Day Hiking at Mount Rainier National Park

Sourdough Ridge Trail has spectacular views of the Sunrise area and Mount Rainier.

NPS Photo

Mount Rainier National Park offers over 260 miles of maintained trails for your enjoyment. Trails lead through peaceful old-growth forest along river valleys up to subalpine wildflower meadows on the flanks of Mount Rainier. Most trails are snow-covered in winter, and snow can linger well into summer at higher elevations. Pets and bicycles are NOT permitted on any park trails. Always check current conditions before heading out on a trail. For your safety, never hike alone, carry (and know how to use) the Ten Essentials, and tell someone your plans. In the heavily used Paradise, Sunrise, and Tipsoo Lake meadows, hikers are required by law to stay on trails. All hikers are asked to avoid fragile wildflower meadows, lake shores, and stream banks throughout the park. Please choose a spot for a lunch stop carefully. Do not feed wildlife to help Keep Wildlife Wild. Feeding wildlife invites aggressive animal behavior and increases vehicle collisions which may injure people and commonly results in wildlife death. Feeding birds artificially concentrates nest predators, harming young songbirds. 

The park recommends that day hikers limit their party size to no more than 12 people per group. Day hikers are advised to keep hiking plans flexible because some trailhead parking lots may be full. Overflow parking is not permitted in order to avoid impeding traffic and to provide a less crowded, higher quality experience for hikers. Alternative trailheads may have space available. 

Suggested Day Hikes

Looking for easy and enjoyable trails that the whole family can experience together? Consider the following trails in the Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, and Sunrise areas of Mount Rainier National Park. The hikes described below range from short strolls to longer trails through the wilderness. For descriptions of longer day hikes, overnight or multi-day hikes, visit the Trails page on the park website.

Longmire Area Trails 

Download the Longmire Area Trails Map.

Trail of the Shadows (0.7 mi/1.1 km loop trail) - Human and natural history come together in the forest and meadows of Longmire. View bubbling mineral springs and explore a replica of an early homestead cabin. Discover the plants and animals that call this area their home, including deer, birds, and beavers. Located across the road from the National Park Inn at Longmire.

Twin Firs Loop Trail (0.4 mi/0.6 km loop trail) - This short loop trail weaves through old-growth forest. Trailhead is located along the road two miles west of Longmire towards the Nisqually Entrance.

Rampart Ridge Trail (4.6 mi/7.4 km loop trail) - The trail climbs up forested slopes to Rampart Ridge, then follows the top of the ridge to connect to the Wonderland Trail. Make it a loop by following the Wonderland Trail back to Longmire. Viewpoints along the trail look over the Longmire area and provide glimpses of Mount Rainier and the surrounding valleys. Trail branches off of the Trail of the Shadows, located across the road from the National Park Inn at Longmire.

Carter Fall Trail (2.2 mi/3.5 km roundtrip) - This section of the Wonderland Trail referred to as "Carter Falls Trail" is a short hike from Cougar Rock Campground to Carter Falls. Continue past Carter Falls about 100 yards to view Madcap Falls. NOTE: The log footbridge over the Nisqually River can wash out in fall/winter. Check conditions before proceeding.

Paradise Area Trails 

Download the Paradise Area Trails Map

Nisqually Vista Trail (1.2 mi/1.9 km loop trail) - Walk amidst the clouds and see how weather shapes the landscape, plants, and animals of these subalpine meadows. Enjoy excellent views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier. Suitable for families with strollers. Trailhead located on the west end of the lower Paradise parking lot.

Bench & Snow Lakes Trail (2.5 mi/4 km roundtrip) - 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 0.75 mile, then continuing another 0.5 mile to Snow Lake. Trailhead is along Stevens Canyon Road, 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes.

Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls (1 mi/1.6 km roundtrip) - Follow a paved portion of the Skyline Trail through subalpine meadows to the Myrtle Falls viewpoint. View Mount Rainier and Tatoosh Range along the trail. Located on the north side of the upper Paradise parking lot.

Ohanapecosh Area Trails

Download the Ohanapecosh Area Trails Map

Hot Springs Nature Trail (0.5 mi/0.8 km loop trail) - The quiet green forests of Ohanapecosh offer a shady contrast to the windswept high country of the park. Walk under towering Douglas-firs and hemlocks to the bubbling waters of the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs. Located in the Ohanapecosh Campground, behind visitor center. NOTE: Due to the Ohanapecosh Construction Project, the Hot Springs Trailhead in the campground is CLOSED and the trail can only be accessed via the Eastside Trail/Silver Falls Trail starting from the Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot (5.9 mi/9.5 km roundtrip). 

Silver Falls Trail (3 mi/4.8 km roundtrip) - The Ohanapecosh River falls majestically 75 feet in a silver spray over Silver Falls. Stay on the trail and behind safety barriers. Rocks are wet and slippery. 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. Trail begins from Loop B of the Ohanapecosh Campground. NOTE: Due to the Ohanapecosh Construction Project, the Silver Falls Trailhead in the campground is CLOSED and the trail can only be accessed via the Eastside Trail/Silver Falls Trail starting from the Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot (1 mi/1.6 km roundtrip). 

Box Canyon Loop Trail (0.5 mi/0.8 km loop trail) - A short loop trail connected on either end by the road bridge and a wood foot bridge. From either bridge, gaze 180 feet (55 meters) below at water rushing through a narrow slot canyon carved by the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River. Located 12 miles west of Ohanapecosh along Stevens Canyon Road.

Sunrise Area Trails

Download the Sunrise Area Trails Map

Emmons Vista & Silver Forest Trail (0.4 mi to Emmons Vista Overlooks, 1.6 mi/2.5 km roundtrip) - Take a short walk from Sunrise to the two Emmons Vista Overlooks, which have excellent views of the White River Valley, the Emmons Glacier, and Mount Rainier. Continue along the Silver Forest Trail through the subalpine meadows for additional views. Trails starts from the south side of the Sunrise parking area. 

Shadow Lakes Trail (3 mi/4.8 km roundtrip) - This trail offers views of the White River Valley and Mount Rainier on route to Shadow Lake. Return to Sunrise via the steeper trail to Frozen Lake and Sourdough Ridge or follow the old roadway back to Sunrise. Trail starts from the south side of the Sunrise parking area.

Sunrise Nature Trail (1.5 mi/2.4 km loop trail) - The main trail departing from Sunrise splits halfway up the slope, with both forks climbing up to Sourdough Ridge Trail. The two forks combined with the ridge trail form a triangle-shaped loop trail known as the the Sunrise Nature Trail. This route is a self-guided tour in the NPS app! Trail starts from the north side of the Sunrise parking area. 

Dege Peak via Sourdough Ridge Trail (3.4 mi/5.5 km roundtrip) - 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. Trail starts from the north side of the Sunrise parking area.

Naches Peak Loop Trail (3.5 mi/5.6 km roundtrip) - 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. Pets are not permitted on the west half of the loop trail which is inside Mount Rainier National Park. Located at Chinook Pass/Tipsoo Lake.

Glacier Basin Trail (7 mi/11.3 km) - In summer, the meadows of the basin are a rainbow of wild flowers. Watch for mountain goats on the surrounding slopes and mountain climbers ascending the Inter Glacier to Camp Schurman. After the first mile, a 0.5 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. Trail starts at the White River Campground.

Details

Duration

2-8 Hours

Duration depends on the length of the trail. 

Activity

Hiking

Age(s)

Suitable for all ages. 

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

Yes

Park entrance fee required. No permits required for day hiking. 

Location

Park-wide

Featuring trails in each of the park's main visitor areas. 

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Many park roads close to vehicles during the winter, limiting the ability to reach trails. 

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

Accessibility Information

Trails throughout the park are typically dirt and broken by rock or log steps, and often include some elevation gain. Paradise area trails, including Nisqually Vista and Myrtle Falls, are the only paved trails. Many park roads close to vehicles during the winter.