Mount Rainier National Park

A volcanic Landmark

Rising from the Sound to over 14,000 feet, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the continental US, spawning five major rivers. As your climb, the ancient forests that dominate the lower slopes give way to sub-alpine meadows full of wildflowers.

Southern Slopes

Roadside Attractions

Westside Road - Begins 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Nisqually Entrance. Road closed to vehicles beyond the gate, but accessible for biking and walking.

Christine Falls - Located 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Longmire, a short walk from the pullout offers a classic view of the falls below the rustic stone bridge. Be aware that parking is limited. For your safety, do not walk or stop your car on the bridge.

Glacier Bridge - 5 miles (8 km) from Longmire heading towards Paradise, look up the valley when crossing the bridge for a view of the Nisqually Glacier.

Ricksecker Point Road - This one-way road begins 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Longmire and offers fantastic views of Mount Rainier, Nisqually Valley and the Tatoosh Range. (The Ricksecker Point Road is open summers only.)

Hiking

Historic District Walking Tour (self-guided)

Observe the excellent examples of classic National Park Service rustic architecture found at Longmire.

Trail of the Shadows (0.7 mi/1.1 km)

An easy walk past one of the park's earliest homesteads, the Longmire hot springs, and through the surrounding forest.

Twin Firs Trail (0.4 mi/0.6 km)

Beginning 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Longmire, a short loop trail through old-growth forest.

Carter Falls Trail (2 mi/3.2 km)

Begins 0.1 miles (0.2 km) below Cougar Rock Campgrounds. An easy old-growth forest walk along the Paradise River. Walk past Carter Falls another 150 feet (45.7 m) to see Madcap Falls.

Rampart Ridge Trail (4.6 mi/7.4 km)

Branching off from the Trail of the Shadows trail, this steep loop trail offers excellent views of Mount Rainier and Nisqually Valley.

Narada Falls Trail (9 mi/14.5 km)

Follow the Nisqually River via the Wonderland Trail from Longmire, along this cool forest trail. En route to Narada Falls you will pass Carter and Madcap Falls.

Eagle Peak Trail (7 mi/11.3 km)

A steep trail through old-growth forest with great views of Mount Rainier, Nisqually Glacier, and the Tatoosh Range. Trailhead found across the bridge at Longmire on east side of Nisqually river.

Enjoy other day hikes in the Longmire area.

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Paradise

Known for its magnificent views and expansive wildflower fields, Paradise is home to the parks main visitor center. Many trails wander up the volcano's southern slopes and ridges, providing views of the peak itself as well as the surrounding area.

Roadside Attractions

Paradise Valley Road - Start next to the Paradise Inn to follow this one-way road through a beautiful meadow filled valley.

Reflection Lakes - Drive 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Paradise on Stevens Canyon Road for a possible glimpse of Mount Rainier's reflection in these subalpine lakes.

Inspiration Point - Just east of Paradise Valley Road on Stevens Canyon Road, this large pullout offers spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range.

Hiking

If you plan to visit Paradise, remember that Paradise is located at an elevation of 5,400 feet and trails have at least some steeper sections. Please stay on the trails; the meadows are very fragile and heavily visited.

Bench & Snow Lakes Trail (2.4 mi/3.7 km)

Located east of Reflection Lakes along Stevens Canyon Road, Bench lake is 0.75 miles (1.2 km) from the trailhead, while Snow Lake is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) further down the trail. Enjoy lovely subalpine meadows and lakes.

Pinnacle Peak (2.6 mi/4.2 km)

Also beginning from Reflection Lakes, Hike into the Tatoosh Range for excellent views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

Paradise Meadows Trails

Take any of these trails for excellent views of Mount Rainier, subalpine meadows, and wildlife:

• Nisqually Vista Trail (1.2 mi/1.9 km) - Views of the Nisqually Glacier.
• Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls (1 mi/1.6 km) - Wheelchair accessible with assistance.
• Deadhorse Creek Trail & Morraine Trail (2.5 mi/4 km) - Glacier views.
• Alta Vista Trail (1.7 mi/2.7 km) - Wildflower viewing.

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Ohanapecosh

Named for an Indian habitation area along the river, Ohanapecosh means "standing at the edge." Being on the east of the mountains, this area tends to be sunnier than other areas further west. Pristine, old-growth forests dominate this region of the park.

Roadside Attractions

Box Canyon - Located on Stevens Canyon Road 12 miles (19 km) west of Ohanapecosh. From the bridge, gaze 180 feet (55 meters) below at water rushing through a narrow slot canyon carved by the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River.

Reflection Lakes - Drive west 19 miles (30.6 km) from Ohanapecosh on Stevens Canyon Road for a possible glimpse of Mount Rainier's reflection in these subalpine lakes.

Inspiration Point - This large pullout is 20 miles (32 km) west of Ohanapecosh on Stevens Canyon Road. It offers spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range.

Hiking

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail (1.1 mi/1.8km)

The Grove is just west of Stevens Canyon Entrance on the Ohanapecosh River. Walk the trail along the river to an island of ancient Western red-cedar, Douglas-fir, and Western hemlock.

Hot Springs Nature Trail (0.4 mi/0.6 km)

Around the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, this self-guided natural trail winds through old-growth forest and the site of an early hot springs resort.

Box Canyon Loop Trail (0.5 mi/0.8 km)

Hike the loop trail around a deep, river carved gorge. Box Canyon is located 12 miles (19 km) west of Ohanapecosh.

Silver Falls Trail

Three trails varying in length lead to this spectacular waterfall:

• Route 123 (0.6 mi/1 km) - Begins 1.6 miles (2.6 km) north of Ohanapecosh, with parking at the pullout on the west side of the road.
• Stevens Canyon Road (1.2 mi/1.9 km) - Begins west of Stevens Canyon Entrance, across from the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead.
• Ohanapecosh Campground (2.7 mi/4.3 km) - Access trail from the far end of Loop "B" of the Ohanapecosh Campground.

Enjoy further day hikes in the Ohanapecosh area.

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Northern Slopes

Sunrise

At 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest point reachable by vehicle in the park. On a clear day, the ridge offers spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, Emmons Glacier, and other Cascades Volcanoes. Meadows abounding with alpine wildflowers spread across the ridges and slopes.

Roadside Attractions

Tipsoo Lake - Located at Chinook Pass, this subalpine lake is set ina glacier-carved basin amid spectacular wildflower meadows.

White River Patrol Cabin - Located in White River Campground Loop C, this historic patrol cabin was built in the late 1920s and is part of a series of patrol cabins linked by trails that helped the early rangers protect the park.

Columnar Lava - On the drive from White River Campground to Sunrise Point, watch the left-hand road banks for andesite columns that formed from an ancient Mount Rainier lava flow.

Sunrise Point - Sweeping views of the Cascade Range to the east, Sunrise Lake to the north, and Mount Rainier to the southwest.

Sunrise - The fortress and blockade style structures as well as the rustic Day Lodge are part of the National Historic Landmark District. They are set amid colorful subalpine meadows with Emmons Glacier and Mount Rainier as a stunning backdrop.

Yakima Park - The meadows surrounding Sunrise are known collectively as Yakima Park. During the summers, this area was a favorite of the Yakama people for hunting and gathering. For thousands of years, these and other subalpine meadows have been important to Native American people for their beauty, and for the valuable plant and animal resources they contain.

Learn more about the geology of the area by listening to the Sunrise Geology Audio Tour while driving along the Sunrise Road! This audio tour also takes you on a short walk to explore the glaciers and moraines visibile from the Emmons Glacier Overlooks.