Washington Cascades
Lewis County, Washington
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Lewis County, Washington
- Access status
- Short national park trail from a road pullout; park entrance fee
- The walk
- No more than 1/5 mile from the bridge to the viewpoint at the bottom, per the Northwest Waterfall Survey
- Ground & access
- Short section of maintained park trail. Stay on the trail; there is no need to leave it, and the meadows nearby are easily damaged.
The Washington Cascades are a series of falls on the Paradise River in Mount Rainier National Park, spread over roughly 100 yards. No single drop is over 20 feet. They begin about 200 feet downstream of the road bridge, below Ruby Falls, which has its own listing. Coming from the Nisqually Entrance, drive toward Paradise; where the main road makes a sweeping turn uphill to the left, about 8/10 mile past Narada Falls, turn right toward Stevens Canyon and park in the large pullout where the two roads meet. Find the signed Narada Falls trail on the east side of the bridge and follow it downstream to views back up into the cascades. The whole series can be seen from the trail. Alternatively, walk upstream from Narada Falls on the same trail. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Large pullout where the Paradise road meets Stevens Canyon Road, then the signed Narada Falls trail downstream from the east side of the bridge to views up into the cascades
The Northwest Waterfall Survey says to follow the trail downstream from the bridge for no more than 1/5 mile to views back up into the cascades. It also gives about 4/10 mile upstream from Narada Falls on the same trail. The return distance is not stated.
Short section of maintained park trail. Stay on the trail; there is no need to leave it, and the meadows nearby are easily damaged.
Where to start
Large pullout at the junction of the Paradise road and Stevens Canyon Road. Coming from the Stevens Canyon Entrance, park on the left soon after crossing the Paradise River. The Narada Falls parking and rest area, with restrooms, is a short drive down the road.
Timing & water
The Narada Falls parking and rest area is open year-round. No other season limits are stated for this short trail.
Before you go
Mount Rainier National Park entrance pass: $30 per private vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Washington Cascades
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Washington Cascades
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Washington Cascades
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Washington Cascades
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Washington Cascades
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Washington Cascades
- National Park Service: Narada Falls
- National Park Service: Mount Rainier fees and passes
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Ruby FallsRoadside and short trail view in the national park; entrance pass requiredLewis County, WA0.0 miE
Narada FallsResearched visit notes176 ft (53.6 m) · Lewis County, WA0.4 miSW
Myrtle FallsResearched visit notes59 ft (18 m) · Pierce County, WA1.0 miN- Tato FallsPierce County, WA1.1 miNW
- Nahunta FallsRoadside view in the national park; entrance pass requiredPierce County, WA1.3 miW
- Sunbeam FallsLewis County, WA1.4 miE
- Sluiskin FallsDistant view from the Skyline Trail at ParadisePierce County, WA1.5 miNE
- Nisqually Valley FallsPierce County, WA1.6 miNW
- Golden Gate FallsNational park trail from Paradise; falls beside a switchback on the Golden Gate TrailPierce County, WA1.6 miNE