It’s no secret that the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park has tons of waterfalls. Some are hidden, and others are… hidden in plain sight.
Ruby Falls is one of them.
It’s located near Narada Falls beneath a bridge that goes over the Paradise River. Most people drive right over the bridge without realizing there’s a waterfall below.
In fact, I was one of those people too.
But after visiting Narada Falls, I stumbled upon a trail that slipped away into the woods. Curiosity got the best of me, so I followed it.
What I found was a series of cascades, quiet swimming holes, and, at the end, Ruby Falls. It poured out from under the bridge while cars drove over it, unaware of the beauty hidden beneath them.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking to Ruby Falls in Mount Rainier National Park. I’ll explain how to get there, what the trail is like, and tips from my own hiking experience to help you plan your adventure hiking to this hidden waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park.
Ruby Falls Complete Hiking Guide
The trail to Ruby Falls is a short 1 mile round trip with about 200 feet of elevation gain. It’s an easy walk that most people can handle, even without any hiking gear.
The trailhead to Ruby Falls is located behind the restrooms at Narada Falls. From there, the trail goes into the forest and begins a mild climb alongside the Paradise River.
Along the trail you’ll find a few side paths leading down to the river. On warm days, these are excellent spots to dip your feet in or even go for a swim.
In late summer, keep an eye out for wild blueberries along the riverbank. When I visited, the blueberries were in full bloom and I enjoyed munching on them as I explored the trail.
It’s not long until you arrive at Ruby Falls. It’s a small cascade along the Paradise River that shoots out from beneath a concrete bridge. It feels somewhat secret, hidden in plain sight right under the cars passing overhead.
Take some time there to relax, enjoy the scenery, and snap a few photos before heading back the way you came.
Ruby Falls Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 1 mile out and back to Ruby Falls.
- Hike Duration: The Comet Falls Hike takes approximately 1 hour total.
- Hike Difficulty: The trail’s difficulty is easy. The trail is in excellent shape. The trail is short and can be hiked by most people.
- Hike Incline: The hike has an elevation gain of about 200 feet. The trail is slightly uphill from the trailhead to Ruby Falls. It does not have any steep sections.
- 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 Ruby Falls
How to get to the trailhead for Ruby Falls
There are two ways to get to Ruby Falls.
The first way, and the way that I recommend, is by parking at Narada Falls and hiking half a mile up the trail to Ruby Falls.
The trailhead is located behind the bathrooms. You’ll see a trail entrance sign.
If you go this way, it’s a nice easy hike through the forest, with several other waterfalls along the way. There are a few access points into the river along this stretch of trail if you want to go for a swim.
The map location below for the trailhead for Ruby Falls is accurate and can be used to navigate there.
The other way to get to Ruby Falls is by parking at the bridge that goes over the Paradise River along the Stevens Canyon Road.
There is a narrow pull-out section near the bridge with room for 1 vehicle. It’s a dangerous place to park because of traffic zooming through the area, but Ruby Falls is located right there below you. So if you really don’t have time for a hike, this is the best way to get to Ruby Falls.
Ruby Falls Hike in Mount Rainier: My Experience
I found Ruby Falls completely by accident. After checking out Narada Falls, I noticed a trail behind the restrooms. I am always the curious type, so I decided to see where it led. I had no idea what I was about to stumble onto.
The path meandered through the woods before meeting up with the Paradise River.
Along the way, I came across a few small cascades and natural pools. I counted three solid spots where you could dip into the river. Perfect swimming holes for a hot day if you ask me.
Even better, one of the swimming spots was surrounded by wild blueberry bushes. The berries were ripe when I visited, so I snacked as I explored, amazed that this hidden stretch of the park was so close to one of the busiest tourist stops in Paradise. I was honestly surprised that I had it all to myself.
I kept going up the trail, and after about half a mile, I reached Ruby Falls. It was easily the tallest and most dramatic waterfall on the trail, tumbling out from beneath the bridge over the Paradise River.
Cars rumbled above, completely unaware of the view below. I found a small perch that looked out at the falls, and stepped onto it for a photo. It was the perfect finale to an already unforgettable day exploring Mount Rainier National Park.
Ruby Falls Trail Photos
Here are a few more photos of my hike to Ruby Falls. I hope they help you get a sense of what the trail is like.
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.
- Hike to a subalpine meadow with views of the Tahoma Glacier: Emerald Ridge Hike
- An old fire watch tower sitting atop a rocky peak: Gobbler’s Knob
- Lesser-known spot for camping in Mount Rainier: Lake George
- Wooden fire watch tower with one of the all time best views in Mount Rainier: Fremont Lookout
- Explore the wildflower meadows below Rainier at Summerland, or proceed further to glacial moraines of Panhandle Gap
- Hike through a rocky, tundra-like landscape with close-up views of Rainier’s summit: Burroughs Mountain Trail
- A short hike in the Sunrise area that has big views without big crowds: Dege Peak
I hope you enjoyed my guide to Ruby Falls in Mount Rainier National Park. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
