Mount Rainier National Park Travel Guide

Wonderland Trail – Circling the entire mountain, this 93-mile loop is Mount Rainier’s ultimate backpacking experience, climbing and descending nearly 23,000 feet of elevation across valleys, ridges, and glacier-fed rivers. Hikers cross suspension bridges over thundering torrents, climb through subalpine meadows carpeted in wildflowers, and camp in shaded forests where elk bugle at dusk. Glacier views dominate at every turn, from the Emmons to the Carbon, and the diversity of ecosystems—from lowland rainforest to windswept alpine passes—makes every section feel new. Campsites require advance permits, water sources are frequent but cold and silty, and late-summer snowfields may linger on high passes. (**Entire Park – multiple access points**)
    Length: 93 miles loop
    Type: Loop
    Difficulty: Strenuous
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Northern Loop Trail – This rugged 35-mile route links with the Wonderland but ventures deeper into seldom-traveled backcountry, rewarding those willing to tackle its steep climbs and remote feel. The trail crosses the roaring Carbon River, climbs to windswept ridges where the Winthrop and Carbon Glaciers spill from the mountain, and then drops into hushed valleys of cedar and hemlock. Expect long stretches without crowds, beargrass and lupine meadows in July, and campsites perched on ridges with staggering views. Water sources can be spread out, so careful planning is critical. (**Sunrise/Carbon River – access from Sunrise or Carbon River Entrance**)
    Length: 35 miles loop
    Type: Loop
    Difficulty: Strenuous
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Spray Park to Carbon Glacier – This 20-mile out-and-back takes you from forested trailheads to one of the most colorful alpine meadows in the park, then down to the massive snout of the Carbon Glacier. Spray Park erupts with paintbrush and avalanche lilies in midsummer, creating a carpet of color beneath the mountain’s icy north face. The descent toward the glacier brings thundering waterfalls and a chill in the air as you approach the ice. Campsites like Cataract Valley are remote, quiet, and ideal for watching alpenglow fade into starlight. (**Mowich Lake – 6 miles from Carbon River Entrance**)
    Length: 20 miles out-and-back
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Strenuous
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Indian Bar via Cowlitz Divide – This 14-mile trek follows a ridgeline with constant mountain views before dropping into Indian Bar, one of the park’s most beloved valleys. Campsites sit along the Ohanapecosh River, surrounded by wildflower meadows alive with bees, butterflies, and pikas chirping among the rocks. In late summer, huckleberries line the trail, while autumn brings crisp air and fiery reds across the alpine tundra. Steep sections make the return climb demanding, but the payoff is a valley that feels hidden and enchanted. (**Stevens Canyon – 10 miles from Paradise Entrance**)
    Length: 14 miles out-and-back
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous
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Summerland and Panhandle Gap – At 12 miles, this trip delivers huge rewards, from marmot-dotted meadows to the stark, volcanic high country of Panhandle Gap, the highest point on the Wonderland Trail at 6,800 feet. Snowfields linger well into summer, making trekking poles and traction helpful, but the views stretch across the Cascades once you crest the gap. Summerland itself is a classic backcountry camp, with bubbling streams, fields of lupine, and close-up views of Rainier’s glaciers. (**White River Entrance – 4 miles from Sunrise**)
    Length: 12 miles out-and-back
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous
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Glacier Basin via Emmons Moraine – A 10-mile trek that blends accessibility with raw mountain drama, following glacial moraines to a wide alpine basin below Rainier’s largest glacier. Campsites sit near tumbling streams where glacial meltwater roars in midsummer, while the upper basin provides a clear look at seracs and icefalls of the Emmons Glacier. Elk are often spotted in the meadows, and autumn brings golden light and cool nights. (**White River Entrance – 3 miles from Sunrise**)
    Length: 10 miles out-and-back
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Moderate
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Emerald Ridge – A 9-mile backpack that feels like stepping onto a balcony overlooking Rainier’s icy western face. The trail climbs through cool, moss-draped forest before bursting into open meadows where the Tahoma Glacier dominates the horizon. In late summer, huckleberries line the path, and campsites here are small and rustic, giving a true wilderness feel. Evening alpenglow often paints the ice pink and orange before a star-filled night. (**Longmire – 5 miles from Nisqually Entrance**)
    Length: 9 miles out-and-back
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Moderate
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Klapatche Park – At 15 miles, this trek ends in one of the park’s most photogenic basins, where a small tarn reflects the mountain like a mirror. The campsites here are limited, making it feel private and secluded, especially at sunrise when the water glows gold. The approach includes long climbs through forest, but the payoff is sweeping views that make this an iconic Wonderland side trip. Wildlife sightings include black-tailed deer and soaring hawks. (**Westside Road – 11 miles from Nisqually Entrance**)
    Length: 15 miles out-and-back
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Strenuous
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Snow Lake – An 8-mile overnight option perfect for those new to backpacking but still craving a wild alpine setting. The trail passes through dense forest before emerging at a small glacial tarn ringed by cliffs and evergreens. The campsites are quiet, with still waters reflecting stars at night and mist rising in the morning. This hike offers a taste of wilderness without the commitment of longer routes. (**Paradise – 3 miles from Longmire**)
    Length: 8 miles out-and-back
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Moderate
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Devils Dream Camp via Wonderland Trail – This 11-mile backpack offers a concentrated dose of Wonderland beauty, climbing from Longmire through lush forests into meadows filled with lupine and valerian. The campsites at Devils Dream are tucked among trees with glimpses of the Tahoma Glacier glowing at sunset. Late summer brings clear skies and crisp nights, while early summer often means snow patches and soggy trails. It’s a popular route for those testing their legs on the Wonderland without committing to the full loop. (**Longmire – 5 miles from Nisqually Entrance**)
    Length: 11 miles round trip
    Type: Out-and-back
    Difficulty: Moderate
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