Most hikes in Mount Rainier are all about steep climbs and epic views. But the hike to Carter Falls is a little different. It starts with a river crossing, then follows a portion of the Wonderland Trail, climbing gently through shaded forests.
What many people don’t realize, though, is that if you go just a bit further, you’ll get to Madcap Falls. It’s a spot that in my opinion beats Carter Falls for sightseeing and for simply hanging out by the river.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking to Carter and Madcap Falls in Mount Rainier National Park. I’ll share how to get to there, what the trail is like, and tips from my own hiking experience to help you plan your adventure hiking to these waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park.
Carter Falls Complete Hiking Guide
Carter Falls is one of the more interesting waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park.
I’ll start off by being completely upfront. The view of Carter Falls is mostly blocked by trees. There’s no good view of the falls, just small gaps between trees where you can catch partial glimpses of the water. My guess is that decades ago the view was clearer, but the forest has since filled in and taken over.
The good news is that there is another highlight just a bit further. Madcap Falls is located just upstream, and unlike Cater Falls, you get an unobstructed view of it.
And better yet, when the river is low, you can walk out onto the rocks at the top of Madcap Falls. That’s exactly what I did when I hiked to Madcap Falls, and enjoyed watching the birds swim in the river while I ate a snack.
The hike to Carter and Madcap Falls begins at the Wonderland Trailhead near Cougar Rock Campground. From there, the path goes down into the Nisqually River basin before crossing a log bridge over the river itself.
After crossing the bridge, the trail follows the Paradise River upstream for about a mile through cool, shaded forest. You’ll pass towering old-growth trees, mossy boulders, and an old wooden pipe wrapped in steel bands.
Eventually, the trail reaches a small wooden-fenced overlook of Carter Falls. As I mentioned earlier, the view isn’t great, but it’s worth checking out.
Continue around the corner and you’ll arrive at Madcap Falls. In my opinion, Madcap Falls makes the whole hike worthwhile.
The cascade of Madcap is smaller, but you can actually see it. It’s a perfect turnaround point before retracing your steps back to the trailhead.
Carter Falls Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 2.5 miles out and back to Carter and Madcap Falls.
- Hike Duration: The Carter Falls Hike takes approximately 2-3 hours total.
- Hike Difficulty: The trail’s difficulty is easy/moderate. The trail is in good shape and is shaded almost the entire way. The elevation gain is gradual, and there are no technical parts on the trail, so it can be hiked by most people as long as you take your time.
- Hike Incline: The hike has an elevation gain of about 600 feet. The trail is uphill from the trailhead all the way to the falls, but it is not steep or strenuous.
- Dogs are NOT allowed on this trail because it is located in Mount Rainier National Park.
- A Mount Rainier Entrance Pass is required to hike to Carter Falls
How to get to the trailhead for Carter Falls
The trailhead for Carter Falls is located directly across the road from Cougar Rock Campground on Paradise Valley Road. The entire route to Carter and Madcap Falls follows a stretch of the famous Wonderland Trail, so once you’re on it, it’s easy to navigate.
Parking for the Carter Falls trail is limited to a small pullout on the side of the road, which tends to fill up quickly. A good alternative is the Cougar Rock Picnic Area just up the road. When I passed through, parking at the picnic area was nearly empty, so it’s a good option for overflow parking.
The map location below for the trailhead for Carter Falls is accurate and can be used to navigate there.
Carter Falls Hike in Mount Rainier: My Experience
During my time exploring the south side of Mount Rainier, I camped at Cougar Rock Campground. I noticed a bunch of cars parked along the road near the campground and decided to see what the fuss was about.
To my surprise, there was a trailhead with a sign for Carter Falls. I looked at the map and saw that it was only about a mile away, so after lunch I went to check it out.
The trail immediately dipped down toward Nisqually River, zigzagging across the wide, rocky riparian zone before reaching a log bridge.
I crossed the bridge over the river itself and once across, the path tracked uphill into the forest. It felt good to be under the trees, breathing cool air, and following a shaded path alongside the Paradise River.
Along the way, I passed massive old-growth trees and giant boulders. I always wonder about those trailside boulders: did they roll down here in some ancient storm, or were they slowly uncovered by erosion?
For a while the trail hugged the river, but then it started getting higher and higher, and soon it departed from the sounds of the rushing water.
It wasn’t long until I reached Carter Falls.
At first, I wasn’t sure I was in the right spot because the view was so obscured by the forest. But a small wooden fence marked the overlook, and sure enough, the water was roaring over the cliffside as I peered through the trees.
I paused for a moment, then pushed on, curious to see if Madcap Falls was the same.
I went uphill, just around the corner and a short stretch upstream before finding Madcap Falls. Madcap was a lot smaller, but I could actually see it.
I scrambled down onto a boulder for a better look and noticed a few hikers sitting right in the river above the falls. The two waterfalls almost felt connected, like part of the same slope.
I followed a narrow path onto the rocks at the top of the river and found a dry rock with a perfect view of the water. I sat there snacking and watching two birds play and swim in the river. It was quiet, calm, and a nice break from all the other intense hikes in the park.
When I finished my snack, I turned back the way I came, happy I’d stumbled onto this short but relaxing trail. Carter Falls may be the namesake, but Madcap Falls was the spot that really made the hike memorable for me.
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More Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
We’re based in Seattle and have done a ton of hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best trails we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our ultimate Mount Rainier hiking guide: 20 Incredible Hikes in Mount Rainier: Complete Travel Guide
- Hike to a subalpine meadow with views of the Tahoma Glacier: Emerald Ridge Hike
- An old fire watch tower sitting atop a rocky peak: Gobblers Knob
- Rocky peak with an unobstructed view of Mount Rainier: Pinnacle Peak
- Explore the wildflower meadows below Rainier at Summerland, or proceed further to glacial moraines of Panhandle Gap
- Wooden fire watch tower with one of the all time best views in Mount Rainier: Fremont Lookout
- The tallest waterfall in Mount Rainier: Comet Falls
- A short hike that has big views without big crowds: Dege Peak
- 3-night backpacking adventure in Mount Rainier: Northern Loop Trail
I hope you enjoyed my guide to hiking to Carter and Madcap Falls in Mount Rainier National Park. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
