Comet Falls Trail Hiking Guide
Comet Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park, a 320-foot ribbon the park says looks like a comet's tail. The trail climbs steadily through forest from the road between Longmire and Paradise to the base of the falls, and strong hikers can keep going into the meadows of Van Trump Park. The catch is parking: the lot is small and often full.
Permit: Mount Rainier National Park charges an entrance fee of $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person 16 and older arriving on foot or bike, each valid for 7 consecutive days. The $55 Mount Rainier annual pass and America the Beautiful passes are accepted; Washington's Discover Pass is not. Entrance stations take cards only. The park is not using timed-entry reservations anywhere in 2026. Day hikes need no permit; a wilderness permit is required for any overnight camping.
The Climb to the Falls
For 1.8 miles the trail climbs without much letup to the base of Comet Falls. The park lists the round trip at 3.8 miles with 900 feet of gain and about three hours; AllTrails maps 3.6 miles with 1,282 feet and rates it hard. Either way, it climbs steadily the whole way to the falls.
Going On to Van Trump Park
From the falls the trail switchbacks another 0.8 mile to a junction. Turn right for Van Trump Park, where the maintained path ends in meadow after 0.5 mile (5.8 miles round trip and 2,000 feet of gain by the park's count), or follow the Comet Falls/Rampart Ridge Trail to the 0.5-mile spur up Mildred Point (6.6 miles, 2,850 feet). Up there the Kautz and Van Trump glaciers fill the view north and Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens sit to the south. Watch for marmots, pikas and goats on the rocky slopes.
Parking: Have a Plan B
The trailhead is 4 miles east of Longmire on the road to Paradise. The park is blunt that space is limited, often full, and that there is no other parking nearby. On summer weekends the park also warns that every trailhead between Longmire and Paradise fills, so arrive early or pick a backup like Carter Falls or the Rampart Ridge loop.
Late in the Season
The park notes that log footbridges and other stream crossings across Mount Rainier tend to wash out in fall and winter rains and aren't replaced until the next summer, and that detailed trail reports run only from about June to September. Ask at Longmire before a late-season hike. From November 1 the road to Paradise, which passes this trailhead, closes nightly at the Longmire gate and all vehicles must carry chains.
One-Way Option
With a second car at Longmire you can skip the return: follow the Comet Falls/Rampart Ridge Trail west past the Van Trump junction to the Wonderland Trail and descend to Longmire. The park describes this as a through-hike rather than a loop, so arrange the car shuttle first.
Hiking tips for Comet Falls Trail
- Get to the trailhead early; the park says the lot is often full with no overflow.
- Budget more effort than 3.6 miles suggests; the climb is steady the whole way.
- Ask at Longmire about footbridges and snow before a fall hike.
- Stay on the trail near the falls; wet rock is slippery.
- Leave a car at Longmire if you want to finish via Rampart Ridge and the Wonderland Trail.
Nearby trails to explore
- Carter and Madcap Falls Trail
- Rampart Ridge Loop
- Eagle Peak Trail (Mount Rainier)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Comet Falls is a satisfying climb with a payoff you hear before you see. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading up the Longmire-Paradise road and carpool to that tight trailhead. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.