About Myrtle Falls

Myrtle Falls may be modest in height — about 72 feet — but the setting is among the most spectacular of any waterfall in the United States. Edith Creek plunges over a volcanic ledge into the subalpine Paradise meadows of Mount Rainier National Park, with the glaciated 14,411-foot summit of the mountain rising directly above the falls. In July and August the surrounding meadows are carpeted with lupine, paintbrush, and avalanche lily.

The trail begins at the Paradise Visitor Center at 5,400 feet elevation and follows the Skyline Trail through the most celebrated wildflower meadows in the Pacific Northwest. The short hike is accessible to virtually all visitors and delivers a combination of waterfall, wildflower, and mountain scenery that few places on earth can match.

Trail Highlights

• 72-foot plunge framed by subalpine wildflowers with Rainier's glaciated summit above
• Located at 5,400 feet on the Skyline Trail from Paradise Visitor Center
• July-August wildflower displays are among the most spectacular in the Pacific Northwest
• Accessible to virtually all visitors on a short, maintained trail
• One of the most photographed scenes in Mount Rainier National Park

Trail Description

From the Paradise Visitor Center, follow the Skyline Trail west and south. The trail immediately enters the famous Paradise wildflower meadows — lupine, paintbrush, and glacier lilies surround the path.

After 0.8 miles the trail reaches the Myrtle Falls footbridge — a wooden arc over Edith Creek with the 72-foot falls directly below and Mount Rainier rising above. This is one of the most photographed spots in Washington State. Return via the same trail or extend on the Skyline loop.

Tips & What to Bring

• July and August offer peak wildflower displays — the most popular (and crowded) time
• Paradise parking fills by 9am on summer weekends — take the park shuttle from Longmire
• The Skyline Trail loop (5.5 miles) extends the hike and adds panoramic glacier views
• Rainier's summit is often cloud-covered; clear mornings are best for the mountain backdrop
• The Paradise Visitor Center has excellent exhibits on the mountain's ecology and geology

Getting There

From Ashford, WA, enter Mount Rainier National Park via the Nisqually Entrance on SR-706. Follow the road to the Paradise Visitor Center and park in the Paradise lots. The Skyline Trail begins at the visitor center. GPS: 46.7850, -121.7350.