I spent 5 months in Washington State and was lucky enough to explore a lot of it. I’ve driven many hours and hiked many miles, but I always found myself back at the same place, Mount Rainier National Park. This park is high on my list of the best National Parks out there! Not only does this park have an active volcano that last erupted 1,000 years ago, but it also has glaciers, wildlife, and an endless amount of hiking trails. These 6 Mount Rainier hikes are some of my favorite hikes in all of Washington.
*Note: I did these hikes between June and October of 2023. Be sure to check the National Park Website for trail closures/updates.
DEWEY LAKE TRAIL
Ironically, the first on this list just so happens to be one of the first hikes we did in Washington. Dewey Lake Trail technically isn’t in Mount Rainier National Park, it’s located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. However, for a brief moment, the trail does cross over into the National Park and is located just outside of the park’s entrance sign. Therefore, I’m counting it.
Dewey Lake Trail is a moderate 6-mile hike with an elevation gain of 1,282 ft. Most of the elevation gain happens on the way back from the lake, so be prepared for an uphill return. Dewey Lake Trail stood out from all the other Mount Rainier hikes because for the 3 miles hiking down to the lake every turn you take is yet another breathtaking view. The hike itself sits on a ridge where the thin dirt trail carves its way through the mountain. This creates a magical path that guides you along towering evergreens, colorful wildflowers, and mountain views that go on forever.
Even though this hike was one of the first hikes we did upon arriving in Washington, it truly felt like we were transported to a different realm. The greens were brighter, the lakes were bluer, and nature was thriving. If you didn’t want to hike to Dewey Lake I would still recommend this trail. You could stop at the first lake which is about one mile in and only an elevation gain of about 500 ft. You’ll still benefit from the gorgeous views!
*If you are hiking during the summer, do not forget bug spray! The bugs were only bad at Dewey Lake specifically.
MOUNT FREMONT LOOKOUT TRAIL
From our first Mount Rainier hike to our last Mount Rainier hike, Mount Fremont Lookout Trail via Sourdough Ridge Trail. This trail is a MUST! Be sure to hike this one before it’s too late and the trail gets closed due to weather. We were cutting it close but got it in just after the first snowfall, which we weren’t mad about. The snow added a certain ambiance to the hike that we had yet to experience in Washington. It made it that much more special with it being our last hike in the park.
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is located at the Sunrise Visitor Center. This out-and-back trail is 5.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,108 ft. It takes an average of less than 3 hours to complete. Along the trail you will see different terrains, possibly some marmots, and of course Mount Rainier. When we first started this hike, the fog was so thick you couldn’t see very far, but as soon as we got to the fire lookout the sky cleared and there was Rainier in all her glory. It was a breathtaking moment to witness the volcano seemingly appear out of thin air. We had no idea just how close we were to the mountain. Thankfully, we got some incredible shots of Mt. Rainier, the fire lookout, and the never-ending mountains beyond.
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail was the perfect trail to say goodbye to Washington and Mount Rainier National Park.
SKYLINE LOOP TRAIL
If you want to get up close and personal to Mount Rainier, I would suggest the Skyline Loop Trail. This is the perfect trail to not only have great views of the active volcano but also great views of the surrounding mountains, including Mt Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Hood.
Skyline Loop Trail is 5.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,768 ft. This is a more challenging hike, but feel free to stop at Panorama Point to shorten it. Skyline Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the Park. You will access the trailhead at the Paradise Visitor Center. Make sure to arrive as early as possible because parking fills up FAST. From the trailhead, you immediately start your ascent. The first two miles are a doozy, but after that, it’s all downhill.
Along the trail, you will potentially see quite a bit of wildlife. We had a marmot come right up to us! You’ll also have great views of waterfalls, glaciers, and mountain peaks. The perfect hike that features just what Mount Rainier hikes are all about!
SNOW LAKE TRAIL
If you’ve spent any time hiking in Washington, you know that this state is FULL of beautiful crystal clear lakes high in the mountains. And I was on a mission to do as many alpine lake dives as possible during my time there. This is what drew me to the Snow Lake Trail, as this lake features 2 great lakes in a short 2.2 miles.
On this trail, you will not only be hiking to Snow Lake but you’ll also pass by Bench Lake. As its name suggests, Bench Lake is on the side of the mountain with a quick drop-off on the back end, creating a “bench”. This creates an “infinity pool” effect at the edge of the lake, with Mt. Rainier as the backdrop.
As you hop back on the trail and continue to Snow Lake, you will traverse through a couple of lush green meadows, a seemingly perfect place to spot a bear. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to see a bear on my trip. However, I’m certain there’s a good chance to see them on this trail. Therefore, just like with any trail in the park, be sure to pack your bear spray or whatever other bear deterrent you use!
Upon arriving at Snow Lake, you will meet a fork in the road. For the best view, you will want to take a left and head towards the Snow Lake Camp. The view from this side of the lake has the best view of the surrounding mountains. Right before you get to the camp area, you’ll make a right towards the lake, and boom, there’s the view (see below). As you can see by my towel, I had to jump into this lake when I got there. As expected, it was very cold (see the snow on the opposite side of the lake).
Not only does this trail feature 2 beautiful lakes, but it’s also a great location in the park. If you are entering the park from the Longmire entrance and heading towards Paradise, this is a great little detour. On your way to the Snow Lake trailhead, you will pass by Reflection Lake. This lake is just off the side of the road and is a fantastic quick stop for a picturesque mirrored view of Mt. Rainier. Unfortunately, Reflection Lake is roped off and protected, so I was unable to add this to my lake dive list. However, there are TWO MORE lakes on the way to the trailhead that I was able to check off. Again, this place has no shortage of alpine lakes, and hiking to Snow Lake is a great way to see multiple in a short time!
SUMMIT LAKE TRAIL
Hiking Summit Lake was a turning point for me. I knew Washington was amazing and all of the Mount Rainier hikes were great thus far, but hiking Summit Lake Trail solidified that Washington and Mount Rainier National Park are the best of the best. I’ve been to many states and National Parks, but these win hands down. While Summit Lake trail might not exactly be in the Park, you do have astounding views of Mount Rainier, so again I’m counting it.
Summit Lake Trail is an out-and-back that’s 5.8 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,417 ft. The trail is a steady climb to the top, mainly below the tree line, until just before the summit where you have perfect views of the lake, Mount Rainier, and the surrounding mountains. We decided to backpack this hike with friends. Because it’s not technically in the park, you do not need a permit. Be sure to have a National Forest Pass or National Park Pass displayed on your car dashboard though. Getting to the trailhead was a little bit of a bumpy ride, so I would recommend 4-wheel drive and high clearance. Take it nice and slow because the road is very narrow and not easy to pass oncoming traffic.
Once you get close to the summit there are multiple great camping spots available on a first come first serve basis. Get there as soon as possible if you want a spot with a view, they will go fast. Once you’re all settled, you can finish the climb to the top or stop at this viewpoint. The actual summit just offers a different view of the lake and not so much of Mount Rainier. There is one picturesque spot located just to the left of the photo shown below where people tend to gather for the “perfect photo”. We of course had to snap a few, but then let others have their turn. Try and be mindful of the people around you, if any. We caught many people hogging the ledge unaware of others wanting a turn, and that’s just bad hiking etiquette.
Summit Lake Trail is the perfect hike for beginner backpackers! Short enough to get comfortable with the weight of the pack and not long enough to need the essential items you may have forgotten. This hike is also a great sunrise hike! We were fortunate enough to have one of the best sunrises of all time following a wet, dreary, and non-visible day prior.
*Fun (not so fun) Fact: Paige broke her foot hiking down this trail. Gotta watch out for the tiny rocks and slippery tree roots!
TOLMIE PEAK FIRE LOOKOUT TRAIL
Okay…where do I start with this hike? To put it simply, this was hands down one of my favorite hikes of all time, for obvious reasons. Multiple lakes to jump into, vast panoramic views, and a long hike through the dense forest. This view of Mt. Rainier will forever be on replay in my mind when I think about our time in Washington.
This hike starts at the Mowich Lake campground, which is inside Mt. Rainier National Park limits. Parking is spread out along the roadside and frequently monitored by Park Rangers. So be sure to have a day pass or display your annual park pass so you do not get a ticket. The road getting to the trailhead is a long gravel road, though not quite as rough as the road to Summit Lake. We handled it just fine in our 2WD Chevy Equinox.
The views on this trail start immediately with the trail running right alongside the shoreline of Mowich Lake. The trail then ascends into the thick forest. Hiking through the forest for me is an adventure in itself. Hiking among giants, some of which have been around for centuries, gives you a quick reality check to help you realize just how small you are in this world. A feeling that I frequently felt during Mount Rainier hikes. You will also get a chance to spot endless fungi if the time is right, as well as a chance to see some wildlife. We were lucky enough to see a blackbuck just off the trail near the second lake on the trail.
Upon exiting the forest, you will come across Eunice Lake. Atop the rocky backdrop behind Eunice Lake, you will see the fire lookout. From here you will ascend the final 600ft in less than a mile. A quick climb to the top reveals a purely unforgettable view of Rainier and the surrounding foothills. You can even see out to the Puget Sound from atop the lookout!
If you’re as lucky as us, you may get some curious critters wanting to introduce themselves at the top. With many hikers frequently taking a snack break at the summit, a resourceful group of birds await their fair share of crumbs to fill their bellies. If you’re patient and inviting enough, one may even just land right in your hand! We do not suggest feeding wildlife as this disturbs the natural order of things in the wild. Keep nature wild and be kind to our furry and feathered friends out there!
I’ve done a lot of hikes in Washington and Mount Rainier Park and I can honestly say these 6 are by far some of the best ones out there! I’d love to hear about your favorite Mount Rainier hikes and what you think of these 6 in particular. Please feel free to contact me if you have any follow-up questions regarding these hikes or any other hikes in the area.