Mount Rainier National Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Dominated by the majestic snow-capped peak of Mt. Rainier itself, you can spend days or even weeks here exploring everything this beautiful park has to offer—lush forests, colorful wildflower meadows, cascading waterfalls, and expansive alpine vistas. These are some of my personal favorite trails, which I believe are the best hikes in Mt. Rainier for hikers of all experience levels.
With over 260 miles of maintained trails, you’ll never run out of beautiful things to see in Mt. Rainier National Park—but if you only have time for the best of the best trails, make it these ones!
Some other resources that you might find useful for your Mt. Rainier National Park trip:
- Paradise on Mount Rainier: A Stunning National Park Guide
- The Essential Day Hiking Checklist: What to Bring on a Hike
- A Cheeky Ranking of the U.S. National Parks
⚠️ Mt. Rainier National Park has started using a permit system for entry at the Paradise side of the park (Stevens Canyon Road entrance) and Sunrise entrance in the summer. Check for more information at the NPS website here.
For ease of access, I’ve organized my favorite trails by region. Mt. Rainier National Park features 5 different regions: Paradise, Sunrise, Ohanapecosh, Longmire, and Mowich Lake. So let’s jump right in!
Paradise
Located at the southwest side of Mt. Rainier, Paradise is the national park’s most popular region. The scenic drives here are stunning, and most of the hikes take you through gorgeous and colorful alpine meadows in the summer! In my opinion, the majority of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier are in this region.
Pinnacle Peak Trail
Pinnacle Peak is one of my personal favorites in Mt. Rainier National Park, and it’s criminally underrated. Clocking in at just 1.3 miles one-way, this steep but lovely hike has blankets of wildflowers and 360-degree views almost the whole way up. The best part? There are no crowds! We hiked this trail in peak season at sunrise and didn’t see a single other person on the whole way up—but we did see plenty of wildflowers, chipmunks, and mountain goats!
As late as July there are still sizable snowfields on this trail, so I recommend taking proper hiking shoes and poles. Note that the hike to Pinnacle Saddle is maintained, but from there to the actual peak there is no more maintained trail.
Bench and Snow Lake Trail
The Bench and Snow Lake Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park that doesn’t focus on views of Mount Rainier. The trail itself is under 3 miles round trip and doesn’t feature much elevation, taking about 1.5 hours to complete. The trail takes you through beautiful meadows and past 2 stunning lakes. In my opinion, Snow Lake is much prettier than Bench Lake with its crystal-clear water and mountain backdrop! For the best views, take a left at the fork for Snow Lake to the Snow Lake Campsite. You can bring a swimsuit to dip into the waters, but be warned—it’s icy cold.
The mosquitoes on this trail are the worst I encountered on our entire trip. Even bugspray and long sleeves isn’t enough to keep them off!
Skyline Trail Loop
The Skyline Trail is the most famous hike in Mt. Rainier National Park, and for good reason! This 6.2 mile loop trail takes you through stunning wildflower fields, dramatic mountain backdrops, rushing waterfalls, glaciers, and much more. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier!
Most people hike the Skyline Trail Loop clockwise for the best views and gradual elevation gain. I recommend starting early to avoid the worst of the crowds and also to give you ample time to finish, as it takes 4-5 hours to complete.
Make sure to stop at Myrtle Falls, the most beautiful waterfall with alpine meadows and Mt. Rainier in the background! Myrtle Falls is located just half a mile into the Skyline Trail loop, so you can’t miss it.
The Paradise meadows around the Skyline Trail are chock-full of trail options all criss-crossing over one another, so you can spend the whole day here hiking around if you wish. If you don’t want to hike the entire Skyline Trail or just want to check out some other options, here are other trails in the vicinity that accomplish similar routes and views as the Skyline Trail:
- Alta Vista Trail: A shorter loop trail that only clocks in at 1.7 miles and features beautiful alpine meadows. There’s one steep portion towards the end of the trail, but because the path is mostly paved it’s definitely doable for families or less fit hikers.
- Nisqually Vista Trail: A short trail that’s great for non-athletic visitors. This short 1.2-mile loop trail only has 180 feet of elevation gain and still wanders through beautiful wildflower fields.
- Mazama Ridge Trail: A detour trail that cuts between parts of the Skyline Trail Loop. The flowers here are gorgeous in the summer and you can hike this trail to pretty much whichever connected segments that you wish! You can even connect to the Wonderland Trail, High Lakes Trail, or Reflection Lakes Trail if you want to hike further.
Note that because the Skyline Trail and Paradise meadows region is quite high in elevation, portions of the Skyline Trail can be covered in snow even through July. I recommend checking trail conditions at the Paradise visitor’s center before setting out!
Reflection Lakes Trail
The main Reflection Lake in Mt. Rainier National Park is totally visible from the parking lot, so you don’t need to do any hiking if you wish. However, there are actually several Reflection Lakes in the area and you can hike to these if you desire.
The Reflection Lakes Trail is a favorite among photographers because of, well, the reflection. Mt. Rainier is perfectly mirrored in the still lake waters in the early mornings and late evenings. We only hiked a small portion of the trail, but you can connect the Reflection Lakes Trail to the Lower Lakes Trail and/or High Lakes Trail if you want to visit even more of the lakes.
💡 Photo tip: To get the best chance of seeing the reflection, you need to come when the water is at its stillest. I recommend coming no later than 2 hours after sunrise and no earlier than 2 hours before sunset.
Wonderland Trail
The Wonderland Trail is a renowned hiking trail that circumnavigates the entirety of Mount Rainier, making it one of the most legendary trails in the park. The trail is about 93 miles in length and features 22,000 feet of total elevation gain while traveling through meadows, forests, and mountains. If you plan on hiking this trail in its entirety, come prepared—it typically takes 10-14 days to complete, and you need a wilderness camping permit from the National Park Service in advance!
The Wonderland Trail connects to several other trails in Mt. Rainier National Park, meaning that you can hike a small portion of it as a day hike from many points. We hiked a section of the Wonderland Trail around Louise Lake towards Reflection Lakes and enjoyed the lush forests, waterfalls, and mountain views the entire way!
🗻 Read more: Paradise on Mount Rainier: A Stunning National Park Guide
Sunrise
The Sunrise region of Mt. Rainier National Park is located on the northeastern side of the mountain. As you might expect, the sunrise in this area is spectacular! This is the second-most popular region of the park and features many of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park.
Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout Trail
The hike to Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout is one of the most famous and popular trails in all of Mt. Rainier National Park. At 6 miles round trip with 1112 feet of elevation gain, it’s a moderately difficult trail with incredible rewards at the end. Along the way, you’ll pass through floral meadows and impressive mountain landscapes, plus a beautiful frozen lake. The entire route is pretty breathtaking and this is definitely one of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier!
Most visitors make the hike at sunset, which is also the most crowded time of day to hike the trail. However, the sunset views from the Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout at the end are simply stunning. We arrived about an hour before golden hour and stayed for another 2 and a half hours, admiring the views of Mt. Rainier from every angle.
I absolutely loved this trail. It’s not as difficult as I expected, with most of the elevation gain being fairly gradual the whole way. However, this is little to no shade on the entire way up Mt. Fremont, so bring adequate sun protection! If you’re planning on doing this as a sunrise or sunset hike, make sure to bring a headlamp because the trail gets extremely dark and it’s very easy to wander off-trail by mistake.
Emmons Moraine Trail
This trail has been on my list forever, but I’ve never gotten around to hiking it. This is one of the best kept secrets in the entire park as very few people know about it! The Emmons Moraine Trail is only 2.4 miles round trip and leads to a gorgeous, milky teal blue lake that’s perfect for swimming in the summer. The water is freezing cold, but an icy plunge in an alpine lake is a must-do while in Mt. Rainier National Park.
🏞️ Enjoying all the beautiful lakes and waterfalls that Mt. Rainier has to offer? Then maybe you should also consider visiting the gorgeous and renowned Yosemite National Park with my guide here!
Summerland Trail
This is one of the most popular difficult hikes in the park. The Summerland Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park is a strenuous 8.4-mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of about 2,100 feet. Wandering through old-growth forests and beautiful floral meadows in the summer, you can enjoy views of Mt. Rainier and wildlife like the ever-adorable marmots and mountain goats. At the 4.2-mile mark, you’ll reach the stunning alpine meadow of Summerland, with the option to continue to Panhandle Gap for more dramatic (but difficult-to-reach) views.
You can make the Summerland Trail as a day hike, but if you plan on extending the hike to Panhandle Gap or onto the Wonderland Trail, you’ll need a wilderness camping permit for overnight stays.
Sourdough Ridge Trail
The Sourdough Ridge Trail is a popular hiking route in Mt. Rainier National Park thanks to its great panoramic views and relatively easy access. The trail clocks in at around 2.5 miles round trip and only features 400 feet of elevation gain, making it easy for families and beginner hikers.
I included the Sourdough Ridge Trail in this lineup in case you are only hiking in the Sunrise region, but in my opinion if you’re including any of the Paradise meadows hikes (like the Skyline Trail Loop or Alta Vista Trail) then you can skip out on this one.
🗻 Need a break and want to check out other sights at Mt. Rainier National Park that don’t require hiking? See waterfalls, mountain viewpoints, and more with my Mt. Rainier National Park Guide.
Mowich Lake
Mowich Lake is located in the northwestern region of Mt. Rainier National Park. This region is less popular than Paradise or Sunrise and generally features more rugged landscapes, but still holds some of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park!
Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout Trail
Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout Trail is one of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park. It can be difficult to get here if you’re spending most of your time in Paradise or Sunrise, but this stunning trail is totally worth it! The moderately difficult trail is around 6 miles out and back with an elevation gain of 1541 feet, making it a little bit harder than the Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout trail. However, I personally think Tolmie Peak is better than Mt. Fremont!
The trail dips down through the jaw-droppingly beautiful Eunice Lake (another opportunity for a cold alpine swim) before heading steadily and steeply upwards to the fire lookout at the end. The trail takes about 3 hours to complete and has somewhat covered views for the majority of the trail, but the final view from the lookout with Eunice Lake and Mt. Rainier in the background is just incredible. Because of the fire lookout’s position, I recommend doing Tolmie Peak at sunset, though sunrise is also a great option.
Because of its high elevation and lower regional maintenance, the road to the Tolmie Peak trailhead is often still buried in snow well into mid-July. Make sure to check the NPS website or Alltrails for current trail conditions.
Spray Park Trail
Spray Park is a modrately strenuous hike known for its stunning alpine meadows, wildflowers, and expansive views. The trail is approximately 6.5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of about 1,300 feet, starting from the Mowich Lake trailhead. You’ll pass beautiful wildflower blooms, wildlife, and glassy lakes that reflect the mountain peaks around you. You can also extend the trail to see Spray Falls, which is a lovely waterfall located just half a mile off of the main trail.
I strongly believe Spray Park is an incredible hike for those who want to “see it all” in one go: wildflower fields, lakes, waterfalls, and Mt. Rainier views, all in one place! It’s truly one of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park features a ton of beautiful trails of all kinds, from the classic wildflower meadows to summit treks and breathtaking glacier views. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice adventurer, there are gorgeous trails just waiting to be explored here!
As you plan your next adventure, remember to respect the environment and follow Leave No Trace principles to ensure these trails remain pristine for future generations. And have the best time exploring the best hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park!
