Owyhigh Lakes Trailhead

Owyhigh Lakes tucked up against Governors Ridge.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Two miles west of White River Entrance along the White River Road.

Amenities

2 listed

Parking - Auto, Trailhead

Season: Summer Only (June - October)
Owyhigh Lakes Trailhead is located along White River Road, which is open to vehicles during the summer season only, typically June-October.

Drive through the White River Entrance and proceed two miles to a parking area on the right. The trailhead is located across the road. Parking is very limited and can fill early on sunny summer days. Have an alternate destination in mind. 

The trail climbs steadily for 3.5 miles through the forest on a series of switchbacks to reach the lakes. According to legend, these lakes were named after Yakama Chief "Owhi," who loaned horses to Theodore Winthrop (after whom the Winthrop Glacier was named), when Winthrop was on a trek across the cascades in the mid-1850s. Although this hike offers no views of Mount Rainier, it does offer an array of secluded mountain lakes and meadows aglow with wildflowers in mid-summer. The jagged cliffs of Governors Ridge rise high above the lakes to the east while Tamanos Mountain lies directly west.

Return back to White River, or the trail continues and descends down into the Ohanapecosh River Valley where it connects to the Eastside Trail at Deer Creek, an additional 4.9 miles. From Deer Creek, a trail (0.4 miles) connects to SR123 where a second vehicle can be parked. If returning to White River, the trail is 7 miles round trip with 1,350 feet of elevation gain.

Tamanos Creek Camp is located among the trees three miles from the trailhead, 0.5 miles short of the lakes. Although the creek is often dry by late summer, Owyhigh Lakes provide a reliable source of water. Treat water before drinking. A wilderness permit is required to camp. Permits and current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails.

Owyhigh Lakes Trail Map

Map centered on the Owyhigh Lakes Trail in the White River area of Mount Rainier National Park. From the White River Road, the trail switchbacks up the valley slope to the south to reach the Owyhigh Lakes at the head of a valley. The trail continues over a pass and descends into the Ohanapecosh Valley to connect to the Eastside Trail and an alternate trailhead at Deer Creek. Points of interest are marked by black symbols on the map. Several tools are represented by icons along the left side of the map. A ruler icon opens a tool to measure distance or area on the map. Clicking on plus or minus icons will zoom the view in/out, and clicking on a house icon will return the map to the original view centered on Owyhigh Lakes Trail.