Myrtle Falls

Tourist attraction · Pierce County

Myrtle Falls

Tourist attraction · Pierce County

1

Ashford, WA 98304

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Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null
Myrtle Falls by null

Highlights

Waterfall with Mt. Rainier backdrop, accessible short walk  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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Ashford, WA 98304 Get directions

nps.gov

Information

Static Map

Ashford, WA 98304 Get directions

+1 360 569 2211
nps.gov

Features

restroom
wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Aug 14, 2025

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13 Best Hikes in Seattle | Condé Nast Traveler

"The Paradise area at one of our favorite day trips from Seattle , Mount Rainier National Park, is aptly named, thanks to the broad meadows that offer views up to the 14,410-foot volcano. Though a whole network of trails, some paved, cover the area, the Skyline Trail is one of the most popular. Heading east from the great stone Paradise Inn , the Skyline Trail heads to the tumbling Myrtle Falls. A classic wooden bridge in national park style crosses Edith Creek above the waterfall, but the best view comes from below, where the summit of the glacier-covered mountain rises above the greenery. The sight is a remarkable reward for what is less than a half-mile hike." - Hannah Kirshner, Allison Williams

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-hikes-in-seattle
View Postcard for Myrtle Falls

Doghouse Observatory

Google
This is a beautiful place to hike and take in the sights. There is one issue I feel the need to point out. People have no respect anymore for our national parks! I saw so many people walking off trail and into the fragile landscape, as it appears from the snow. They trample it to a sloppy mess and destroy the views. I saw people pushing over the staked out trail to get to a "photo opp" point. Sadly, It appeared that MOST of these people were also foreigners. They need to hire many more park rangers to help curb this issue before it is all destroyed. This should be preserved for ALL to see and enjoy. My only regret, is not visiting this at an earlier age. I would have loved to summit this beauty!

Kimberly A

Google
Well- maintained. Family-friendly. Be sure to wear hiking boots and pants that can get muddy just in case the ground is wet from the snowmelt. Please stay on trail and be careful not to leave any trash.

Nicholas Govednik

Google
We have a season pass to Rainier. The falls are beautiful all over, parking was hard but that's because they're actively fixing all the roads. Worth the wait and just added a bit of extra hiking!

Kipp Elsbernd

Google
Short hike less than a half a mile from The visitor center. Easy enough that the vast majority of people could do it. Great picture opportunity and views of Mount Rainier!

Greg Rangel

Google
May = Snow in Paradise. Best to go in the summer for spring time views. Can't really go hiking at paradise unless you bring your snow shoes. Still tons of hiking to be down the mountain.

R. Scherer

Google
This is an easy trail to Myrtle Falls, located in the Mount Rainer National Forest. On my way through the park, I had to take a few of the easier and shorter trails due to my schedule. The park is amazing, and Myrtle Falls didn't disappoint. I find waterfalls captivating. Especially if they are in a lush inspirational setting like this. The views are spectacular and jaw-droppingly beautiful. Pictures are pretty, but I have found in my experience that you can't get the truly majestic feel of the beauty that these places hold. It's an all sensory experience and a must-see for your bucket list. Happy trails, and as always, leave no trace, leave it better than you found it, and enjoy 😉!

Nurzat Alimbabaeva

Google
It’s was a couple weeks ago,really easy to get in and jut 5-6 min of walking from parking to this place,I really like it and I will go again when snow is gonna melt 😍🔥🔥🔥

Steven Bailey

Google
An okay waterfall -- but amazing view of Mt.Rainier jutting out above it. Spot if very accessible with a highly maintained blacktop path leading to it.
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Stephanie W.

Yelp
The trail to reach Myrtle falls is pretty easy/short (a little less than a mile) and BOY are the views stunning. The actual view of Myrtle facing Mt. Rainier is kind of the "poster child" picture for Mt. Rainier at least that I saw online so that was fun when I realized! A crowd definitely does gather right in front of the falls so don't be surprised, you may have to wait/ask folks to shift around if you want to get a nice photo. It's worth it though! Overall if you're visiting the Paradise part of Mt. Rainier, this is such an easy spot to get to that you absolutely should not miss. The whole trail path is paved.
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Travis T.

Yelp
This is one of the most photographed areas in Mount Rainier National Park. The view of Myrtle Falls with Mount Rainier in the background is one of the most stunning viewpoints in the whole park. Myrtle Falls is located in the Paradise area and is a short walk from the parking lot on the Skyline loop trail. The trail is moderately challenging and is on paved asphalt. This waterfall tumbles 72 feet into a rugged gorge, There is a viewing area off to the side that allows you to take photos of Myrtle Falls with Mount Rainier directly behind it. Just know that it can get crowded in this small area. There may also be professional photographers in this area taking photos with a tripod. There is a bridge over Myrtle Falls that allows you to see it from above. I highly recommend doing the full Skyline loop trail if you have time. It's a great hike. The Paradise area is closed during the winter season.
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Alyssa A.

Yelp
Absolutely beautiful stop. You look at pictures and postcards, and the picture looks more colorful and intense than in person. Myrtle Falls, however, is one of those places that is prettier and more impressive in person. Words (and even my picture) will not do it justice. A quick, easy 0.5 mile walk from the Paradise visitor center (on the Skyline Loop), it is easily accessible. If you don't have much time here, this is definitely a stop you should incorporate and will be quick. Parking is super easy at the visitor center at the start of the hike. An easily accessible, quick point of beauty in Mt Rainier National Park.
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Joyce T.

Yelp
Less than one mile from the visitor center, it's an easy trail. The viewing area is kind of small and always packed with people, you will have to wait for your turn to get closer and to take photos.
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Brian F.

Yelp
Myrtle Falls is a short walk from Jackson Visitor Center and is just picturesque. It's a 70 foot waterfall with the majestic Mount Rainier in the background. It's one of the best attractions in the park in terms of effort-to-reward ratio. I can see why it's one of the most popular and most photographed areas and you'll often see people with tripods taking pictures.
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Shwe N.

Yelp
started on the left side of the trail so seeing myrtle falls nearing at the end of our hike was so rewarding! truly magnificent work of art i lov our earth ... yes i am a taurus
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Raj S.

Yelp
One of the bestttttt views of Mt Rainier ! Wowow . We were just amazed with this view ! The only issue is the space of this viewpoint ! It's pretty small and u r almost pushed out of ur spot , if u try to take 5-6 pics ! It's about a .5 mile walk from visitor center and it is worth it . There is a small walkway / step to the viewpoint . There are soooooo many people there trying to take a pic . Yeah . It's toooooo crowded on weekends and summer days ! It's still worth the view . Beautiful view of the falls with Rainier at the background . Tough to take strollers ! Loved it overall
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Kate C.

Yelp
Beautiful, quick trail in Mount Rainer National Park. You can easily access it from the visitors center. It's a little bit of an incline but it's not hard. There are stopping points along the way for anyone that needs a quick resting spot. I was also very close to a deer walking on the path. The wildflowers along the way were absolutely stunning!
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Kim R.

Yelp
Myrtle was on my list of sites to see while visiting the park for the first time. What I hadn't realized was that the Paradise area would be packed to the gils, as roads from there were already closed for the year. After battling for a parking spot we fought the ice rink of stairs that was to lead from the lot to the falls. The path to the falls was gorgeous, and of course crowded. With so many site seekers converged in the area, it was hard to get onto the bridge at the top, I had to wiggle past numerous tri-pods. To be expected I suppose, as Myrtle Falls has a stunning setting with direct views of the snowy peak above. I carefully traversed the icy stairs down to the viewing area, but not carefully enough I guess, as even though I was holding the cable I still went down hard. But, I was most of the way down and wanted my bruises to not be in vain, so I got up and finished my course. Glad I did, the view from below is amazing...especially with the blanket of snow on the surrounding trees. Overall, I'd hold to Myrtle being a must-see in the park. As an avid falls hiker, it's not the most unique falls out there, or even within the park. It's the setting that makes it special. *Sorry my pics aren't great, wrong time of day for shadows!
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Courtney L.

Yelp
*Summer Flashback* Located in the Paradise region of Mount Rainier National Park, Myrtle Falls is such a delight to enjoy before continuing on to explore trails up ahead. On a sunny day, if you're lucky, Mount Rainier will appear directly in the backdrop of the Falls, making for an extremely picturesque shot. Although the mountain hid behind the clouds on the day I visited, I was still captivated by the entire scene. The Myrtle Falls viewpoint is accessible down a well-defined but steep set of steps covered with sand and some rocks. Although common sense, be sure to wear shoes with good traction to prevent sliding on the surface. While the lookout area is small and gets fairly crowded with visitors constantly rotating in and out, it provides the perfect place to snap some beautiful photos. Now for my favorite area of the park! Back on the main path in the same general area is a bridge which passes directly over a stream of water that feeds Myrtle Falls. There is something so serene about standing on the bridge, listening to the trickling water and appreciating the sight of the green hills that lead your gaze up to Mount Rainier. Spend a couple minutes here to take it all in...the views can't be beat!
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Seth A.

Yelp
Myrtle Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to get to. It's located within the main Paradise section of Mt. Rainier National Park. And although this Paradise area is the beginning to many iconic Mt. Rainier hikes....I decided to come straight here to Myrtle Falls first thing when I arrived just as a little sampler towards my exploration around this section. Myrtle Falls from the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center is simply a 1 mile round trip walk. Though....by the time you just even get to the Skyline Trail where Myrtle Falls is located along...it's a very easy a 1/4 mile little side stop for people with maybe bigger plans and hikes to traverse around Paradise. But, point is...Myrtle Falls is very easy to access and there are visible signs to find it. And all Myrtle Falls is....just an overlook. Yeah a viewpoint of a cascading waterfall...it was pretty. I enjoyed it. Though there are certainly much better waterfalls to view throughout Mt. Rainier. But like I said...Myrtle Falls was sort of like my appetizer attraction....a quick stop to check off my list. For those who know me, I can't stand handrails or guardrails when trying to photograph surroundings at panoramic points. So...as per my usual, here at Myrtle there was a guardrail which prevented me from putting myself in the picture. No problem....I gently climbed over the rail and avoided this obstruction. Lol, once again...I'm always on the lookout for better angles. So I was able to hop over the rail, but barely because there was little room to maneuver....otherwise I'd fall over the cliff's edge. Myrtle Falls is a 60 foot waterfall in length. I visited here in early afternoon on my first day visiting Mt. Rainier and had no issues with the angle of the sun disrupting my picture taking. I maybe spent 5 minutes looking at the falls and taking a few photos before moving on. Since it was already afternoon when I arrived here in the Paradise section....I was only looking to do the easier hikes and paths. I decided to save the more strenuous trails like the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point and many of the hikes in the Sunrise section for early mornings when I had full days to explore. If anyone cares...from Myrtle Falls I returned to my car and drove down less than 1 mile to the lower section parking lot here at Paradise to hike the easy Nisqually Vista Trail Loop which I highly recommend for some scenic and undisturbed shots of Mt. Rainier.
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Miss Ninja `.

Yelp
Went on 10/16/21 around 4pm and was surprised to see snow on the trail. Some parts are slippery. Recommend to wear traction cleats so you don't slip. Alot of people on trail were not prepared. We were helping each other down the steps. But overall, fun to see snow at this time. Not much view of the falls since covered in snow.
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Winnie Y.

Yelp
Wow, such a beautiful waterfall! The waterfall viewpoint is located in the Paradise area and is an easy less than half mile walk (one way) from the main trail head next to the visitor center. This trail is wheelchair/stroller accessible but will require some assistance since there is a short but very steep ramp down to the viewpoint. Myrtle Falls is also on the way down/or up from the Golden Gate Trail and Skyline Trail. The viewpoint area was quite busy, so you might have to wait your turn to snap some pictures. There was a portion of some trees cut away for you to have an even closer look at the waterfalls, though it's hard to get a good shot of both the waterfall AND yourself, so just soak in the view!