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
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Toutle, Washington
Hike to the Summit of Coldwater Peak
12.2 mi / 2000 ft gainWhile thousands of visitors come to witness the raw power and devastation left behind from Mount St Helens' famous 1980 eruption, few wander past the groomed paths surrounding the Johnston Ridge Observatory. It is beyond these paths where you come across the more commonly designed backcountry tra...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Hike to Coldwater Peak via Boundary Trail
5.014.8 mi / 2700 ft gainThe Boundary trail is amazing. It's 54 miles long and runs for the most part along a ridge in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. You can climb various peaks and viewpoints right off the trail, but this trip report is for climbing Coldwater Peak and hiking up to Harry's Ridge Viewpoint on the way. H...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Rainy Lake Trail
4.09 mi / 3205 ft gainThis is an abandoned trail that heads south along Rainy Creek, off of the downstream section of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail, and up to Rainy Lake. The lake is popular among fisherman, since it is home to lots of trout, but be warned -- route-finding skills are a must on this trip. I do my be...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Backpack to Snow Lake by Mt. Whittier
5.016 mi / 2700 ft gainThe Coldwater Lake Recreation Area has restrooms, telephones, and a picnic area. Make sure you have already acquired your permits for camping in the Mt. Margaret back country.Follow trail #211, which runs along the entire 4.5 mile length of Coldwater Lake. It is a beautiful and fairly flat hike w...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Mount Margaret's Ridge Camp via Coldwater Trailhead
3.57.12 mi / 1634 ft gainThe hike is relatively easy. I'd say intermediate due to the incline at the beginning. Also intermediate due to it being an backpacking camp adventure. A friend of mine and I backpacked in to shoot the sunset and sunrise. We went a little early in the season so it was also to scout for future ad...Read more -
Gig Harbor, Washington
Run through Point Defiance Park
5.04.3 miPoint Defiance Park is the largest urban park in Pierce County and it provides a variety of amenities. Located at the very northwest tip of Tacoma, the park provides residents with a much needed retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Point Defiance Park is the place to go if you need a quick d...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Hike the Hummocks Trail
2.4 mi / 0 ft gainThe trail has a number of ups and downs as you pass the many ponds and ash/rock/mud hills (hummocks) on your way towards the North Fork Toutle River. There is abundant wildlife in the area including birds, beaver and elk.This is also a great place to park and extend your day of hiking on the Boun...Read more -
Bellevue, Washington
Anti-Aircraft Peak Loop
4.53.53 mi / 436 ft gainHead up the road about .75 miles and take a left onto the Klondike Swamp Trail (well-singed). Stay on Klondike for a mile before taking a left onto Lost Beagle Trail. From here the trail climbs uphill and wraps around the edge of the park, offering views of the surrounding area. Hop on Shangri-La...Read more -
Bellevue, Washington
Coal Creek Falls via Red Town Trailhead
3.02.29 mi / 518 ft gainThe popular trailhead is located in the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildlife Park. There is a veritable maze of trails and trailheads here so it is helpful to bring along a map of the area. A trail map for Cougar Mountain can be found on kingcounty.gov. From the trailhead veer left following the Re...Read more -
Bellevue, Washington
Coal Creek Trail
4.05.55 mi / 545 ft gainThis trail takes you through Coal Creek park and follows the creek along the trail with minimal elevation gain. This trail can also be accessed from the northern end of the park if that's a more convenient drive. For the lower parking lot, park at the Red Town lot (exit 13 off I-90) and cross the...Read more -
Issaquah, Washington
Grand Ridge Trail
4.07.51 mi / 1125 ft gainThe trail system in the 1,300 acre Grand Ridge Park can currently can be accessed from two lots: High Point and Central Park, with a new lot at Duthie Hill still under construction. To get to the High Point lot take exit 20 off of I-90 (coming from Seattle), take a left and pass under the freewa...Read more