Best trails in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is located in west-central Washington and is ideal for hiking, mountain climbing and scenic drives. Most roads are open from late May to early October, which allow for both stunning views and access to a wide range of hiking trails and other sites. Hikers will find forests with cedar, hemlock, and fir trees as well as streams and wildflower meadows. On Rainier's alpine slopes, visitors will find firs, glaciers, and tundra.
Mount Rainier, an active volcano, is the most prominent peak in the Cascades, and it is covered by 26 named glaciers including Carbon Glacier and Emmons Glacier, the largest in the continental United States. The mountain is popular for climbing, and more than half of the park is covered by subalpine and alpine forests. Paradise on the south slope is one of the snowiest places in the world, and the Longmire visitor center is the start of the Wonderland Trail, which encircles the mountain.
Top trails
Visitor info
A timed entry reservation is required only for the Sunrise Corridor in the northeast corner of the park from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily from July 11-Sept 1, 2025, then on weekends and holidays from Sept 2 through end of the season (typically mid-October).
Grants unlimited entry for one motorcycle and passenger for seven consecutive days.
Walk-up or single bicycle fee. Grants unlimited entry for seven consecutive days.
Grants unlimited entry for one vehicle and passengers for seven consecutive days. Vehicle must be private, noncommercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.
Grants unlimited entry for one year to pass owner and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. This pass does not cover camping fees and is non-transferable and non-refundable. If you already own a valid annual or lifetime pass (Interagency Senior, Annual, Military, etc) you do not need to purchase this pass. NOTE: The Discover Pass is for Washington State Parks only and does not cover Mount Rainier National Park.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Jackson Visitor Center, Sunrise Visitor Center (summer only), and Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (summer only) are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. The theater and dining room at the Jackson Visitor Center are also wheelchair accessible. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Loaner wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available.
Additional information about accessibility at Mount Rainier National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Jackson Visitor Center, Sunrise Visitor Center (summer only), and Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (summer only) are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. The theater and dining room at the Jackson Visitor Center are also wheelchair accessible. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The Paradise Inn and National Park Inn have wheelchair accessible rooms. There is also a wheelchair accessible dining room.
The Paradise, Kautz Creek, Ohanapecosh, Cougar Rock, White River, Mowich Lake, and Stevens Canyon Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: White River Campground (Loop C), Paul Peak, Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead, and Box Canyon overlook.
The Ohanapecosh Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites in Loop D and the Cougar Rock Campground has 4 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Trail reviews for Mount Rainier National Park
Did this exact 9 mile loop first to Fremont Lookout and then to 2nd Burroughs. With timed entry, the trails don't feel super crowded. The Sunrise parking lot is mostly filled even at 9am on a Sunday, but we managed to get a spot. Most of the hike is exposed with very little tree cover, and big views of Mount Rainier and surroundings are plentiful. It was hot when I went so definitely needed lots of water and sunscreen. The loop back on Sunrise Rim trail eventually goes into the forest for a bit, and goes back up slightly to get back to Sunrise parking lot. The trails are in good shape, mostly dirt with some section of flat rocks in the scree zones. Both Fremont Lookout and Burroughs Mountain trail (up to 2nd Burroughs) have some incline to get the sweat going, but nothing too difficult. You get to see more of the mountain at Fremont Lookout, while get more up close to Rainier on Burroughs. Saw a marmot and lots of chipmunks. Bugs were a little annoying at 2nd Burroughs.
Amazing hike. Do the trail clockwise for the views of Mount Rainier. We arrived at 6:40am on a Sunday morning and there was plenty of parking in the lower parking lot and picnic area parking lot. Went with our two kids (ages 10 and 7). Would say that the trail is definitely doable for kids who are at least somewhat experienced hikers. The waterfalls and wildflowers on the way down were very nice. Only bummer is that there wasn't a ton of wildlife around - probably too hot today for them!
Beautiful Mount Rainier views all along the trail, but too crowded during Friday evening
JUST. DO. IT. Every time I hike in Mount Rainier I always say “this is the best hike!” But this might actually be the best hike! I arrived at 6:55AM (before reservations required; trailhead is 20 minutes from the sunrise entrance so time accordingly) and the parking lot was about half to 3/4 full. I completed the trail clockwise and it was amazing! Views the entire way, didn’t see anyone till about 3 miles into the hike, and just stunning views at the end. Definitely go all the way to the third burrough and the glacier basin! 360 views and it was so clear you could see Mt. Hood, Mt Adams, and Mt. St Helens! There is little to no shade and you’re closer to the sun so bring tons of water and sun protection! Lots of people on the way back to the parking lot
Went counterclockwise and glad we did when starting in the afternoon. Wildflowers were crazy beautiful, as was the view of Mount Rainier.
This is the best short hike that we’ve had the entire summer. It did have a lot of elevation because the 386 feet is compressed into the 1.6 mile hike. Wonderful views everywhere! Saw very few people, but the trail is very well developed. No dogs on this hike are allowed and throughout the national park. Get your great shot of Mount Rainier on this hike. Only took a little less than an hour. They’re doing asphalt work so allow a little bit more time to get up.