20 Incredible Hikes in Mount Rainier: Complete Travel Guide

Mount Rainier National Park has some of the most incredible landscapes in North America. You can hike through wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, massive waterfalls, and glacier-covered peaks. Sometimes all within the same day.

What makes it even better is how accessible it all is. You don’t have to camp in the backcountry to experience it. Many of the park’s best trails can be visited as a day hike, from places easily accessible by car.

In this guide, I’m sharing 20 of my favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. I’ve personally hiked every one of these trails, and for all of them I’ve written additional posts with tips, photos, and route info to help you plan.

Whether you want an easy stroll with epic views or a challenging trek that gets you up close to the glaciers, this list covers the best hikes that Mount Rainier has to offer.

20 Incredible Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

Gobblers Knob

There are so many views of Mount Rainier from all over Washington, but few are as close up and unobstructed as Gobblers Knob. It’s an old fire watch tower that sits atop a rocky peak on the western edge of Mount Rainier National Park.

The tower sits on a rocky peak 5,485 feet in elevation with a completely panoramic view of the surrounding area. Once you reach the Gobblers Knob Fire Lookout, take a peek inside. The interior is mostly unchanged. Just a couple of wooden platforms, a table with a map, and a couple of chairs. It’s something you would expect to find in the wilderness.

The views from the tower are incredible, but in my opinion, the views from the rocky outcrops next to the tower are even better. Scramble up the rocks carefully and take a seat to witness Mount Rainier and its glaciers towering above you, and the surrounding valleys spread out far below.

Pinnacle Peak

Sometimes the best views of Mount Rainier aren’t from its slopes. Instead, they’re often from the surrounding peaks where you can see the full view of the glacier-covered volcano. That’s exactly what Pinnacle Peak is.

The hike begins at Reflection Lakes, one of the most photographed spots in the park. From there, the trail goes off into the forest along a well-maintained trail.

The official trail ends at the Pinnacle Saddle, a notch between Pinnacle Peak and Plummer Peak. From the saddle, you can see through to the other side of the Tatoosh Range, where meadows and hills cascade into the distance, with Mount Adams visible on a clear day.

I pushed past the trail’s official end and scrambled to the true summit of Pinnacle Peak. That’s where I caught the mountain glowing during the sunset.

High Lakes Loop

The High Lakes Loop takes a different approach to hikes in Mount Rainier. The loop circles Reflection Lakes and offers something different than most Rainier hikes. Instead of focusing on Rainier, the trail showcases Lake Louise, framed by the backdrop of the jagged Tatoosh Range to the south.

At the top of the trail is the Faraway Rock viewpoint, a rocky bluff jutting out over the valley. It might just be one of the park’s most underrated viewpoints.

Emerald Ridge

The first time I saw a photo of Emerald Ridge, I instantly knew that we had to see it for ourselves. In early summer, the ridge turns into a rock-lined pathway through a green alpine meadow dotted by patches of snow scattered across the ground.

From the top of Emerald Ridge, you get front-row views of the massive Tahoma Glacier while hiking through a grassy alpine meadow covered in wildflowers.

It’s a special place and honestly looks like it’s straight out of a fantasy.

And better yet, this remote area of Mount Rainier National Park doesn’t see nearly as many hikers as the park’s other trails.

Comet Falls

Comet Falls is one of Mount Rainier’s most incredible waterfalls. It plunges more than 300 feet into a gorge carved by centuries of glacial force.

My hike to Comet Falls was a little bit different. The trail was enveloped in dense fog. Visibility was so low that I could barely make out the forest around me. But step by step, a streak of water began to appear through the mist, until I found myself standing under the falls themselves.

Along the way, you’ll pass two other waterfalls: Christine Falls and Bloucher Falls. Both of these waterfalls are incredible in their own right. There are also plenty of spots to step off the trail and look down at the creek as it carves its way through the gorge below.

Skyscraper Mountain

Tucked into the northeast side of Rainier, Skyscraper Mountain is one of the most rewarding hikes in the park. From its summit, you get sweeping views over the wide-open meadows of Grand Park and Berkeley Park, an angle you usually only see from high-altitude climbs.

And the best part? You don’t need climbing skills to get there. All it takes is a steady pace, a bit of balance on rocky sections, and determination to finish the hike.

My hike up Skyscraper Mountain was an absolutely wild ride.

25 mph gusts at ground level grew into full-on gales as they whipped over the mountain. Looking back, I still can’t decide whether hiking to the summit was a mistake or just a story I was meant to collect.

Plummer Peak

In the Tatoosh range on the south side of Mount Rainier National Park, Pinnacle Peak usually gets all the attention. Most hikers stop at the saddle of the Pinnacle Peak trail to soak in the view, then turn around and head back.

But most people don’t realize that just a short push further lies Plummer Peak, an overlooked viewpoint with panoramic views of the jagged ridgelines of the Tatoosh Mountains on one side, and the massive southern face of Rainier on the other.

And the best part is that reaching Plummer Peak is relatively straightforward. It’s mostly a walk-up, with only a brief simple scramble before you’re standing at the top.

Summerland

Summerland sits along the iconic Wonderland Trail, but you don’t need to hike the entire circuit to see it. This subalpine meadow is a popular destination on its own, reachable as a day hike.

It’s really one of the most beautiful areas in the entire park, and many hikers stop there for a while to bask in the wildflower meadows and listen to the trickling sounds of small streams flowing across the landscape.

Summerland really lives up to its name. Each summer after the snow melts away, its meadows explode with wildflowers. It’s one of the most colorful landscapes in Mount Rainier National Park.

Panhandle Gap

If you still have time and energy after hiking to Summerland, then I recommend proceeding further into Panhandle Gap. It is a place of extremes.

On one hand, it’s easily one of the most spectacular sections of Mount Rainier National Park: waterfalls cascade over steep cliffs while mountain goats wander through open meadows, and glacial streams weave through the landscape, giving life to alpine wildflowers.

But the beauty of Panhandle Gap also comes with challenge. Permanent snowfields persist in the area, covering steep slopes with dangerous icy crossings.

The hike to Panhandle Gap is long, but totally worth it. It brings you through some of the most dramatic areas in Mount Rainier National Park.

The Burroughs

Hiking the Burroughs in Mount Rainier National Park is a day of extremes.

One moment, you’re baking under the unshaded sun. The next, you’re walking slowly up a snowfield that refuses to melt. The wind whips hard, kicking dry dust up in your face.

But even in a climate that seems too harsh for anything to endure, life finds a way.

Wildflowers bloom in late summer. Goats, marmots, and chipmunks wander around the rocky landscapes. And then there’s Mount Rainier itself, looming over the Burroughs unobstructed. It’s one of the closest views you can get of the mountain on a day hike.

Fremont Lookout Tower

The Sunrise area of Mount Rainier is packed with epic viewpoints, but none quite match the Mount Fremont Lookout. Sitting on a ridge at over 7,000 feet, this old wooden fire tower has perhaps the best view of Mount Rainier in the entire national park.

As soon as you get to the lookout, it’s clear why this spot was chosen as a fire watch tower. It’s perched high up on a rugged ridge overlooking the northeastern face of Rainier, with sweeping views of the Burroughs, Grand Park, and a vast expanse of the Cascade Range stretching out to the horizon.

It’s easily one of the best views in the entire national park.

Dege Peak

Of all the hikes starting at the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier, Dege Peak flies under the radar.

Why is that?

For one, it’s overshadowed by the more famous Burroughs Mountain and Fremont Lookout hikes. But while both of these incredible hikes go toward the glacier-capped Mount Rainier, the Dege Peak trail goes in the other direction.

It takes you along the Sourdough Ridge away from Mount Rainier. It’s just far enough to give you a more expansive look at the massive mountain among the subalpine landscapes of Sunrise. And while the Dege Peak hike is short, the views are just as good.

Silver Forest Trail

Most hikes in Mount Rainier National Park require you to put in work to get the best views. But the Silver Forest Trail is different. It’s a short, easy, and family-friendly trail, making it one of the best quick hikes in the Sunrise area.

It’s a 1-mile-long, easy hike with negligible elevation gain, and a great place to snap a photo amongst the backdrop of Mount Rainier in a natural setting with meadows of wildflowers in the summer.

Better yet, it’s tucked away from the busyness of the rest of Sunrise, so it’s a good place to duck out into nature for a bit and enjoy the serenity.

One of the trail’s highlights is the Emmons Glacier Vista, a lookout where you can see Mount Rainier in all its glory, along with the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous United States.

Skyline Trail

For many people who visit Mount Rainier National Park, the Skyline Trail is the absolute climax of their journey. The trail winds through the famous Paradise Meadows and climbs up to Panorama Point, all while delivering nonstop views.

The beauty of the Skyline Trail is that you can go as near or as far as you like, and the views are incredible either way.

In the summer, wildflower fields blanket the meadows, while deep reds and golds amass over the landscape in the fall. And of course, Rainier itself towering above it all.

Bench & Snow Lake

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.

Nisqually Vista

If you’re visiting Mount Rainier with family, short on time, or just want something easy, your options can feel limited.

That’s where the Nisqually Vista Trail comes in.

This short loop trail provides views of Rainier’s Summit and the Nisqually Glacier without demanding much effort, making it one of the most accessible ways to step into nature.

It’s a short, easy trail that’s fully paved, making it one of the easiest ways to get a taste of Rainier’s scenery without committing to a full-on hike.

Carter & Madcap Falls

Most hikes in Mount Rainier are all about steep climbs and epic views. But the hike to Carter Falls is a little different. It starts with a river crossing, then follows a portion of the Wonderland Trail, climbing gently through shaded forests.

What many people don’t realize, though, is that if you go just a bit further, you’ll get to Madcap Falls. It’s a spot that in my opinion beats Carter Falls for sightseeing and for simply hanging out by the river.

Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls is a place that I stumbled upon by accident.

After visiting Narada Falls, I spotted a trail that slipped away into the woods. Curiosity got the best of me, so I followed it.

What I found was a series of cascades, quiet swimming holes, and, at the end, Ruby Falls. It poured out from under the bridge while cars drove over it, unaware of the beauty hidden beneath them.

And better yet, the trail to Ruby Falls is a short 1-mile round trip. It’s an easy walk that most people can handle, even without any hiking gear.

Lake George

When we first started our hike to Lake George, I had my doubts.

The hike began on a long, unpaved service road, fully exposed to the sun. There was no shade, and honestly, it felt more like a marathon than an adventure.

But once we hit the Lake George trail cutoff, everything changed.

The path dipped into the shade of the forest as we walked into a completely different place. And once we got to the lake, we found a beautiful area with campsites, a shelter, and a little spot for swimming along the lake’s shores.

Lake George has a handful of backcountry campsites, a wooden shelter, and an outhouse. It’s a great place to rest, have a snack, fish, or take a swim in the cold lake water.

It’s an awesome area, and I’m glad it isn’t as popular as some of the other trails in Mount Rainier National Park.

Natural Bridge

I’ll start off by saying that the Natural Bridge is a spot that most people can’t get to as a day hike.

But I wanted to include it in this list because it’s an example of the unique geology found in the park (and for those diehard fasthikers that might be able to get there and back before dark).

Situated off Mount Rainier’s Northern Loop Trail, the Natural Bridge is a remote rock archway.

When I got there, I found a small lookout point with a log fence, just sort of haphazardly erected there. That was definitely the best viewpoint of the Natural Bridge from above. But the trees surrounding it were somewhat overgrown, and I was looking for a more immersive experience.

So I stepped out onto the bridge itself.

I won’t lie, that first step onto the stone arch was a little nerve-wracking. As I made my way toward the middle of the archway, the rock began to slope to one side. I don’t recommend walking out there unless it’s bone dry.

Are you following our Washington blog series?

We’re based in Seattle and have done tons of things all over Washington. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.

• Our ultimate Seattle guide: 27 Incredible Things to Do in Seattle: Complete Travel Guide
• Our Seattle hiking guide: 11 Incredible Hikes Near Seattle: Complete Guide
• Best things to do in Mount Rainier: 12 Unique Things to Do in Mount Rainier: Complete Travel Guide
• Our ultimate Mount Rainier hiking guide: 20 Incredible Hikes in Mount Rainier: Complete Travel Guide
• Best day trip from Seattle: 11 Awesome Things to Do on Bainbridge Island: Complete Guide
• Best winter weekend trip in Washington: 8 Amazing Things to Do in Leavenworth in Winter: Complete Guide

I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best hikes in Mount Rainier. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸