Narada Falls Bridge in 1978 with the comfort station and trail to the lower overlook on the right.
NPS Photo
The Narada Falls Area is a component of the historic Nisqually-Paradise Road. Only 150 feet from the road, Narada Falls is the largest waterfall accessible by car in the park. The name for Narada Falls was established in 1893 by the Narada Branch of the Theosophical Society of Western Washington during an excursion at Mount Rainier.
As at Christine Falls, Narada Falls offered a scenic and convenient crossing, in this case of the Paradise River. A bridge built in 1908 at the site was replaced by the present bridge in 1928, also constructed of reinforced concrete faced with native stone masonry. The Narada Falls Area, developed from 1926-1941, includes the roadside overlook and retaining wall, the trail to the comfort station, the bridge over the Nisqually River, the comfort station, and the paved trail and lower overlook. The Narada Falls Bridge and Narada Falls Comfort Station were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
From the 1930s to 1950s, Narada Falls Area was a popular winter-activity area. During this period, visitors had to use a one-way Narada Falls Cut-off Road, which was hazardous in winter, to get to Paradise so many stopped at Narada Falls to recreate. After a new, wider road to Paradise was built in 1958, Paradise became the primary winter-use area for the park.
Contributing Structures
Narada Falls Bridge
Date Constructed: 1928
Builder: National Park Service/Bureau of Public Roads
Also known as Paradise River First Crossing Bridge. Reinforced concrete barrel arch bridge, veneered in granite masonry. It is 63 feet long, 31 feet wide, with a 36 feet span.
Builder: National Park Service/Bureau of Public Roads
The Civilian Conservation Corps expanded the parking area, including building a retaining wall to support a level terrace for winter recreation parking.
Contributing Buildings
Comfort Station
Date Constructed: Circa 1930s
Builder: National Park Service
This rustic-style building was designed for year-round use with a heated common waiting or warming room for winter recreation with the restrooms beyond.
