A Day In Sunrise

Mount Rainier glowing at sunset from the Sunrise Nature Trail.

NPS/R. Okeson Photo

Located at an elevation of 6,400 feet, Sunrise is home to the highest visitor center in Mount Rainier National Park and is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle. The Sunrise area is only open for about 3 months each year (early July to late September). In its short season, Sunrise offers stunning views of Mount Rainier, numerous hiking opportunities, wildflower meadows, wildlife viewing, fascinating history, and more! Use this guide to help you decide what to do for your day in Sunrise.

Always check trail and road conditions with a park ranger and online before hiking. Many trails may be partially or entirely covered in snow and can be dangerous. Roads may be closed due to snow conditions. Pet are not allowed on trails.

Don’t Be a Meadow Stomper

• Don’t step off trail to get a closer look! Stepping off trail can lead to erosion and kill fragile plant life, even in areas that appear to just be soil.

• Do enjoy the wildflowers from a distance.

• Don’t pick the wildflowers. Leave them for other visitors to enjoy too!

• Do take plenty of pictures!

• Don’t hike on social trails. These are trails created by hikers who strayed away from designated trails. These trails once had alpine and subalpine vegetation growing on them but have been stomped away by lots of foot traffic.

• Do enjoy the trails while staying safe. Make sure to wear proper clothing and footwear and pack extra food and water.

• Don’t feed the wildlife. Keep wildlife wild!

Mountain Views

Open seasonally, typically early July to late September. Weather dependent.
Mount Rainier can be seen from many locations in Sunrise. You can see the mountain from the parking lot, the observation deck outside the visitor center, and most of the trails when skies are clear. There is no single best spot to view the mountain. The following trails offer wonderful views:

Emmons Vista Overlooks (Easy) (1 mile round trip, 100 feet elevation gain, 30 minutes) - The trailhead is located south of the parking lot. Follow the Sunrise Rim Trail, then head east on the Silver Forest Trail to the two overlooks. From these overlooks, enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Emmons Glacier, and the White River Valley.

Sunrise Nature Trail (Easy) (1.5 miles round-trip, 300 feet elevation gain, 45 minutes) - The trailhead is located at the upper end of the picnic area. This self-guided loop offers stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range north of the park.

Silver Forest Trail (Easy) (2 miles round-trip, 150 feet elevation gain, 1 hour) - The trailhead is located south of the parking lot. Follow the Sunrise Rim Trail, then head east on the Silver Forest Trail until you reach the end of the maintained trail. The trail leads to spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the Emmons Glacier from the Emmons Vista Overlooks (0.5 miles one way) and then continues through stunning seasonal wildflower meadows and an old burn area.

Sourdough Ridge Trail East to Dege Peak (Moderate) (4.2 miles, 800 feet elevation gain, 2.5 hours) - The trailhead is located at the upper end of the picnic area on the north side of the parking lot. Follow the nature trail to the right, then head east on the Sourdough Ridge Trail to the Dege Peak spur trail. This trail offers beautiful views of Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, the Cascade Range, and Mount Adams when weather permits. From the summit look down into the White River Park, Sunrise Lake, and Clover Lake.

Mount Fremont Lookout Trail (Strenuous) (5.6 miles, 900 feet elevation gain, 3.5 hours) - The trail head is located at the upper end of the picnic area on the north side of the parking lot. Follow the Sourdough Ridge Trail to the junction at Frozen lake, then take the Mount Fremont Trail to the old fire lookout. This trail offers wonderful views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range, including Mount Baker and Glacier Peak.

Burroughs Mountain Trail Loop via Sunrise Rim Trail (Strenuous) (5.2 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain, 3.5 hours) - The trailhead is located on the south side of the parking lot. Follow the Sunrise Rim Trail to Shadow Lake, continue to Glacier Overlook and up First Burroughs Mountain. This trail offers spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Emmons Glacier, and the Winthrop Glacier. Continue up Second Burroughs Mountain (an additional 1.2 miles, 400 feet elevation gain, 1 hour) for more views of the mountain. Return via the Burroughs Mountain trail towards Frozen Lake, then follow the Sourdough Ridge Trail to the parking lot. Caution: Hazardous travel on icy slopes until late in the season!

Lake Views

Open seasonally, typically early July to late September.
Sunrise Point - At the last hairpin turn before reaching the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot, take in the views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, the Cascade Range, and Sunrise Lake.

Sourdough Ridge Trail West to Frozen Lake (Moderate) (3 miles, 500 feet elevation gain, 1.5 hours) - The trailhead is located at the upper end of the picnic area on the north side of the parking lot. Follow the nature trail to the left, then head west on the Sourdough Ridge Trail towards Frozen Lake. Return to Sunrise back along the Sourdough Ridge Trail or via the Wonderland Trail and the old campground Trail. From the trail, enjoy views of the beautifully blue Frozen Lake. Please stay on the trail! Frozen Lake is surrounded by fragile vegetation. Swimming is NOT permitted in Frozen Lake as it serves as a public water supply.

Shadow Lake via Sunrise Rim and Wonderland Trails (Moderate) (3 miles, 500 feet elevation gain, 1.5 hours) - The trailhead is located on the south side of the parking lot. Follow the Sunrise Rim Trail to the Wonderland Trail. Follow signs for Shadow Lake and Sunrise Camp. The trail offers views of the White River Valley and Mount Rainier through seasonal wildflower meadows as it descends to the beautiful lake. Please stay on the trail and do not swim in the lake! Shadow lake is surrounded by fragile vegetation. Swimming is not permitted in Shadow Lake due to the fragile aquatic ecosystem.

Upper Palisades Lake Trail (Strenuous) (7 miles, 1800 feet elevation gain, 5 hours) - The trailhead is located at Sunrise Point. Follow the Palisades Lake Trail past Clover Lake to Upper Palisades Lake. This trail offers views of seasonal wildflowers and multiple lakes. There are no views of Mount Rainier from this trail.

Historic Buildings

Open seasonally, typically early July to late September.
Sunrise Visitor Center – The Sunrise Visitor Center and Day Lodge are part of the National Historic Landmark District. The visitor center is situated amid colorful subalpine meadows with Mount Rainier and Emmons Glacier as a stunning backdrop. This is Mount Rainier’s highest visitor center, located at 6,400 feet elevation. Inside discover exhibits about the geologic history of the park and the flora and fauna you may encounter.

Sunrise Day Lodge – Opened in 1931, this wood shingled rustic lodge with a steeply pitched roof was built by the Rainier National Park Company. The building was intended to be the first wing of a resort hotel. However, the project did not come to complete fruition, leaving just the one wing to service hungry visitors, offer gifts and supplies, and provide lodging to concessionaire employees. There are no overnight guest rooms.

Wildflowers

Mid-July to Early September.

Sunrise Nature Trail (Easy) (1.5 miles round-trip, 300 feet elevation gain, 45 minutes) - The trailhead is located at the upper end of the picnic area. This self-guided loop offers a stunning walk through wildflower meadows with a backdrop of Mount Rainier.

Silver Forest Trail (Easy) (2 miles round-trip, 150 feet elevation gain, 1 hour) - The trailhead is located south of the parking lot. Follow the Sunrise Rim Trail, then head east on the Silver Forest Trail until you reach the end of the maintained trail. The trail travels through colorfully diverse wildflower meadows and overlooks the White River Valley with views of Mount Rainier.

Shadow Lake via Sunrise Rim and Wonderland Trails (Moderate) (3 miles, 500 feet elevation gain, 1.5 hours) - The trailhead is located on the south side of the parking lot. Follow the Sunrise Rim Trail to the Wonderland Trail. The trail meanders through stunning seasonal wildflower meadows as it descends to the beautiful lake. Please stay on the trail and do not swim in the lake! Shadow lake is surrounded by fragile vegetation. Swimming is not permitted in Shadow Lake due to the fragile aquatic ecosystem.

Scenic Drives

Open seasonally, typically early July to late September.
Sunrise Road (40 minutes) - Starting at the White River Entrance, you will first wind through an old growth forest and then ascend into the subalpine zone of Mount Rainier. Enjoy views of Mount Rainier and roadside wildflower on your drive up. Stop at Sunrise Point for additional views of Mount Adams and the North Cascades. Please only park in designated parking areas and stay on designated sidewalks and roadways. Do NOT walk through the meadows.

Details

Duration

2-8 Hours

Activity

Hiking

The majority of the activities in Sunrise area require some form of hiking. While there are some viewpoints from the road, this is a very hiking-heavy portion of the park.

Age(s)

Suitable for all ages. 

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not allowed on any trails. Pets are only allowed in the parking area and picnic area of Sunrise. 

Activity Fee

Yes

Park entrance fee required. 

Location

Sunrise

Sunrise is located in the northeast corner of the park. It is 60 miles northeast of the Nisqually Entrance and 14 miles northwest of the Sunrise/White river turnoff on State Route 410.

Reservations

No

Season

Summer

The Sunrise Road is open during the summer season only, typically from July through September. 

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

There are no overnight accomodations at Sunrise. The closest campground is the White River Campground. 

Accessibility Information

The main developed area of Sunrise has paved roads and paths. The Sunrise Visitor Center and Sunrise Day Lodge are accessible to wheelchairs. The exhibits, gift store, restrooms, and general services are accessible. The Sunrise Visitor Center exhibits can be explored with an audio description tour. Listening devices for the tour can be checked out at the front desk. Copies of the park brochure in braille are available for check-out. Wheelchairs are available at the Sunrise Visitor Center for short term loan.There are no paved trails in Sunrise. The trails in Sunrise are not wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed on trails, but service animals are permitted.