Carter Falls Trail

Starting from Cougar Rock Campground, this out-and-back follows a well-maintained section of the legendary Wonderland Trail through dense old-growth forest — towering Douglas firs and western red cedars that block out most of the sky. The trail climbs gradually along the Paradise River, crossing a few footbridges before the forest opens up to reveal Carter Falls, a powerful cascade that drops roughly 30 feet over a mossy rock face. Walk another hundred yards past Carter Falls and you'll hit Madcap Falls, a wilder, less-visited companion that most hikers skip entirely. The path is rooted and occasionally muddy but never technical. This is a perfect leg-stretcher for families camping at Cougar Rock, or a satisfying quick hit if you want a waterfall fix without the parking circus at Paradise.