Mount Rainier: Off the Beaten Path

Mount Rainier and Little Tahoma from the Glacier Basin Trail in the White River area.

NPS Photo

Mount Rainier is a defining symbol of the Pacific Northwest landscape. Established in 1899, Mount Rainier National Park encompasses 235,625 acres and protects a variety of ecosystems. Of that amount, 97% of the park has been designated by Congress as wilderness. To experience these resources, the park offers over 270 miles of maintained trails and 147 miles of roads.

Mount Rainier National Park is substantial in size, but congestion still occurs during peak season and during times of nice weather. Escaping the crowds completely can be a challenge, but there are ways to still plan a rewarding visit. This guide provides alternatives to popular locations like Paradise and Sunrise.

However, the secret is out! Even relatively less popular areas can still be busy. To make the most of your visit, try visiting on a weekday, arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon to find parking, and have an alternative destination in mind. Here are a few ideas to get you started…

Carbon River

Season: Open year-round. Travel Tip: Parking is limited. It may be necessary to park along the road outside of the park and hike in.Carbon River is accessed via State Route 165 through Wilkeson, WA, but vehicles are only permitted to the park entrance. Beyond this point the Carbon River Trail, formerly a road, is open to pedestrians and bicyclists. While permitted on the Carbon River Trail, bicycles are not allowed on any other trails. Bike racks are available at all trailheads. Pets are not allowed on the trail. The Carbon River Ranger Station is located 5.5 miles east of the Mowich Lake (SR 165) junction.

• Carbon River Rain Forest Nature Trail (0.25 miles roundtrip) – Rain forests seldom occur far from coastal areas, making the forest in this valley unique. Use this trail to explore the only true inland temperate rain forest at Mount Rainier. Starts at the Carbon River Entrance.

• Old Mine Trail (2.9 miles roundtrip, 200 feet elevation gain) – Take a glimpse back in time by following this trail through the dense forest to peer into a gated mine entrance. Follow the Carbon River Trail for 1.2 miles, then take a steeper 0.25 mile spur trail to the mine entrance.

• Green Lake Trail (10 miles roundtrip, 1300 feet elevation gain) – Green Lake is one of the park’s most serene mountain lakes. It is surrounded by forest but offers partial views to the south of Tolmie Peak. Follow the Carbon River Trail for 3.6 miles to Ranger Creek then take the Green Lake Trail.

• Carbon Glacier Trail (17.5 miles roundtrip, 1900 feet elevation gain) – This is the best trail to experience a glacier firsthand. The trail follows the Carbon River through the forest to the terminus of the Carbon Glacier. Beware of rocks falling from the glacier terminus and do not approach the glacier; enjoy the view from the constructed trail. Follow the Carbon River Trail to Ipsut Creek Campground. For a quicker trip, bike the 5 miles (one-way) on the Carbon River Trail to the trailhead. Bikes are not allows on trails past the campground. From Ipsut Creek Campground, follow the Wonderland Trail approximately 3.5 miles to the Carbon Glacier overlook.

Mowich Lake

Season: Generally open mid-July to mid-October. Travel Tip: Parking is limited. It may be necessary to park along the road and hike in (sometimes as much as a mile on peak summer days). Mowich Lake, like Carbon River, is accessed via State Route 165. The road is unpaved after the first three miles and may be rough. Mowich Lake is set in a glacial basin surrounded by fragile wildflower meadows, and is the largest and deepest lake in Mount Rainier National Park. Mowich Lake is open to non-motorized boating for those wanting to kayak or canoe. For a prime lunchtime sport, take advantage of the picnic tables positioned nearby and enjoy a short stroll along a path that follows the lakeshore. Mowich Lake also offers a primitive walk-in campground. There is no potable water and fires are prohibited.

• Tolmie Peak Trail (5.6 miles roundtrip, 1010 feet elevation gain) – This hike passes the beautiful subalpine Eunice Lake on its way to the Tolmie Peak Lookout. The trail begins at the last bend in the Mowich Lake Road, 5.5 miles from the park boundary.

White River

Season: Generally open late June to late September. Travel Tip: Parking is limited and can fill by early morning. It may be necessary to park along the road and hike in, or try camping at the White River Campground instead of day hiking. From State Route 410, follow the White River Road to the White River Campground in the northeast corner of the park. Situated among old-growth forest, White River serves as a gateway for climbers and campers alike. This campground offers 112 individual sites. Water and flush toilets available. Fires allowed only in designated areas. Located in White River Campground Loop C, the historic White River 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. Exhibits tell the story of the around-the-mountain system of patrol cabins.

• Emmons Moraine Trail (3 miles roundtrip, 700 feet elevation gain) – This trail leads along the Emmons Moraine to a view of the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the lower 48 states. Begins in D loop of the White River Campground. Follow the Glacier Basin Trail for one mile; take the left fork and hike along the moraine.

• Glacier Basin Trail (6.5 miles roundtrip, 1700 elevation gain) – In summer, the meadows of the basin are a rainbow of wildflowers. Watch for mountain goats on the surrounding slopes and mountain climbers ascending the Inter Glacier to Camp Schurman. The Glacier Basin Trail begins in D loop of the White River Campground.

Ohanapecosh

Season: Generally open late May to late September. Travel Tip: Parking is limited for day hikers. Instead, try camping in the Ohanapecosh Campground. Ohanapecosh is located 3 miles north of the park boundary on State Route 123 in the southeast corner of the park. Ohanapecosh, named for a Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz) habitation site along the river is thought to mean “standing at the edge”. The Ohanapecosh Campground offers 188 individual sites. Water and flush toilets available. Fires allowed only in designated areas. Rangers present evening programs suitable for a wide-range of audiences at the Ohanapecosh Campground Amphitheater.

• Silver Falls Trail (2.7 miles loop, 300 feet elevation gain) – The Ohanapecosh River falls majestically 75 feet in a silver spray. Access the Silver Falls Loop Trail from the far end of Loop B or near the amphitheater parking area in the Ohanapecosh Campground.

• Grove of the Patriarchs (1.3 miles roundtrip, 100 feet elevation gain) – The Ohanapecosh River surrounds an island of towering, thousandyear-old Douglas-fir and western red cedar trees. Walk the trail to discover the grandeur and peace of this island. The Grove is just west of Stevens Canyon Entrance. Travel Tip: Grove of the Patriarchs has limited parking and is a very popular destination. Come early or start later in the day to find easier parking. Or, park at Ohanapecosh or along SR123 and hike to the Grove.

• Eastside Trail (13.3 miles oneway, 3,532 feet elevation gain) – This extensive route connects the subalpine highlands of Chinook Pass and Tipsoo Lake with the deep, lowland forests of the Ohanapecosh area by following Chinook Creek and Ohanapecosh River drainages. Many hikers choose to begin at the trail’s upper end and complete the entire trail as a one-way, downhill trip from Chinook Pass to Ohanapecosh. However, trailheads provide access to the trail at several locations along its length, allowing day-hikers to enjoy shorter sections of the trail.

Stevens Canyon Road

Season: Generally open June to late September. Travel Tip: Stevens Canyon Road is a popular summer route. Parking can be limited at pullouts and trailheads. Have an alternate plan in mind. Stevens Canyon Road opened in 1957 and was the first road connecting the east and west sides of the park.

• Box Canyon – From Stevens Canyon Entrance, drive 10.3 miles to the Box Canyon parking lot and picnic area. Take a short walk to the bridge and peer over, almost 180 feet below, to view the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River in a deep, slot canyon. Along the short loop trail pass by smooth polished rock that was sculpted by glaciers.

• Reflection Lakes – From Box Canyon, drive and additional 7.3 miles and stop to view a set of subalpine lakes known for their ability to showcase Mount Rainier’s reflection. For additional fun, hike the High Lakes Loop Trail which climbs through meadows and offers rewarding views of both Louise Lake and Stevens Canyon. Begins at the Reflection Lakes parking lot.

Longmire

Season: Open year-round. Travel Tip: If the main parking lots at Longmire fill up, additional parking can be found along the road and in front of the Longmire Community Building on the east side of the Nisqually River.With the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899, Longmire became the park headquarters. Although the headquarters are no longer located here, the original building still remains and the area houses many park facilities and staff. The site previously served as James Longmire’s homestead, lodging, and mineral springs resort.

• Longmire Historic Walking Tour (1.25 miles roundtrip) – Observe the excellent examples of classic National Park Service rustic architecture found at Longmire.

• Trail of the Shadows (0.7 mile loop) – An easy walk past one of the park’s earliest homesteads, the Longmire mineral springs, and through the surrounding forest.

• Eagle Peak Trail (7.2 miles round trip, 2955 feet elevation gain) – A steep trail through oldgrowth forest with great views of Mount Rainier, Nisqually Glacier, and the Tatoosh Ranger. Trailhead found across the Longmire Suspension Bridge on the east side of the Nisqually River in Longmire.

Westside Road

Season: Generally open May through November. Travel Tip: Parking is limited and there are no restroom facilities. The nearest restroom is at Kautz Creek, halfway between Longmire and Westside Road. Developed with hopes of completing an “around-the-mountain” network of roads, Westside Road is now partially closed to cars due to washouts from Tahoma Creek. Closed to vehicles after 3 miles at Dry Creek, the remaining 10 miles are open to hikers and bicyclists. Bicycles are not allowed on trails. There are bike racks at all trailheads. This former road serves as the gateway for numerous trailheads and historical landmarks for hikers and bicyclists looking to explore the western side of the park.

• From Dry Creek, bike 3.8 miles to Round Pass, which serves as the starting point for the Lake George and Gobblers Knob trails.

• Also located at Round Pass, the Marine Memorial is a monument dedicated to the 1946 airplane crash on the South Tahoma Glacier that claimed 32 lives.

• From Round Pass, bike an additional 4 miles to the St. Andrews Patrol Cabin with a short loop trail to Denman Falls.

• Or, bike the entirety of the former road for roughly 20 miles roundtrip.

Details

Duration

4-8 Hours

Duration of activities depends on the location and chosen activity. 

Activity

Hiking

Many of the areas that are "off the beaten path" also have less facilities, and are more suitable to outdoor recreation. While hiking is the most common activity, there are also options for scenic driving, fishing, camping, and other recreation. 

Age(s)

Suitable for all ages. 

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are NOT allowed on trails, in wilderness and/or off trail areas, inside buildings, in amphitheaters, or on roads closed for winter (service animals excepted). Learn more about pets. 

Activity Fee

Yes

Park entrance fee is required. 

Location

Park-wide

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Except for Longmire and Carbon River, many areas are closed for the winter season. Note the general season for each area and check hours of operation before heading out. 

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

To help avoid congestion and limited parking, arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Accessibility Information

Park roads are narrow, steep, and winding and do not have shoulders. Parking areas are usually paved unless stated otherwise (such as on Westside Road). Trails are dirt, often broken by tree roots, log or rock steps, and can have significant elevation gains and losses.