Are there fees or permits required for Ethania Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Ethania Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Ethania Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Ethania Falls.

Nearby gauge (Puyallup River) · 373 ft³/s · About average

Ethania Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Ethania Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Ethania Falls.

Washington • Mount Rainier National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (2)

brewbooks from near Seattle, USA CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

About Ethania Falls

Tucked into the forested slopes of Mount Rainier National Park, Ethania Falls is a lesser-known cascade that rewards hikers with a peaceful, green setting away from busier park corridors. The falls sit within the park’s managed lands and make a satisfying destination for those looking for a quieter outing—ideal for photographers and nature lovers who appreciate a short, scenic hike. The trail’s manageable distance and gentle climb make it a great half-day excursion in Mount Rainier National Park; check with park resources for seasonal access and current conditions before you go.

The Setting

Ethania Falls sits at 2,976 feet within Mount Rainier National Park, in the hills of Washington.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Spray Falls (354 ft) lies 6.6 miles to the northeast.

Spray Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Difficulty: moderate. The trail lies within Mount Rainier National Park (National Park Service). No USFS trail number or surface/grade/class data were provided in the available information; consult the park’s trail maps and current trail reports for specifics on footing, route markers, and seasonal conditions.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a tranquil setting with a waterfall surrounded by dense forest. The area may be less crowded compared to more popular waterfalls in Washington.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not available. The trail may not be suitable for those with mobility challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Ethania Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Ethania Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are likely the best times to visit, as the waterfall may have higher flow due to snowmelt.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Mount Rainier National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks, changing weather conditions, and potential wildlife encounters. Always stay on marked trails if available.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 4 hours ago Strong

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Puyallup River, 7.3 miles away, not on Ethania 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

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

185 258 568 1.0k

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.

PUYALLUP RIVER NEAR ELECTRON, WA

USGS 12092000

7.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 93 sq mi

Altitude: 1,637 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge PUYALLUP RIVER NEAR ELECTRON, WA (12 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

373 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

403 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

407 cfs

8/10

Thu

Strong

376 cfs

9/10

Fri

Roaring

405 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

472 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

463 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

480 cfs

6/10

Best 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 Ashford hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Ethania Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Ethania Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 40°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 323 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 2,977 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 235 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 215 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Ethania Falls near Ashford, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Ethania Falls near Ashford, Washington, showing about 323 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 2,977 feet; Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 323 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

The exact location of Ethania Falls is not well-documented. Visitors may need to consult local hiking guides or maps for directions.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking availability is unclear, but visitors should prepare for limited or roadside parking in the area.

Elevation

2,976 feet above sea level

Coordinates

46.835107° N, -121.916771° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Bring a map or GPS device as the trail may not be well-marked. Wear sturdy footwear and prepare for changing weather conditions.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Big Creek (Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA)

7.3 miles away · 29 sites

Reservable

Overview Situated in the vicinity of majestic Mount Rainier, Big Creek is a family campground nestled among Douglas firs, hemlock, alders and maples. The lush vegetation offers plenty of privacy between sites. The sites at Big Creek form a loop, with only a handful of sites sitting along the banks of Big Creek. Open from mid-May through late September, Big Creek provides an alternative to the campgrounds at Mount Rainier National Park, which can get very crowded during the summer. Recreation Angl

Book on Recreation.gov