Is swimming allowed at Sunbeam Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Sunbeam Falls.

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

Sunbeam Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Sunbeam Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Sunbeam 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

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Mount Rainier National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

National Park Service Public Domain · National Park Service

Bernd Thaller CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Simonds CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Jeff Krause Photography CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

ShebleyCL CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

About Sunbeam Falls

Sunbeam Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. It is a cascading waterfall formed by the Sunbeam Creek as it flows down the slopes of Mount Rainier. The falls are known for their scenic beauty and are often photographed with the backdrop of lush greenery and the towering Mount Rainier.

The Setting

Sunbeam Falls sits at 4,452 feet within Mount Rainier National Park, in the mountains of Washington.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Fairy Falls, the tallest waterfall in Washington at 680 feet, lies 1.5 miles to the northeast. Also nearby: Narada Falls (188 ft, 1.7 mi) and Martha Falls (150 ft, 0.9 mi).

Fairy Falls Narada Falls Martha Falls

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

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

Trail Description

Sunbeam Falls does not require a hike to access, as it is visible from Stevens Canyon Road. Visitors can enjoy the view of the cascading falls from the roadside.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a stunning view of a cascading waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation. The falls are particularly beautiful in the spring and early summer when water flow is at its peak due to snowmelt.

Accessibility

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

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Sunbeam 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 Sunbeam Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Sunbeam Falls is in the spring and early summer when the water flow is strongest due to snowmelt. Fall also offers beautiful foliage in the surrounding area.

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

Exercise caution when parking and walking along Stevens Canyon Road, as traffic can be heavy. Do not climb on rocks near the falls, as they may be slippery and dangerous.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cowlitz River, 11.3 miles away, not on Sunbeam 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

11.3 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 (18 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 Sunbeam Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Sunbeam Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 42°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: 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 Sunbeam Falls dropping about 237 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 4,452 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 79 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 165 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Sunbeam Falls near Packwood, Washington, showing about 237 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 4,452 feet; Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 237 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

Sunbeam Falls is located along Stevens Canyon Road in Mount Rainier National Park. The falls are visible from the road, making them easily accessible for visitors traveling through the park.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is limited roadside parking available near the falls along Stevens Canyon Road. Visitors should exercise caution when parking and exiting their vehicles due to traffic.

Elevation

4,452 feet above sea level

Coordinates

46.774554° N, -121.711204° W

Land Management

Mount Rainier National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and ensure parking availability. Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty of the falls. Be cautious when stopping along the road, as traffic can be busy during peak seasons.

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

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND

4 miles away · 184 sites

Reservable

Overview Cougar Rock Campground, on the southwest side of Mt. Rainier National Park, is conveniently located near Paradise. Individual campsites are reservable on this page. Group campsite reservations can be made via Cougar Rock Group Campground. Paradise is the most popular destination in the park, with a lodge and visitor center, many miles of hiking trails and a commanding view of the mountain-the highest in the state and Cascade range. The main attraction at Mount Rainier National Park is t

Book on Recreation.gov