The Wonderland Trail (WT) is 93 miles (150kms) long and encircles Mt. Rainier. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and sub-apline areas.

Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Rangers cannot tell you that. Nobody knows your skill level better than you. This is important when laying the foundation for your trip... selecting the proper distance between campsites. Do you live and hike primarily in mountainous terrain and climates, or lower elevation areas? Hiking on flat terrain for 93 miles is far easier than having to climb up three thousand feet with a full pack day, after day, after day. This sounds like something that should not have to be stated, but we often see hikers going beyond their skill level. This usually leads to injury, illness, misery and an early end to a long-planned trip.

CAMPS ALONG THE WONDERLAND TRAIL

Currently one camp on the WT is closed because of flood damage. Additionally, because the Carbon River Road is closed at to vehicular access at the entrance, Ipsut Creek Campground is currently being managed as a wilderness camp which means a wilderness permit will be required to camp here and all wilderness regulations will apply. Fires, pets, bicycles and weapons are not permitted in the backcountry at Mt. Rainier.

Hikers doing the complete Wonderland Trail are limited to camping in designated camps only—the use of cross-country zones is not permitted.

The Wonderland Trail has eighteen trailside wilderness camps and three non-wilderness camps. Hiking from Longmire in a clockwise direction, they are:

• Pyramid Creek- 3,765 feet CLOSED
• Devil's Dream- 5,060 feet
• South Puyallup River- 4,000 feet
• Klapatche Park- 5,515 feet
• North Puyallup River- 3,750 feet
• Golden Lakes- 5,130 feet
• South Mowich River- 2,605 feet
• *Mowich Lake Campground- 4,929 feet
• Ipsut Creek Campground- 2,330 feet 
• Carbon River- 3,195 feet
• Dick Creek- 4,185 feet
• Mystic Camp- 5,570 feet
• Granite Creek- 5,765
• Sunrise Camp- 6,245
• *White River Campground- 4,280 feet
• Summerland- 5,940 feet
• Indian Bar- 5,120 feet
• Nickel Creek- 3,385 feet
• Maple Creek- 2,815 feet
• Paradise River- 3,805 feet
• *Cougar Rock Campground- 3,180 feet

* denotes non-wilderness campground

There are two wilderness camps on the Alternate Route of the Wonderland Trail through Spray Park. They are:

• Eagle's Roost- 4,885 feet
• Cataract Valley- 4,620 feet

HELPFUL LINKS

• Caching Food and Fuel
• Making a Reservation
• First-come, First-served Permits
• The Wonderland Trail Profile Map
• Park Maps