Washington has plenty of waterfall hikes, and for that we are thankful. But some of them involve traipsing for miles through some rather tough terrain, which just isn't possible when you have a family or are short on time.
Luckily, we also have a few waterfalls so close to civilization that no hiking is required at all. And if you happen to be visiting Mt. Rainier National Park this summer, you can check out the Myrtle Falls viewpoint in minutes. The entire trail is less than a mile long, meaning you can reach the falls in just 0.4 miles.
The Myrtle Falls Viewpoint is located near the Paradise Inn at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Just look for markers for the Skyline Trail and follow the signs.
Myrtle Falls can also be accessed from the Golden Gate Trail, but the Skyline route is much easier and just as beautiful.
And while it does involve a somewhat intense uphill climb, it's over very quickly.
On your way, you'll see breathtaking views of the mountain, which is enhanced by subalpine meadows of Mountain Daisies and Arrowleaf Groundsel.
The entire experience is picture-perfect, so bring your phone along and take plenty of photos.
As you can imagine, this is one of the most popular parts of the park, and the trail is never empty.
You'll still have plenty of moments of peace and quiet.
Before you know it, you'll be at Myrtle Falls.
The waterfall is an impressive 72 feet high, and with the mountain in the background, it's perfectly picturesque.
This is one of the most photographed spots in Mt. Rainier National Park, and for good reason -- it's scenes like this that will make you fall in love with Washington all over again.
The fact that it's easy to walk to is just a beautiful bonus.
Find a trail map on AllTrails, here.
Myrtle Falls is gorgeous, but we realize it's a bit of a stretch to call it a "hike." Do you have a favorite waterfall hike in Washington?
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