Ranger Falls
About
Ranger Falls is a waterfall in Washington's Mount Rainier National Park, within the Mount Rainier Wilderness. The National Park Service manages the land, and the nearest town is Carbonado, about 11.5 miles away. The falls sit at roughly 2,724 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 75 to 76°F, with only seven or eight wet days a month. Winter is cold and snowy, with highs in the mid-30s and rain on 20 or more days a month. Several other outings are close by. Green Lake and the Carbon River are each about half a mile away, and Chenuis Falls Trail is under a mile off. The Wonderland hike lies about 2.1 miles away.
Waterfall Facts
Elevation
2,724 ft
Land manager
National Park Service
Elevation from USGS 3D Elevation Program terrain data (about 10 m resolution).
Location
Ranger Falls
Washington
Name and location: U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. View the GNIS record.
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: May–Sep. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–76°F and lows of 37–46°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Longmire Rainier Nps, WA weather station, 16 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan37° high26° low9 days with snow
- Feb40° high26° low8 days with snow
- Mar45° high28° low8 days with snow
- Apr51° high31° low4 days with snow
- May60° high37° low1 days with snow
- Jun66° high41° low
- Jul75° high46° low
- Aug76° high46° low
- Sep69° high42° low
- Oct55° high35° low1 days with snow
- Nov42° high29° low5 days with snow
- Dec36° high25° low10 days with snow
Where it is
- Mount Rainier Wilderness · Wilderness
- Mount Rainier National Park · National Park Service
- Nearest town
- Carbonado, Washington · 12 mi
- Managed by
- National Park Service
Conditions
Active alerts for Mount Rainier National Park as of Oct 9, 2026:
Fryingpan Creek Bridge Replacement Project: Traffic and Trail Impacts
Information · posted Oct 8, 2026
Overnight closure of SR 706 on October 16; no access to Nisqually Entrance.
Information · posted Oct 8, 2026
WILDFIRE CLOSURES: Sunrise & northern trails. White River open.
Danger · posted Sep 11, 2026
SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
Park Closure · posted Aug 24, 2026
Ohanapecosh Campground area closed for construction in 2026.
Information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Expect long lines at entrances on weekends.
Information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Be cautious around park rivers & learn how to cross safely!
Caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: NPS Alerts API
Nearby
- Green LakeHiking0.5 mi
- Carbon RiverCanoeing0.5 mi
- Chenuis Falls TrailHiking0.8 mi
- WonderlandHiking2.1 mi
- North Mowich RiverCanoeing5.1 mi
- South Fork South Prairie CreekCanoeing5.7 mi
- Mini cow boulderRock climbing9.2 mi
- Melmont bouldersRock climbing9.2 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)