Strenuous 3.8-mile hike to a 300+ foot waterfall in Mount Rainier's backcountry; expect snow hazards until midsummer.
National Park entrance fee required
NPS describes the falls as dropping 'over 300 feet' (no exact figure given); best hiked once snow has melted, as the trail can be treacherous earlier in the season.
Comet Falls is a dramatic waterfall dropping over 300 feet, accessible via a strenuous 3.8-mile hike in Mount Rainier National Park. The trail climbs steadily through subalpine forest with significant elevation gain, making it suitable for experienced hikers comfortable with backcountry conditions.
Snow lingers on the trail well into summer, and NPS advises against hiking until the route is clear and stable. Dogs are not permitted on Mount Rainier trails. A National Park entrance fee is required to access the trailhead.
Best after snow has melted, typically late summer and early fall. The trail is treacherous earlier in the season due to lingering snow and avalanche risk.
3-4 hours
Not ADA accessible; trail is steep and backcountry.
Skip if you prefer easy walks; this strenuous trail has substantial elevation gain and is not suitable for dogs or casual visitors. Winter/early-season travel is not recommended due to snow and avalanche hazard.
National Park entrance fee required
Via a 3.8-mile round-trip trail rated strenuous by the managing agency.
No — the managing agency's page states dogs are not permitted here (or on the specific trail/area needed to reach the falls).
We track 5 waterfalls in Mount Rainier.
There are 3 other waterfalls we track in Pierce County. All Mount Rainier waterfalls →
nps.gov
NPS Mount Rainier National Park official 'places' page, checked Aug 2026; no current trail closure found on park conditions page
Checked August 2026.