls
- The walk
- No single figure; Northwest Waterfall Survey segments: 1/3 mile to the Skyline Trail, 8/10 mile to the Paradise Glacier Trail junction, then a couple hundred feet
- Ground & access
- Steady climb on subalpine trail; snow can cover the trail well into summer. Stay on built trail to protect the meadows.
Paradise Falls is the uppermost waterfall on the Paradise River, below the retreating Paradise Glacier at Mount Rainier: two drops of about 30 feet, about 300 feet apart, on either side of a moraine island. No trail goes close to the falls; it is seen from a distance from the Skyline Trail footbridges over the Paradise River, about 500 feet downstream. Off-trail travel is not allowed here. From Paradise, drive down the one-way Paradise Valley Road; just after crossing the Paradise River, park in the large lot on the right. Take the 4th Crossing Trail across the road uphill to the Skyline Trail, turn right, pass the Paradise Glacier Trail junction near the Stevens-Van Trump Memorial and continue a couple hundred feet to the footbridges. Return the same way or continue on the Skyline loop.
Plan your visit
Fourth Crossing trailhead parking on the one-way Paradise Valley Road at Mount Rainier, up the 4th Crossing Trail to the Skyline Trail, then right past the Paradise Glacier Trail junction to the Paradise River footbridges, with the falls in view upstream
The Northwest Waterfall Survey gives 1/3 mile on the 4th Crossing Trail to the Skyline Trail, then 8/10 mile to the Paradise Glacier Trail junction and a couple hundred feet more to the footbridges. No round-trip figure is published.
Steady climb on subalpine trail; snow can cover the trail well into summer. Stay on built trail to protect the meadows.
Where to start
Large parking area on the right side of the one-way Paradise Valley Road, just after it crosses the Paradise River below Paradise.
Timing & water
The National Park Service warns that early-season hiking on the Skyline Trail may be hazardous; check current trail conditions. Paradise is day-use only.
Before you go
Mount Rainier National Park entrance fee: $30 for a private vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Sluiskin FallsDistant view from the Skyline Trail at ParadisePierce County, WA0.4 miS
- Golden Gate FallsNational park trail from Paradise; falls beside a switchback on the Golden Gate TrailPierce County, WA0.4 miW
- Upper Stevens Creek Falls375 ft (114.3 m) · Pierce County, WA0.5 miE
Myrtle FallsResearched visit notes59 ft (18 m) · Pierce County, WA0.8 miSW- Fairy FallsDistant roadside view in a national park; entrance feePierce County, WA0.9 miE
- Wilson Glacier FallsNational park trail to a distant viewpoint315 ft (96 m) · Pierce County, WA1.7 miNW
- Sunbeam FallsLewis County, WA1.7 miS
- Nisqually Valley FallsPierce County, WA1.7 miW
- Ruby FallsRoadside and short trail view in the national park; entrance pass requiredLewis County, WA1.7 miSW