15 Best Mt Rainier Hikes & Trails: Complete Guide 2025

Last Updated: August 2025 | Reading Time: 21 minutes

A Complete Guide to your outdoor adventure at Mount Rainier!

Mount Rainier National Park is a hiker’s paradise in Washington’s Cascade Range, offering over 260 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging alpine climbs. Whether you’re exploring the iconic Wonderland Trail, chasing waterfalls, or catching a sunset from a lookout, there’s something for everyone. This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip, from the best time to visit and where to stay to must-do hikes and alternative activities. For hikers looking to discover the most breathtaking trails in this incredible national park, check out our Trekking Mamas Top 10 Hikes for Mount Rainier Adventures.

From the accessible Paradise area trails to remote Sunrise region hikes, this guide covers the best Mount Rainier National Park hiking trails for every skill level and season.

Quick Trail Finder by Season & Type

🟢 Easy Mount Rainier Hikes – Perfect for Families & Beginners

• Grove of the Patriarchs (1.1 mi, 52 ft gain) – Cool forest, spring-fall
• Naches Peak Loop (3.5 mi, 369 ft gain) – Wildflowers July-Aug, fall colors Sept
• Suntop Lookout (1.0 mi or drive) – Sunset views, summer-fall

🟡 Moderate Mount Rainier Trails – Good for Most Hikers

• Fremont Lookout (5.7 mi, 1,108 ft gain) – Epic sunsets, July-Sept
• Tolmie Peak (5.6 mi, 1,555 ft gain) – Wildflowers & lake, July-Aug
• Skyline Loop (5.6 mi, 1,771 ft gain) – Classic Paradise trail, July-Sept

🔴 Challenging Mount Rainier Hikes – For Experienced Hikers

• The Burroughs (9.5 mi, 2,601 ft gain) – Alpine zone, July-Sept
• Crystal Lakes (7.8 mi, 1,993 ft gain) – Fall larch colors, Sept-Oct
• Summerland-Panhandle Gap (11 mi, 2,998 ft gain) – Wilderness experience

❄️ Winter Activities (November-March) – Snow Sports & Winter Wonderland

• Panorama Point + Glacier Vista Trail (Paradise snowshoeing)
• High Hut Trail (Tahoma State Forest)
• Reflection Lake via Narada Falls

💧 Best Waterfall Hikes

• Comet Falls – 320-foot cascade, best during spring melt (May-June)
• Narada Falls – Accessible year-round, short walk from parking
• Myrtle Falls – Along Skyline Loop, Paradise area classic

🌅 Best Sunset Hikes

• Fremont Lookout – Sunrise area, epic evening views July-Sept
• Tolmie Peak – Mowich Lake area, sunset from fire lookout
• Suntop Lookout – Drive-up option for easy sunset access

🍂 Best Fall Color Hikes

• Crystal Lakes – Larch trees turn golden in late September
• Grand Park – Golden meadows, spectacular September colors
• Naches Peak Loop – Vibrant fall colors, easy access

List of Must-Do Hiking Trails Mount Rainier National Park

Okay, the reason you are here…. the list of best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park listed in order of difficulty:

Suntop Lookout

This “hike” is technically not in the National Park but sits near Crystal Mountain, making it an epic place to watch the sunset over the Cascade Range with minimal effort during summer and fall months. In fact you can drive right up to this lookout and then walk 50 ft or so to the tower itself.

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Grove of the Patriarchs

Short and sweet trail through an ancient old-growth forest in the Ohanapecosh area, perfect for hot summer days when you want shade and cool temperatures. It’s fun to cross the suspension bridge, skip stones in the water, and, for my kids, run along the boardwalk beneath the towering trees. Overall, it’s a wonderful and easy family-friendly hike.

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Naches Peak Loop

This popular hike is a great choice for all ages and abilities. In fact, the first time we did this hike, it was a multi-generational adventure. My mom, in her 60s, joined us alongside my 4- and 5-year-old kids.

Naches Peak Loop offers stunning views, vibrant wildflowers, and beautiful fall colors, making it a wonderful spot to watch the sunset by Tipsoo Lake. Additionally, this hike sits outside the park entrances near Chinook Pass, allowing you to skip the sometimes long lines to get into the park while enjoying peak wildflowers in late summer.

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Comet Falls

Starting from the Longmire area, this stunning 320-foot waterfall cascades down with lots of force, especially during the spring melt in May and June. Comet Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park. The hike is moderately challenging.

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Fremont Lookout

Starting from the Sunrise area at high elevation, this hike offers not only one of the best sunsets in all of Mount Rainier National Park but also epic Cascade Range views during most of the hike from July through September. In addition, it features a gentle grade, making it a hike that you could definitely do with the kids. Although there is one section close to the lookout that has a bit of a drop-off, the trail is fairly wide, and with a little support, it should be just fine.

If you don’t make it all the way to the lookout, it doesn’t really matter with this hike. In fact, you can see the sunset from the last half of the trail!

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Tolmie Peak

Hiking to Tolmie Peak from the Mowich Lake area to watch the sunset is without question, one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, especially during peak wildflower season in late July and August.

This hike is great for all hiking abilities. There is really something for everyone. Newts and frogs at Eunice Lake for the kids (this provided endless hours on entertainment), mountain views for me and my husband and shade most of the way for everyone.

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Plummer Peak

Starting from the Paradise area trailhead, this Tatoosh Range hike offers a lot of bang for your buck with views that remain accessible from mid-July through October. While your back is to the mountain on the way up, the views from the top are outstanding—and, of course, the scenery is just as impressive on the way down!

From the summit, you can not only see Mount Rainier but also Mount Adams. If you’re looking for an extra challenge, consider tackling Pinnacle Peak, which is right next door and shares the same trail at the start.

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Crystal Lakes

Starting from the Crystal Mountain area, this is one that I feel is underrated, especially during fall when the larch trees turn golden in late September. While the stats listed here only go to the lakes, you can continue up to Sourdough Gap for an extra special view. The upper lake is the most impressive. The reflection is absolutely beautiful. If you want to stay longer, you can camp at either lake or simply enjoy a day hike—just be sure to obtain a permit.

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Grand Park

The views are, in a word, grand. The name truly suits the trail, as it feels like a giant park of meadows with unobstructed views of Mount Rainier. In the summer, the fields are vibrant with wildflowers, while in the fall, they transform into gold. The trailhead near Enumclaw is conveniently located outside the park, which means there’s no entrance fee or waiting in line, and offers spectacular wildflowers in late July and golden colors in September—though I don’t mind supporting our national parks! If you’re looking for more incredible hiking experiences in Washington, check out our top 10 hiking trails that showcase the region’s most breathtaking landscapes. These trails offer similar stunning views and diverse terrain that will inspire any outdoor enthusiast.

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The Burroughs

Starting from the Sunrise visitor center at 6,400 feet elevation, it doesn’t take long before the alpine views begin on this high-elevation trail that typically opens in mid-July—and they never seem to end. You gradually get closer and closer to Mount Rainier. You can choose to stop at the Second Burroughs or continue on to the Third Burroughs, both of which offer an epic sunset.

During our visit, we made this hike into a backpacking trip, setting up camp at Sunrise just a mile in. Then, we hiked up to the Burroughs to catch the sunset. Afterward, we headed back to camp by headlamp and crawled into our sleeping bags. It’s truly a great way to end a sunset hike!

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Skyline Loop

I often hear people say “if there is one hike to do at Rainier make it Skyline”. Its definitely an epic hike, with a mix of everything. Crazy views of the surrounding mountains and of course of Rainier herself. Meadows that are lined with wildflowers in the summer and color in the Fall.

Located at Paradise visitor center, one of the most visited spots in Mount Rainier National Park, this trail showcases peak wildflowers in late July and August. It’s easily accessible for both day hikers and those looking to explore a bit more. Make sure to check out Myrtle Falls as you hike the loop.

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Summerland to Panhandle Gap

Accessed from the White River entrance, some say this is the prettiest hike in the park, and it certainly offers a lot of diversity from lush Summerland meadows to the dramatic alpine terrain at Panhandle Gap. As you hike, you’ll enjoy miles of lush green scenery, with vibrant wildflowers and views of Mount Rainier around Summerland—perhaps that’s why it’s called Summerland! However, as you head toward Panhandle Gap, the landscape changes drastically to snow and rock, revealing breathtaking views of the mountains in all directions. For an epic adventure, consider obtaining a sought-after permit to spend the night at Summerland Camp! If you’re a hiking enthusiast looking for more incredible trails in Washington, check out our top 10 most scenic hiking adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

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A few others to note: Narada Falls, Snow + Bench Lakes, Silver Falls, Spray Park and Reflection Lake!

When to hike in Mount Rainier National Park

Each season brings its own unique appeal. Summer showcases wildflowers, fall is all about color, spring features flowing waterfalls, and winter transforms the park into a wonderland.

Best Summer Hiking Trails Mount Rainier (July–September)

• Best time for wildflowers, clear trails, and accessible high-elevation hikes.
• Long daylight hours, but also peak crowds.
• Pro-tip: Arrive later in the day for sunset hikes to avoid crowds.
• Top Summer Hikes:
  • Naches Peak Loop
  • The Burroughs
  • Tolmie Peak Lookout

Pro-tip: If you show up a little later in the day and plan for a sunset hike, most people have gone home for the day, allowing you to enjoy the trails without the crowds.

Winter Mount Rainier National Park Activities (November–March)

• Snow blankets the park, transforming it into a winter wonderland.
• The Paradise area via Nisqually entrance is the primary area accessible in winter for Washington State snowshoeing; Longmire also offers some hiking options.
• Top Winter Hikes & Snowshoeing Routes:
  • Panorama Point + Glacier Vista Trail (Paradise)
  • High Hut Trail (Tahoma State Forest)
  • Reflection Lake via Narada Falls

If you are looking to get into snowshoeing check out my post on how to get started: Start Snowshoeing in Washington State

Best Fall Hiking Trails Mount Rainier (September–October)

• Vibrant red and gold foliage, especially in alpine meadows.
• Cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
• Top Fall Hikes:
  • Grand Park Trail
  • Crystal Lakes
  • Skyline Loop

Pro-tip: No matter when you visit, be prepared for rapidly changing weather by bringing layers, waterproof gear, and sturdy hiking boots.

Some Tips for Planning your Visit

Entrance Information & Road Conditions

Mount Rainier has four main entrances: Carbon River, Sunrise, Stevens Canyon, and Nisqually.

• Sunrise & Nisqually are the most popular, with the best trail access.
• Nisqually (southwest entrance) is the only entrance open year-round.
• In Summer 2024, a reservation system is in place from 7 AM–3 PM. Be sure to check the National Park Service website for up-to-date information: NPS Rainier Website

In 2024 the park put a reservation system into action requiring reservations to get into the park in the Summer from 7am -3pm. This could be subject to change next summer. Make sure to check the parks website for all the up to date information. Check out the parks website here: https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm

Where to Stay in the Park.

Camping in the park is a fantastic experience, but campsites fill up fast! Book as early as possible.

Campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park

1. Cougar Rock Campground (Paradise area access via Nisqually entrance)
2. Ohanapecosh Campground (Near the southeast entrance)
3. White River Campground (Best for Sunrise area trails)
4. Mowich Lake Campground (Most remote, no reservations required)

Pro-Tip: If campgrounds are full, keep checking for cancellations, especially in the days leading up to your trip.

Alternatively, there are lodging options in nearby towns if you prefer not to camp.

Activities in the Rainier National Park

If you’re not up for a big hike, here are other great ways to experience the park:

• Snowshoeing & Winter Sports: Rent snowshoes and explore the park in winter.
• Scenic Drives: Drive up to Paradise for jaw-dropping views (and maybe a slice of pie at the lodge!).
• Ranger-Led Stargazing: Join a free program at Paradise to see the night sky like never before.
• Junior Ranger Program for Kids: Pick up an activity book at the ranger station to earn a badge.

Mount Rainier: Your Gateway to Year-Round Adventure

Whether you’re conquering your first mountain summit or chasing waterfalls with the kids, Mount Rainier National Park offers something magical for every adventurer. Each trail tells its own story of this magnificent peak that dominates the Washington skyline. For families and hiking enthusiasts looking to explore the best trails in the region, check out our comprehensive guide to the most family-friendly Mount Rainier hiking routes.

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