Christine Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park Washington

Once of Washington State’s most photogenic waterfall is located within Mt. Rainier National Park, right off of one of the main roads in the park and requires only a short walk. Here’s how to see Christine Falls inside of Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State.

Christine Falls Details and Location

Christine Falls is located roughly 6 miles from the Longmire area, along the road to Paradise. This waterfall is located off of a roadside pullout and requires a very short walk to the overlook. This is a very busy pullout and you may need to wait for a parking spot to open up. If you’re entering Mt. Rainier National Park from the Nisqually entrance, Christine Falls viewpoint will likely be one of your first stops in the park, save for Longmire.

The overlook is open year round, however the short walk down the stairs can be snow-covered and/or icy. The park service does not recommend vising Christine Falls in the winter.

So why the name Christine Falls? This waterfall was named after Christine Van Trump, the daughter of PB Trump (no relation to Donald!), who was one of the first climbers to summit Mt. Rainier. Christine often accompanied her father on his mountaineering journeys in the park.

Visiting Christine Falls in Mt. Rainier National Park

Christine Falls waterfall is a two-tiered waterfall, with a 69-foot total drop, but you’re only going to be able to see and photograph the lower tier of the waterfall, as it is framed by the stone bridge, which is only a 37 foot drop. In order the photograph the upper tier, you’ll have to walk out onto the bridge itself and dodge traffic.

If you want to take a long exposure of the waterfall, you may have some difficulty setting up your tripod, as the viewing platform for the falls is small, and getting a clear view (without rocks or leaves) of the falls is even smaller. We were jockeying for a good spot to take the photos, because there are just so many people at this viewpoint.

Christine Falls in Mt. Rainier National Park – Final Thoughts

Framed by a bridge, Christine Falls is a beautiful waterfall that you shouldn’t miss when you’re in Mt. Rainier National Park. It’s a short walk down a few stairs and only takes a few minutes out of your journey. The only downsides are the crowds at the viewpoint, and the limited area to get a photo without rocks or vegetation blocking the view.