I recently went on a hiking trip to Mount Rainier. It was just….WOW.
Simply put, Mount Rainier is a hiker’s paradise. And the park is HUGE, so there’s lots to explore. Choose from dozens of amazing hiking trails featuring all manner of stunning vistas and varied terrain, with hikes suitable from beginner’s to seasoned backpackers.
Lovely forests surround the mountain, with subalpine meadows and a volcanic past. Come in the late Spring and immerse yourself in wildflowers in a rainbow of colors. While this post features the best hikes around the mountain, stay tuned until the end where I delve into Stuff You Need To Know about the park in general.
The Basics: Mount Rainier is 14,411 feet above sea level. That’s about four thousand feet taller than Mount Hood in Oregon. About 10 thousand people attempt scale Rainer every year, and only half of them make it.
Fun fact: Paradise Valley inside the park is one of the snowiest places on Earth – getting an average of 53 feet of fresh powder yearly.
Start your journey in Paradise (for real) and visit the Jackson Visitor Center. Inside there is lots of information about the park, a gift shop, and a café. Don’t forget to grab a map for all the best hikes I’ll mention here.
Alternatively, you can start your visit at the Sunrise Visitor Center. Situated at the highest point in the park that is accessible by vehicle, the drive alone is worth the visit. Simply stunning. There are a few trails from this visitor center if you want to explore the area on foot. The hikes have more variety here with generally less crowds.
There are five main sections to Mount Rainer National Park:
- Paradise – the most popular section of the park, just south of the mountain.
- Sunrise – for more hearty hikes, located in the northeast region of the park.
- Ohanapecosh – less crowds, located at the southeast corner of the park.
- Longmire – some great hikes here, located at the southwest part of the park.
- Carbon River/Mowich Lake – located in the northwest part, another beautiful spot where the crowds are thinner.
This is a great website for Mt. Rainer Trails Map.
This following is a list of all the hikes I personally did (except for one, which was highly rated and I didn’t have time for, but I included it anyway.) There are many more hikes in this park and I strongly encourage you to do as many as you can to see all aspects of this amazing mountain.
Grove of the Patriarchs
Among the best Mt. Rainer hikes for beginners, this trail is no less breathtaking, it winds through a dense forest of massive Douglas Fir, hemlocks and cedar trees. All covered in glorious moss. This is an easy, peaceful hike that is absolutely worth doing. It’s 1.5 miles long and takes roughly 30 minutes, which is perfect for families with young children or those who just need a simple peaceful walk. The entire trail is flat and leads you through some fantastic old-growth forest, full of towering cedars, Douglas firs, and Western hemlock.
Skyline Loop Trail
An epic hike through several different kinds of terrain, rated as difficult. The Skyline Trail Mt Rainer is as close to the mountain as you can get without donning your mountaineer’s cape and actually scaling the mountain. It’s the best day hike on Mt rainier. I am in reasonably good shape and did this hike with no problem, taking frequent brakes.
All I can say is that this BY FAR my favorite hike at Rainier National Park. Pack a lunch and take your time with this one, kids. Because it’s epic. I hiked it at the tail end of wildflower season, and I came across some stunning lupine, cascade asters, scarlet paintbrush, and more. The loop trail starts and ends at the lodge, so feel free to take it in either direction. Six miles long, you’ll definitely want to savor it slowly and stop to revel in the scenery often. The entire loop takes about 4 hours to complete.
The trail climaxes at the stunning Panorama Point where you’ll get the closest to the mountain. You’ll also see wildlife. I had a couple of close encounters with Marmots, chipmunks, and deer. One chipmunk clearly was not afraid of humans and even jumped on my lap trying to get at my Cliff Bar. Cute little bugger and I confess I was more charmed that annoyed.
Having said that, I’m going to get on my soapbox just a tad and say NEVER FEED THE WILDLIFE. It does them more harm than good and they are not meant to be fed by humans. Nevertheless, my furry friend obviously had been fed by more than a few silly humans, lest he would not have jumped right in my lap! He was fat, too. Just sayin’.
Mt. Fremont Lookout Trail
This is probably my second favorite hike after the Skyline Loop. A hike of moderate difficulty, I love this hike because it takes you through some rocky but stunning terrain. It’s 5.6 miles round trip (out-and-back) and the trailhead is located at the Sunrise Visitor Center. There you can get current trail information and maps.
The trail starts out nice and even. When you get to Frozen Lake, that’s when the trail gets steep, but not for too long. This is also where the views get amazing! Don’t stop, keep going! Because it only gets better from there. Eventually you’ll see a lookout tower far off in the distance, and that’s where you’re headed. Trust me, it’s worth every step. The panoramic views from this part of the trail are other-worldly.
Once you reach the lookout tower, I invite you to grab a big rock, sit on it, and just take in the remarkable 360 views. Then ascent the short wooden steps to the lookout tower itself (if it’s open to the public, that is) and take in the glory of the wooded valley far below. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
Comet Falls Trail
Rated as moderate, this 4-mile-long trail has a fairly steep climb at the beginning. But don’t let that stop you from an incredible hike to see an epic waterfall! Take it slow, and take frequent breaks. As with any hike, water is your friend! Bring it and take frequent sips. It really helps with muscle recovery. Take it from someone who knows firsthand the effects of dehydration! Once you hear the fall, you will be navigating some rocks in the water, but the reward is great.
Once you reach the falls, you can keep going and continue the trail all the way to Van Trump Park (another 1,000 feet in elevation).
Nisqually Vista Trail
If you don’t want the commitment of the Skyline Trail, the Nisqually is an easy 1-mile hike with slightly different views of the majesty that is Rainier. It follows a paved trail and offers similar views to the Skyline but is easier on the knees and less crowded, to boot.
The Wonderland Trail (didn’t do, but worth mentioning)
This is a footpath around the entire circumference of the mountain and is over a century old. At 93 miles long, the hike is not for the faint of heart! I didn’t do this hike just because of time limitations, but many people do this hike in its entirety! Many more pick a section and hike it; just depends on your desire and how much time you have. Regardless, it is a hike of a lifetime. If you dare to tackle the whole thing, plan carefully (organize camping and obtain permits) and allow 10-12 days to complete it. But do it between early Summer and September, as that’s the only time the entire trail is open to the public.
Where to Eat and Stay at Mount Rainer
Whittaker’s Bunkhouse. For the budget minded, this historic bunkhouse is located in the nearby town of Ashford. Built in 1912 and renovated in 1990, it is perfect for skiers, backpackers, and those who just want a clean and cozy place to rest their head after a day of adventure. Rooms with private baths, as well as hostel-like rooms are available. There is also a cottage for larger groups, and a café on site.
Paradise Inn. Located inside the park, this is the ultimate National Park lodge experience. Built in 1919, this historic place has all the rustic charm you could ever hope for. A massive fireplace greets you in the lobby, and with floral light fixtures – it’s really like stepping back in time. You won’t find TVs in the rooms and really, why have them? You’re here to unplug.
Copper Creek Inn & Restaurant. If it is a resort experience you prefer, this is it. The nearby town of Ashford is a great home base for your Mount Rainer adventures. They offer both cabins and private rooms, both with an “upscale roughing it” vibe. Many of their cabins have private hot tubs, and if you opt for just a room, you can sign up for a time to use the public hot tubs in the forest! The restaurant serves comfort food at its finest. They bake their breads daily, and their home-made blackberry pie is a must.
Stuff You Need to Know about Mount Rainier
- When to Visit? Well that depends on how you want to experience her! If you are into skiing, snowshoeing and other winter sports, come when the powder is fresh during the winter. If you are into camping and hiking, late spring through early autumn is the time to come.
- With an average visitation of around 2 million, Mount Rainier is one of the more popular national parks. So expect crowds, especially in the summertime. To avoid the peak of crowds, try to visit during the week, and come as early in the morning as you can. Most people saunter in around mid-morning. This is also good for finding parking in the Paradise area.
- Pets are NOT allowed on the trails or in the park buildings.
- Wildflower are a big deal here (they’re gorgeous) and the peak time is early to mid-August, when they are in full bloom.
- Another great time to visit is early autumn from September through October. The temperatures are cooler, so dress in layers. But the crowds are much less, and most of the trails are still open.
- The best time to hike is July through early October. Snow is a real possibility any other time of the year, and really gets dumped with the white stuff November through March.
- This is a national park, so admission fees are required. I recommend the America the Beautiful Pass at $80, which gets you into all U.S. National Parks for a full year. Otherwise, a 7-day pass is $30 per car, and the Mt. Rainier annual pass is $55.
- As previously mentioned, Mt. Rainier is a HUGE park and there are no gas stations within it, so be sure to fill up every day once you’re outside the park.
