Though rightfully recognized as one of the preeminent climbing parks in the National Park System, Mount Rainier is no slouch when it comes to taking a walk in the woods.
Mount Rainier National Park offers over 260 miles of maintained trails for your enjoyment. Trails lead through the peacefulness of the old-growth forest of the river valleys and the high subalpine meadows on the flanks of Mount Rainier. From the trails you can explore and experience the forests, lakes, and streams and view the fields of wildflowers and network of glaciers. Pets and bicycles are not permitted on any park trails.
The park recommends that day hikers limit their party size to no more than 12 people per group. Day hikers are also encouraged to stay on designated trails throughout the park, and are required to do so in the heavily used Paradise, Sunrise, and Tipsoo Lake meadows. Please choose a spot for a lunch stop carefully. Avoid fragile flower fields and stream and lake banks.
Day hikers are advised to keep hiking plans flexible because some trailhead parking lots may be full. Overflow parking is not permitted in order to avoid impeding traffic and to provide a less crowded, higher quality experience for hikers. Alternative trailheads may have space available.
Looking for easy and enjoyable trails that the whole family can experience together? Consider the following trails in the Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon/Mowich areas of Mount Rainier National Park. The hikes described below range from short strolls to longer trails through the wilderness. For your safety, never hike alone, carry (and know how to use) the Ten Essentials, and tell someone your plans. To preserve the trails at Mount Rainier, stay on designated trails throughout the park. In the heavily used Paradise, Sunrise, and Tipsoo Lake meadows hikers are required to stay on trails. All hikers are asked to avoid fragile flower fields, lake shores and stream banks.
LONGMIRE AREA DAY HIKES
Trail | Description of Hike | Trailhead | Distance | Estimated Round Trip Hiking Time |
Trail of the Shadows | Human and natural history come together in the forest and meadows of Longmire. You'll see a replica of an early homestead cabin and discover the plants and animals that call this area their home. | Across the road from the National Park Inn at Longmire | 0.7 miles, | 20 minute |
Twin Firs Loop Trail | This short trail passes through old growth forest. | 2 miles west of Longmire | 0.4 miles, | 20 minutes |
Rampart Ridge Trail | This steep loop trail passes through forests and offers ridge top vistas. | Follow the Trail of the Shadows, located across the road from the National Park Inn at Longmire, to the trail junction. | 4.6 miles, | 2.5 hours |
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Sunrise Day Hikes
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Backpacking Mount Rainier
The Wonderland Trail
The Wonderland Trail (WT) is 93 miles (150kms) long and encircles Mount Rainier. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and sub-alpine areas.
Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Rangers cannot tell you that. Nobody knows your skill level better than you. This is important when laying the foundation for your trip... selecting the proper distance between campsites. Do you live and hike primarily in mountainous terrain and climates, or lower elevation areas? Hiking on flat terrain for 93 miles is far easier than having to climb up three thousand feet with a full pack day, after day, after day. This sounds like something that should not have to be stated, but we often see hikers going beyond their skill level. This usually leads to injury, illness, misery and an early end to a long-planned trip.
CAMPS ALONG THE WONDERLAND TRAIL
The Carbon River Road is closed to vehicular access at the Carbon River Entrance because of 2006 flood damage. As a result Ipsut Creek Campground is currently being managed as a wilderness camp. This means a wilderness permit will be required to camp here and all wilderness regulations will apply. Fires, pets, bicycles and the use of firearms are not permitted in the backcountry at Mount Rainier.
Hikers doing the complete Wonderland Trail are limited to camping in designated camps only-the use of cross-country zones is not permitted.
When making a reservation request, please do not fax and mail your reservation form. Choose only one method. Doing both creates multiple problems.
The Wonderland Trail has eighteen trailside wilderness camps and three non-wilderness camps. NOT ALL CAMPS HAVE GROUP SITES. Parties with 6-12 people will need a camp that has a group site. There is no wilderness or non-wilderness camping at Longmire. Hiking from Longmire in a clockwise direction, WT camps are:
Pyramid Creek- (no group site) 3,765 feet
Devil's Dream- 5,060 feet
South Puyallup River- 4,000 feet
Klapatche Park- (no group site) 5,515 feet
North Puyallup River- 3,750 feet
Golden Lakes- 5,130 feet
South Mowich River- 2,605 feet
*Mowich Lake Campground- 4,929 feet
Ipsut Creek Campground- 2,330 feet
Carbon River- 3,195 feet
Dick Creek- (no group site) 4,185 feet
Mystic Camp- 5,570 feet
Granite Creek- 5,765
Sunrise Camp- 6,245
*White River Campground- 4,280 feet
Summerland- 5,940 feet
Indian Bar- 5,120 feet
Nickel Creek- 3,385 feet
Maple Creek- 2,815 feet
Paradise River- 3,805 feet
*Cougar Rock Campground- 3,180 feet
(Cougar Rock must be reserved through Recreation.gov.)
* denotes non-wilderness campground
There are two wilderness camps on the Alternate Route of the Wonderland Trail through Spray Park. They are:
Eagle's Roost- (no group site) 4,885 feet
Cataract Valley- 4,620 feet
