Mount Rainier, Washington
Looking for the best hiking in Mount Rainier? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mount Rainier. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Mount Rainier
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Ashford, Washington
Upper Palisades Lake
7.05 mi / 1601 ft gainPark at the Sunrise Point parking lot and find the Palisades Trail at the northeast corner of the parking lot. If you bring along a pair of binoculars, you can stop at the first overlook on the left and scan the adjacent mountain slopes for the white dots of mountain goats. Continue down the trai...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Shriner Peak Lookout Trail
4.07.89 mi / 3287 ft gainThe Shriner Peak Lookout Trail is one of the more demanding day hikes in the Mount Rainier region — a relentless 7.89-mile out-and-back that gains over 3,200 feet of elevation to reach a restored fire lookout perched at the summit. The reward is proportional: unobstructed, panoramic views of Moun...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Longmire Lookout via Rampart Ridge
4.04 mi / 1257 ft gainStarting at the Longmire Trailhead, cross the road and begin snowshoeing counter-clockwise on the Trail of Shadows. This first 0.5 miles begins the hike as a nice warm up where you can make sure your snowshoes are adjusted properly and stop from time to time to learn some facts from the interpre...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Rampart Ridge Trail to Wonderland Trail Loop
4.04.97 mi / 1381 ft gainThis is a wonderful loop to do that avoids some of the crowds on the flatter trails and gives you an amazing view of the mountain. Park in the Longmire parking lot where the National Park Inn and Longmire Museum are. Walk across Paradise Rd E to join up with the Trail of the Shadows. Head north o...Read more -
Naches, Washington
Hike the Naches Peak Loop Trail
5.03.5 mi / 700 ft gainNaches Peak Loop Trail is a great introductory trail to Mount Rainier National Park situated on the Eastern side of Rainier. Half located within Mount Rainier NP and half within Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Naches Peak is a 3.5 mile trail with minimal elevation gain (700ft) yet with views ...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Spray Park via Mowich Campground
5.07.52 mi / 1942 ft gainThe trailhead to Spray Park begins at the Mowich Lake Campground (4,929 ft). You'll begin descending quickly for the first 0.1 miles until you reach the Wonderland Trail junction. Head left and make your way up a steady climb for the next 1.7 miles. The first stop you'll come across is Eagle Clif...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Eunice Lake via Mowich Lake
4.05.13 mi / 778 ft gainStarting out from the beautiful Mowich Lake (4,929 ft), this hike takes you through some of Mt. Rainier Nation Park's best scenery. Thanks to the 13 miles of dirt roads it takes to even get to the trailhead, this hike is also rarely crowded. At 5.5 miles roundtrip to Eunice Lake, this is a grea...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Mowich Lake
5.01.56 mi / 92 ft gainNo need to for an entire day hike to enjoy wonderful reflections, crystal clear water, and beautiful scenery a few hundred feet from the parking lot! Park at the Mowich Lake Campground parking lot and follow signs for the Wonderland trail. You will begin your hike on the south side of the lake ...Read more -
Enumclaw, Washington
Crystal Peak Trail
7.49 mi / 2966 ft gainMake sure you are going out on a clear day to catch the best views of the mountains, and bring your camera! From the summit, it’s possible to see six volcanoes spanning two states. Baker, Glacier, Adams, Rainier, St. Helens and Hood wait patiently for you to climb the more-than-moderately steep p...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Tolmie Peak's Fire Lookout
4.55.73 mi / 1250 ft gainMount Rainier is spectacular to look at, but sometimes the best views aren't from on its slopes, but just a little ways away. Tucked in the seldom-visited northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, the Tolmie Peak fire lookout frames the mountain's rugged slopes with a pristine alpine lake ...Read more -
Packwood, Washington
Canyoneering Olallie Creek, Mt. Rainier
2.5 mi / 700 ft gainDisclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it. Be sure to check the flow of Olallie creek to ensure that it's safe. In an area where canyoneering isn’t hugely popular, here lies a canyon that ...Read more -
Packwood, Washington
Hike Tatoosh Ridge from Tatoosh Trail #161
12 mi / 4100 ft gainAt the trailhead kiosk be sure to get one of the provided (and required) self-serve Wilderness Permit. Starting at the trailhead begin your initial accent following the marked trail on the side of the road. In the first two 2.5 miles you will climb 2,745 feet, it's hard but luckily a majority of ...Read more -
Packwood, Washington
Grove of the Patriarchs
3.01.26 mi / 208.66 ft gainThis trail is an easy trail to hike to the end and back. With very little to no elevation gain, some comfy shoes is all you need. There is a great opportunity near the start of the trail to walk down onto the beach and get right next to the river. Shortly after that there is a suspension bridge t...Read more -
Eatonville, Washington
Gobbler's Knob Fire Lookout
4.011.67 mi / 2789 ft gainEntering the Park from the Southwest Entrance, bear left when you approach the forking Westside Rd. This road has been closed a few miles in due to massive rockfall. When you reach the road closure, just park along the side of the road. In Spring and Summer, you should be able to see plenty of ot...Read more -
Randle, Washington
Silver Falls
5.02.89 mi / 600 ft gainThis is a trail that could easily be done by your older family members but also could be a nice trail run or quick hike for you. The trail starts from Loop B in the Ohanapecosh Campground and after a quick section, you will be walking over the hot springs in the area. They ask that you stay off t...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
10.81 mi / 3648 ft gainNamed after the Native American who lived here prior to Mt. Rainier becoming a national park, So-To-Lick's was dubbed "Indian Henry" by the postman who unfortunately did not learn his name. When heading out on this hike, keep an eye on the weather in Mt. Rainier National Park. If hiking this tr...Read more