Rainier Hikes | Visit Rainier

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

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Glacier View

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

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 ...

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 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

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 ...

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 ...

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 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 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 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 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 ...

Shoe Lake (Pacific Crest Trail South)

Area: White Pass Hike Type: Mountain Views Pass: NW Trail or Interagency Pass required Distance: 15.7 mi RT Duration: 8 ...

Martha Falls via the Wonderland Trail

Area: Paradise / Stevens Canyon Rd Hike Type: Fall Colors Pass: Natl Park Pass Distance: 1.8 mi RT Duration: 1-2 ...

Third Burroughs Mountain

Area: Sunrise Hike Type: Thigh-burner Pass: Natl Park Pass Distance: 9 mi. RT Duration: 4-6 hrs Difficulty Level: Strenuous Elevation ...

Moraine Trail via Dead Horse Trail

Area: Paradise Hike Type: Glacier Views Pass: Natl Park Pass Distance: 3.25 mi RT Duration: 2-3 hrs Difficulty Level: Easy ...

American Ridge Via Goat Creek

Area: William O. Douglas Wilderness Hike Type: Dog-friendly Pass: No Pass Req. Distance: 8.2 mi RT Duration: 4-6 hrs Difficulty ...

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. Before lifts and ski trails traversed this high broad mountain bordering Mount Rainier National Park; pack trails and narrow gauge roads crisscrossed the ...

Snowshoeing

Skiing at Crystal Mountain

Kids’ Quest for Snow

Road Conditions