Summer Activities | VisitRainier

Twin Sisters Lakes

This fairly easy hike to two beautiful lakes in the heart of the William O Douglas Wilderness is perfect for adventurers young and old alike. Set on a pumiced plateau pockmarked with hundreds of small lakes and adorned with ancient cinder cone volcanoes, the Twin Lakes also make for a great basecamp for further explorations.

Eastside Trail – Lower

One of the longest trails within Mount Rainier National Park, the Eastside Trail is also one of the park’s quieter trails. Spanning the park’s eastern reaches from Chinook Pass to the Ohanapecosh Campground, the Eastside Trail traverses alpine meadows, primeval forest and a valley that thunders from catapulting creeks and crashing cascades.

Snoquera Falls Trail

From high on Dalles Ridge, Snoquera Creek plunges more than 400 feet down a sheer rock face. Resembling a scene straight out of Yosemite Valley, Snoquera Falls are indeed a sensational sight. But there’s a catch. If you do this hike late in the summer after a long dry stretch, the falls appear has a mere trickle.

Cowiche Mountain

Hike to the top of a broad windswept ridge savoring sunshine and sweeping views. Centerpiece to an old cattle ranch transformed into a nature preserve, wildlife and wildflowers are prolific on Cowiche Mountain.

Tieton Nature Trail

Area: Tieton River Valley US 12 Hike Type: Dog-friendly, family-friendly Pass: Discover Pass Distance: 3.8 mi. RT Duration: 2 hour Difficulty Level: Easy High Point: 1,825 feet Elevation Ga...

Ipsut Creek Trail

Area: Chinook Pass Hike Type: Mountain Views Pass: Northwest Forest Pass Distance: 18 mi RT Duration: 3 hrs Difficulty Level: Strenuous Elevation Start: 3,300 Elevation End: 5,019 Eleva...

Sourdough Ridge

While Paradise with its legendary alpine meadows is the place most first time visitors to Mount Rainier National Park venture to—I prefer to introduce folks to The Mountain at Sunrise. As its name suggests, this is the first place Washington’s iconic peak is touched by sunlight each day.

River Trail at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park

Area: Enumclaw Hike Type: Dog-friendly, family-friendly Pass: Discover Pass Distance: 2.5 mi. RT Duration: 1.5 hour Difficulty Level: Easy Elevation Start: 850 Snow-Free: Year-round Elevat...

Lake West and Lake Helen

Area: Ashford Hike Type: Off the Beaten Track Pass: No Pass Req Distance: 8.4 mi RT Duration: 6 hrs High Point: 5,200 ft. Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft. Snow-Free: July – October &nb...

Glacier View

Area: Ashford Hike Type: Off the Beaten Track Pass: No Pass Req Distance: 4.2 mi RT Duration: 3 hrs High Point: 5,450 ft. Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft. Snow-Free: July – October &n...

Wonderland Trail Pt. 5: Box Canyon to Longmire

Distance: 12.7 miles one way Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet High Point: 4,850 feet Snow free: July — October introduction The Wonderland Trail travels for 93 miles around Mount Rainier. Constructed in 19...

Wonderland Trail Pt. 4: Sunrise to Box Canyon

Distance: 22.2 miles one way Elevation Gain: 4,350 feet High Point: 6,775 feet Snow free: mid-July — October introduction The Wonderland Trail travels for 93 miles around Mount Rainier. Constructed i...

Wonderland Trail Pt. 3: Mowich Lake to Sunrise

Distance: 21.5 miles one way Elevation Gain: 6,300 feet High Point: 6,700 feet Snow free: mid-July — October introduction The Wonderland Trail travels for 93 miles around Mount Rainier. Constructed i...

Wonderland Trail Pt. 2: North Puyallup River to Mowich Lake

Distance: 14.5 miles one way Elevation Gain: 3,900 feet High Point: 5,200 feet Snow free: mid-July — October introduction The Wonderland Trail travels for 93 miles around Mount Rainier. Constructed i...

Wonderland Trail Pt. 1: Longmire to North Puyallup River

Distance: 19.5 miles one way Elevation Gain: 5900 feet High Point: 6,000 feet Snow free: mid-July — October introduction The Wonderland Trail travels for 93 miles around Mount Rainier. Constructed i...

Tieton River Fishing

Species: Rainbow Trout, Whitefish Campgrounds along White Pass Scenic Byway US Hwy 12 provide easy public access. The Tieton River begins in the Goat Rocks Wilderness area in two forks, the North Fork Tieton...

Skate Creek Fishing

Season: June 1 - October 31 Species: Rainbow Trout, Whitefish There is good fishing anywhere below the bridges where the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has stocked the fish. This creek gets a lot of fis...

Nisqually River Fishing

Season: October is the best month Species: Salmon, Steelhead, Trout Fed by the Nisqually Glacier, this 81 mile river drains the southern slope of Mt. Rainier. Nine tributaries join this river and drai...

Naches River Fishing

Species: Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Whitefish This large river, a tributary of the Yakima River is eventually joined by the Bumping River. It is adjacent to Chinook Scenic Byway (SR-410) and is very acc...

Carbon River Fishing

Best Time to Fish: September and October Species: Salmon, Steelhead This river originates from the Carbon Glacier on the northwest side of Mt. Rainier and flows into the Puyallup River. The river is prone...

Bumping River Fishing

This River, popular for fishing and outdoor recreation, flows down the east side of the Cascade Range, through the Wenatchee National Forest and the William O. Douglas Wilderness area. It is joined by the Ameri...

Butter Creek Fishing

Open: June 1 - October 31 Species: Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat, Whitefish Selective gear rules = only unscented, artificial flies or lures with one barbless single hook are allowed; bait is prohibited; fish ...

American River Fishing

Species: Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Whitefish In Mt. Rainier National Park, this moderate-sized, high-elevation river follows the Chinook Scenic Byway (SR-410) from its source at American L...

Cowlitz River Fishing

Species: Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Whitefish Open: year-round above Lake Scanewa Draining the slopes of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt. St Helens and eventually emp...

Silver Lake Fishing

Season: Late-April – Late-Oct | Lake Size: 138 acres Silver Lake is a small spring-fed lake and part of the Washington State Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Project, nestled in the wetlands of Pierce C...

Picnics in the Park

Grab your checkered tablecloth, pack your basket and enjoy a meal outdoors at one of Mt. Rainier National Park's four designated picnic areas. Parking and restrooms are available at each area. Picnic Area...

Chinook Scenic Byway

Recognized as a premier driving tour in Washington State, the Chinook Scenic Byway travels through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park. Experience the diverse landscape of the Central Cascades...

White Pass Scenic Byway

Known as the gateway to recreation in the Central Cascades, the natural and pristine White Pass Scenic Byway winds through the forests of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier National Park before ascending to the arid landscape of Eastern Washington.

White River Trail

This gentle valley bottom trail is ideal for beginning trail runners. Traveling up the White River Valley for over five miles, it traverses mature forest groves and spans cascading creeks while maintaining easy and moderate grades.

Palisades Trail

Impressive waterfalls, stately big trees, and sweeping views of the White River Valley; the Palisades Trail packs quite a scenic punch. Often shunned by mountain bikers because of its steep inclines and stairs, the Palisades Trail is overlooked by many hikers too, as...