Cataract Falls
Washington • Mount Rainier National Park
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
SR 165 (Fairfax Bridge) is closed, so there is no public road access to the Carbon River and Mowich Lake trailheads (NPS, July 2026). The Wonderland Trail from the Carbon River to Summerland was also closed for fire as of August 2026; check NPS trail conditions before planning a trip.
Photo Credits (5)
About Cataract Falls
Cataract Falls is on Cataract Creek in the Carbon River area of Mount Rainier National Park, beside the Spray Park trail near Cataract Valley Camp. Since July 2026 the SR 165 Fairfax Bridge has been closed, so there is no public road access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake, and reaching the falls requires a long backcountry trip from elsewhere in the park.
The Setting
Cataract Falls sits at 4,009 feet within Mount Rainier National Park, in the mountains of Washington.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The falls sit along the Spray Park trail between Spray Park and the Carbon River, near Cataract Valley Camp. With the Carbon River and Mowich Lake roads cut off, there is no short day hike to the falls at present. Overnight trips require a wilderness permit.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Cataract Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on any trail in Mount Rainier National Park, except leashed dogs on the Pacific Crest Trail along the park's eastern edge.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Cataract Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may bring icy conditions that require extra caution.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Check with Mount Rainier National Park for current conditions.
Safety Information
The trail may be slippery, especially after rain or during winter months. Visitors should exercise caution near the waterfall and avoid climbing on wet rocks. Always stay on marked trails to ensure safety.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Puyallup River, 10.9 miles away, not on Cataract Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
373 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 99 years of record
3.78 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge PUYALLUP RIVER NEAR ELECTRON, WA (18 km away).
Today
Roaring
403 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
407 cfs
8/10Thu
Strong
376 cfs
9/10Fri
Roaring
405 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
472 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
463 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
463 cfs
6/10Best window: Thu — strong flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid May to mid August, peaking in June.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Carbonado hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Cataract Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded strong flow slows freezing
Cataract Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°F to 35°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 491 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Washington.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The ground through the falls loses about 294 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 4,019 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 205 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 143 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 4,019 feet
- Measured by 3-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 294 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The falls are normally reached from the Carbon River or Mowich Lake trailheads off SR 165 in the park's northwest corner. Both are currently unreachable by road because the SR 165 Fairfax Bridge is closed.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
4,009 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.942051° N, -121.811212° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Check the Mount Rainier NPS road status and trail conditions pages before planning, and get a wilderness permit for any overnight stay.
Where to Stay
Mountain Meadows Inn & Chalet Suites
Gateway Inn & Cabins
Lafa Cabin - Luxe A Frame Retreat with Hot Tub, Sauna, Firepit- 5 Min to Mt Rainier
Luxe Chalet at Rainier Entrance with Hot Tub-AC-WiFi
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Attractions
Spray Park, Spray Falls, Carbon Glacier and Ipsut Creek in the Carbon River area of the park.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of bears and other larger animals, especially during certain seasons.
Cities near Cataract Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Cataract Falls
4 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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