Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Looking for the best hiking in Mount Rainier National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mount Rainier National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Mount Rainier National Park

  • Randle, Washington

    Summit Old Snowy Mountain

    5.0
    17 mi / 3800 ft gain
    The hike begins just outside of Packwood, Wa at the Berry Patch Trailhead Trail #96, sitting pretty at about 4200ft. The Goat Lake/Jordan Basin loop trail starts here, leading to Old Snowy. The magical Goat Rocks Wilderness area is just southeast of Mt. Rainier. It also lies right in the crosshai...
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  • Randle, Washington

    Hike to Elk Pass via "the Knife"

    18.2 mi / 4000 ft gain
    This is a rather long out and back, however, it can also be done as a backpack, which would give you more time to explore the Goat Rocks Wilderness, which is highlighted in other Adventures. For your trip to Elk Pass, begin your trek in the Snowgrass Flats parking lot. A Northwest Forest Pass is ...
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  • 33317 Southeast Green River Gorge Road, Washington

    Explore the Green River Gorge

    4.3
    The Franklin Ghost Town trailhead is just a large muddy lot, surrounded by no trespassing signs. When you pull in you will see signs for a $5 day use fee, just fill out the form and drop it in the box. There are two trails that leave the lot, one heads down to the river and is probably a mile rou...
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  • Black Diamond, Washington

    Hike Franklin Ghost Town

    5.0
    Visited here in August and the water was possibly the coldest I've ever swam in. A great half-day trip as the hikes are easy and the spots are quick to get to. The falls are located just to side of the road with a couple of different places to park. There's a $5 or $10 entrance/parking fee. A gre...
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  • Yakima, Washington

    Surprise Lake via South Fork Tieton Trail

    13 mi / 1549 ft gain
    Getting There Take Road 1000 to start your hike at Conrad Meadows, which is also where you will park your car, be sure to leave your Northwest Forest Pass properly displayed on the dash of your car before you leave. Surprise Lake trailhead is one of the very few trailheads that starts out on th...
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  • Randle, Washington

    Goat Lake via Walput Lake Campground

    5.0
    25.98 mi / 5692 ft gain
    The trip to Goat Lake starts at the Walupt Lake campground parking lot. You will start on the Walupt Lake Trail (#101) and a short distance from the campground, take Trail #98 (Nannie Ridge) as it branches off and climbs steeply northeast onto an open, scenic ridge top. Continue on to Sheep Lake...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Little Saint Helens via Hansen Creek

    3.0
    5.73 mi / 932 ft gain
    The road to the hike is rough in some spots but overall any car can make it up. Quite a lot of campsites along the first mile if you choose to camp here. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow. You start out by cutting across the road and starting at the Hansen Creek trailhead. Follow t...
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  • Easton, Washington

    Snowshoe to Amabilis Mountain

    9.5 mi / 2100 ft gain
    To reach Amabilis Mountain, park at the Cabin Creek Sno Park at Exit 63 off I-90. Take the overpass across the highway to the trailhead and strap on your snowshoes. There's a maze of cross-country ski trails, but you'll want to keep to the right and follow the Berg trail for a quarter mile until ...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Hike Mount Catherine

    5.0
    3 mi / 1300 ft gain
    Start off on the extremely rough Forest Service 9070 road. Follow this for just over 4 miles until you see a sign for trail #1348 on the right. There is only enough room for a couple cars at the trailhead.You start off climbing right away, covering 800 feet of elevation in the first 0.80 miles of...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Talapus & Olallie Lakes

    5.71 mi / 1266 ft gain
    With a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is j...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Talapus Lake Trail

    3.43 mi / 781 ft gain
    The trail up to Talapus Lake is well graded and relatively short, at only about 2.5 miles in length RT. The trail starts off on a wide old road cut and then veers off into the old growth woods in a slowly winding uphill tack. A few mellow switch backs deliver you to the top, where a short stretch...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    McClellan Butte

    5.0
    10.61 mi / 3629 ft gain
    Starting at the McClellan's Butte Trailhead, right off of I-90 exit 47, head out on the main (only) trail at the trailhad. The first half mile of the trail is quite easy as it meanders through the forest, but don't be fooled or worried, it will get harder. This first half mile has a crossing of a...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Annette Lake

    4.6
    7.2 mi / 1923 ft gain
    From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 47 (Asahel Curtis/Denny Creek). Turn right from the off-ramp and continue 0.25 mile, then turn left on Forest Road 5590. You'll find the parking area in 0.3 mile. Between the thick second-growth forest stands and the high alpine lake, the trail rolls along...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Pratt Lake Trail

    4.5
    11.97 mi / 3248 ft gain
    This overnight hike is definitely a challenge with 2,300 feet of elevation gain but all that huffing and puffing will be worth it when you reach the beautiful Pratt Lake Basin. The trail can be a bit busy in the first mile but most of the traffic is from day hikers on their way up the popular Gr...
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  • North Bend, Washington

    Granite Mountain

    4.2
    7.92 mi / 3999 ft gain
    The trek up Granite Mountain is a strenuous and fairly steep hike located east of Seattle and west of Snoqualmie pass off of I-90. Take exit 47 and turn North to a T intersection, park at the Pratt lake Trailhead at approximately 1860' and right beside I-90. The trail splits just after the first...
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  • Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

    Hike to Margaret Lake

    6 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Starting at an elevation of 3,300 feet, begin the hike on a steep gravel road for 1/4 of a mile. Take a left onto a dirt road that will lead to an area of clear cuts and windy switchbacks.As daunting as this may seem, don't be discouraged. On a clear day, the surrounding peaks of Snoqualmie Pass ...
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