Mount Rainier is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the United States and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists yearly. Located near Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park has an elevation of more than 5,000 feet. The glacier-capped peaks surrounding the wildflower meadows offer breathtaking views.

The Mount Rainier park has a variety of hiking trails. The national park is also home to Mount Rainier, which is not only an active volcano but is also the most glaciated peak in the region. The park’s ecosystem includes diverse wildlife, including elk, marmots, pikas, and deer.

The park is divided into five sections; Paradise, Longmire, Ohanapecosh, Carbon River/ Mowich Lake, and Sunrise. You will also find three visitor centers, five developed areas, a museum, several climbing centers, and two inns providing comfortable lodgings. Moreover, the park offers ample opportunity to explore nature in its truest form as tourists stroll in the old-growth forests and feel the spray of the waterfalls!

Best Mount Rainier Hikes

There are over 260 miles of maintained trails in Mount Rainier National Park that promise to deliver an unforgettable hiking experience!

Skyline Loop Trail

Located in the paradise section of the park, hiking on Skyline Loop Trail is challenging for beginners. Despite its difficulty, the trail is still considered the most popular in the national park as it is just 6 miles long. The path is tough and narrow, but you can see breathtaking waterfalls and green meadows.

Naches Peak Loop

This hike has an easy to moderate difficulty level and is 3.3 miles long. Many families also choose to hike this trail because of its short length. The halfway point at the trail during sunset can offer some mesmerizing views. You will also find plenty of wildflowers, lakes, and fantastic views of Rainier.

Most of the hikers recommend trekking on this trail in the clockwise direction. As you hike on this trail, you will pass meadow after meadow filled with greenery and colorful flowers.

Nisqually Vista Trail

Nisqually Vista Trail is another alternative for inexperienced hikers and families visiting the park. This is an easy hike that is just a mile long. You will again pass subalpine meadows and arrive at an overlook of Rainier and Nisqually Glacier. This place is also famous for its wildlife; you will often see deer and marmots wandering about.

Summerland Trail

The entire round trip is more than 10 miles long and is quite long. With an elevation of 2,900 ft, this is another popular trail among adventurous hikers. The trailhead to the hike is called the Frying Pan Creek Trailhead. The Summerland Meadows inspire the name of this trail that you will cross after hiking for 4.5 miles. In the right season, these meadows are covered with wildflowers!

Wonderland Trail

If you want to know what a genuinely challenging hike feels like, the Wonderland Trail is it! With a cumulative elevation of more than 20,000 feet and a length of over 93 miles, this trail is not for the casual hiker. However, people who are serious about climbing/hiking and have camping on their bucket list go for this trail.

Through the Wonderland Trail, you trek around Mount Rainier in about a week or so and pass through countless glaciers and creeks. The journey can also be divided into small sections where you explore bits and pieces of the backcountry at your own pace. This is the ultimate of the Mount Rainier hikes.

Camping in the Park

Campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park offer an excellent opportunity to explore the raw natural beauty of this region. The park has four designated campgrounds. Three campgrounds (Cougar Rock Campground, Ohanapecosh Campground, and White River Campground) accept vehicles and RVs, while the fourth is a walk-in-only campground (Mowich Lake Campground).

Cougar Rock Campground

This campground is located in a forest near the Nisqually River. That means you will have access to fresh water and other activities, including fishing and swimming. Cougar Rock Campground has five group sites that can accommodate up to 40 people per site. Portable water, picnic tables, and toilets are available, while campfires are also allowed.

Ohanapecosh Campground

This campground offers a woodland atmosphere and is situated along the Ohanapecosh River. Most young campers and families go to this campground because of its location. This place has 188 campsites that also have flush toilets and running water.

White River Campground

If you are a backpacker and your priority during your visit is hiking, White River Campground can be an excellent base camp! There are 112 sites here, along with toilets and portable water. This campground also offers campers privacy and is located near the Wonderland Trail.

Camping options near the park

If you do not want to stay inside Mount Rainier National Park, you can still find plenty of camping options near the park. Some great camping options include Big Creek Campground, Bumping Lake Campground, and The Dalles Campground. These campgrounds accept RVs and trailers and also have RV hookups.

Best Viewpoints

Mount Fremont Lookout

Mount Rainier has a lot of old lookouts that were built in the 1930s. Such structures were initially built to help rangers spot forest fires around Rainier. One of these lookouts is the Mount Fremont Lookout, accessed through Sourdough Ridge.

From Mount Fremont Lookout, you can take in the stunning views of Redstone Peak, Grand Park, Berkeley Park, and Skyscraper Mountain. For the best experience, bring binoculars with you to spot black bears and mountain goats in the park!

Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout

If you want a full view of Mount Rainier, you can hike to the old fire lookout. The hike up to Tolmie Peak passes through open lowland forest alongside Mowich Lake and gradually gains elevation. As you get closer to your final destination, the track turns into a steep hike. Once you reach the last viewpoint, you will realize that it offers a unique vantage point from where you can look at the mighty mountain with a sapphire blue lake just below it.

Tipsoo Lake

This small lake is located near the Chinook Pass in the eastern part of the park. The lake lies in the middle of green meadows, trees, and snow-capped peaks. While enjoying the landscape, onlookers can’t help but marvel at the pristine water in the Tipsoo Lake that reflects the Mount Rainier rising behind it!

Yakima Park

If you want a short and scenic stroll, head to Yakima Park. Getting to this place is not as difficult as the other popular viewpoints, and you will probably get to witness one of the best sunrises of your life!

Myrtle Falls

Myrtle Falls is located on Edith Creek and is the most popular and photogenic spot in Mount Rainier National Park. This is a 72-foot tall fall that dramatically drops into a deep ravine. Myrtle Falls’s view is even more captivating by the mountainous backdrop and colorful meadow surrounding the creek. You can get to this point through the Skyline Trail or the paved trail from Paradise Inn.