The 13 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park
After years of living in Seattle and visiting Mount Rainier National Park, the place has grown on me. Sure, visiting Mount Rainier National Park can seem intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. While there’s a good chunk of land, Mount Rainier National Park is easily navigable and offers some of the best hiking you can find in Washington.
There are two main areas for Mt Rainier hikes: Sunrise Visitor Center and Paradise Visitor Center. Nearly all of the best Mount Rainier hikes will start from these two locations.
One quick tip before we go much further. Mount Rainier now has timed entry permits. So, if you’re planning to go during the summer months, make sure you get one!
Hopefully, my hiking guide helps point you in the right direction, whether for an extended stay or just a Mount Rainier day trip!
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These are what I consider the Best Hikes at Mount Rainier
After living in Seattle for three years, Mount Rainier has emerged as one of my favorite places to hike and explore in the country. The views are endless, and you have many hiking trails to choose from.
In my opinion, the Sunrise Visitor Center area is the holy grail of the park. It has rad Mount Rainier hikes and stunning views. But you’re also close, but not on Mount Rainier, giving you a unique perspective.
1. Burroughs Mountain Trail
Burroughs Mountain (there are three) gets you the closest to the 14,000-foot Mount Rainier but also shows off all the crazy Cascade views to the north. I loved this hike. Overall, the hike isn’t too strenuous (still hard) and is about 9 miles round-trip.
The hardest part would be the potential snow on the trail going up to Second Burroughs in late June/early July. Once you get to mid-July, you’ll be snow free. Honestly, this is my favorite hike in Mount Rainier National Park.
2. Dege Peak Hike
A shorter of the Mount Rainier hikes than above, Dege Peak gets you way above the Visitor Center, giving you views of Tahoma, Mt. Adams, Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, and the entire Cascade Range. It’s a surreal experience, and not awfully crowded.
For night enthusiasts, this offers a great view of the Milky Way.
For those looking for a quick scamper up for sunset or sunrise, this is one of the best hikes at Mount Rainier National Park.
3. Fremont Lookout Trail
The most popular fire lookout in the park, Fremont Lookout, has the chance to blow your mind. We caught it on an inversion night, and it was wicked cool. I’m pretty sure my mind is still blown from that summer night. It has some uphills, but it’s nothing too crazy in terms of mileage.
If I were ranking these Mount Rainier hikes on the Sunrise side, I’d say Burroughs, Fremont, then Dege, but you can honestly do all of them without logging too many miles. Furthermore, many people do this as a Mount Rainier day trip, especially with the summer days so long.
4. Grand Park
Grand Park is one of the best trails in Mount Rainier National Park. You start from outside the park boundaries, but quickly enter them. After 3 miles, you’ll reach a meadow, and boom, Mount Rainier will be all you can see.
It’s a stunning view everyone should see at some point in their life, because it honestly shows the volcano’s magnitude.
The hike is around 9 miles with 1,500 feet of gain.
5. Camp Muir (aka Mt. Rainier Base Camp)
Probably the most challenging hike you can find when visiting Mountain Rainier National Park, outside of summiting Tahoma. The trek to Camp Muir can be a slog, with most or all of it in the snow, depending on your season of choice.
However, the views are 100% worth it, and getting to base camp is an experience you’ll never forget. Plus, this is one of those things to do in Mount Rainier that few others will do and will set you apart.
Remember to bring microspikes and something to glissade down onto to make the descent more enjoyable. And keep an eye out for Mou Hood and Mount Saint Helens on the horizon line.
6. Skyline Trail (and any of the short offshoots of this loop)
This trail is a loop that takes you to Panorama Point, the halfway point to Camp Muir. It’s a beautiful spot I recommend for sunset if you’re not looking for a too-hard hike. You can then complete the loop to see some new terrain, including gorgeous wildflowers in the summer.
For southside trails, this is the best hike in Mount Rainier by far.
I recommend going counter-clockwise as it’s a more gradual ascent. Plus, the wildflowers will be reached first, which are incredible. If you’re looking for a single hike on a Mount Rainier day trip, this is it!
7. Bench and Snow Lake
A little less of a “wow” or “intense” hike, but if you get the right conditions, it will be fantastic. About a two-mile, primarily flat stroll through chest-high flowers, you’ll get deposited at a small lake with a reflection of Mount Rainier.
We were skunked out, but trust me, this has great potential. It’s also one of the best Mount Rainier hikes, perfect for families on a day trip.
8. Carter and Madcap Falls Trail
This is one of the easier trails on this list and is also on the famous Wonderland Trail near Cougar Rock Campground. I got to hike it with my parents during our August trip, and the two waterfalls were lovely.
I will note that getting good photos of them can be a bit challenging because there aren’t ideal photo spots. I had tree branches in the way. Still, for just a solid hike, these are great options and should stay snow-free later in the year.
In all, it’s about a 2.5-mile hike with 550 feet of gain. You are also more than welcome to keep hiking past the two waterfalls on the Wonderland Trail.
9. Reflection Lake
Reflection Lake is less than 75 yards from the parking lot, making it a must-stop spot when visiting Mount Rainer National Park. The views are great, but the bugs are not. Be prepared for mosquitoes galore, so maybe bring your bug nets or shoot quickly and get out.
This is an excellent add-on if you take a day trip. Plus, there are some short Mount Rainier hikes near the lake.
10. Naches Peak Loop
Naches Peak Loop has an INCREDIBLE array of wildflowers when you nail it right. It’s a gentle 5-6 mile hike, and the views (without Rainier) are gorgeous. Still, this is one of the Mount Rainier hikes you need to add to your summer list.
I will note that you never gain access to the actual summit. Before I hiked this, I thought you would, and I was a little confused by the time we ended. Of all the trails here, this is one of the more family-friendly options.
Historically, the northwest region of Mount Rainier National Park has received less attention. One reason may be the long dirt road to the Mowich Lake region, and the second could be the lack of facilities.
Either way, this part is still spectacular! Unfortunately, the Carbon River Bridge is currently closed for safety reasons, and there’s no timeline for when it will be fixed. So, the only way to access this part of the park is to hike in from another region.
10. Spray Park and Spray Falls
I finally tackled this for summer wildflowers, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But once you get into Spray Park, it opens up and is friggin amazing! I highly recommend this as one of the best Mount Rainier hikes in the park.
About halfway in, you’ll come to Spray Falls, which is a beautiful cascading waterfall. Make sure to stop and check it out.
Overall, we clocked about 9.5 miles, though you could go more or less, since once you’re in Spray Park, it’s a free-for-all.
11. Tolmie Peak Lookout
Tolmie Peak is one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, but unfortunately, it is basically unreachable for 99% of visitors to the area. It’s a shame because the views are surreal and not overly challenging.
It’s about a 6-mile round-trip hike with 1,400 feet of gain. Hopefully, the state of Washington can figure out a way to fix the bridge and allow hikers access to the area.
12. High Rock Lookout
About 40 minutes from the park entrance, High Rock Lookout is a short yet challenging hike to unparalleled views of Mount Rainier. Sitting on the literal edge of a 1,000-foot cliff, this is a must for anyone visiting Mount Rainier National Park.
Even more astonishing is that pictures and words will not do this place justice. You have to do this Mount Rainier hike to grasp fully its wonder and beauty.
13. Tipsoo Lake
Immediately off the road near the park’s East Entrance, Tipsoo Lake is perfect for a quick sunrise jaunt or sunset lounge. There are plenty of compositions to shoot, and the lake’s reflection is mesmerizing with no wind.
There are some trails around it, but please pay attention to the signs and closures. They’re trying to let the area recover from off-trail hiking.
What to know about planning a trip to Mount Rainier National Park
Come prepared with appropriate hiking attire for the best Mount Rainier hikes
Having the right hiking attire is key not only to enjoying your hike but also to being safe. Make sure to have sturdy hiking shoes, plenty of sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen), 3+ liters of water, good hiking clothes (a sun hoodie or hiking shirts), and wool socks to prevent blisters.
Taking these steps during your Mount Rainier hikes will allow you to create some incredible moments.
It’s not summer until July or August.
Many people who book trips to Washington in May and June are pretty shocked when they’re told the trails are still snowy and it’s not exactly hiking season. For those coming for the best Mount Rainier hikes, push to late June at the earliest.
July, August, and September are fantastic months to visit.
When should I come for the fantastic wildflowers?
It all depends on the snow melt, but you can usually expect some of the most magical wildflowers you have ever seen in late July and early August. It’s really a remarkable sight! The best hike in Mount Rainier for wildflowers is the Skyline Loop Trail or Naches Peak Loop.
Weekends are VERY crowded – even at 8:30 am.
Arrive early to any spot in Mount Rainier National Park if you visit on the weekend. Both parking lots will be nearly full by about 9 am. Once it hits about 3-4 pm, it will empty out, making your Mount Rainier hikes more enjoyable.
Thankfully, during the summer, you’ll still have 5-6 hours of light to enjoy.
“I’m visiting for Mt Rainier hikes this summer. Should I fly into Seattle or Portland?”
Great question. It doesn’t matter, though Seattle is about 30 minutes faster. It’s more about which city you want to spend a little more time in before you leave it.
The only difference is whether you’re going to the north or south for your Mount Rainier hikes. If you are planning to visit the Sunrise Visitor Center, Seattle is much closer. Visiting Paradise Visitor Center is about a 3.5-hour drive from Portland, vs. three hours from Seattle.
Are there family-friendly hikes at Mt. Rainier?
Yes! There are many activities in Mount Rainier National Park suitable for all ages. Going to Myrtle Falls or Carter/Mad Cap is the best option at the Paradise Visitor Center. On the other side, going to Dege Peak is relatively easy.
Can I visit in the winter?
Yes, winter at Mount Rainier is magical.
Paradise Visitor Center is the only area open, and the gate past Longmire closes to uphill traffic at 4pm daily and closes to downhill traffic at 5pm. The Sunrise Visitor Center is closed. There are tons of snowshoeing options that lead to stunning mountain views.
I loved my trips here during the winter. Seeing it covered in snow is a beautiful sight.
Is a day trip worth it to Mount Rainier?
Yes, there are a lot of things to do in Mount Rainier in just one day. I recommend visiting Paradise early in the morning and staying until dusk. Hiking the Skyline Loop Trail would be perfect!
Will Mount Rainier erupt soon?
Odds are it will not erupt anytime in the future.
Where to Stay at Mount Rainier
What are my camping options in Mt. Rainier?
There are plenty of camping options in and around the park. Cougar Rock will be the most desirable as it’s minutes from Paradise. White River is also close to Sunrise, making it a 1B choice.
Ohanapecosh would come next, as it’s about halfway between Paradise and Sunrise. A bit further out, there are also plenty of non-NPS campgrounds surrounding the park, so go crazy picking which one you’d want.
Then, and this is a big one, there’s a FREE area at Buck Creek Campground, AKA the airplane landing field. (You can also search Ranger Creek State Airport.) Camping is limited, so come early on the weekends, but it’s a perfect spot to do dispersed camping. From there, the park entrance is about 20 minutes away.
Hotels/Lodging Options
You can also stay in the town of Ashford, which is just outside the Mount Rainier National Park entrance. This is a perfect place to call home while you’re exploring the park.
Check out hotel/lodging information here
Final Thoughts on the Best Hikes at Mount Rainier
Because your time is limited, this is how I would prioritize your Mount Rainier hikes.
- Full Day: Burroughs Mountain Trail
- Half Day: Skyline Loop Trail or Fremont Lookout
- Don’t have a timed entrance permit and have an SUV? Grand Park
Whether you visit this year, in five years, or many more years down the road, a trip to Mount Rainier will be one you’ll never forget. It will evoke emotions you never knew you had and attempt to pull you back again and again.
So, if this does happen, do return. It will surely be worth it.
I know I’m longing for the next time I get to hit the best hikes at Mount Rainier National Park.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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