Pierce County, Washington

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Pierce County

  • Packwood, Washington

    Snow Lake Trail

    3.8
    2.12 mi / 427 ft gain
    Snow Lake is a beautiful lake in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. You can do the 2.6 mile roundtrip hike to the lake as either a day trip or as a backcountry camp. To camp at one of the two sites on the lake you must secure a permit from the permit office at Longmire. The hike to the s...
    Read more
  • Ashford, Washington

    Summerland Trail

    5.0
    8.62 mi / 2359 ft gain
    The Summerland trail is by far the easiest trail that I ever experienced. The trail is well maintained and for the first 3 miles you are surrounded by trees and the sound of waterfalls and rivers, and it's green everywhere. The last 1.3 miles, you encounter switchbacks and you can get some view...
    Read more
  • Ashford, Washington

    Climb Little Tahoma/East Shoulder

    17 mi / 7450 ft gain
    Start from the Summer Land Trail Head at the Fryingpan Creek parking lot just West of the White River Ranger Station in Mount Rainier National Park. Beginning at an elevation of 3,800 feet, you'll head southeast along the Summer Land Trail for 4.5 miles, tracing the Fryingpan Creek. There are a f...
    Read more
  • Ashford, Washington

    Panhandle Gap

    5.0
    11.11 mi / 3127.08 ft gain
    The trail is 12 mi round trip but don’t let the distance for an out and back turn you off - this hike is fantastic and even better with a beer at the top. The trail winds its way through an old growth forest and shortly joins the Wonderland Trail. After crossing a crick the trail steepens and beg...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • North Bend, Washington

    Summit Mt. Defiance

    5.0
    11 mi / 3300 ft gain
    This hike offers some of the best views one can see in the area. On a clear day, you'll get amazing views of Mt. Rainier. The best part is that as you start heading uphill in the first half mile, you'll get great views of McClellan Butte. Once you reach the summit of Defiance at 5584 feet, you'll...
    Read more
  • North Bend, Washington

    Bandera Mountain

    4.2
    7.8 mi / 3176 ft gain
    This hike has unreal views of Mount Rainier. On a great clear spring day, the mountain is out. It's right in your face. It's incredible. If you tackle this hike in the spring the bear grass and wildflowers are alive and blooming towards the top and it makes for some fantastic picture-taking. Once...
    Read more
  • North Bend, Washington

    Mason Lake via Ira Spring

    4.2
    6.88 mi / 2316 ft gain
    Ira Spring trail offers up great views prior to reaching the ridge that you go over to reach Mason Lake. The lake itself is an amazing sight—beautiful water with rocks and trees along the shores, making this 6.5-mile roundtrip hike well worth it. The trail to Mason Lake, the Ira Spring trail, pr...
    Read more
  • Ashford, Washington

    Scramble to Tamanos Mountain

    10 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Soon after entering Mt. Rainier National Park via the White River Entrance, pull into the Owyhigh Lakes Trail parking area. From the parking lot, walk across Sunrise Road to the Owyhigh Lakes Trailhead to begin an exceptional hike to the summit of Tamanos Mountain.Start by hiking 3.5 miles on the...
    Read more