Waterfall · Mount Rainier National Park
Van Horn Falls
17 mi round trip4,355 ft gainVery hardDay hike: No permitOvernight: Reservation
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeNo permit
Day hikes need no permit, only the park entrance pass. No timed-entry reservation in 2026.
OvernightReservation
Every overnight stay needs a wilderness permit: $6 plus $12 per person per night. Reserve on Recreation.gov or walk up.
Permit calendar
Early-access lotteryFebruary
Lottery winners bookMarch to April 25
General reservations openApril 25
Summer permit seasonJune 1 to October 10
Mount Rainier National Park wilderness rules from the National Park Service. Climbing above 10,000 ft or on glaciers needs a separate climbing permit. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance17 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain4,355 ftTotal climb, round trip
High point5,706 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Van Horn Falls is a waterfall reached by a 17-mile round trip from Lake Eleanor Trailhead. The route follows Lake Eleanor Trail, then Northern Loop Trail to the falls.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Lake Eleanor Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.