Summer Activities

Mineral Lake Photo Courtesy Stormking Photography

Mineral Lake Fishing

Season: Late-April – Late-Sept | Lake Size: 277 acres  By some accounts, Mineral Lake is one of the best trout fishing ...
Glacier View

Glacier View

Area: Ashford Hike Type: Off the Beaten Track Pass: No Pass Req Distance: 4.2 mi RT  Duration: 3 hrs High ...
Goat Creek Trail

Goat Peak Trail

Though Goat Peak trail can be a "devil" of a hike, the views are angelic enough you won't mind the drive to Hells Crossing east of Chinook Pass where the hike begins.  ...

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 ...
Noble Knob View

Doe Falls via Suntop

Area: Chinook Pass Hike Type: Dog-friendly Pass: Northwest Forest Pass Distance: 7.25 mi RT Duration: 4 hrs Difficulty Level: Moderate ...
Kautz Creek

Kautz Creek at Mt. Rainier National Park

This route via the Kautz Creek Trail takes you up and along a knolled high ridge shrouded in alpine meadows. In season flowers and huckleberries are bountiful.  ...

Skookum Flats

Area: Chinook Pass Hike Type: Dog-friendly Pass: Northwest Forest Pass Distance: 4.2 or 7.8 mi RT Duration: 2 or 4 ...
Denman Falls

Denman Falls

Area: Westside Road Hike Type: Waterfall Pass: Natl. Park Pass Distance: 16.3 mi RT Duration: 7.5-8 hrs Difficulty Level: Strenuous ...

Silver Falls Loop

Careening over a series of ledges before plunging 40 feet into a deep blue pool, Silver Falls is a dramatic sight. And it’s easily accessible. A very short trail leads to it from SR 123. But the best way to experience ...

Chinook Mountain Outfitters

Ride with us through the solitude and spectacular scenery of the Cascade Range in the Norse Peak Wilderness and Wenatchee ...

LOOP 1: Circle Mt. Rainier Drive

Drive the route encircling Mt. Rainier and discover all corners of this majestic national park. Explore rural and friendly mountain communities and discover the dramatic and rugged beauty of this wilderness area. Spend time at each of the four entrances to the park getting to know ...

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. ...

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 ...
Reflection Lakes

Reflection Lakes at Mount Rainier

Area: Paradise Hike Type: Wildflower views Pass: Natl. Park Pass Distance: 2.75 mi Loop Duration: 2-3 hrs Difficulty Level: Moderate ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Tieton River Fishing

Species: Rainbow Trout, Whitefish Campgrounds along White Pass Scenic Byway US Hwy 12 provide easy public access. The Tieton River ...

Skate Creek Fishing

Season: June 1 – October 31 Species: Rainbow Trout, Whitefish There is good fishing anywhere below the bridges where the ...

Nisqually River Fishing

Season: October is the best month Species: Salmon, Steelhead, Trout Fed by the Nisqually Glacier, this 81 mile river drains ...

Naches River Fishing

Species: Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Whitefish This large river, a tributary of the Yakima River is eventually joined by the ...

Carbon River Fishing

Best Time to Fish: September and October Species: Salmon, Steelhead This river originates from the Carbon Glacier on the northwest ...

Bumping River Fishing

This River, popular for fishing and outdoor recreation, flows down the east side of the Cascade Range, through the Wenatchee ...

Butter Creek Fishing

Open: June 1 – October 31 Species: Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat, Whitefish Selective gear rules = only unscented, artificial flies or ...

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 ...

Cowlitz River Fishing

Species: Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Whitefish Open: year-round above Lake Scanewa Draining the slopes of ...

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 ...

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 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... ...

Pack Forest

Pack Forest provides opportunities for the public to horseback ride along a barrier-free self guided trail. Download a trail map ...

Walupt Horse Camp

In the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A well developed camp with units in the shade. Good access to the Goat ...

Keenes Horse Camp

In the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A popular high elevation camp with several trails out of the camp. Access to ...

Cody Horse Camp

In the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A newly developed camp with several trails. Accessible early in the summer, although snow ...