Mount Rainier National Park - Day Hikes (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS Photo

In the summer, hikers can enjoy the wildflower meadows that line many trails in the park.

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Looking for easy and enjoyable trails that the whole family can experience together? Consider the following trails in the Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon/Mowich areas of Mount Rainier National Park. The hikes described below range from short strolls to longer trails through the wilderness. Pets are not allowed on park trails.

For your safety, never hike alone, carry (and know how to use) the Ten Essentials, and tell someone your plans.

To preserve the trails at Mount Rainier, day hikers are also encouraged to stay on designated trails throughout the park. In the heavily used Paradise, Sunrise, and Tipsoo Lake meadows hikers are required to stay on trails. All hikers are asked to avoid fragile flower fields and stream banks.

LONGMIRE AREA DAY HIKES

Trail	Description of Hike	Trailhead Location	Distance	Estimated Round Trip Hiking Time
Trail of the Shadows	Human and natural history come together in the forest and meadows of Longmire. You'll see a replica of an early homestead cabin and discover the plants and animals that call this area their home.	Across the road from the National Park Inn at Longmire	0.7 miles, loop trail	20 minute
Twin Firs Loop Trail	This short trail passes through old growth forest.	2 miles west of Longmire	0.4 miles, loop trail	20 minutes
Rampart Ridge Trail	This steep loop trail passes through forests and offers ridge top vistas.	Follow the Trail of the Shadows, located across the road from the National Park Inn at Longmire, to the trail junction.	4.6 miles, loop trail	2.5 hours

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PARADISE AREA DAY HIKES

Trail

Description of Hike

Trailhead
Location

Distance

Estimated Round Trip Hiking Time

Nisqually Vista Trail

Walk amidst the clouds and see how weather shapes the landscape, plants, and animals of these high-country meadows. Enjoy excellent views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier.

West of the Jackson Visitor Center

1.2 miles,
loop trail

45 minutes

Bench & Snow Lakes Trail

Enjoy two lakes along this one trail. In summer, this area is an excellent place to see bear grass and meadow flowers. The trail is a succession of gradual ups and downs crossing low ridges, reaching Bench Lake after ¾ mile, then continuing another ½ mile to Snow Lake.

Stevens Canyon Road, 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes

2.5 miles

2 hours

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OHANAPECOSH AREA DAY HIKES

*Trail*	*Description of Hike*	Trailhead Location	*Distance*	*Estimated Round Trip Hiking Time*
Life Systems Trail – The Forests & Springs of Ohanapecosh	The quiet green forests of Mount Rainier offer a shady contrast to the windswept high country of the park. Walk under towering Douglas firs & Hemlocks to the bubbling waters of the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs.	Ohanapecosh Campground, behind visitor center	0.5 mile, loop trail	30 minute
Silver Falls Trail	The Ohanapecosh River, squeezed between the rocks, falls 75 feet to produce a silver spray. Stay on the trail and behind safety barriers. Rocks are wet and slippery.	Loop B of the Ohanapecosh Campground	3 miles Walk the trail as a loop by crossing the river on the bridge below the falls and return to the campground on the other side of the river.	2 hours
Grove of the Patriarchs Trail	The Ohanapecosh River surrounds an island of towering, thousand-year-old Douglas fir and western red cedar trees. Walk the trail to discover the grandeur and peace of this island.	Just west of the Stevens Canyon Entrance Station	1.3 miles, loop trail	1 hour

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SUNRISE AREA DAY HIKES

*Trail*	*Description of Hike*	Trailhead Location	*Distance*	*Estimated Round Trip Hiking Time*
Shadow Lakes Trail	This trail offers views of the White River Valley, Mount Rainier and access to Shadow Lake. Return to Sunrise via the steeper trail to Frozen Lake and Sourdough Ridge or follow the old roadway back to Sunrise.	Sunrise parking area	3 miles	1.5 hours
Sourdough Ridge Trail	Enjoy the beautiful subalpine meadows of the Sunrise area. A gentle climb to the ridge top offers breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, with Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, and Mount Adams in the distance. Stay on trail to protect fragile plants.	North side of Sunrise parking area	1 mile, loop trail	1 hour
Tipsoo Lake	Explore the subalpine flower fields and breathtaking views of Mount Rainier. Late summer and fall brings an abundant supply of huckleberries. Half of the hike is on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.	Chinook Pass/Tipsoo Lake	3.5 miles	2 hours
Glacier Basin Trail	In summer, the meadows of the basin are a rainbow of wild flowers. Watch for mountain goat on the surrounding slopes and mountain climbers ascending the Inter Glacier to Camp Schurman. After the first mile, a ½ mile spur trail leads along the Emmons Moraine to a view of the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the lower 48 states. Stay on designated trails to protect fragile plants. Note: The trail remains very rough due to 2006 storms & floods. Check with Rangers.	White River Campground	7 miles	4 hours

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CARBON/MOWICH AREA DAY HIKES

*Trail*	*Description of Hike*	Trailhead Location	*Distance*	*Estimated Round Trip Hiking Time*
Carbon River Rain Forest Nature Trail	Rain forests seldom occur far from coastal areas, making the forest that grows in this valley unique. Use this trail to explore the only true inland rain forest at Mount Rainier.	Carbon River entrance of Mount Rainier National Park	0.3 miles, loop trail	20 minute
Chenuis Falls Trail	Hike this trail to view Chenius Falls. Trail requires crossing the Carbon River on footlogs.	3.5 miles east of the Carbon River Ranger Station	0.4 miles	30 minutes
Green Lake Trail	Trail passes through an old growth forest to Green Lake. A spur trail one mile up the trail leads to Ranger Falls.	3 miles east of the Carbon River Ranger Station	6.6 miles from Carbon River entrance station, which is closed.	3.5 hours from Carbon River entrance station.
Carbon Glacier Trail	For a close-up look at a glacier, this is the best trail. The trail follows the Carbon River through the forest to the snout of the glacier. Beware of rocks falling from the glacier snout. Do not approach glacier -- enjoy the view from the constructed trail.	Ipsut Creek Campground	12 miles from Carbon River entrance station, which is closed.	6.5hours from Carbon river entrance station, which is closed.
Tolmie Peak Trail	Trail passes through the forest to Eunice Lake, then climbs to the fire lookout. To access the lake and for views of Mount Rainier, please stay on the trail.	Mowich Lake	6.5 miles	4 hours

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