Hiking

Hiking trails lead to many of the most beautiful spots of Mt. Rainier National Park: Crystalline high mountain lakes, cascading waterfalls, meandering streams, sub-alpine meadows carpeted in flowers, and peaks offering vistas of the glaciers of Rainier. The granddaddy of them all is the famous Wonderland Trail, a multi-day journey covering over 93 miles that encircles the entire mountain.

Find trails in all corners of the park, for all ability levels.  Use the sortable list below to find the perfect hike for you.

Trail Etiquette  |  The 10 Essentials  |  Permits & Passes  |  Choosing a Hike

wdt_ID Title Difficulty Distance Duration Elevation Gain Snow-Free Pass Required
1 Allen Mountain Moderate 10 mi RT 6 hrs 2.350 July - October None
2 Alta Vista Trail Easy 01.2 mi RT 0.75 hr 520 Mid-July - Mid-September Natl. Park Pass
3 American Ridge Via Goat Creek Easy 08.2 mi RT 4-6 hrs 2.600 July - Early-November None
4 Bearhead Mountain Moderate 05.8 mi RT 3 hrs 1.789 July - Late-October NW Forest Pass
5 Bench and Snow Lakes Moderate 02.6 mi RT 1.5 hrs 700 July - October Natl. Park Pass
6 Berkeley Park Moderate 11.3 mi RT 6 hrs 400 Mid-July - Early-October Natl. Park Pass
7 Big Crow Basin and Basin Lake Strenuous 15.8 mi Loop 2 days 4.000 Late-June - October Overnight Camping Permit
8 Boise Creek | Hancock Lands Moderate 03 mi RT 2-3 hrs 300 April - October Hancock Lands Permit
9 Boulder Cave Natural Area Easy 02.25 mi RT 1-2 hrs 300 June - September NW Forest Pass
10 Boundary Trail Carbon River Moderate 02.6 mi RT 2-3 hrs 1.320 June - October Natl. Park Pass
Title Difficulty Distance Duration Elevation Gain Snow-Free Pass Required

Palisades Lakes

Palisades Lakes is a 7.5-mile roundtrip hike with views of mountains, and alpine lakes in Sunrise, Mt Rainier National Park. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...

Mount Fremont Lookout

Hike to one of the four remaining fire lookouts in Mount Rainier National Park. Perched on an open 7,181-foot knoll on rocky Mount Fremont, this historic structure is the highest of the park’s lookouts.  ...

Norse Peak

Norse Peak is a 9.5-miles roundtrip hike in the Crystal Mountain area that is dog-friendly during the summer months. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...
Naches Peak

Naches Peak

Naches Peak is a popular 4.5 miles roundtrip hike located in the Chinook Pass area, typically snow-free during July-October. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...

Glacier Basin

Glacier Basin is a 7-mile round trip hike in the White River area that is kid-friendly and features wildflowers, glacier views, backcountry camping, in a historic mining area. ...

Palisades Trail (Hwy 410)

When it still feels like winter, the Palisades often feels like spring. Look for delicate Calypso orchids; enjoy the scent of vanilla leaf, and view the groundcover — a thick carpet of salal, ...

Greenwater Lakes

Greenwater Lakes has picturesque bridges, waterfalls and old growth trees, not to mention two peaceful lakes and a pristine river - all create a brilliant ambiance on the year-round hike along the Greenwater Lakes Trail.  ...

Green Lake Trail

Green Lake Trail is kid-friendly and features exceptional views of a waterfall and old growth forest. This trail is a 9.6-mile bike-hike possibility in the Carbon River.  ...

Packwood Lake

The Packwood Lake trail is open to hikers and equestrians; mountain bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs are prohibited. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...

Rampart Ridge Trail

Hike along an old lava flow high above the Nisqually River Valley. While the way is mostly forested, there are a couple of decent views along the trail including a pretty awe-inspiring one of the mountain rising above the Kautz Creek valley. ...

Bench and Snow Lakes

Bench and Snow Lakes features kid-friendly trails, seasonal wildflowers meadows, alpine views, and backcountry camping. ...

Trail of the Shadows

Trail of the Shadows is a popular trail that is kid-friendly, considered easy, and is located in the Longmire part of Mt. Rainier National Park.  ...

Twin Firs Loop Trail

Twin Firs Loop Trail is a family-friendly easy trail located in the Longmire area of Mt. Rainier National Park. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...
American Ridge Via Goat Creek

American Ridge Via Goat Creek

American Ridge Via Goat Creek is a dog-friendly hike in the William O. Douglas Wilderness area. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...
Henskin Lake

Henskin Lake

Long before Crystal Mountain was a top notch ski resort, it was part of bustling mining area known as the Summit Mining District.  ...

Millpond and Smallwood Parks

Millpond and Smallwood Parks are family friendly and dog-friendly areas with walking trails in Eatonville, Washington.  ...
Crystal Lakes

Crystal Lakes

Tucked in a cirque high above the Mather Memorial Parkway are a pair of sparkling subalpine lakes beloved by hikers of all ages and abilities.  ...

Pinnacle Peak

Pinnacle Peak is a hike that's kid-friendly, dog-friendly, and features a historic fire lookout site. ...

Cougar Lakes via the PCT

Cougar Lakes via the PCT, starting from Chinook Pass, hike to lakes and viewpoints seldom visited by the park's millions of visitors.  ...
Snowgrass Flats

Snowgrass Flats

The Snowgrass Flats (Trail No. 96) in the Goat Rocks Wilderness is favored by hikers who prefer their wildflower displays served with solitude. ...

Summerland

Summerland, what makes this hike so popular are the views of the Fryingpan Glacier, Little Tahoma, Goat Island Mountain, Mount Rainier, and Panhandle Gap. ...

Boulder Cave Natural Area

Boulder Cave Natural Area offers a short, family-friendly walk to Boulder Cave yields a fantastic lesson in geology as well as the delicate balance of nature.  ...

Crow Lake Way Trail

Crow Lake Way Trail is an 8 to 10-mile hike that is dog-friendly and requires an NW Forest Pass. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...

Edgar Rock

Edgar Rock is a 2 to 4-mile trail, an "off-the-beaten-path" hike in the Chinook Pass area that requires an NW Forest Pass. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...

Crystal Mountain Loop

In summer, admire a dazzling array of blossoming wildflowers. Throughout hiking season feast on sweeping horizon-spanning views of majestic Mt Rainier. ...

Big Crow Basin and Basin Lake

Big Crow Basin and Basin Lake is a 15.8-mile strenuous hike that requires an overnight camping permit and Norse Peak Wilderness use permit.  ...

Mildred Point

Mildred Point is a 10.5-mile "off-the-beaten-path" strenuous hike in Mount Rainier National Park. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...

Cora Lake

It’s a mere .7 mile hike along Big Creek through groves of big trees to this pretty lake tucked in a cirque beneath the serrated Sawtooth Ridge.  ...

Cispus Braille Trail

Located south of Randle, the Braille Trail is designed to enhance the experience of hiking through a forest for the visually impaired. ...

Juniper Ridge Trail

Juniper Ridge Trail is a 6.3-mile roundtrip hike in the Randle/Packwood area with mountain views. Learn more at VisitRainier.com.  ...