20 Best Mount Rainier Hikes: Our Favorite Day Hikes Ranked (2026)

Mount Rainier is one of the places in Washington that means the most to us. We’ve spent years hiking, exploring, and returning to different corners of the mountain, and it remains one of our favorite places anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. It is one of the best National Parks for day hiking as the options often seem limitless.

If you are looking for an off season guide check out our Mount Rainier Spring Itinerary here!

We’ve personally hiked more than 40 trails in and around Mount Rainier, and this guide represents the hikes we think are most worth your time. Each trail is ranked using the same scoring system as our Best Hikes in the Pacific Northwest list, based on our own experience. Our scoring system is intentionally tough. Any hike that scores above 70/100 is one we consider exceptional, while anything above 40/100 is a hike we would recommend.

The higher scores are reserved for trails that really stand out for their scenery, overall experience, wildlife, solitude, or other memorable features. Below, you’ll find our favorite Mount Rainier hikes ranked by overall experience, along with distance, elevation gain, difficulty, area of the park, best season, and our firsthand recommendations.

Quick Picks

Best Overall: Skyline Loop

Most Underrated: Dege Peak

Best Meadow Hike: Grand Park

Best Lake Hike: Bench and Snow Lakes

Best Beginner Backpack: Summit Lake

Best Wildflower Hike: Skyline Loop

Best Mountain Views: Burroughs Mountain

Best Fire Lookout: Fremont Lookout

Easiest Hike with Great Views: Naches Peak

Best Dog Friendly: High Rock

Best Waterfall Hike: Little Mashall Falls (Eatonville)

Best Swimming Lakes: Granite and Bertha

Comparison Table of the Best Mount Rainier Hikes

Mount Rainier 20 Hikes List

1. Skyline Loop Trail

   Distance: 5.5 mi | Gain: 1400 ft | Rating: 84.5

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Paradise

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

The Skyline Loop is the classic hike from Paradise and one of the best introductions to Mount Rainier National Park. At roughly 5.5 miles, it packs in wildflower meadows, waterfalls, glaciers, wildlife, and some of the most dramatic close-up views of Mount Rainier you can get on a day hike.

Because it starts directly from the Paradise parking area, it is also one of the busiest trails in the park. We still recommend it highly, especially for first-time visitors, the scenery is absolutely worth dealing with the crowds when the mountain is out.

The trail is usually snow-free from mid- to late July through September, with wildflowers typically at their best from late July into early August. Outside of summer, the Paradise area remains a popular place for snowshoeing and winter recreation.

Our tip: Start early if you want easier parking and fewer crowds, and try to choose a clear day. When Mount Rainier is visible, Skyline is one of the most rewarding hikes in the park.

2. Burroughs Mountain

   Distance: 9 mi | Gain: 2500 ft | Rating: 78

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Sunrise

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

Status: Currently Inaccessible due to Grand Park 2 fire

Burroughs Mountain offers some of the best close-up views of Mount Rainier anywhere in the park. The full hike is roughly 9 miles, but you can shorten the trip to around 5–6 miles by turning around at Second Burroughs.

One of the things we like most about this hike is that the views start early and continue for much of the route. As you climb higher, the landscape becomes increasingly barren and rocky, with a distinctive moonscape-like alpine environment that feels completely different from the wildflower meadows and forests found elsewhere in the park.

The trail starts directly from the Sunrise parking area, making it relatively easy to access when the road is open. It is typically snow-free from mid- to late July through September.

Our tip: If you want one of the most dramatic, unobstructed views of Mount Rainier without committing to a technical hike, Burroughs Mountain our top recommendation.

3. Summit Lake

        Distance: 6 mi | Gain: 600 ft | Rating: 76

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Clearwater

BackPacking: Yes

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes

Status: Currently Inaccessible Due to Fairfax Bridge Closure

Summit Lake is one of our favorite dog-friendly backpacking trips anywhere in Washington and a great choice for newer backpackers. The hike is relatively short, the lake makes a fun place to camp and swim on warm summer days, and the ridge above Summit Lake offers beautiful views of Mount Rainier. No reservations are required for camping as it is outside the National Park.

The biggest downside is the access road, which is notoriously rough and can be one of the most challenging forest roads in the area. We strongly recommend a high-clearance vehicle, ideally with four-wheel drive, and drivers should be comfortable navigating narrow forest-road sections and using proper pullout etiquette when meeting oncoming traffic.

Campsites are numerous but can fill quickly on summer weekends, so an early arrival is a good idea if you plan to stay overnight. The trail is generally most accessible from mid-July through September.

Our tip: Summit Lake is an excellent choice if you want a short, dog-friendly overnight with great Rainier views, but do not underestimate the drive to the trailhead.

4. Spray Park

        Distance: 8 mi | Gain: 1800 ft | Rating: 75

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Mowich Lake

BackPacking: Yes, Permit Required

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes

Status: Currently Inaccessible for Day Hikes Due to Fairfax Bridge Closure

Spray Park is a steep but incredibly rewarding hike that leads to some of the most beautiful alpine meadows in Mount Rainier National Park. Several sections of the climb are demanding, but once you reach the open meadows, the effort pays off with wildflowers, expansive views, and some truly spectacular perspectives of Mount Rainier.

A worthwhile bonus is the short spur to Spray Falls, which makes a great stop either on the way up or on the return. The waterfall is impressive on its own, but the real highlight of the hike is the upper meadow area, where the scenery opens dramatically and Mount Rainier dominates the horizon.

Our tip: Expect a tough climb, but if you want a combination of waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and some of the best Rainier views in the park, Spray Park is one of our favorite choices.

5. Fremont Lookout

        Distance: 5.8 mi | Gain: 1100 ft | Rating: 74

Best season: Early July to October

Trailhead: Sunrise

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

Fremont Lookout is one of our favorite hikes at Mount Rainier for legendary sunsets, photography, and big mountain views. The trail leaves directly from the Sunrise area and stays scenic for most of the route, with wide-open views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding ridgelines almost the entire way.

The historic lookout is a fantastic destination, but for us the real appeal is the journey itself. The open terrain makes this an especially good hike for photographers, and late-day light can be incredible when the mountain is clear.

Because it starts from Sunrise and is relatively easy to access, Fremont can get very crowded on summer weekends and around sunset. If photography is your priority, it is still absolutely worth it, just expect company.

Our tip: This is our favorite Mount Rainier hike for sunset and photography. Bring a headlamp for the hike back and give yourself extra time to stop for photos along the way.

6. Grand Park

        Distance: 8 mi | Gain: 1100 ft | Rating: 74

Best season: Early July to October

Trailhead: FR 73

BackPacking: Yes, Reservations required

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

Status: Currently Inaccessible due to Grand Park 2 Fire

Grand Park via Lake Eleanor is an 8-mile round trip to one of our favorite meadow areas around Mount Rainier. The hike begins outside the national park, crosses the park boundary, and eventually opens into the enormous expanse of Grand Park.

What makes this route special is the scale of the meadow. The wide-open terrain makes Mount Rainier look ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE in the background, and on a clear day the views are hard to beat. This route also tends to become snow-free a little earlier than some of the higher-elevation hikes around Sunrise and Paradise.

Wildlife can be another highlight. We have seen black bears around the meadow edges, especially during the early morning and evening, so keep your distance and be prepared for wildlife encounters.

The trail is typically accessible from early July through September, depending on snow and road conditions.

Our tip: If you want huge meadow views, a slightly earlier-season option, and a quieter approach to Grand Park, this is one of our favorite ways to experience the area.

7. Tatoosh Ridge and Lookout

Distance: 10.4 mi | Gain: 4100 ft | Rating: 74

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: FR 5270

BackPacking: Yes, no reservations

Difficulty: Hard

Dog Friendly: Yes

Tatoosh Lookout is a steep, unrelenting hike with a lot of elevation gain, but the payoff is one of the more unique views of Mount Rainier in the area. Instead of looking straight up at the mountain from inside the park, the trail gives you a broader perspective across the surrounding valleys and ridgelines, with Mount Rainier dominating the horizon.

The climb is sustained and can feel tough, especially on a warm day, but the scenery improves steadily as you gain elevation. A worthwhile bonus is the spur to Tatoosh Lake, which adds a quieter alpine lake stop and makes the hike feel more varied.

Another big advantage is that dogs are allowed, making Tatoosh Lookout one of our favorite options for hikers who want strong Mount Rainier views without leaving their dog behind.

Our tip: Expect a workout, but if you want a less crowded hike with a distinctive Rainier viewpoint and the option to visit an alpine lake, Tatoosh Lookout is well worth the effort.

8. Glacier Basin

         Distance: 8 mi | Gain: 1800 ft | Rating: 73

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: White River Campground

BackPacking: Yes

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

Glacier Basin is a great option if you want big alpine scenery with fewer crowds than many of the better-known hikes around Sunrise. The trail climbs through forest before opening into a broad basin with views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers, and it has a much more remote feel than some of the park’s busier routes.

One of the highlights is a spur trail to a beautiful turquoise lake, which makes the hike especially worthwhile if you have the time and energy to explore beyond the main basin. Wildlife potential is also high, and this is one of the trails where we are always watching the meadow edges and open slopes for animals.

Our tip: Glacier Basin is a great choice for repeat visitors who want something quieter. Take the spur to the turquoise lake if conditions are good, it is one of the most memorable parts of the hike.

9. Naches Peak Loop

        Distance: 3.2 mi | Gain: 600 ft | Rating: 73

Best season: Late July to October

Trailhead:

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

Naches Peak Loop is a shorter day hike that packs a surprising amount of scenery into its 3.2-mile loop. It is one of our favorite choices for newer hikers because the mileage is manageable, the trail is easy to follow, and the payoff comes quickly with alpine meadows, mountain views, and seasonal wildflowers.

When the timing is right, the wildflowers can be spectacular and make this one of our favorite photography spots near Mount Rainier. The trail has also seen a lot of use in recent years, so it is especially important to stay on the designated path and avoid stepping into fragile meadow areas.

The trail is typically most accessible from mid-July through September, depending on snow conditions.

Our tip: This is a great first Mount Rainier hike for visitors who want big scenery without a long or strenuous day. For wildflowers, try to time your visit for peak bloom and stick to the trail to help protect the meadows.

10. Tolmie Peak

           Distance: 7.5 mi | Gain: 1100 ft | Rating: 71.5

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Mowich Lake

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

Status: Currently Inaccessible for Day Hikes Due to Carbon River Bridge Closure

Tolmie Peak Lookout is one of the more approachable fire lookout hikes around Mount Rainier. The distance is very manageable, and while there is still some climbing, the grade never feels especially punishing compared with many of the steeper hikes in the park.

The real highlight is the combination of Eunice Lake and Mount Rainier. From the lookout, you get a unique perspective looking down over the deep blue lake with Mount Rainier rising in the distance. The historic fire lookout is also fun to look into and gives the hike a memorable destination beyond the scenery itself.

Our tip: If you want a relatively moderate hike with a fire lookout, a beautiful alpine lake, and a unique view of Mount Rainier, Tolmie Peak is one of our favorite choices.

11. Comet Falls and Van Trump PArk

           Distance: 6 mi | Gain: 2150 ft | Rating: 70

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Comet Falls

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Hard

Dog Friendly: No

Comet Falls is a rewarding hike to one of the most impressive waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park. The climb is demanding in places, but the payoff comes at Comet Falls, where the water plunges dramatically over the cliffs into the valley below.

If you still have energy, continuing beyond the falls to Van Trump Park makes the hike even better. although is very steep past the waterfall. The trail opens into beautiful meadows with excellent views of Mount Rainier, and because many hikers turn around at Comet Falls, Van Trump Park often feels much quieter than the busy meadow areas around Paradise.

Comet Falls is generally accessible from early July through September, with the higher meadows around Van Trump Park sometimes holding snow a little later.

Our tip: Comet Falls alone is worth the climb, but if conditions are good, continue to Van Trump Park for one of the more quiet meadows at Mount Rainer. The combination of a huge waterfall, quieter meadows, and close Mount Rainier views makes this one of the most rewarding hikes in the park.

12. Dege Peak

    Distance: 2.8 mi | Gain: 900 ft | Rating: 70

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Sunrise Area

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No

Dege Peak is a short, less-known summit hike near Sunrise that delivers excellent views for relatively little effort. The trail climbs gradually through open terrain, with mountain views appearing almost immediately and continuing for much of the hike.

One of our favorite parts of Dege Peak is the unique perspective looking back toward Sunrise Road as it winds through the landscape below. It photographs especially well and gives this hike a different feel from many of the more famous Sunrise-area trails.

We have not made it up here for sunset yet, but based on the open western views, we expect it would be gorgeous in the evening light.

Our tip: Dege Peak is a great choice if you want a shorter Sunrise hike with big views and fewer crowds than the better-known trails nearby. Bring a camera—the view over Sunrise Road is one of the most distinctive photo opportunities in the area.

For more info on Dege Peak check out our Hiking Guide!

13. High Rock

         Distance: 3.2 mi | Gain: 1360 ft | Rating: 67

Best season: Early July to October

Trailhead: Comet Falls

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Hard

Dog Friendly: No

High Rock Lookout is a short but steep hike outside Mount Rainier National Park with outstanding views of the mountain on clear days. The climb is fairly direct, but the payoff is a dramatic lookout perched above the surrounding valleys with Mount Rainier dominating the horizon.

One of the biggest advantages of High Rock is that it is dog friendly, making it one of our favorite options near Mount Rainier for hikers traveling with a dog. It is also an excellent choice for sunrise or sunset, when the light on the mountain and surrounding ridges can be especially beautiful.

Because the trail is outside the national park, it can also be a convenient option if you are staying in Ashford and want to avoid waiting in the entrance lines at Mount Rainier. The trail can still get busy on summer weekends and around sunset, so earlier starts are helpful.

The hike is typically accessible from early July through late September, depending on snow and road conditions.

Our tip: High Rock is one of our favorite dog-friendly hikes near Mount Rainier. Go for sunrise or sunset if the forecast is clear, and it can be a great alternative to entering the park on especially busy days.

14. Summerland

        Distance: 2.3 mi | Gain: 1400 ft | Rating: 67

Best season: Early July to October

Trailhead: Comet Falls

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Hard

Dog Friendly: No

The hike to Summerland begins with a long forested approach before eventually opening into the beautiful Summerland meadows. The meadow itself is a great destination, with wildflowers, open terrain, and excellent views of Mount Rainier, although we don’t think the scenery is quite as dramatic as some of the other meadow hikes higher on this list.

Where this trail really shines is if you continue beyond Summerland toward Panhandle Gap. The landscape becomes much more barren and alpine, with expansive views and a completely different feel from the lower trail. Pushing on to Panhandle Gap can turn this into a 12-mile day hike or longer, depending on how far you decide to explore but this trail would get a much hgiher sore if we included it.

The trail is generally accessible from early July through September, depending on snow conditions.

Our tip: If you have the legs for it, don’t stop at Summerland. Continuing toward Panhandle Gap is what turns this from a very good hike into one of the more memorable high-country routes at Mount Rainier.

15. Bench and Snow Lakes

        Distance: 2.5 mi | Gain: 600 ft | Rating: 66

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Reflection Lakes Area

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: No

Snow and Bench Lakes is one of our favorite short lake hikes at Mount Rainier. While Bench Lake makes for a pleasant first stop, Snow Lake is the real highlight, a beautiful alpine lake tucked beneath rugged surrounding peaks.

Unlike many of the hikes on this list, big views of Mount Rainier are not the main attraction here. Instead, the appeal comes from the lakes, mountain setting, and the amount of scenery packed into such a short trail. At only about 2.6 miles round trip, it is relatively accessible, although there are a few surprisingly steep sections along the way.

The trail is generally snow-free from mid-July through September, depending on the year.

Our tip: Don’t turn around at Bench Lake. Continue to Snow Lake, which is by far our favorite part of the hike and makes this short trail well worth the stop.

16. Crystal Lakes

        Distance: 6 mi | Gain: 2300 ft | Rating: 61

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: SR 410

BackPacking: Yes, Reservations Required

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No  

Crystal Lakes is a solid option for a short one-night backpacking trip at Mount Rainier. The lakes make for pleasant camps, and the hike has enough scenery to feel rewarding without requiring the commitment of one of the park’s bigger backpacking routes.

The views along the main trail are good, but the experience becomes much more memorable if you are willing to put in the extra work to reach Sourdough Ridge. From higher up, you can get a beautiful perspective with Mount Rainier rising above the lakes, which gives this route a much stronger payoff.

Our tip: Crystal Lakes works especially well as a relaxed overnight trip. If the weather is clear and you still have energy after reaching camp, make the extra climb toward Sourdough Ridge for the best views of the trip.

17. Owyhigh Lakes

        Distance: 7 mi | Gain: 1650 ft | Rating: 59

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Sunrise Road

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: No 

Owyhigh Lakes is a great choice for hikers who have already explored many of Mount Rainier’s better-known trails and want something a little different. The route leads to a nice and quieter alpine lakes with a more remote feel than many of the park’s most popular destinations.

Wildlife is one of the highlights here, and the open meadows around the lakes can be a good place to spot animals, including bear, especially earlier or later in the day. The scenery is very pleasant, but because Mount Rainier itself is not a major feature of the hike, we rank it a little lower than some of the trails on this list with more dramatic mountain views.

Our tip: We especially recommend Owyhigh Lakes for repeat visitors to Mount Rainier who have already done the classic hikes and want a quieter trail with good wildlife potential and a different kind of scenery.

18. Pinnacle Peak

        Distance: 2.5 mi | Gain: 600 ft | Rating: 57

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Reflection Lakes Area

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Hard

Dog Friendly: No 

Pinnacle Peak is a short but steep hike with some of the most dramatic views of Mount Rainier from the Tatoosh Range. It is a great option if you want a quick hike with a big payoff, especially on a clear day when Rainier dominates the view across the valley.

The main trail is scenic on its own, but some of the best viewpoints require scrambling beyond the maintained trail. That makes this a better choice for hikers who are comfortable on rougher terrain and understand when to turn around if conditions do not feel safe.

Our tip: Come here for a short, steep workout and huge Rainier views. The maintained trail is still worthwhile, but the most dramatic perspectives are reached only by experienced hikers who are comfortable with scrambling.

19. Granite and Bertha Lakes

         Distance: 3 mi | Gain: 900 ft | Rating: 59

Best season: Mid July to October

Trailhead: Ashford Area, FR 8410

BackPacking: Yes

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes 

Granite and Bertha Lakes are great dog-friendly backpacking and swimming lakes outside Mount Rainier National Park. They make for a relaxing overnight destination on hot summer days, with a quieter feel than many of the more popular trails inside the park.

Our tip: Bring an inner tube, pack a picnic, and plan to spend some time in the water. These are some of our favorite lakes for combining a short backpacking trip with a laid-back summer afternoon.

20. Sheep Lake

         Distance: 3.6 mi | Gain: 400 ft | Rating: 53.5

Best season: Early July to October

Trailhead: SR 410

BackPacking: Yes

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes 

Sheep Lake is a family-friendly, dog-friendly alpine lake just outside Mount Rainier National Park. The hike is relatively approachable, which makes it a popular choice for families and newer backpackers, and it is not unusual to see kids carrying overnight packs to the lake.

The lake itself is a pleasant place to camp, relax, and enjoy an easy introduction to backpacking without committing to a long or difficult route.

Our tip: Sheep Lake is one of the better choices in the area for a first family backpacking trip. Bring the dog, keep the mileage easy, and make a relaxed overnight out of it.

Bonus Hike: Little Mashall Falls

        Distance: 5.8 mi | Gain: 721 ft | Rating: 49

Best season: All Year

Trailhead: Eatonville

BackPacking: No

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes

We added Little Mashel Falls is a bonus hike because it is one of the best off-season options near Mount Rainier. Located in Eatonville, about 30 minutes from the Ashford entrance, this local favorite features a series of impressive waterfalls and can usually be hiked year-round since the trail rarely gets much snow. Middle Falls is one of the best waterfalls we have been to in Washington especially in the winter and spring!

It is especially worth keeping in mind if you are staying near Mount Rainier in the fall, winter, or spring, when many of the higher-elevation trails are still buried in snow. Despite the quality of the waterfalls, the trail remains much better known among locals than visitors to the national park.

Our tip: If you are visiting in the off-season, we consider this a must-do. After the hike, stop by Mill Haus Cider near the trailhead for food and cider—it makes for an excellent addition to the day.

Directions to get to the waterfalls on the trail can be a bit confusing so we wrote a separate post here!

Where Should I stay Near Mount Rainier

For most visitors, we recommend staying in Ashford. It is especially convenient if you are coming from Seattle, puts you close to many of our favorite hikes on the southwest side of Mount Rainier, and is only a few minutes from the Nisqually Entrance. Nisqually is the park’s primary year-round vehicle entrance, making Ashford an especially good base outside the peak summer season when access from other sides of the park becomes much more limited.

Ashford also has a fun collection of restaurants, cabins, and vacation rentals, and we particularly like it for travelers with dogs. Staying outside the national park gives you easier access to dog-friendly hikes such as High Rock, Tatoosh Ridge, Granite and Bertha Lakes, and Little Mashel Falls, which can be a big advantage since dogs are not allowed on most trails inside Mount Rainier National Park.

Packwood is our other favorite base. It has a slightly more lively small-town feel, including breweries and restaurants, and is generally better positioned for hikes on the east side of Mount Rainier and around Sunrise, Chinook Pass, and Ohanapecosh. It can be a great choice if your itinerary is focused more heavily on trails such as Naches Peak, Owyhigh Lakes, Summerland, or the Sunrise area.

Our pick: For a first Mount Rainier trip, or a visit in the shoulder season, we would choose Ashford for its easy park access, proximity to great hikes, restaurants, and larger selection of dog-friendly adventures. If most of your hiking plans are around Sunrise and the eastern side of the mountain, Packwood can be the more convenient base.