The 10 Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the USA and is home to the epic 14,410-foot tall volcano, Mount Rainier.
One of the best ways to explore Mount Rainier National Park is to hike some of its 260 miles of maintained trails. And the best part? Mount Rainier National Park has hikes for all levels!
We spent our entire trip in Mount Rainier National Park hiking, and it was amazing! This guide will review everything you need to know about the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park!
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Tips for Hiking in Mount Rainier National Park
Before we dive into the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, there are a few things you should know.
Mount Rainier National Park has five sections: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River/Mowich Lake. Each of these sections offers something different and beautiful. If you are hoping to hike in all five parts of Mount Rainier National Park, I recommend spending at least a few days in the park to have plenty of time to explore each section.
Get your timed entry reservation in advance. Mount Rainier National Park now has a timed entry reservation system for entering the park between 7 AM to 3 PM during May through September for Paradise and July through September for Sunrise. You should get these as far in advance as possible since Mount Rainier National Park is a busy park. If you do not have a permit, you can still enter the park before 7 AM and after 3 PM.
Winter conditions can last through July. Some sections and trails in Mount Rainier National Park can have snow and ice through the summer, so it is crucial to read recent trail reviews, pack the appropriate hiking gear, and talk to park rangers if you have questions.
Arrive at the trailheads early. Mount Rainier National Park has over 2 million visitors per year, so the popular trailheads become crowded early. I recommend arriving before 8:00 AM or after 4:00 PM to avoid most crowds.
Hike for sunrise or sunset. The Mount Rainier National Park hikes are the most beautiful during sunrise and sunset. The golden light shining on Mount Rainier is something you should experience at least once! And there will be fewer people hiking during those times.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some trailheads have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away when you finish the hike. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
What to Pack for Hiking in Mount Rainier National Park
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
The Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
Here are some of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park you need to add to your bucket list! You will find the location, difficulty, length, and elevation gain of each hike.
Grove of Patriarchs
Location: Ohanapecosh
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
**NOTE: Currently closed due to trail damage. Read more here.
Grove of Patriarchs is a beautiful hike in Mount Rainier National Park and is great for all hiking levels! The Grove of Patriarchs trailhead is in the first parking lot on Stevens Canyon Road, which is small and fills up quickly.
The trail follows along the Ohanapecosh River, crosses a suspension bridge, and travels under some of the tallest trees you will ever see! There are thousand-year-old hemlocks, cedars, and Douglas-firs that can be over 300 feet tall and 50 feet wide!
We loved hiking under the giant trees! They made us feel small in the best way.
Alta Vista Trail
Location: Paradise
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 560 feet
The Alta Vista Trail is our favorite easy hike in Mount Rainier National Park! The paved trail can begin in either the lower or upper lot in Paradise and offers stunning views of Mount Rainier and wildflower meadows.
If you time it right and visit during wildflower season, you will be in awe of the thousands of beautiful wildflowers! When we visited, we saw stunning wildflowers along the trail!
The Alta Vista Trail is in an area with many other trails, so it’s important to follow signs to stay on the correct one. You can also easily extend your hike if you are looking to hike other trails.
Nisqually Vista
Location: Paradise
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Nisqually Vista is one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park for all levels. The paved trail begins in the lower Paradise parking lot and gently climbs to the loop junction. You can hike the trail either way, but I recommend going counterclockwise to save the best views for the end!
Nisqually Vista is the final viewpoint on the trail and offers stunning views of Mount Rainier. There is an interpretive sign that has fun facts about Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier. If you are looking for a short and sweet hike in Mount Rainier National Park, Nisqually Vista is it!
Myrtle Falls
Location: Paradise
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Myrtle Falls is our favorite waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park because it offers stunning views of Mount Rainier. The easy trail begins in the upper Paradise lot and follows along a paved path to the waterfall overlook, where you can view the falls and Mount Rainier. It is a stunning viewpoint, and you will see many photographers with their tripods and cameras capturing the classic photo.
Naches Peak Loop
Location: Paradise
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Length: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Naches Peak Loop is a beautiful trail that leads you through beautiful wildflower fields and offers stunning views of Mount Rainier. It was one of our favorites in the area!
The hike begins in the Tipsoo Lake parking lot and can be hiked in either direction since it is a loop. I recommend going clockwise, so you get the best views of Mount Rainier at the end. Naches Peak Loop follows along the Pacific Crest Trail, so make sure to look out for thru-hikers!
The trail rounds the base of Naches Peak through thousands of wildflowers and breaks off from the PCT. Once you are on the other side of Naches Peak, you will have incredible views of Mount Rainier.
Sourdough Ridge
Location: Sunrise
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Sourdough Ride is one of our favorite hikes because it has incredible views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding valley. The trail begins in the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot and offers views along the entire ridge.
If you want to extend your hike, you can hike to Dege Peak for an extra 1.5 miles, offering beautiful 360-degree views. You can also add many of the other best hikes in the Sunrise section of Mount Rainier National Park, including Burroughs Mountain and Fremont Lookout.
Fremont Lookout
Location: Sunrise
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Fremont Lookout is one of my favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, so I know you will fall in love with it! The trail begins in the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot and follows the Sourdough Ridge Trail until it reaches Frozen Lake. The trail turns right and begins to ascend more steeply until Fremont Lookout.
The 360-degree views are stunning of Mount Rainier, Grand Park, and Berkeley Park, and there is a fire tower on the lookout. We watched the sunset here, and it was incredible. We could not have asked for a better way to end the day in Mount Rainier National Park!
Tolmie Peak Lookout
Location: Carbon River/Mowich Lake
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Tolmie Peak Lookout is home to one of four historic fire towers in Washington and offers stunning views of Mount Rainier! The trail begins in Mowich Campground and travels along Mowich Lake (the largest lake in Mount Rainier National Park), through an old-growth grove and under basalt columns.
The views of Mount Rainier are stunning from Tolmie Peak, and it will become one of your favorite hikes! Although the fire tower is not open for overnight camping, Tolmie Peak is a perfect spot for sunrise and sunset.
Burroughs Mountain
Location: Sunrise
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet
Burroughs Mountain is one of the most strenuous but rewarding hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. It quickly became one of our favorite hikes!
The trail begins in the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot and goes over three peaks - First Burroughs, Second Burroughs, and Third Burroughs. All three peaks offer stunning views of Mount Rainier, so you don't have to hike the entire trail to enjoy the views.
If you are up for it, I highly recommend hiking to Third Burroughs because it is right next to Mount Rainier and makes you feel like you can almost touch it! Burroughs Mountain is one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park if you are up for a challenge!
Skyline Trail
Location: Paradise
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,450
The Skyline Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park and will soon become yours, too! The hike is strenuous but worth it for the beautiful views.
The Skyline Trail begins in the upper Paradise parking lot and consistently gains elevation as it passes through beautiful wildflower meadows. The entire trail has stunning views, but the first official viewpoint is Glacier Vista, which offers unmatched views of Mount Rainier.
Panorama Point is the next viewpoint on the hike and has beautiful views looking south towards Paradise Valley, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens. The rest of the Skyline Trail has stunning views and passes by Myrtle Falls at the end. If you are looking for a rewarding hike that will challenge you, the Skyline Trail is it!
If you are visiting Washington, make sure to add these best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park to your bucket list! We loved hiking each one of these trails, so I know you will enjoy them, too. This guide reviews everything you need to know about the most beautiful hikes in Mount Rainier National Park.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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