WaterfallNear Me

Stafford Falls

Pierce County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Pierce County, Washington
Access status
National park trail from a roadside trailhead; steep climb on the return
The walk
4 miles round trip, per WTA
Ground & access
Drops almost 300 feet in the first 0.4 mile, so the return ends with a climb. The viewpoint has vertical rock walls; use caution.
Washington Trails Association: Stafford Falls via Deer Creek

Stafford Falls drops about 25 to 30 feet into a basalt punch bowl on Chinook Creek in Mount Rainier National Park. From the road-shoulder parking on State Route 123, cross the road to the Owyhigh Lakes trailhead sign. The trail drops almost 300 feet in 0.4 mile beside Deer Creek to the Eastside Trail. Turn south (right first if you want a short look at Chinook Creek from a second bridge), pass Deer Creek Camp, and follow Chinook Creek downstream past pools and a bridge over a rocky chute. About 1.5 miles from the junction, a short side trail leads to a viewpoint level with the top of the falls. Return the same way. This is not the Owyhigh Lakes trailhead near the White River entrance.

Plan your visit

Owyhigh Lakes trailhead on State Route 123 (Deer Creek), down the Owyhigh Lakes Trail to the Eastside Trail, then south along Chinook Creek to the Stafford Falls spur

WTA gives 4 miles round trip. The National Park Service gives 0.4 mile on the Owyhigh Lakes Trail to the Eastside Trail, then about 1.4 miles south to the viewpoint spur; WTA puts the spur at 1.5 miles from the junction.

Drops almost 300 feet in the first 0.4 mile, so the return ends with a climb. The viewpoint has vertical rock walls; use caution.

Where to start

Road-shoulder parking on State Route 123 across from the Owyhigh Lakes trailhead sign (the Deer Creek end of the Owyhigh Lakes Trail).

Timing & water

No season limits are stated.

Before you go

WTA says no pass or entry fee is required for this hike; national park rules apply.

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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