Backcountry Trails and Camp Reports
Trail and backcountry camp conditions are reported in detail during the summer months only (generally June-September). A Wilderness Camping Permit is required year round for camping or climbing in the park. Always check with Park Rangers for trail conditions before heading out into the backcountry. FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED in the wilderness at Mount Rainier.
Be prepared for harsh conditions and fast-changing weather. River crossings are prone to washing out, potentially leaving you stranded on one side of the crossing. Always cross early in the day when water levels are at their lowest. Use extreme caution anytime you attempt to ford a river or creek. Expect log footbridges and other river crossings to be washed out during the fall/winter, when powerful rain events are common. These crossings are not replaced until the following spring/summer. Be prepared... mountain weather is good one minute, daunting the next. Learn more about hiking safety.
Check the Northwest Avalanche Center Report and the Mount Rainier Recreational Weather Report before heading out. Avalanche assessment and route-finding skills are needed for many winter activities in the park. Learn more about winter recreation.
Do not leave valuables in your car. While break-ins are infrequent, they do occur.
NOTE: Please note the date for reports and recognize that changes may have occurred since the report. Conditions are updated when there is new information.
Register for Permits During the Winter and Spring Season
- Climbers can self register at the Paradise Old Station.
- Permits for overnight camping in the backcountry are required year-round.
- From October 15, 2024-May 26, 2025, permits can be obtained at the Carbon River Ranger Station and at the Longmire Museum.
- For trips starting in the northeast (SR410) or southeast (SR123) corners of the park, permits can be obtained by self-registration at the Crystal Lakes trailhead and the White River WIC for trips in the northeast corner of the park and at the Southeast entrance archway for trips in the southeast corner of the park.
- Winter group permits (13 or more people) can be obtained in advance on Recreation.gov as soon as there is the required five feet of consolidated snow on the ground at Paradise. Permits for parties of 12 or fewer can be obtained in person the day your trip starts of one day prior.
Climbers
- October-April climbers can self-register at the Paradise Old Ranger Station. The Annual Climbing Fee is required for each climber before self-registration. Details on paying the Annual Climbing Fee online are available on the Climbing webpage.
Trails in the Carbon River Area
The Carbon River Road to Ipsut Creek Campground is CLOSED at the park entrance because of 2006 flood damage. It is now a five mile hike into Ipsut Creek Campground. Bikes are permitted ONLY as far as Ipsut Creek Campground.
|
Trail Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Trail Conditions
|
|
Update
|
| Summary |
|
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
There is NO public access to Carbon River & Mowich Lake from SR 165. The bridge is closed to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and there is no alternate route.
Carbon River & Mowich Area Trails Map
|
|
07/01/2025 |
| Carbon Glacier Trail |
0 |
Lower Carbon crossing in. |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Chenuis Fall |
0 |
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Green Lake |
0 |
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Ipsut Falls |
0 |
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Northern Loop: Carbon River- Windy Gap |
|
Trail conditions reported starting in June 2025. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
|
10/13/2024 |
| Paul Peak Trail |
0 |
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Rain Forest Loop |
0 |
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Spray Park |
10 |
Be cautious of postholing in boulder fields. |
|
07/21/2025 |
| Seattle Park |
0 |
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
|
07/04/2025 |
| Tolmie Peak |
0 |
|
|
07/04/2025 |
Trails in the Longmire Area
The main road to Longmire is OPEN year round.
|
Trail Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Trail Conditions
|
Update
|
| Summary |
|
Longmire Area Trails Map |
|
| Carter Falls (from Cougar Rock Campground) |
0 |
Snow-free. |
05/24/2025 |
| Comet Falls Trail (Van Trump Park Trail) |
0 |
Snow free to Comet Falls. 100% snow-covered just above Comet Falls requiring expert winter travel and navigation skills. |
06/20/2025 |
| Denman Falls Trail |
0 |
Snow-free. |
05/24/2025 |
| Eagle Peak Trail |
0 |
Mosquitos are out! |
07/04/2025 |
| Goat Lake Trail (Glacier View Wilderness) |
|
Forest Service Road 59 CLOSED. Trail and backcountry camp conditions are reported in detail during the summer months only (generally June-September) |
10/13/2024 |
| Kautz Creek Trail |
0 |
Mosquitos are out! |
07/10/2025 |
| Lake George & Gobblers Knob Trail |
0 |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Mildred Point Trail |
0 |
|
07/04/2025 |
| Mirror Lakes Trail |
0 |
|
06/28/2025 |
| Narada Falls Trail (Paradise to viewpoint below Narada Falls) |
0 |
|
06/15/2025 |
| North Puyallup River Trail |
0 |
|
06/05/2025 |
| Rampart Ridge Loop Trail |
0 |
Mosquitos are out! |
07/04/2025 |
| Rampart Ridge Trail (Upper section from Wonderland Trail to Van Trump Park and Comet Falls) |
0 |
|
07/08/2025 |
| Round Pass Trail |
0 |
|
05/30/2025 |
| Saint Andrews Creek Trail |
0 |
Mosquitos are out! |
06/29/2025 |
| South Puyallup River Trail |
0 |
Mosquitos are out! |
05/30/2025 |
| Trail of the Shadows |
0 |
Snow-free. |
05/30/2025 |
| Twin Firs Trail |
0 |
Snow free. |
05/30/2025 |
| Tahoma Creek Trail |
|
CLOSED DUE TO DEBRIS FLOW AND HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. THE TAHOMA CREEK HAS TAKEN OVER THE TRAIL. NOTE: This is an unmaintained trail in an area with high risk of geohazards such as flooding and debris flows. These events have occurred frequently in the past and are expected to occur again. There are only remnants of this trail remaining. Navigation is difficult and the route is hazardous. It is NOT recommended to hike Tahoma Creek Trail. |
07/01/2025 |
Trails in the Ohanapecosh Area
|
Trail Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Trail Conditions
|
Update
|
| Summary |
|
Ohanapecosh Area Trails Map |
|
| Cowlitz Divide Trail (Olallie Creek Trail) |
0 |
Creek crossing required to get to Olallie Creek Camp. |
06/28/2025 |
| Eastside Trail |
0 |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Grove of the Patriarchs Trail |
0 |
CLOSED: BRIDGE HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND IS CLOSED. |
05/30/2025 |
| Laughingwater Creek Trail |
0 |
NOTE: Due to SR123 construction, most of the pullout for the Laughingwater Creek Trailhead is CLOSED in 2025, with limited parking for livestock trailers only.
There is no reliable water until Three Lakes. |
07/27/2025 |
| Pacific Crest Trail |
0 |
|
07/27/2025 |
| Shriner Peak Trail |
0 |
No water along the hike or at the top. |
07/25/2025 |
| Silver Falls Trail |
0 |
NOTE: In 2025, the Silver Falls Trailhead in the Ohanapecosh Campground is CLOSED due to the Ohanapecosh Construction Project. Please note:
- Silver Falls can be accessed from the Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot via the Eastside Trail.
- The portion of the trail connecting to the Ohanapecosh Campground is closed and the Silver Falls Trail cannot be hiked as a loop. The two sides of the trail on either bank of the Ohanapecosh River can be hiked as out-and-back routes only.
|
07/01/25 |
Trails in the Paradise Area
The main road to Longmire is OPEN year round. During winter months, the road from Longmire to Paradise closes nightly at the gate at Longmire. Check for daily road status updates (Twitter account not required to view).
|
Trail Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Trail Conditions
|
Update
|
| Summary |
|
Paradise Area Trails Map |
|
| Alta Vista Trail |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Dead Horse Creek Trail |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Fourth Crossing Trail |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Glacier Vista Trail |
5 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Golden Gate Trail |
10 |
Steep snow. |
07/11/2025 |
| High Lakes Loop Trail |
0 |
|
07/16/2025 |
| Lakes Trail (Mazama Ridge) |
0 |
|
07/19/2025 |
| Moraine Trail |
10 |
|
07/04/2025 |
| Nisqually Vista Trail |
0 |
|
07/17/2025 |
| Paradise Glacier Trail |
20 |
Winter travel skills required. |
07/19/2025 |
| Pebble Creek Trail (to the base of the Muir Snowfield) |
100 |
Expert winter travel skills including navigation skills required. |
07/11/2025 |
| Pinnacle Peak Trail |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Skyline Trail |
10 |
|
07/19/2025 |
| Snow Lake/Bench Lake Trail |
0 |
flowers and mosquitos are out! |
07/01/2025 |
| Stevens Creek Trail |
0 |
|
06/16/2025 |
Trails in the White River Area
|
Trail Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Trail Conditions
|
Update
|
| Summary |
|
Sunrise Area Trails Map
Sunrise Road closed. Due to construction around Fryingpan Creek Bridge, parking at the Summerland Trailhead along the White River Road is very limited. Additional parking available at the Wonderland Trail connection approx. 1 mile east from trailhead. No RV/oversize parking. |
10/13/2024 |
| Burroughs Mountain Trail To First Burroughs (from Frozen Lake) |
|
|
07/26/2025 |
| First Burroughs Mountain LOOP Trail |
0 |
|
07/21/2025 |
| Burroughs Mountain to Glacier Basin Trail |
0 |
|
07/21/2025 |
| Crystal Lakes Trail |
0 |
Blackflies are out! Flowers are out! |
07/25/2025 |
| Crystal Peak Trail |
0 |
|
07/04/2025 |
| Emmons Moraine Trail |
0 |
|
06/15/2025 |
| Glacier Basin Trail |
0 |
|
07/05/2025 |
| Grand Park Trail (via Northern Loop Trail) |
0 |
|
07/05/2025 |
| Huckleberry Creek Trail |
0 |
|
07/19/2025 |
| Lake Eleanor Trail |
0 |
|
07/01/2025 |
| Mt. Fremont Trail |
0 |
|
07/05/2025 |
| Naches Peak Trail |
0 |
|
07/19/2025 |
| Northern Loop Trail: Berkeley Park to Windy Gap |
0 |
|
07/21/2025 |
| Owyhigh Lakes Trail (from White River Road) |
0 |
|
06/29/2025 |
| Owyhigh Lakes Trail (from Highway 123) |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) NORTH from Chinook Pass to Sourdough Gap. |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) SOUTH from Chinook Pass to Laughingwater Creek Trail junction |
0 |
|
07/21/2025 |
| Palisades Lakes Trail |
0 |
Be aware of yellow jackets. |
07/25/2025 |
| Silver Forest Trail |
0 |
|
07/04/2025 |
| Sourdough Ridge Trail West (Sunrise to Frozen Lake) |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Sourdough Ridge Trail East (Sunrise to Sunrise Point) |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Sunrise Rim Trail |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Tipsoo Lake Trail |
0 |
|
07/04/2025 |
Wonderland Trail
|
Trail Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Trail Conditions
|
Update
|
| Summary |
|
Bear poles are down for the winter season. Be prepared with a bear canister starting in October.
Extra caution should be used when crossing rivers in the time of high water during warm weather days. Refer to Crossing Streams Safely Please do not cross bridges or footlogs with water running over them. |
10/13/2024 |
| Longmire to Indian Henry's |
0 |
Kautz Creek bride is IN! Devil's Dream Camp will be dry within a week. The closest water sources are 1 mile south of camp or about 1/2 mile north of camp. |
07/28/2025 |
| Indian Henry's to South Puyallup River |
0 |
|
07/04/2025 |
| South Puyallup River to Klapatche Park |
0 |
The best water source at South Puyallup River camp is 1/4 mile south on the the Wonderland Trail. |
07/28/2025 |
| Klapatche Park to North Puyallup River |
0 |
Several downed trees. The best water source for Klapatche Camp is at the St. Andrews Lake, about 3/4 mile south on the Wonderland Trail. |
07/28/2025 |
| North Puyallup River to Golden Lakes |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Golden Lakes to South Mowich River |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| South Mowich River to Mowich Lake |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek Campground |
0 |
|
7/11/2025 |
| Ipsut Creek Campground to Carbon Glacier |
0 |
|
06/28/2025 |
| Carbon Glacier to Mystic Lake |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| Mystic Lake to Sunrise |
0 |
|
07/19/2025 |
| Sunrise to White River Campground |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
| White River Campground to Summerland |
0 |
|
07/21/2025 |
| Summerland to Indian Bar |
15 |
Be cautious of snow bridges. Steep snow slope over Panhandle Gap and just south of Panhandle Gap. See picture at the top of this page. |
07/26/2025 |
| Indian Bar to Box Canyon |
0 |
|
07/26/2025 |
| Box Canyon to Reflection Lakes |
0
|
|
07/11/2025 |
| Reflection Lakes to Narada Falls |
0 |
|
06/28/2025 |
| Narada Falls to Longmire |
0 |
|
07/11/2025 |
Carbon Area Backcountry Camps
The road to Ipsut Creek Campground is closed at the park entrance, secondary to flood damage in 2006. All backcounrty camping requires a permit. Obtain Wilderness Permits at Carbon River just inside the entrance to the park.
|
Camp Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Camp Conditions
|
Update
|
| # of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation) |
|
|
|
| Summary |
|
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
There is NO public access to Carbon River & Mowich Lake from SR 165. The bridge is closed to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and there is no alternate route.
|
07/26/2025 |
|
Carbon River Camp #4/1 (3195')
|
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. Trail conditions reported starting in June 2025. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
| Cataract Valley Camp #6/1 (4620') |
0 |
Bear pole up, no assist poles. toilet open. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
| Dick Creek Camp #2/0 (4185') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
| Eagle's Roost Camp #7/0 (4885') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. Mowich Lake Road closed. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
| Ipsut Creek #12/1 (2400') |
0 |
Bear boxes in. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
| Mowich Lake Walk-in Camp (4900') |
0 |
Bear box in. Toilet open. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
| Mystic Camp #7/1 (5570') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
| South Mowich River Camp #3/1 (2605') |
0 |
Bear pole UP. Toilet open. SR165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. |
07/26/2025 |
Longmire/Paradise Area Backcountry Camp
All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain Wilderness Camping permits daily at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center (Summer only) or the Longmire Museum (After Columbus Day-Memorial Day).
|
Camp Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Camp Conditions
|
Update
|
| # of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation) |
|
Bear poles are down for the season. Be prepared with a bear canister. |
10/13/2024 |
| Summary |
|
|
|
| Devil's Dream Camp #7/1 (5060') |
0 |
Bear poles up. Toilet open. Water source at camp will likely be dry in another week! Mosquitoes are out! |
07/27/2025 |
| Golden Lakes Camp #5/1 (5130') |
0 |
Bear poles up. Toilet open. |
07/01/2025 |
| Klapatche Park Camp #4/0 (5515') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/01/2025 |
| Lake George Camp #5/1 (4320') |
0 |
Bear poles are up and toilet is open. |
05/30/2025 |
| Maple Creek Camp #4/1 (2815') |
0 |
Bear poles up. Toilet open. |
06/15/2025 |
| North Puyallup River Camp #3/1 (3750') |
0 |
Bear poles up. Toilet open. |
06/05/2025 |
| Paradise River Camp #3/1 (3805') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
06/16/2025 |
| Pyramid Creek Camp #2/0 (3765') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
05/24/2025 |
| Snow Lake Camp #2/0 (4690') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/01/2025 |
| South Puyallup River Camp #4/1 (4000') |
0 |
Bear poles up. Toilet open. |
05/30/2025 |
Eastside Backcountry Camps
|
Camp Name
|
% Snow Cover
|
Camp Conditions
|
Update
|
| # of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation) |
|
|
|
| Summary |
|
Diligently practice proper food storage; never leave food unattended including in a backpack or tent; never leave food in a tent at night. |
07/26/2025 |
| Berkeley Park Camp #2/1 (5375') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2024 |
| Deer Creek Camp #2/0 (2950') |
0 |
Toilet open. Bear pole up. |
06/26/2025 |
| Dick's Lake Camp #1/0 (5675') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. Mosquitoes are out! |
07/26/2025 |
| Fire Creek Camp #3/1 (4300') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Forest Lake Camp #1/0 (5660') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
06/10/2025 |
| Glacier Basin Camp #5/1 (5965') |
0 |
Bear barrels in. Toilets open.
|
07/26/2025 |
Granite Creek #3/1 (5765')
|
0 |
Bear poles up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Indian Bar #4/1 (5120') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| James Camp #3/1 (4620') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Lake Eleanor Camp #3/1 (5000') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Lower Crystal Lake Camp #2/0 (5450') |
0 |
Bear pole is up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Nickel Creek Camp #3/1 (3385') |
0 |
Bear pole up. toilet open. |
05/30/2025 |
| Olallie Creek Camp #2/1 (3940') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. Cross logs carefully to get over the stream into camp. |
07/26/2025 |
| Shriner Peak Camp #2/0 (5355') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. No water along the trail or at camp. |
07/26/2025 |
| Summerland Camp #5/1 (5940') |
0 |
Bear Pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Sunrise Walk-In Camp #8/2 (6245') |
0 |
Bear box open. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Tamanos Creek Camp #4/2 (5270') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Three Lakes Camp #2/1 (4680') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/26/2025 |
| Upper Crystal Lake Camp #2/0 (5825') |
0 |
Toilet open. Bear pole up. Black flies out! |
07/24/2025 |
| Upper Palisades Lake Camp #2/0 (5835') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. Mosquitoes are out! |
07/24/2025 |
| White River Walk-in Camp #3/1 (4300') |
0 |
Bear box in. |
07/26/2025 |
| Yellowstone Cliffs Camp #2/0 (5180') |
0 |
Bear pole up. Toilet open. |
07/11/2025 |
