Paradise Falls is a 20-foot waterfall on the Paradise River in Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, glacier-fed and reached from the Fourth Crossing area of the Skyline Trail.
The falls
The named, western fall is one of two nearly parallel falls about 300 feet apart across a moraine island; each is separately described as about 30 feet, though the fall's listed height is 20 feet. The form is a wide horsetail, and the best flow runs July through October.
Getting there
From Fourth Crossing, it is 0.33 mile to the Skyline Trail, then about 0.8 mile one way to the river footbridges near the falls. Mount Rainier National Park charges $30 per private vehicle for seven days, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person on foot or bicycle in 2026; no timed-entry reservation is required anywhere in the park. Paradise is open year-round, though winter access runs through the Nisqually Entrance and the Longmire gate typically closes nightly.
When to go
Snow can linger on Paradise trails into June or July, and July through September draws heavy crowds; weekdays or early and late visits are recommended. Flow in the Paradise River peaks July through October.
On site
The river footbridges, about 500 feet downstream, are the viewing point; trails do not reach the base, and off-trail travel there is prohibited. Dogs are not allowed on park trails or snow, though leashed pets may go in campgrounds, parking lots, and on public roads.
Nearby
Sluiskin Falls is about 0.3 mile away, Golden Gate Falls about 0.4 mile, and Glacier Plain Falls about 0.5 mile.
Distances are straight-line.