Vernal Falls is an unconfirmed waterfall on an unnamed stream in Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington.
The falls
The Northwest Waterfall Survey matches this location on an unnamed stream in the Puyallup River watershed, at an elevation of about 5,066 feet, and classifies "Vernal Falls" as a colloquial name rather than an official one. It gives no height, drop count, or survey date, and marks the entry unconfirmed.
Getting there
The falls lie within Mount Rainier National Park. Entry costs $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person arriving on foot or by bicycle, each valid for seven days; the Park Service does not require timed-entry reservations anywhere in the park in 2026. No trailhead, parking area, distance, or difficulty rating specific to Vernal Falls is documented.
When to go
As of the September 2026 park conditions page, Sunrise Road was closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians and bicycles beyond September 5, while Grand Park and other northern trails remained closed for wildfire response. Checking current road and trail status before a visit is advised, since park roads and facilities close seasonally.
On site
Pets are not allowed on trails anywhere in Mount Rainier National Park.
Nearby
Vernal Park Falls is about 0.7 mile away, Upper Redstone Falls about 1 mile, Garda Falls on Granite Creek about 1.1 miles, and Redstone Falls about 1.3 miles.
Distances are straight-line.