Mount Rainier National Park is full of trails that put the massive, glacier-capped mountain itself front and center. But the hike to Bench and Snow Lakes is a little different. Instead of showcasing Mount Rainier, these two subalpine lakes are tucked away in a little area of their own.
When I hiked to Bench and Snow Lake, I found it to be one of the best easy hikes in the park. Framed by rugged cliffs and tall evergreens, the deep-blue Snow Lake is perfect for a summer swim or a peaceful overnight camp.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking to Bench and Snow Lakes: how to get there, what the trail is like, and tips from my own hiking and camping experience to help you plan your adventure to these subalpine lakes in Mount Rainier National Park.
Bench and Snow Lake Complete Hiking Guide
The Bench and Snow Lake trail in Mount Rainier National Park is a perfect short hike without being too easy. Unlike the paved hiking paths in the Paradise area, it is an actual hiking trail that goes through subalpine meadows to two lakes.
At 2.1 miles round trip with about 700 feet of elevation gain, the
Snow Lake Trail is doable for most hikers while still giving you a “real trail” feel.
The hike starts from the Snow Lake Trailhead along Stevens Canyon Road. It begins with a gradual climb through the forest before opening up into subalpine meadows. In front of you are the jagged Tatoosh mountains, with the prominent Unicorn Peak poking up into the sky.
The first viewpoint is a rocky perch above what looks like a pond in a meadow, but is actually the northwest end of Bench Lake. A little further and a short spur trail brings you closer to the lake itself.
Despite its name, Bench Lake does not have a place to sit down. Instead, it’s named for the natural “bench,” or flat piece of land, where the lake is. Bench Lake isn’t the best swimming spot, but its calm waters can produce mirror-like reflections of Mount Rainier.
Back on the main trail, continue across a log bridge and start climbing again. As you pass a rock face, the trail bends upward, and you’re almost to Snow Lake.
The path tops out on a small ridge overlooking Snow Lake, where a sign directs you right toward the shoreline, but if you’re camping or just want the absolute best hangout spot on the lake, I recommend you head left toward the wilderness campsites.
Campsite #1 at Snow Lake is hands down the prime spot. It sits right on the lakeshore with easy water access. It’s perfect for swimming, hanging out, and, in my opinion, has the best view of the lake.
Hang out, eat a snack, chill, or even take a swim at Snow Lake before turning around and heading back the way you came.
Camping at Snow Lake
Snow Lake is special because it has one of the few backcountry campsites in Mount Rainier that isn’t used by Wonderland Trail hikers. Combine that with its pristine location along the shores of a deep blue alpine lake, and it makes it one of the best easy backpacking destinations in the National Park.
The Snow Lake campsites are just over a mile from the trailhead, so it’s an ideal spot for a quick overnight escape or a first-time backpacking trip.
There are two campsites at Snow Lake:
- Campsite #1: This is in my opinion the best spot on the lake. It’s located at the tip of a peninsula that juts into the lake, which has incredible views and great access to the lakeshore. It’s such a good spot, so the downside is that day hikers will linger nearby.
- Campsite #2: This site is quieter and has more privacy. It’s set back in the trees, so it’s not as dramatic as #1, but if you’re staying multiple nights or prefer solitude over prime views, this is the better choice.
Bench and Snow Lake Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 2.1 miles out and back to both Bench and Snow Lake. If you only hike to Bench Lake, then the total distance is only 1.4 miles.
- Hike Duration: The hike takes approximately 2 hours to Snow Lake and back.
- Hike Difficulty: The trail’s difficulty is easy/moderate. There is not much elevation gain, and the trail is not far. However, the trail does get slightly steep in a few places.
- Hike Incline: The hike has a total elevation gain of about 700 feet, out and back.
- Dogs are NOT allowed on this trail because it is located in Mount Rainier National Park.
- A Mount Rainier Entrance Pass is required to hike to Bench and Snow Lake. The trail entrance for the Snow Lake Trail is located in the southern area of Mount Rainier National Park near Paradise. The best way to access this trail is to go through the Nisqually or Stevens Canyon entrance.
How to get to the trailhead for Bench and Snow Lake
The trailhead for Bench and Snow Lake is located along Stevens Canyon Road. It has its own parking area on the side of the road. But the hike is popular, so the parking tends to fill up quickly during the day.
The map location below for the location of the trailhead for Bench and Snow Lake is accurate and can be used to navigate there.
Bench and Snow Lake Hike in Mount Rainier: My Experience
My adventure to Bench and Snow Lakes started at the roadside trailhead. By the time I arrived, the parking area was nearly full, which was to be expected for such a popular hike.
But once I hit the trail, I was stoked to be out backpacking. Being such a short trail, it felt like a no-stress trip. Honestly, I barely thought about what I packed and didn’t care much about the weight in my pack. It was nice to just head out without overthinking it.
The trail climbed for a bit through a shady forest before opening up into a meadow with a view of Unicorn Peak as the backdrop.
It was not much further until I reached the junction for Bench Lake. The sign made me think that it was further away than it actually was. But Bench Lake was really just a short walk beyond the sign.
Either way, Bench Lake wasn’t the most interesting stop when I went. It’s supposed to have a good view of Mount Rainier, but the mountain was hidden by wildfire smoke.
I’ve heard that on clear days, you can catch a reflection of the mountain on the surface of Bench Lake, similar to the famous Reflection Lake. So if you’re lucky with the weather, it’s worth the short side trip.
I continued up the trail to Snow Lake, crossing over a log bridge before going uphill. The approach went quickly, and then suddenly the lake came into view.
I was kind of surprised at how quickly the hike had gone by. And it was absolutely worth it. The deep, green-blue water shimmered below me. Across the water, I spotted a few groups of hikers laughing on the rocky shoreline as they took turns jumping into the lake.
I followed the sign toward the Snow Lake campsites, which brought me right to the peninsula area. Even though it’s technically a campsite, tons of day hikers were hanging out there. Honestly, I can’t blame them. It’s the best spot on the entire lake.
I dropped my pack, chatted with a few other hikers, and then took off along the shoreline to explore the area.
I eventually got to the right side of the lake, where a lot of other day hikers gathered on a rock fronting a shallow, marshy area. In my opinion, the peninsula was a much better spot, especially if you want to swim.
I made the choice to stay overnight at Campsite #1 because it was the prime spot right on the shore. I hung out until all the day hikers left, then set up my camp.
It was a warm and still summer day, so I decided to cowboy camp instead of pitching a tent. I staked out my footprint, then set up my sleeping pad and sleeping bag, and used my tent bag as a pillow.
I got decent sleep, but the next morning I woke up with condensation all over my sleeping bag. I sort of expected that to happen, camping so close to a body of water. But it had been such a beautiful night that it was completely worth it.
More Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
We’re based in Seattle and have done a ton of hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best trails we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Hike to a subalpine meadow with views of the Tahoma Glacier: Emerald Ridge Hike
- An old fire watch tower sitting atop a rocky peak: Gobbler’s Knob
- Lesser-known spot for camping in Mount Rainier: Lake George
- Wooden fire watch tower with one of the all time best views in Mount Rainier: Fremont Lookout
- Explore the wildflower meadows below Rainier at Summerland, or proceed further to glacial moraines of Panhandle Gap
- Hike through a rocky, tundra-like landscape with close-up views of Rainier’s summit: Burroughs Mountain Trail
- A short hike in the Sunrise area that has big views without big crowds: Dege Peak
I hope you enjoyed my hiking guide to Bench and Snow Lakes in Mount Rainier National Park. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
