9 Easy Hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park You’ll Love

If you’re looking for easy hikes at Mount Rainier National Park, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve hiked all over Mt. Rainier over the years, including a full two-day photography class that took me to a few of these in summer 2024, and these nine easy trails are the ones I send everyone to when they ask where to start.

What counts as easy here? I’m looking for trails under 4 miles with manageable elevation gain that work for families with kids, beginner hikers, or anyone who wants Mt. Rainier’s iconic views without committing to a strenuous day on the trail. Some of these are paved. Some are short enough to do before breakfast. All of them give you a view that makes you immediately start planning your next visit.

This guide covers easy hikes across all the major sections of Mt. Rainier, including Paradise, Sunrise, Ohanapecosh, and Longmire. If you’re looking for harder hikes too, my Mt. Rainier day trip guide covers planning the full visit, and my easy hikes in Washington post has more options across the state.

Easy Mt. Rainier Hikes at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of all 9 easy hikes at Mt. Rainier so you can pick the right one for your day:

Hike	Area	Distance	Best For
Myrtle Falls	Paradise	0.8 mi	Iconic photo, accessible
Nisqually Vista	Paradise	1.2 mi	Wildflowers, glacier views
Narada Falls	Paradise	0.2 mi	Quick stop, big waterfall
Reflection Lakes	Paradise	Drive-up	Sunrise photography
Bench and Snow Lakes	Paradise	2.4 mi	Subalpine lakes, swimming
Sunrise Nature Trail	Sunrise	1.5 mi	First-timers, kids in carriers
Naches Peak Loop	Sunrise	3.5 mi	Fall colors, weekday quiet
Silver Falls Loop	Ohanapecosh	0.6-2.7 mi	Old-growth forest, river
Trail of the Shadows	Longmire	0.7 mi	Year-round, history buffs

How to Plan Your Mt. Rainier Hike

A few things to know before you go, since Mt. Rainier National Park has some specific requirements that catch first-time visitors off guard.

Entrance fees and passes (2026)

You’ll need a pass to enter the park. As of 2026, your options are:

• Single vehicle pass: $30, valid for 7 days
• Motorcycle pass: $25, valid for 7 days
• Per-person pass (walk-in or bike-in): $15
• Mt. Rainier annual pass: $55, valid for the year at this park only
• America the Beautiful Pass: $80, covers all national parks for a year (the one I always carry)

If you plan to visit more than one national park in a year, the America the Beautiful Pass pays for itself fast.

Park entrance gates are cashless

Mt. Rainier National Park is fully cashless as of 2026. Bring a credit or debit card, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay. You can also buy your pass in advance on recreation.gov and skip the line at the gate.

No timed entry reservations in 2026

Mt. Rainier required timed entry reservations in 2024 (Paradise and Sunrise) and 2025 (Sunrise only), but the park announced in early 2026 that no timed entry reservations are required for the 2026 season. You can show up and enter without booking a slot.

This may change again in future years, so always check the official NPS Mt. Rainier site before any trip to confirm current requirements.

Park entrances and when they’re open

Mt. Rainier has four entrances, but only some are accessible in 2026:

• Nisqually (southwest): Open year-round. Closest to Paradise. The most popular entrance and where most visitors enter.
• Stevens Canyon (southeast): Late May to early October. Closest to Ohanapecosh and Silver Falls.
• White River / Sunrise (northeast): Early July to late September. The road to Sunrise is the highest paved road in Washington state at 6,400 feet.
• Carbon River (northwest): Inaccessible in 2026. See the closures section below for details.

What to bring

The weather at Mt. Rainier changes fast at altitude, so packing layers is key. Here’s what I always bring:

• Layers: A fleece or light jacket, even in summer, since wind picks up fast at higher elevations
• More water than you think you need: I usually bring at least 1 liter per person for an easy hike, more for anything over 2 miles
• Sunscreen: Rainier sits at high elevation, so the sun is intense even on cloudy days
• First-aid kit: A small one fits in any backpack
• Polarized sunglasses: Especially important if there’s any snow on the trail (the glare is brutal)
• Bug spray: Bring it in summer, especially around the lakes — Bench and Snow Lakes are notorious

For winter visits, my winter hiking gear guide covers what you’ll actually need to stay warm and dry.

Trail conditions

Always check the Washington Trails Association (WTA) for recent trip reports before heading out. Snow can linger on alpine trails into July, and conditions change quickly throughout the season. AllTrails is great for downloading offline maps (I’m a fan of AllTrails Pro since cell service drops on most Rainier trails), but WTA trip reports are usually more accurate for Washington-specific conditions.

Important 2026 Closures to Know About

Two major closures affect what you can hike in 2026, and both are worth knowing before you arrive at the park expecting to do a specific trail.

Best Time to Hike at Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier is a year-round park, but the time you visit dramatically changes which trails are accessible.

Summer (July through early September) is the most popular window, and when all the trails on this list are open. Wildflowers peak in late July and early August, the road to Sunrise is open, and the weather is most reliable. This is the best time for first-time visitors.

Fall (mid-September through October) is my personal favorite for hikes like Naches Peak Loop. The crowds thin out, the weather is cool, and the fall colors at Tipsoo Lake and Naches Peak are unreal. You may run into early snow at higher elevations.

Winter (November through April) limits you mostly to Paradise (snowshoeing, sledding) and Longmire (Trail of the Shadows). My Mount Rainier in winter guide covers the snow-season experience, and winter hikes in Washington have more cold-weather options across the state.

Spring (May through June) is the transition period. Lower elevation trails reopen, but Paradise and Sunrise are still buried in snow. Don’t expect much alpine access until late June at the earliest.

For all the seasons in one place, my Washington National Parks guide breaks down what to expect across all three.

Easy Hikes at Paradise, Mount Rainier

The Paradise section is the most popular area of Mount Rainier National Park, and for good reason. It’s home to the most iconic views, the best wildflower meadows in summer, and five of the easiest hikes in the park. The Nisqually entrance to the southwest gets you here fastest, and Paradise stays accessible year-round (though winter conditions limit which trails you can do).

1. Myrtle Falls

Distance: 0.8 miles round trip Elevation gain: 100 feet Difficulty: Easy

Myrtle Falls is the easiest way to get the iconic Mt. Rainier postcard view, with the falls in the foreground and the mountain rising above. It’s a short paved walk from the upper Paradise parking lot, doable in 20-30 minutes if you’re not stopping for photos.

I’ve done this one multiple times, including combining it with the Skyline Loop Trail at the end when I want a longer hike. My favorite memory was a two-day photography class I took in summer 2024, where we spent extensive time photographing Myrtle Falls. The shot I got there is one of my favorites. The light shifts dramatically through the day, and if you have time, walking up to the falls in the morning AND evening gives you completely different photos.

This is the closest Mt. Rainier hike to a “must-do” for first-time visitors. Bring water and good shoes (the paved section gets a little uneven near the falls), and expect a crowd in summer.

For more low-effort options outside the park, my list of easy hikes in Washington covers beginner-friendly trails across Seattle, the Olympics, and Eastern Washington.

2. Nisqually Vista

Distance: 1.2 miles loop Elevation gain: 200 feet Difficulty: Easy

Nisqually Vista is a paved loop that starts northwest of the Paradise lower parking lot. The views of Nisqually Glacier are stunning, and the wildflower meadows in summer are among the best in the park.

I’ll be honest, I’d skipped this trail for years in favor of harder hikes, but my photography class brought me here in summer 2024, and I finally understood why it’s so beloved. It’s a great way to get a close-up view of the mountain without going on a long hike. If you’re not chasing summit views or grueling miles, this is a perfect, easy hike to slow down and enjoy what makes Paradise feel like Paradise.

The trail is paved but has stairs at the beginning, so it’s not wheelchair accessible. Strollers can mostly handle it, with some assistance over the steeper sections.

3. Narada Falls

Distance: 0.2 miles Elevation gain: 176 feet Difficulty: Easy

Narada Falls is the easiest waterfall stop on the road between Longmire and Paradise. The 168-foot waterfall is one of the biggest waterfalls in Washington state that you can access by car.

I’ll admit I drove past Narada Falls for years without realizing it was a hike at all. I thought it was just a roadside pullout you glanced at and moved on. Then I saw it on AllTrails one day and finally walked down the short path. The viewpoint from below is genuinely impressive, and the trail is so short that there’s no excuse to skip it next time you’re driving through.

The path can be slippery from spray when there’s a lot of water flowing, so wear good shoes and watch your step. About 10 minutes round trip is all it takes. If you love chasing waterfalls, my post on waterfall hikes near Seattle has more options closer to home.

I love using AllTrails to download maps and stay on the trail during all my hikes.

4. Reflection Lake

Distance: Drive-up viewpoint, very short walk-around Elevation gain: Minimal Difficulty: Easy

Reflection Lakes is technically a drive-up stop more than a hike, but it earns a spot on this list because of what you can do once you’re there, especially if you’re into photography.

I came here at 6 am during my summer 2024 photography class with a small group of photographers, and the experience taught me the importance of patience. We had only a few other people there, and as the sunrise progressed, my shot kept adjusting minute by minute as the light changed. By the time the alpenglow hit Mt. Rainier and reflected in the lake, it was one of the most beautiful natural moments I’ve witnessed in the park.

If you want the famous reflection shot, get there early. Late afternoon also works, but the magic is in the dawn light.

5. Bench and Snow Lakes

Distance: 2.4 miles round trip Elevation gain: 700 feet Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Bench and Snow Lakes is the longest hike on this list, but it’s still very doable as an easy hike with some moderate ups and downs. You start about 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes and end at two beautiful subalpine lakes with Mt. Rainier looming overhead. If you love subalpine lakes, the North Cascades hikes further north have some incredible options too.

I did this hike in August 2023, and the bugs were the worst of any Mt. Rainier trail I’ve done. I had brought a mosquito head net that went over my hat and covered my face and neck, and I felt a little ridiculous wearing it until everyone passing me who’d been getting bitten told me it was smart. Bring bug spray AND a head net if you’re going in mid-summer. You will thank yourself.

You can turn around at Bench Lake (1.7 miles round trip) or continue the extra 0.5 miles to Snow Lake. Some hikers swim at Snow Lake on hot summer days, though I just sat on the rocks and ate a granola bar.

Easy Hikes at Sunrise, Mt. Rainier

The Sunrise section is the second-most-popular area at Mt. Rainier and the highest point you can reach by car in the park. The closest entrance is White River/Sunrise in the northeast, and this section is only accessible from July through late September. Sunrise has fewer easy hikes than Paradise, but the two on this list are some of my favorites at Mt. Rainier.

6. Sunrise Nature Trail

Distance: 1.5 miles loop Elevation gain: 300 feet Difficulty: Easy

The Sunrise Nature Trail is a short loop near the Sunrise Visitor Center with wildflower meadows and stunning Mt. Rainier views. It’s exactly the kind of hike that makes Mt. Rainier feel approachable, with iconic views without a strenuous day.

I did this hike with my kid in June 2019 when he was barely one year old. I had him in a backpack carrier, and the trail was easy enough that I never felt like I was struggling, even with an extra 25 pounds on my back. The views were incredible (you’re already at 6,400 feet just from the parking lot), and it was a perfect first national park hike for a baby.

If you have small kids, a baby in a carrier, or anyone in your group who wants iconic Mt. Rainier views without much effort, this is the trail to do at Sunrise.

7. Naches Peak Loop Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles loop Elevation gain: 500 feet Difficulty: Easy

Naches Peak Loop is one of my favorite easy hikes at Mt. Rainier. It starts at the Tipsoo Lake parking area, loops around Naches Peak via a short stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, and gives you stunning views of Mt. Rainier (you have to look back to see the mountain) along with Dewey Lake halfway through. Read my full Naches Peak Loop guide for a deeper breakdown.

I did this hike on a weekday in fall 2024, and other than one PCT backpacker I excitedly talked to about his thru-hike, I had the trail entirely to myself. Going midweek is the move if you want to avoid crowds, especially during the fall foliage season (late September to early October), when this trail is at its absolute peak. If you want more options for fall hikes in Washington, I have a whole roundup, including larch hikes in Washington for chasing golden trees.

If you only have 30 minutes, you can do a quick walk around Tipsoo Lake at the trailhead instead. It’s a beautiful alpine lake with mountain views and works as a shorter version of this hike.

Easy Hikes at Ohanapecosh, Mt. Rainier

Ohanapecosh sits at 1,900 feet, much lower than Paradise or Sunrise, which means trails are forested rather than alpine. The trade-off is access to old-growth forests and the Ohanapecosh River. The closest entrance is Stevens Canyon in the southeast.

8. Silver Falls Loop

Distance: 0.6 to 2.7 miles, depending on route Elevation gain: 300 feet Difficulty: Easy

Silver Falls is one of the best easy hikes in the Ohanapecosh section. You can choose your distance based on which trailhead you start from: the Ohanapecosh campground (2.7 miles), Stevens Canyon Road (1 mile), or Route 123 (0.6 miles).

I’ve done this one twice. The first time was a quick visit about five years ago with my then-2-year-old when we kept it short. The second time was in summer 2023, and I went more slowly to get better photos. The falls are decent (not the most dramatic in Washington, but pretty), and what surprised me both times was the river above the falls. Teenagers were swimming in the river when I was there last, which scared me for a minute until I realized they were a safe distance from the actual falls. The water is icy cold even in August.

Old-growth forest, deer, and birdlife make this a relaxing forest hike. Stay alert near the falls themselves; the rocks are slippery, and the drop is real.

Easy Hikes at Longmire, Mt. Rainier

Longmire is the historic heart of Mount Rainier National Park, founded in 1883 (16 years before the park itself). It’s the closest section to the Nisqually entrance and stays accessible year-round, which makes it the best place for winter visits.

9. Trail of the Shadows

Distance: 0.7 miles loop Elevation gain: Minimal Difficulty: Very Easy

Trail of the Shadows is a flat, paved interpretive loop at Longmire with information boards about the people who founded this part of the park, an old historic cabin, and the original hot springs that drew people here in the first place. Perfect for kids who can read or for a relaxing walk after lunch.

I did this trail in winter, probably February 2017, when there was light snow on the ground. Reading about the Longmire family and the park’s early days while standing at the actual locations was honestly fascinating, and the snow gave the meadow and forest sections a quiet, almost reverent feel.

If you’re visiting in winter when most of Mt. Rainier is snowed in, this is one of the few hikes you can still do without snowshoes. For more cold-weather options, my winter hikes in Washington post has a full list, and my guide to Mount Rainier in winter covers the full park during snow season.

This is also a great option if you have small kids who get tired easily, want a short break in the day, or just want to stretch their legs after the drive in.

Mt. Rainier Easy Hikes FAQ

What’s the easiest hike at Mt. Rainier?

Of the easy hikes at Mt. Rainier, Narada Falls is the shortest at 0.2 miles, but Trail of the Shadows is the easiest because it’s flat, paved, and only 0.7 miles long. Both are great if you want a quick leg stretch without committing to a real hike.

Do I need a permit to hike at Mt. Rainier?

You need a park entrance pass ($30/vehicle for 7 days), but no separate hiking permit for day hikes. Backpacking and climbing above 10,000 feet require additional permits. As of 2026, no timed entry reservations are required to enter the park.

Are easy hikes at Mt. Rainier good for kids?

Yes, especially the trails on this list. I took my then 1-year-old on the Sunrise Nature Trail in a backpack carrier with no issues, and Trail of the Shadows, Myrtle Falls, Narada Falls, and Reflection Lakes are all family-friendly. The bigger consideration is altitude: Sunrise sits at 6,400 feet, so kids who are sensitive to altitude may need extra time to acclimate.

When does the road to Sunrise open?

The White River / Sunrise entrance typically opens in early July and closes by late September, depending on snow. The road from White River up to Sunrise itself sometimes doesn’t fully open until mid-July. Check current park conditions before driving up.

When does the Paradise wildflower season peak?

Wildflowers at Paradise typically peak from mid-July through early August, though it varies by year and snow levels. Some years, the meadows are still snow-covered through July. The official park website posts wildflower updates throughout the season.

Is the Grove of the Patriarchs open?

No. Grove of the Patriarchs has been closed since November 2021 due to damage to the suspension bridge, and the bridge replacement isn’t scheduled to begin until summer 2027.

Can I hike Tolmie Peak or Mowich Lake in 2026?

No. The Fairfax Bridge that provides access to the Carbon River and Mowich Lake areas was permanently closed in April 2025, so the entire northwest corner of the park (including Tolmie Peak, Spray Park, Mowich Lake, and Green Lake) is inaccessible in 2026.

Where should I stay for an easy hiking trip at Mt. Rainier?

Paradise Inn puts you closest to the easiest hikes at Mt. Rainier (Myrtle Falls, Nisqually Vista, Bench and Snow Lakes, and Reflection Lakes are all within walking distance or a short drive). For winter, the National Park Inn at Longmire is the only in-park option. For more flexibility and full kitchens, vacation rentals in Ashford or Packwood are a good fit.

Where to Stay Near Mt. Rainier

Lodging fills up fast for summer at Mt. Rainier, so book as soon as you finalize your trip dates. There are two historic lodges inside the park, and several options just outside.

That’s my list of the best easy hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park. Whether you’re visiting with kids, easing into hiking, or just want gorgeous views without a full-day commitment, these nine trails deliver every time.

If you want to expand your trip into other Pacific Northwest national parks, I have a full guide to hikes in Olympic National Park, or browse my overview of Washington’s national parks to plan your next adventure.

Which easy hike at Mt. Rainier are you most excited to do? Drop a comment below and let me know.