Is swimming allowed at Fairy Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Fairy Falls.

Nearby gauge (Cowlitz River) · 739 ft³/s · About average

Fairy Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Fairy Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Fairy Falls. 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.

Washington • Mount Rainier National Park • 680 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Fairy Falls, see below

Mount Rainier National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

Jaykhuang CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

thecosmicweb CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Bill Incognito CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Wonderlane CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

brewbooks CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

About Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls drops about 680 feet in six steps from the upper headwall of Stevens Canyon in Mount Rainier National Park, on an unnamed tributary of Stevens Creek in the Cowlitz River watershed. It once drew meltwater from the Paradise Glacier, but with that ice gone it now depends on snowmelt and fades to a trickle by late summer. There is no trail to the falls. Most people view them from Stevens Canyon Road.

The Setting

Fairy Falls sits at 5,669 feet within Mount Rainier National Park, in the high mountains of Washington. At 680 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Washington.

Height: 680 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Martha Falls (150 ft) lies 1.9 miles to the south.

Martha Falls

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. Fairy Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

What to Expect

The falls plunge a dramatic 680 feet.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Fairy 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?

🤑 Fee: $30.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Fairy Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Early summer, during snowmelt. By late summer the falls are often a trickle and can dry up in drought years.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Mount Rainier National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Reaching the base means a rough, very brushy scramble of about 2 miles up Stevens Creek with no maintained trail. Most visitors should view the falls from the road.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cowlitz River, 12.6 miles away, not on Fairy Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

739 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

380 613 1.5k 2.7k

Based on 97 years of record

1.46 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.

COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, WA

USGS 14226500

12.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 287 sq mi

Altitude: 1,051 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, WA (20 km away).

Moderate confidence

Roaring right now

739 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

798 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

790 cfs

8/10

Thu

Roaring

887 cfs

8/10

Fri

Roaring

932 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

967 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

992 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

1044 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, cloudy (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid July, 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 Packwood hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Fairy Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Fairy Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 35°F to 26°F.

Days below freezing: 3 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 495 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.

3-meter lidar shows Fairy Falls dropping about 320 feet in a single sheer step. The full 680 feet the falls are listed at is spread over a longer run than this window: along the whole mile-long profile the ground drops about 1,077 feet. The brink sits at about 5,664 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 72 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 341 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face south and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Fairy Falls near Packwood, Washington, showing about 320 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing south

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 5,664 feet; Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 320 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: South; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From the Paradise turnoff, drive about 3 miles east on Stevens Canyon Road to the pullout at the sharp hairpin known as The Bench. The falls are visible from there and from the road between The Bench and just east of Sunbeam Creek. A small part of the falls is also visible from the Skyline Trail as it climbs Mazama Ridge.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Use the pullout at The Bench on Stevens Canyon Road. Do not stop in the travel lane.

Elevation

5,669 feet above sea level

Coordinates

46.794554° N, -121.699815° W

Land Management

Mount Rainier National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Come in early summer, soon after Stevens Canyon Road opens, for the best flow. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens; the falls are across the canyon.

This trail sits at 5,669 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 23% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen

UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)

Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.

Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets

You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.

ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses

High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.

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

La Wis Wis Campground

9.9 miles away · 113 sites

Reservable

Overview Situated at the confluence of three waterways near Mount Rainier, La Wis Wis is nestled under a canopy of towering Douglas firs and red cedars. The handful of sites that dot the riverbank enjoy the most sunshine. With an abundance of activities nearby, La Wis Wis is a popular destination for long-stay camping. Its proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes it an excellent base for exploring all of the area's natural wonders. Recreation Hikers can easily access the Blue Hole Trail and

Book on Recreation.gov