Maple Falls
Washington • Mount Rainier National Park
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
4.6 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Maple Falls
Maple Falls is on Maple Creek in the Stevens Canyon area of Mount Rainier National Park, beside the Wonderland Trail. Hikers see it by looking upstream from the foot-log crossing of Maple Creek near Maple Creek Camp, about 2.3 miles from the Box Canyon Trailhead. This stretch of the Wonderland Trail also passes Sylvia Falls and Martha Falls.
The Setting
Maple Falls sits at 3,018 feet within Mount Rainier National Park, in the mountains of Washington.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the Box Canyon Trailhead on Stevens Canyon Road, follow the Wonderland Trail west down Stevens Canyon, passing the Stevens Creek junction at about 1.5 miles. At about 2.3 miles the trail reaches Maple Creek Camp and a foot-log crossing of Maple Creek, where Maple Falls is visible upstream. Return the same way.
What to Expect
Visitors can expect a peaceful hike through a forested area leading to a beautiful waterfall. The trail may be muddy or slippery in wet conditions, so proper footwear is recommended.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Maple 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 Maple Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Maple Falls, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt and seasonal rains.
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
The trail may be slippery, especially after rain. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and exercise caution near the waterfall. Always stay on marked trails and avoid getting too close to the edge.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cowlitz River, 10 miles away, not on Maple 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
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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, WA (16 km away).
Today
Roaring
798 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
790 cfs
8/10Thu
Roaring
887 cfs
8/10Fri
Roaring
932 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
1003 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
1048 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
1064 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, mostly 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 Maple Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Maple Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 47°F to 37°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 428 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 3,009 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 173 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 102 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 3,009 feet
- Measured by 3-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 428 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Drive Stevens Canyon Road in Mount Rainier National Park to the Box Canyon Trailhead and picnic area, between the Stevens Canyon entrance near SR 123 and the Paradise area. Start west on the Wonderland Trail.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Box Canyon Trailhead on Stevens Canyon Road. A Mount Rainier National Park entrance pass is required.
Elevation
3,018 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.756499° N, -121.662869° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Start your hike early to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough daylight. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a camera to capture the stunning scenery.
Where to Stay
Mountain Meadows Inn & Chalet Suites
Tiny Timber
Gateway Inn & Cabins
Rainier Spa Cabin 7 Minutes to Park
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
La Wis Wis Campground
6.7 miles away · 113 sites
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.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Wilkeson, Washington
Ohanapecosh Hot Springs
Ohanapecosh Hot Springs flows at 122 degrees within Mount Rainier National Park at 1,920 feet elevation, emerging 74.5 degrees ...
Longmire Mineral Springs
Longmire Mineral Springs flows at 77 degrees within Mount Rainier National Park at 2,758 feet elevation, emerging 31.9 degrees ...
Mt Rainier Fumaroles
Mount Rainier fumaroles reach 162 degrees at 14,217 feet elevation, emerging 154.8 degrees above ambient at Washington's highes...
Packwood Hot Spring
Packwood Hot Spring flows at 100 degrees at 1,002 feet elevation in the lower Cascade foothills near Morton, emerging 49.8 degr...
Orr Creek Warm Springs
Orr Creek Warm Springs emerges at 72 degrees in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at 2,910 feet elevation, flowing 26.5 degre...
Lester Hot Springs
This 120-degree spring sits within the City of Tacoma Watershed at 1,582 feet elevation, emerging 72.3 degrees above ambient in...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Wilkeson, Washington on SoakingSprings.
Explore Washington springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Box Canyon of the Muddy Fork Cowlitz River is at the trailhead, and Sylvia Falls and Martha Falls are farther along the Wonderland Trail in Stevens Canyon.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of bears and other larger animals.
Cities near Maple Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Maple Falls
3 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
Writing about Maple Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.