Best trails in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is located in west-central Washington and is ideal for hiking, mountain climbing and scenic drives. Most roads are open from late May to early October, which allow for both stunning views and access to a wide range of hiking trails and other sites. Hikers will find forests with cedar, hemlock, and fir trees as well as streams and wildflower meadows. On Rainier's alpine slopes, visitors will find firs, glaciers, and tundra.
Mount Rainier, an active volcano, is the most prominent peak in the Cascades, and it is covered by 26 named glaciers including Carbon Glacier and Emmons Glacier, the largest in the continental United States. The mountain is popular for climbing, and more than half of the park is covered by subalpine and alpine forests. Paradise on the south slope is one of the snowiest places in the world, and the Longmire visitor center is the start of the Wonderland Trail, which encircles the mountain.
Top trails
Visitor info
A timed entry reservation is required only for the Sunrise Corridor in the northeast corner of the park from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily from July 11-Sept 1, 2025, then on weekends and holidays from Sept 2 through end of the season (typically mid-October).
Grants unlimited entry for one motorcycle and passenger for seven consecutive days.
Walk-up or single bicycle fee. Grants unlimited entry for seven consecutive days.
Grants unlimited entry for one vehicle and passengers for seven consecutive days. Vehicle must be private, noncommercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.
Grants unlimited entry for one year to pass owner and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. This pass does not cover camping fees and is non-transferable and non-refundable. If you already own a valid annual or lifetime pass (Interagency Senior, Annual, Military, etc) you do not need to purchase this pass. NOTE: The Discover Pass is for Washington State Parks only and does not cover Mount Rainier National Park.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Jackson Visitor Center, Sunrise Visitor Center (summer only), and Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (summer only) are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. The theater and dining room at the Jackson Visitor Center are also wheelchair accessible. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Loaner wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available.
Additional information about accessibility at Mount Rainier National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Jackson Visitor Center, Sunrise Visitor Center (summer only), and Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (summer only) are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. The theater and dining room at the Jackson Visitor Center are also wheelchair accessible. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The Paradise Inn and National Park Inn have wheelchair accessible rooms. There is also a wheelchair accessible dining room.
The Paradise, Kautz Creek, Ohanapecosh, Cougar Rock, White River, Mowich Lake, and Stevens Canyon Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: White River Campground (Loop C), Paul Peak, Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead, and Box Canyon overlook.
The Ohanapecosh Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites in Loop D and the Cougar Rock Campground has 4 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Trail reviews for Mount Rainier National Park
Epic! Many thanks to the “Portland Babes “that recommended I go up to Plummer Peak. Highly recommend this add-on if you’re up for it. it’s a little bit sketchier than the main trail up to pinnacle saddle but oh my gosh, the 360° views up at the top are Incredible!! Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount Saint Helens are all visible and of course, the main subject Mount Rainier you can almost reach out and touch! Definitely the best hike I’ve done in Mount Rainier National Park. I recommend it over sunrise or skyline loops. Do it!!
We couldn't see Mount Rainier due to the morning fog, but the wildflowers along the whole trail made the walk spectacular.
The parking area is insanely crowded but it’s worth being patient and circling around until you find something. This hike made me fall in love with Mount Rainier! I read tons of reviews and blogs trying to decide whether to go clockwise or counter and I’m so glad we decided to go CLOCKWISE. This is the only right answer (in my opinion). Otherwise Rainier is behind you which makes no sense to me why you’d want that. I’m fairly average (to slow) on hikes and it took me about 3.5 hours to finish the loop. Just stunning!
Did the trail at 5 pm and saw a couple of deer out by snow lake. We could hear the pikas out in the rock fields in the distance also. Nice hike with a bit of up and down. Not crowded in the evenings. Also had nice peekaboo views of Mount Rainier on the way back out.
Began around 9:35am. Finished around 5pm! The hike began with sun. We went counterclockwise, and all the way to the third borough. Once we passed the first borough, the fog came in and it did not come to play. We had intermittent views of the tundra and the glacier., but Mount Rainier was hidden. At the very top of the burrow the visibility was so low that it was actually kind of scary for me, especially around the rocks. We proceeded back down and the fog cleared up showing a magnificent view of Sourdough and several other peaks, This is a strenuous hike. My phone died because I forgot my power pack at home, so it only clocked about 8.2 miles. We definitely did closer to 10 with an elevation gains of 2900 total. Bring plenty of water, nourishment, and layers on foggy/cloudy days. Do not feed the animals! The chipmunks were very feisty ! I also want to add that on the way down when you are approaching the Wonderland trail you are very close to the ridge, and there are downward slanted rocks in sections, that might become very slick when it’s raining/icy. I myself had a panic attack and it was a completely dry day. lol glad I had my hiking poles and my good boots.
the trail is good condition moderate trail and most of it is very straightforward although some parts are a little narrow or slippery. hiking shoes are highly recommended. The view is great but don't get your hopes to high to see mount Rainier as it is almost always covered by clouds. There will be lots of wildlife encounters, especially chipmunks so remember to keep them safe by not feeding them. Overall experience was very good and recommended to active people.