Ashford in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Narada Falls

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

1. Narada Falls Marker

Inscription.
Mount Rainier erupted andesite lava flows which filled and hardened in ancient valleys cut into the older, tougher Tatoosh granodiorite. The Paradise River is eroding into the soft contact zone between these two rock formations as the water plunges over the andesite ledge at Narada Falls.

Snowfields and inactive glaciers melt into clear water. These sources in Paradise Valley form the Paradise River. Active glaciers grind rocks into fine powder called glacial flour. This material in suspension gives a gray, milky appearance to streams originating from active glaciers.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 46° 46.492′ N, 121° 44.753′ W. Marker is in Ashford, Washington, in Pierce County. It is on Paradise Valley Road E, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on a trail at the base of Narada Falls. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashford WA 98304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region

and in Greater Seattle.

It is also on the American

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Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Narada Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Paradise Camp Lodge (approx. 0.9 miles away); An Ancient Community (approx. 0.9 miles away); Exploring Paradise (approx. 0.9 miles away); Paradise Ranger Station (approx. 0.9 miles away); Rescuing Reflection Lakes (approx. 0.9 miles away); Climbers’ Guide House (approx. one mile away); Extreme Snowfall (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashford.

More about this marker. Two photographs of Narada Falls appear on the marker, along with illustrations of Granodiorite and Andesite.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

2. Narada Falls Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

3. Narada Falls Marker

Narada Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

4. Narada Falls

This waterfall is 168 feet high.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.