The 10 best hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park (with gorgeous views)

Mt. Rainier is filled with lush meadows, scenic vistas, soaring mountain ranges, gem-colored lakes, and beloved fire lookouts. If you’re looking for the best hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park with incredible views, read on for everything you need to know about the best hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park: where to find amazing views of Mt. Rainier, what to pack and wear, and where to stay. 

Hiking at Mt. Rainier is a treasure. The mountain is one of the defining features of the state; fly into Seattle on a clear day and you’ll be stunned by its beauty. When I originally moved to Washington, Mount Rainier was the first place I wanted to visit. 

Since my first visit in 2020, I’ve had the opportunity to return to the park many times, and the hiking at Mt. Rainier National Park is incredible. You will want at least a few days to explore the area, if you can swing it!

The best hikes at Mt. Rainier (with views)

Starting in 2024, there will be a timed entry requirement during peak season (late May-early September). This means you can’t simply show up at Mt. Rainier National Park and enter; you need a reservation. Read all about it here: Mt. Rainier Timed Entry.

1. Skyline Loop Trail

Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours
Pass needed: National Park Pass
Trail distance and elevation:  5.5 miles roundtrip, 1450 feet elevation gain
When to hike: July-September or October. Also possible as a snow shoe excursion, but you’ll need to be prepared with appropriate gear and have knowledge about avalanches.
WA Trails Association Link: Skyline Loop Trail

If you only do one trail in Mt. Rainier, choose the Skyline Loop Trail. It is a moderate hike that is approachable for most hikers, and the views are incomparable.

The Paradise area of Mt. Rainier is spectacular, and with the Skyline Loop hike you will get to see most of it. Be sure to hike it clockwise for the best experience.

You’ll approach Mt. Rainier and get some close-up shots of the mountain in the beginning of the hike, then get 360 degree mountain views of the Tatoosh range in the middle at Panorama Point (also a great hike to do as an in and out, and shorter than the Skyline Loop), and you’ll end passing through meadows.

Keep your eye out for marmots! Note that this trail is very exposed so you will want excellent sun protection for this hike.

2. Dege Peak

Distance from Seattle: 2 hours
Pass needed: National Park Pass
Trail distance and elevation: 4 miles roundtrip, 600 feet elevation gain
When to hike: June or July-September. The road to the Sunrise entrance of Mt. Rainier closes around the end of September.
WA Trails Association Link: Dege Peak Trail

Dege Peak is a short and easy yet gorgeous trail from the Sunrise entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. It is dusty and exposed, so come prepared!

You’ll enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Rainier both at the top of the peak and on your way down. You’ll also get expansive views of the surrounding mountain range from the peak.

A nice bonus is that this trail is MUCH quieter than the extremely popular Fremont Lookout trail (details below); I even got the peak to myself for quite a while. This hike is family friendly due to length and elevation gain, and I’d love to come here for sunrise at some point!

3. Fremont Lookout

Distance from Seattle: 2 hours
Pass needed: National Park Pass
Trail distance and elevation: 5.6 miles roundtrip, 1200 feet elevation gain
When to hike: June or July-September. The road to the Sunrise entrance of Mt. Rainier closes around the end of September.
WA Trails Association Link: Fremont Lookout Trail

If you’ve spent any time on social media looking at Mt. Rainier, you’ve almost certainly come across the Mount Fremont Lookout trail. The fire lookouts are a really fun and special destination for Washington hikes, and this one in particular is fantastic because of its proximity to Mt. Rainier.

The views are mind blowing and you’re right up close with the mountain! This trail is very popular and sometimes feels like a caravan while you’re hiking; don’t expect to have much solo time here.

Pack some tasty treats for the top because you’re going to want to stay a while.

4. Crystal Peak

Distance from Seattle: 1.5 hours
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 8 miles roundtrip, 3100 feet elevation gain
When to hike: June or July-September. You may be able to hike in October as well but beware of snow.
WA Trails Association Link: Crystal Peak Trail

Crystal Peak is not for the faint of heart. This is a real workout of a hike, and it’s best to be in good shape if you’re going to attempt it. The trail is essentially straight up the entire way and your legs and lungs will burn.

The first half or so is shaded, and the rest is exposed as you make your way to the peak. The latter part of the trail is pretty brutal in that regard.

Bring plenty of water and snacks to replenish at the top, where on a clear day you can see SEVEN volcanos, among them Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Saint Helens, as well as the small but picturesque Crystal Lakes.

5. Shriner Peak

Distance from Seattle: 2 hours
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 8.5 miles roundtrip, 3434 feet elevation gain
When to hike: June or July-September. The road to this trail closes in late September or early October.
WA Trails Association Link: Shriner Peak Trail

Shriner Peak Lookout is a brutal slog, but SO worth the effort. It’s one of the less trafficked hikes in the park, so you may get the top to yourself for a bit (like I did when I hiked it!)

It’s dusty and hot in the summer and very steep. You will work for the reward at the end, which is a firelook and 360 mountain views, including Mt. Rainier, Sourdough Ridge, Mt. Adams, Mt. Saint Helens, and the Cowlitz divide.

There are also a couple of backpacking campgrounds here–it’s on my list to spend a night here someday, because I know the sunrise and sunset from Shriner Peak would be unreal.

If you hike in September you may also get treated to some red, orange, and yellow fall foliage. I think the best time to hike would be mid to late September when it’s a bit cooler and fall is in full swing.

6. Naches Peak Loop

Distance from Seattle: 1 hour 45 minutes
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 3.2 miles roundtrip, 600 feet elevation gain
When to hike: Late June or July-October. The road to this trail closes in October or November.
WA Trails Association Link: Naches Peak Loop Trail

Naches Peak Loop is the best family friendly trail for beautiful views of Mt. Rainier. And it shows, because it seems like all of Seattle is out with their small children on this trail!

In the summer you can enjoy incredible wildflower blooms (generally mid to late July and August), but hiker beware: the bug situation is intense, and you don’t want to hike here without strong bug repellent. In the fall, the weather is cooler and the bugs disappear.

My favorite time to hike this trail is fall, when you can appreciate the reds, golds, and oranges of the changing leaves (and there are no bugs to speak of). 

Regardless, on a clear day you’ll have excellent views the entire hike. Be sure to do this trail clockwise for the best experience.

7. Bench and Snow Lakes

Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 2.5 miles roundtrip, 610 feet elevation gain
When to hike: Late June or July-October
WA Trails Association Link: Bench and Snow Lakes Trail

This is a great small hike that can easily be combined with Skyline Loop Trail for ambitious hikers. We hiked Skyline Loop in the morning and did Bench and Snow Lakes in the afternoon.

The trail is short and easy, and at the first lake you’ll get this iconic view of Mount Rainier and the lake. Priceless!

8. Pinnacle Peak (Pinnacle Saddle)

Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 2.5 miles roundtrip, 1000 feet elevation gain
When to hike: Late June or July-October
WA Trails Association Link: Pinnacle Peak Trail

Short but steep, Pinnacle Peak is a great trail for beautiful views when you’re short on time. I hiked this trail for sunrise and the morning light was truly magical. We even got to see a famous cloud inversion.

When you reach the saddle, you can check out Mt. Rainier in one direction, and in the other, Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Adams. I would suggest stopping at the saddle, as continuing to climb involves scrambling and poses a risk.

I highly recommend the Pinnacle Peak trail for golden hour.

9. Kelly Butte

Distance from Seattle: 2 hours
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 3.4 miles roundtrip, 1100 feet elevation gain
When to hike: Late June or July-October
WA Trails Association Link: Kelly Butte Trail

Okay, so technically Kelly Butte isn’t in Mt. Rainier National Park, but it has fantastic views of the mountain and almost no crowds, so I had to include it here!

It’s a quick trail, but does involve driving on a dirt road for a while to reach the trailhead. Cougars have also been spotted here, so I’d be sure to hike with bear spray, especially as it is a quieter area.

Be aware that there are some steep sections that may be risky for small children. The lookout itself provides wonderful 360 mountain views, and it can be very windy so be sure to bring something warm, especially if you’re hiking in late summer or fall. 

10. High Rock Lookout

Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 3.2 miles roundtrip, 1365 feet elevation gain
When to hike: Late June or July-October
WA Trails Association Link: High Rock Lookout Trail

The High Rock Lookout trail is just outside the bounds of Mt. Rainier National Park, off a dirt road (I got there with my sedan) where you can enjoy another set of 360 degree views of Rainier and the South Cascades.

You can see Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens on clear days. The top portion is pretty steep rock, so exercise caution. But also, enjoy the unbelievable views! This hike is popular as a sunrise spot, when the morning light on the mountain looks magical. 

11. Honorable mention: Rampart Ridge

Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours
Pass needed: None
Trail distance and elevation: 4.5 miles roundtrip, 1300 feet elevation gain
When to hike: May or June-September, but it’s also possible to snow shoe depending on conditions. Check the weather before you head out.
WA Trails Association Link: Rampart Ridge Trail

The Rampart Ridge trail is not *quite* as nice as the other trails on this list because most of the trail is under tree cover, so you don’t get panoramic views. This is a benefit in terms of sun protection, though, and may be a preferable trail for those who don’t enjoy exposed trails.

It’s also great because its snow tends to melt out earlier than many other Mt. Rainier trails, so it’s accessible earlier. At the top there are great views of Mt. Rainier for a short segment.

What to Pack for the best hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park

Naturally, what you need to pack or wear for a Mt. Rainier day hike depends on what season you’re hiking in, but you’ll likely be hiking in summer months (many if not most of these trails aren’t accessible in winter or spring).

What to wear for a day hike at Mt. Rainier

• Sun hoodie: the MVP of summer hiking, I only recently discovered how amazing these are. For those of us who don’t enjoy putting on sunscreen all the time, the sun hoodie is a great way to reduce how much sunscreen you need. This one is from Outdoor Research and WAY better than the REI brand option that a lot of influencers are peddling (it’s actually really lightweight and can be worn on very hot days. I wouldn’t say the same for the REI version).
• Sunscreen: I love the coconut scent of SunBum.
• Picnic blanket is a must for summer trails. You’ll enjoy lunch a lot more with a nice spot to sit! This one is super hardy with a water resistant backing.
• A water reservoir. Don’t suffer through carrying water bottles, it is much more convenient and comfortable to use a reservoir. Also, I would recommend getting a high quality one like this one from Osprey. I bought a cheap one and it broke almost immediately. My husband’s Osprey is holding up like a champ. Also, get a 2-3 liter reservoir for summer hiking.
• A sun hat. Get a reputable brand like this sun hat from Columbia, because the cheap ones fall apart (I’ve bought a few…and don’t recommend them).
• Bug spray is a must. I like deet spray for really buggy hikes and picaridin as an alternative, which is gentler and can be used on smaller children too.
• Hiking poles are so helpful for people of all ages. Protect your joints on the down hills and prevent slipping.
• Wool socks to wick moisture. These are my all time favorite wool socks (and I’ve tried a lot).
• A pair of high quality hiking boots is a great investment. If you can avoid it, you don’t want to be hiking in your gym shoes. Trust me.
• A Garmin mini inreach could save your life if you get lost on a trail; it allows you to call for emergency services and also send text messages when traveling in areas without service.
• Basic first aid kit in case you get a minor trail injury.
• If you’re hiking with a baby or toddler in your backpack, you’ll definitely want to get a sunshade for the backpack.

We don’t mess around with sun protection. Sun hoodie, sun hat, sun glasses, sunscreen, sunshade, and for baby, wool (SPF) onesie (plus a little sunscreen on his hands and face). Most of Rainier’s trails with mountain views are very exposed.

Where to stay near Mt. Rainier

There are a variety of campgrounds in Mt. Rainier National Park open during the warmer months. Two of them are reservable (Cougar Rock Campground, Ohanapecosh Campground) and one is first-come, first served only (White River Campground). 

There are also campgrounds near the park, but not inside it. These include La Wis Wis Campground, Big Creek Campground, Silver Springs Campground, and the Dalles Campground. 

And then there’s backpacking permits for campsites you have to bring all your belongings to, which you can find here.

There’s no way we would have done this hike (Shriner’s Peak) for golden hour if we didn’t have a campground waiting nearby. Overnight trips open up so much possibility.

If you’re looking to stay in a hotel or cabin instead of tents, because let’s face it, sometimes we just want the comfort of a real bed, here are some recommendations:

1. Packwood Lodge
Location: Packwood, near the Paradise entrance of Rainier
Vibes: cozy cabins, but part of a larger hotel with included services. A very popular option.
Check rates for Packwood Lodge here

2. Cowlitz River Lodge
Location: Packwood, near the Paradise entrance of Rainier
Vibes: Family friendly affordable option with a cute dining room
Check rates for Cowlitz River Lodge here

3. The Cabin at Packwood
Location: Packwood, near the Paradise entrance of Rainier
Vibes: Large cabin with full kitchen, fireplace, and deck
Check rates for The Cabin at Packwood here

4. Stormking Hotel
Location: Ashford, near the Paradise entrance of Rainier
Vibes: Yurt, but make it luxurious and aesthetically appealing. Hot tubs included.
Check rates for Stormking Hotel here.

Note: all the Packwood locations are not close to Rainier entrances in the winter when the Stevens Canyon road closes (but could still be beautiful winter getaways in and of themselves).
You really can’t go wrong here, but these are some of the best hikes at Mount Rainier National Park. The hikes in Mt. Rainier are stunning and adventures are endless. I hope you enjoy your visit!

Psst. Looking for more information on National Parks in Washington? Check out this popular post, A Complete Guide to North Cascades (which happens to be my favorite park in the state)!