Mount Rainier, Washington

Top Spots in and near Mount Rainier

  • Packwood, Washington

    Pinnacle Peak

    4.8
    2.84 mi / 1450.35 ft gain
    This trailhead is easily accessed at the parking lot at Reflection Lakes in Mount Rainier National Park. A short but sweet hike (1.3 miles one way) that leads to beautiful views of Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and if clear enough, Mt. Hood (Oregon).  Pinnacle itself can be climbed to ...
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  • Packwood, Washington

    Christine Falls

    3.7
    Driving along Paradise Road on the south side of Mount Rainier, provides a couple of opportunities to view gorgeous waterfalls with a short hike. From the West, the first stop is Christine Falls. There is parking on either side side of the bridge, but the east side is closest to the trail. Desce...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Comet Falls

    5.0
    3.57 mi / 1312 ft gain
    Located on Paradise Road along the south side of Mount Rainier, the Comet Falls Trail follows Van Trump Creek up to the magnificent Comet Falls. The hike is 3.8 miles round trip with 1250' of elevation gain. The trail starts off at 3650' and soon crosses over a bridge above Christine Falls. It q...
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  • Lewis County, Washington

    Indian Bar - Cowlitz Divide via Box Canyon

    14.13 mi / 4199 ft gain
    There are multiple ways to access Indian Bar. This one starts at Box Canyon.   From the parking area at Box Canyon walk across the road and follow the signs for Wonderland Trail. Head up the Wonderland trail through the trees to the split with the Cowlitz trail. Continue on the Wonderland Trail...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Carter & Narada Falls

    3.0
    5.81 mi / 1434 ft gain
    This hike starts off with a bang! The first thing you do is walk out into a rocky riverbed and get an amazing view of Mt. Rainier. From there, you'll cross a long log bridge to get over the river and head into the woods. After 1.1 miles, you'll come across Carter Falls, and about 100 feet down t...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Upper Palisades Lake

    7.05 mi / 1601 ft gain
    Park 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...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Shriner Peak Lookout Trail

    4.0
    7.89 mi / 3287 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Longmire Lookout via Rampart Ridge

    4.04 mi / 1257 ft gain
    Starting 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...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Rampart Ridge Trail to Wonderland Trail Loop

    4.0
    4.97 mi / 1381 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • Enumclaw, Washington

    Explore Tipsoo Lake

    4.0
    Tipsoo Lake provides a great spot for capturing a sunset at Mount Rainier. There are two lakes at Tipsoo, with Upper Tipsoo Lake providing a better view of the Mountain. To access Upper Tipsoo Lake, drive past the main parking lot for Tipsoo Lake and park at the pullout around the bend on the sam...
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  • Naches, Washington

    Hike the Naches Peak Loop Trail

    5.0
    3.5 mi / 700 ft gain
    Naches 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 ...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Spray Park via Mowich Campground

    5.0
    7.52 mi / 1942 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Eunice Lake via Mowich Lake

    4.0
    5.13 mi / 778 ft gain
    Starting 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...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Mowich Lake

    5.0
    1.56 mi / 92 ft gain
    No 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 ...
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  • Enumclaw, Washington

    Crystal Peak Trail

    7.49 mi / 2966 ft gain
    Make 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...
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  • Ashford, Washington

    Tolmie Peak's Fire Lookout

    4.5
    5.73 mi / 1250 ft gain
    Mount 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 ...
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