Narada Falls
About
What It Is
Narada Falls is a two-tiered waterfall located within Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State [1]. The falls drop a total of 188 feet (57 m), with an upper tier of 168 feet (51 m) and a lower tier of 20 feet (6.1 m) [1]. The name was given in 1893 by Arthur F. Knight in reference to the Narada branch of the Theosophical Society of Western Washington, and also draws on the Hindu word meaning "pure" or "uncontaminated" [1]. It is regarded as the most visited waterfall in the park, in part because the Mount Rainier Highway crosses between its two tiers [1].
Activities & Experiences
Visitors can view the upper tier, a horsetail fall that descends in multiple strands down a near-vertical cliff into a perpendicular canyon, as well as the smaller lower plunge [1]. In winter, the upper falls freezes into a sheer column of icicles roughly 150 feet (46 m) tall, drawing ice climbers to the site [1].
Practical Access
The falls are accessible via the Mount Rainier Highway, which passes directly between the two tiers, making the waterfall visible from the road [1]. No additional details on parking, fees, hours, reservations, or typical visit duration are provided in the available sources.
Restrictions
No specific restrictions noted in the sources.
What Makes It Distinctive
Narada Falls stands out because a major highway passes between its two tiers, giving it a level of roadside visibility unusual among waterfalls of its scale [1]. The dramatic seasonal transformation of the upper tier into a 150-foot ice formation each winter creates a second, entirely different attraction that draws ice climbers in addition to warm-season visitors [1]. The site also carries a documented naming history tied to a specific 1893 expedition, giving it cultural and historical context beyond its physical character [1].
Sources
- Open year-round
- Typical duration: 2h
Things to do
- ice climbing
- waterfall viewing
Best time to visit
- winter for ice climbing
Features
- highway crosses between tiers
- horsetail upper tier
- most popular park waterfall
- two-tiered waterfall
Nearby
- mount rainier national park
Good to know
- highway crosses falls
- roadside visibility
Photos
