Carter Falls
Washington · 53-foot drop · Mount Rainier National Park · Last verified 2026-06-26
Carter Falls is at 541 cfs of flow today, on the upper end of typical conditions.
Expect dry conditions today — don't drive out for this one. Flow is at 522 cfs (bottom 10% of the last 30 days, vs. 573.2 cfs average). The 7-day NOAA forecast shows no significant rain.
Right now
Streamflow
541 cfs
COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, · 50m ago
Overnight
49°F
Partly Cloudy
Tuesday
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Today's daylight
Sunrise 5:41 AM · Sunset 8:45 PM · 15h 3m
Other park alerts
Snapshot built 14m ago. Sources: USGS · NWS SEW.
Carter Falls is a 53-foot horsetail cascade on the glacier-fed Paradise River in Mount Rainier National Park, accessible via 1.1 miles of the Wonderland Trail from Cougar Rock Campground. The 2.2-mile round-trip gains 480 ft and passes through old-growth Douglas fir and Western red cedar — including a noted ancient Nootka cypress along the trail. Named for Harry Carter, builder of much of the original trail between Longmire and Paradise. Often paired with Madcap Falls (34 ft, 100 yards upstream).
A short history
Named for Harry Carter, builder of much of the trail between Longmire and Paradise in the early days of Mount Rainier National Park.
The trail
2.2 miles each way, rated moderate with 480 feet of elevation gain. Cougar Rock Campground or Longmire — start the Wonderland Trail from either. Park entry fee $30/vehicle or America the Beautiful pass.
Is the water flowing right now?
Most waterfall sites don't tell you this. The waterfall itself is almost never gauged, but a USGS streamgage in the same watershed can tell you whether snowmelt has started, peaked, or run dry.
USGS gage 14226500 · 11.3 mi away
COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, WA
— Distant gauge — proxy reading, not on the same drainage.
View live discharge data →
30-day streamflow
Near 30-day average↻ Same date last year: 585 cfs · 89% of last year — similar
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carter Falls (this page) | — | 53 ft | moderate · 2.2 mi | N | $30 |
| Madcap Falls | 0 mi | — | — | N | — |
| Madcap Falls | 0 mi | — | — | N | — |
| Christine Falls | 1 mi | 69 ft | — | N | — |
| Nahunta Falls | 1 mi | — | — | N | — |
| Narada Falls | 1 mi | — | — | N | — |
Related waterfalls
Similar height (~53 ft)
- Crosscut Falls53 ft
- Lindsey Creek Falls53 ft
- Lower Rock Creek Falls53 ft
- Maumee Falls West53 ft
- Muddy Creek Falls53 ft
Same best season in Washington
- Hamma Hamma Falls75 ft
- Panther Creek Falls136 ft
- Dougan Falls19 ft
- Cherry Creek Falls25 ft
Questions visitors ask about Carter Falls
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
How tall is Carter Falls?
Carter Falls is 53 feet (16.2 m) tall. Height is sourced from NPS Mt Rainier.
Is Carter Falls in a national or state park?
Yes — Carter Falls is inside Mount Rainier National Park. See the park page for fees, hours, and current conditions.
Can I bring my dog to Carter Falls?
No — dogs are not allowed on trails here. Most National Park trails prohibit pets to protect wildlife. Service animals are an exception per ADA.
Can you swim at Carter Falls?
No — swimming is not safe or not allowed at Carter Falls. The Paradise River carries glacial meltwater — dangerously cold and fast year-round. No safe water access.
When is the best time to visit Carter Falls?
Peak flow is typically June, July, August, September, October. Season-wise: summer, fall. Snowmelt and recent rain affect day-to-day volume.
Is there a fee to visit Carter Falls?
Yes — entry costs around $30. Most Mount Rainier National Park entrances accept the America the Beautiful annual pass.
How far is Carter Falls from a major city?
Carter Falls is 12 miles from Ashford (about 20 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in Washington
Where it is
46.7648, -121.7700
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Official land manager
https://www.nps.gov/places/carter-falls.htm
Wikidata (Q121010066)
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121010066
GeoNames (5789271)
https://www.geonames.org/5789271/
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-06-26
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