Hiking in Mount Rainier

9.1 mi · 4,648 ft gain · 7.5 hr

The summit approach trail to Camp Muir (10,188 ft) — Rainier's high camp and the staging point for technical summit climbs above. This is as far as the standard visitor goes without a climbing registration; the route crosses the Muir Snowfield and delivers the fullest above-treeline experience in the park without roped glacier travel.

2.5 mi · 515 ft gain · 1.3 hr

A short, forested out-and-back along the Wonderland Trail from the Cougar Rock area to two closely spaced waterfalls — Carter Falls and Madcap Falls — on the Paradise River. A reliable family hike even mid-summer when the upper trails are crowded.

3.6 mi · 1,286 ft gain · 2.4 hr

A strenuous 3.6-mile out-and-back to Comet Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Washington state at 320 feet — the steep approach through old-growth forest earns it. Trailhead is on the Nisqually Road between the entrance and Longmire, making it accessible without fighting Paradise parking.

3 mi · 1,276 ft gain · 2.2 hr

A hard 3-mile out-and-back from Paradise up through the Avalanche Lily meadows to Glacier Vista, where you get close-range views of the Nisqually Glacier. Best in the wildflower window (mid-July to mid-August) when the route passes through dense fields of Avalanche Lily.

5.8 mi · 1,118 ft gain · 2.8 hr

The top-rated moderate hike from the Sunrise area (the northeast, highest-road-accessible part of the park at 6,400 ft) — 5.8 miles out and back to a 1930s fire lookout with unobstructed 360-degree views of Rainier, Mount Baker, and Mount Adams. Sunrise is typically 10–15°F cooler than Paradise in summer.

15.4 mi · 9,035 ft gain

The technical summit route to Rainier's 14,411-ft crater rim — not a hiking permit but a climbing registration (Climbing Cost Recovery Fee, paid to the NPS via Recreation.gov or on-site at Paradise or White River). Requires roped glacier travel, crevasse navigation skills, and proper mountaineering equipment; most climbers hire a guide through Rainier Mountaineering Inc. (RMI) for their first ascent. Camp Muir (10,188 ft) is the overnight staging point on the standard south-side route.

1 mi · 160 ft gain · 27 min

A 1-mile paved-to-dirt walk from the Paradise Visitor Center to the Myrtle Falls overlook — the most accessible waterfall view in the park, with Rainier framed behind the falls on clear days. One of the only trails in Paradise that works for strollers and visitors with limited mobility.

0.2 mi · 59 ft gain · 8 min

A 0.2-mile roadside walk to the base of Narada Falls, a 168-foot cascade on the Paradise River just below the Paradise Road — the shortest significant waterfall hike in the park, accessible as a quick stop on the drive from the Nisqually entrance to Paradise.

1.1 mi · 180 ft gain · 30 min

A 1.1-mile paved loop from the Paradise area to a viewpoint over the Nisqually Glacier and its outwash plain — a short, easy option for understanding how glaciers shape the landscape without leaving the Paradise zone. Good for families who have already done Myrtle Falls and want a second quick loop.

3.8 mi · 1,325 ft gain · 2.5 hr

A 3.8-mile out-and-back from Paradise to Panorama Point at 6,800 ft — the single best view of the south face of Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier from a non-summit vantage. Harder than it looks because the final push to the point is steep and often on packed snow into July.

3.6 mi · 1,082 ft gain · 2.2 hr

A 3.6-mile moderate trail from Paradise into the upper Paradise Glacier area, historically leading to ice caves in the glacier — note that the caves have largely collapsed as the glacier retreats; the trail itself remains one of the least-crowded Paradise routes with excellent wildflower coverage in mid-July.

1.6 mi · 567 ft gain · 1.1 hr

A compact 1.6-mile loop combining the start of the Skyline Trail with the Alta Vista knoll — the best short loop at Paradise that actually gains elevation above treeline and delivers a full 360-degree wildflower view. Often the right call when younger kids need a manageable distance but the group wants real alpine scenery.

3.9 mi · 1,112 ft gain · 2.3 hr

A 3.9-mile loop taking in the lower Skyline Trail and the Golden Gate section above — the standard intermediate loop at Paradise that most guides recommend as the baseline Rainier hiking experience. Hits wildflower meadows, waterfall views, and an above-treeline vantage without the full Skyline Loop commitment.

4.7 mi · 1,614 ft gain · 3.0 hr

The extended Skyline variant that adds the Glacier Vista detour and Upper Skyline traverse before coming back via Golden Gate — 4.7 miles and 1,614 ft of gain, rated 4.9. This is the 'full Paradise day' loop that takes you to a close glacier view, wildflower meadows, and summit-adjacent ridgeline all in one circuit.

5.7 mi · 1,781 ft gain

The full Skyline Loop — 5.7 miles with 1,781 ft of gain — is Rainier's signature Paradise hike. It circles the entire Paradise basin, reaching Panorama Point on the upper traverse and descending through wildflower meadows that peak mid-July to mid-August. If you're making one trip to Rainier, this is the hike.

86.7 mi · 24,399 ft gain · 50.6 hr

The Wonderland Trail encircles Mount Rainier on an 86.7-mile loop through forests, subalpine meadows, river valleys, and exposed alpine terrain. This is a multi-day backpacking objective, not a day hike: a wilderness permit is required for every overnight stay and camping is limited to designated backcountry camps. Two-thirds of summer permits (June through September) go to advance registration and the rest are first-come, first-served, so plan ahead. The best window is July through September, after the high country melts out and the trailhead roads are open.

8.9 mi · 2,463 ft gain · 5.1 hr

Starting from Sunrise, this 8.9-mile out-and-back climbs to the most accessible alpine tundra in the Cascade Range, with close-up views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding peaks. The route follows an exposed ridgeline with little shade, so bring sun protection and plenty of water, and stay on the trail to protect the fragile tundra. Because it leaves from Sunrise, the trail is reachable only when the Sunrise Road is open, roughly July through September; the best months are June through September. Wildflowers and frequent wildlife sightings, including mountain goats, are common along the way.

3.5 mi · 669 ft gain · 1.7 hr

This family-friendly 3.5-mile loop circles Naches Peak on the east side of Mount Rainier, starting from the Tipsoo Lake area about half a mile west of Chinook Pass on SR 410. Part of the route follows the Pacific Crest Trail and a portion lies outside the park boundary. It is best as a late-summer wildflower loop: the meadows peak then, and snow can linger into early season, so spikes or poles help on a snowy day. The trailhead is reachable only when Chinook Pass (SR 410) is open, roughly July through October, since the road closes in winter.

5.8 mi · 1,538 ft gain · 3.8 hr

Currently inaccessible: the Tolmie Peak trailhead near Mowich Lake is reached only via the SR-165 Fairfax Bridge, which closed permanently in April 2025 — no vehicle, bike, or foot access, and the NPS says reopening is unknown. When access returns, this 5.8-mile out-and-back climbs past alpine lakes and subalpine meadows to the Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout, a two-story structure with views of Mount Rainier; the route follows the Wonderland Trail through Ipsut Pass up to Eunice Lake, where many hikers stop before the steep final climb to the lookout.