Top 10 Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
If you're a hiking enthusiast, Mount Rainier National Park should be at the top of your bucket list. With over 260 miles of trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging summit routes, the park offers some of the best hiking in the Pacific Northwest. At this park, you can visit alpine meadows full of wildflowers, towering waterfalls fed by glacier melt, stunning alpine lakes, and more.
In this guide, we will highlight the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, from iconic routes like the Skyline Trail, to hidden gems that offer peace and solitude.
Skyline Loop of Mount Rainier National Park
For more information on park logistics, best times to visit, pro tips, and more - check out this extensive guide:
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Skyline Loop
Distance: 5.6 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Stunning panoramic views of Mount Rainier, Emmons Glacier, and the Tatoosh Range.
Pro tips: Start the hike just before sunrise to avoid crowds and go clockwise around the loop. For fall colors, visit early October and for wildflowers, visit in August.
Click here for more trail info.
Fremont Lookout
Distance: 5.7 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Located in the Sunrise Area, the Fremont Lookout Trail offers one of the best views of Mount Rainier, Emmons Glacier and Boulder Basin.
Pro Tips: If you can, visit at sunrise or sunset! This hike regularly experiences cloud inversions creating the most magical conditions.
Click here for more trail info.
Tipsoo & Dewey Lake Loop
Distance: 6.7 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 1,400 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Hike to a few alpine lakes with stunning views of Mount Rainier in the distance.
Pro Tips: You can just visit Tipsoo Lake from the parking area if you do not feel like hiking. This is a great spot to see next to Naches Peak Loop.
Click here for more trail info.
Tolmie Peak
Distance: 5.6 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1,400 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Hike to a fire lookout and enjoy panoramic views of Mount Rainier and Mowich Lake.
Pro Tips: Try and do this hike on a PERFECTLY clear day as the views of Rainier can be easily obstructed by clouds. You are going to also want to start this hike early as the only parking is along a dirt road.
Click here for more trail info - this trail is currently CLOSED as of 5/2025 due to bridge construction.
Silver Falls
Distance: 2.8 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 500 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: This beautiful, short trail, passes through lush old-growth forests, leading to a stunning waterfall.
Pro tips: There are actually two parking areas for this trail! To reach the waterfall in less than a mile, park in the lot on Stevens Canyon Road and follow the Eastside Trail to the waterfall.
Click here for more trail info.
Naches Peak
Distance: 3.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 600 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: This family-friendly, easy loop offers stunning views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.
Pro Tip: Hike the loop clockwise for the best views of Mount Rainier.
Click here for more trail info.
Burroughs Mountain
Distance: 9.7 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Highlights: This challenging trail leads to one of the best views of Mount Rainier. This is our favorite hidden gem hike in the park to escape the crowds.
Pro tips: Snow can stick around here so make sure you have microspikes or snowshoes depending on conditions. You will also want to start early as most of the hike is exposed with little shade.
Click here for more trail info.
Nisqually Vista
Distance: 1.1 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: This paved trail is perfect for families or anyone looking for a short, scenic hike with amazing views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier.
Pro tips: Nearby, don’t miss Paradise Inn! This is the lodge in Paradise and they have a great gift shop and restaurant.
Click here for more trail info.
Pinnacle Peak
Distance: 2.9 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: A short but steep hike that leads you to Pinnacle Peak. This trail does have some rocky sections and minor scrambling at the summit.
Pro tips: This hike has an incredible vantage point of the whole mountain so sunrise and sunsets are incredible here!
Click here for more trail info.
Comet Falls
Distance: 3.8 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: This hike takes you to one of the tallest waterfalls in the park! Most people do not know about this hike so it is a great one to do to escape the crowds.
Pro tips: If you visit in late spring when snow is still sticking around at higher elevation, this is a great hike to do. Make sure to bring your rain jacket as the mist off the falls can get you wet!
Click here for more trail info.
How to Pack for Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park
The weather in the park and near the mountain can be drastically different than the weather in town. This is because at places like Paradise, you are 5,400 feet above sea level which is almost 4,000 feet higher than the closest town!
Weather can change quickly at these higher elevations so we recommend always packing the following items with you on your hikes at Mount Rainier National Park:
Waterproof rain shell (pro tip: wear a bright shell, pink or yellow, to stand out in photos)
Other hiking gear you may need includes:
Microspikes (if you visit in the spring or late fall)
Headlamp (for sunrise or sunset hikes)
Bug spray (if you visit in the summer)
Hiking Rules & Other Tips
There are no dogs allowed on the trails in Mount Rainier National Park to protect the wildlife.
Do not feed or approach animals no matter how cute they look (we know it’s hard).
Leave no trace - pack out everything you bring with you. The idea is you should leave each place you visit exactly as you found it.
Make sure to pack enough water for the hikes you choose. It is recommended every person carries 1 liter for every 5 miles they plan to hike.
Download the trails you want to hike BEFORE heading into the park as service can be very spotty. We use AllTrails to download offline maps of our hikes.
Try to hike with the 10 Essentials for safety, especially when hiking in unpredictable mountain climates like Mount Rainier.
Final Thoughts..
No matter what type of hike you're after, Mount Rainier National Park has something for everyone. Whether it's a leisurely stroll around Tipsoo Lake or an adventurous climb up Pinnacle Peak - the park's diverse trails offer breathtaking views and unique landscapes around every turn. So, lace up your boots, grab your gear, and get ready to explore one of the most beautiful corners of the Pacific Northwest—Mount Rainier is waiting for you!
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