When you step into Summerland, wide fields burst with wildflowers while rocky, snow-streaked peaks loom overhead. And of course, towering behind it all is the glacier-capped Mount Rainier.
Summerland sits along the iconic Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, 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.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before hiking to Summerland in Mount Rainier National Park, including how to get there, what to expect on the trail, and tips from our own experience to help you make the most of your hike to this dreamy alpine meadow in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier.
Summerland Trail Complete Guide
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.
The hike to Summerland follows a section of the Wonderland Trail that begins near the White River and ascends the valley alongside Fryingpan Creek before switchbacking up into the Summerland meadows.
The Summerland Trail is in good condition, so it’s doable for most hikers with a bit of stamina. Overall, the trail to Summerland is a well-marked, moderate/hard hike with around 2,100 feet of elevation gain over 8.4 miles round-trip.
The hike to Summerland begins gently. For the first mile or two, the grade is nearly flat as it goes through quiet, shaded old-growth forest. It’s a good warm-up to get started.
Once you reach a sharp turn where the trail overlooks a gorge carved by Fryingpan Creek, the climb gets a little steeper but remains manageable for most hikers.
As the trail continues up the valley, the trees begin to thin out. Clearings provide you with glimpses of Rainier’s summit and the rocky peak of Little Tahoma.
Soon, you’ll reach a log bridge spanning the creek. After crossing the creek, the trail begins its final push up a series of switchbacks leading into Summerland itself.
The trail flattens out as you make your approach into Summerland. One moment you’re climbing through the forest, and the next you’re stepping into open meadows bursting with wildflowers. Slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Near the Summerland camping area, you’ll find spots where you can sit to rest in the shade. But I recommend continuing down the trail just a little further. A small stream crossing provides an even better place to sit on the rocks and refill your water bottle while taking in the views.
Enjoy the fields of wildflowers that give the area its name, and if the sky is clear, get an up-close view of Little Tahoma and the Emmons Glacier on Mount Rainier.
If you have more time and energy, I recommend hiking further along the trail to Panhandle Gap. This high mountain pass is the highest point on the Wonderland Trail and is without a doubt one of the most spectacular regions in Mount Rainier National Park.
Summerland Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 8.4 miles round-trip to Summerland and back.
- Hike Duration: The hike takes approximately 5 hours in total, including time spent enjoying the views.
- Hike Difficulty: The trail’s difficulty is moderate/hard. The hike is a long distance up the mountain to Summerland. It is uphill all the way.
- Hike Incline: The total incline for this hike is about 2100 feet.
- 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 Summerland. The trail entrance for Summerland is located in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park and also requires a Sunrise Timed Entry reservation ahead of time.
The trail route for the Summerland Trail below is accurate and can be used to navigate the trail.
How to get to the Summerland trailhead
The Summerland trailhead is located in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park. To get there, enter Mount Rainier National Park through the White River Entrance. The Summerland Trailhead is 3 miles past the White River Entrance Gate, right after the bridge that goes over Fryingpan Creek.
There is a parking area on the side of the road at the Summerland Trailhead, but you should aim to arrive there as early as you can. When we got there on a Friday at 9 AM, we were lucky to get the last parking spot in the area. Otherwise, you may need to park in a pull-out area further up the road and then walk to the trailhead.
If you want to hike the Summerland Trail, you will need a Sunrise Timed Entry reservation during the peak summer season. These permits are required for day-use access and can be booked in advance starting in May through the Recreation.gov website. If you miss the initial release, a limited batch of additional tickets becomes available the day before your visit at 7 PM.
Use the map below to navigate to the start of the Summerland Trail in the Sunrise parking area of Mount Rainier National Park.
Summerland Trail: My Experience
I hiked to Summerland with five friends as part of a three-night adventure along the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park.
We started from the Summerland trailhead near the White River in the Sunrise area around 10 AM. Luckily, the weather was on our side: mid-60s and clear skies. Not too hot, not too cold, perfect hiking weather by my standards.
The opening stretch of the trail was almost flat as it passed through a shaded corridor of old-growth forest. But soon enough, the trail began to climb up.
Mountain views were absent from this portion of the trail, so it was a surprise when the canopy finally opened up to reveal the rocky peaks just to the south of us. But the trail quickly ducked back into the forest.
We followed the forested pathway for a while until it emerged onto an old wooden log bridge over Fryingpan Creek. I knew the switchbacks were coming soon, so we stopped there to eat a snack while listening to the flowing sounds of the creek.
From that point on, the scenery opened up quickly. I spotted the triangular point of Little Tahoma first, then Mount Rainier itself emerged onto the skyline.
My friend, Amy, mentioned that it was the closest she’d ever been to the mountain. It’s those kinds of moments that stick with me, and the kind of simple realizations that make a hike memorable.
When we finally started heading up the switchbacks to Summerland, I was kind of surprised. I expected a steep, rocky trail. But the trail was in excellent condition.
Hiking up the switchbacks went by faster than I thought it would. Soon the trail flattened out, the trees thinned, and we stepped into the open meadows of Summerland.
Our group stopped on the side of the trail to rest, while I wandered into the camping area to check out the campsites and snap some photos, which you can see in the section below.
We continued down the trail a bit further until we came to a small stream cutting through the meadow. A few other hikers had stopped there to enjoy the ambiance of the area: the sound of flowing water with rocks lining the creekside, and clumps of colorful wildflowers sprouting up here and there. We refilled our water bottles and lingered a bit, enjoying the area as well.
For us, Summerland was just the halfway mark. We were pushing on through Panhandle Gap all the way to Indian Bar. In my opinion, Panhandle Gap was the most epic part of our entire hike.
If you have the time and energy, I urge you to continue past Summerland at least partway into Panhandle Gap. It transforms an already beautiful hike into something unforgettable.
Summerland Camp Photos
I explored the camping area in Summerland to check out the campsites. If you’re planning to camp in Summerland, these photos will give you an idea of what to expect.
Summerland Trail Photos
Here are a few more photos of our Summerland Trail hike to give you an idea of what to expect.
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.
- Our ultimate Mount Rainier hiking guide: 20 Incredible Hikes in Mount Rainier: Complete Travel Guide
- Hike to a subalpine meadow with views of the Tahoma Glacier: Emerald Ridge Hike
- An old fire watch tower sitting atop a rocky peak: Gobblers Knob
- Rocky peak with an unobstructed view of Mount Rainier: Pinnacle Peak
- Explore the wildflower meadows below Rainier at Summerland, or proceed further to glacial moraines of Panhandle Gap
- Wooden fire watch tower with one of the all time best views in Mount Rainier: Fremont Lookout
- The tallest waterfall in Mount Rainier: Comet Falls
- A short hike that has big views without big crowds: Dege Peak
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the Summerland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
