Three Short Trail Waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park Perfect for a Cloudy Day
Are you looking for some views inside Mount Rainier National Park that don’t require a view of the mountain? Sometimes you plan a trip up to Mount Rainier and the weather just doesn’t cooperate. The clouds have come in and the mountain is nowhere to be seen. This might be a great day to look at the waterfalls instead.
Comet Falls and Silver Falls are great options if you don’t mind a bit of hiking. There are a few waterfalls though that require very little effort for the great views they offer. I often add these onto our trip even when we can see the mountain.
Christine Falls
10.6 miles from the Nisqually Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park you will cross the Christine Falls Bridge. You will see some falls to your left as you cross the bridge but the better view requires you to park and get out of your car. As soon as you cross the bridge you will find a small parking area to the right with a short pathway down to the viewpoint. This is definitely worth stopping for.
Narada Falls
14.7 miles from the Nisqually Entrance you come to Narada Falls. Narada Falls has a parking lot to the right of Paradise Road located at the top of the falls. There are viewpoints of the falls from above, and of the river, but it’s well worth taking the short walk down hill to view the 168 foot waterfall. Sometimes when the sun hits it you can even catch a rainbow in the mist.
Paradise River Falls
Paradise Falls is just a short distance from Narada Falls. I had been going to Mount Rainier National Park for several years before I even knew it was there. Continue on Paradise Road after Narada Falls and stay to the right instead of going up to Paradise (like you are going to Reflection Lake). You will cross a small bridge seeing a waterfall to your left; the Paradise River. There will be room for a few cars on the side of the road and that is where you park. The falls are down a trail that is to the right. This one feels like a hidden gem as it is so tucked away out of sight.
So what do you do on a cloudy day at Mount Rainier? Do you have a favorite waterfall you like to explore?