Mt Rainier National Park in 1 Day
Pro tip: spend the night in Ashford to get an early start!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40237/1v250x0.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Morning
Reflection Lakes
Spend sunrise at Reflection Lakes in Mt Rainier National Park. Why sunrise? It’s when the landscape is at its calmest, which means it’s your best chance at a clear reflection. Bring a coffee, a blanket, and set up a chair at the lakes edge. It’s the perfect way to start the morning.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40236/fe4c6d-image_cropper_E19840CC-4583-4A37-AA2E-6F1159E48A45-332-0000000E3029A2FE.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Paradise
6 min from Reflection Lakes
Backtrack just 6 minutes to Paradise–the most popular Mt Rainier hub–to hike the Skyline Trail. This is also a base camp for climbers planning to summit.
You don’t need to walk the entire loop to get a good feel for it, but if you have the time, highly recommend! It takes you past a waterfall and through alpine meadows, all the while with an impressive view of the volcano and it’s glaciers.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40238/10o3vdl.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Afternoon
Grove of the Patriarchs
36 min from Paradise
If you love big old-growth trees and suspension bridges, take a minute to walk this short 1.5-mile round trip loop. They’re epic.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40239/11x1y84.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Tipsoo Lake
22 min from Grove of Patriarchs
This is a gorgeous alpine lake that’s again just off the side of the road. You can walk around it or drive to the far side to catch a glimpse of the east side of Mt Rainier over the lake on a clear day.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40240/ho88gg.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
If you have the time, I recommend walking the Naches Peak Loop for ample wildflowers in the spring and a couple more lakes on the way.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40241/9i92pg.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Evening
Sunrise - The Location ;)
41 min from Tipsoo Lake
Confusing, I know, but Sunrise is the visitor’s center on the north side of Mt. Rainier and offers some beautiful hikes that are vastly different than what you’ll find at Paradise.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40243/1ejhedf-image_cropper_40F90F24-5DA7-4521-A7CB-5FB6D37708C8-332-0000000EE25F1B9B.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
My rec? Hike the 5.7 miles RT to the Fremont Fire Lookout.
Washington’s fire lookouts are a big part of the state’s outdoors history. Some are still in use today! The hike takes you above the tree line, past a lake, and ends on a ridge looking west over the Cascades. Climb up the fire lookout, peek inside the windows and walk around the deck. The mountain looks huge from here!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40244/1mfi9jh-image_cropper_B3DC570B-FFEB-4343-A561-0A58EF1ABCF4-332-0000000F4D380610.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Optional: Glacier Basin Trail
This little-known 2-mile round trip hike reaps a massive reward: a blue Gatorade lake with a glacier in the distance! Just make sure you take a left at the fork at the 1-mile point. If you’re feeling up to it, hike the full 7.8 miles round trip that takes you eight up to the glacier!
(It’s a base camp for those summiting the mountain).
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40246/11vtjya-image_cropper_123D29FF-ADE6-4781-A54F-ED9A8B5D3EF0-332-0000000C4851E7CC.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=100,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/boards/48/19281ng-image_cropper_6C7EE799-FE75-4702-AF5A-D2D384D9C9DF-332-0000000D89578C12.jpg)
Mt Rainier National Park in 1 Day
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=100,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/boards/48/19281ng-image_cropper_6C7EE799-FE75-4702-AF5A-D2D384D9C9DF-332-0000000D89578C12.jpg)
Pro tip: spend the night in Ashford to get an early start!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40237/1v250x0.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Morning
Reflection Lakes
Spend sunrise at Reflection Lakes in Mt Rainier National Park. Why sunrise? It’s when the landscape is at its calmest, which means it’s your best chance at a clear reflection. Bring a coffee, a blanket, and set up a chair at the lakes edge. It’s the perfect way to start the morning.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40236/fe4c6d-image_cropper_E19840CC-4583-4A37-AA2E-6F1159E48A45-332-0000000E3029A2FE.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Paradise
6 min from Reflection Lakes
Backtrack just 6 minutes to Paradise–the most popular Mt Rainier hub–to hike the Skyline Trail. This is also a base camp for climbers planning to summit.
You don’t need to walk the entire loop to get a good feel for it, but if you have the time, highly recommend! It takes you past a waterfall and through alpine meadows, all the while with an impressive view of the volcano and it’s glaciers.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40238/10o3vdl.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Afternoon
Grove of the Patriarchs
36 min from Paradise
If you love big old-growth trees and suspension bridges, take a minute to walk this short 1.5-mile round trip loop. They’re epic.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40239/11x1y84.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Tipsoo Lake
22 min from Grove of Patriarchs
This is a gorgeous alpine lake that’s again just off the side of the road. You can walk around it or drive to the far side to catch a glimpse of the east side of Mt Rainier over the lake on a clear day.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40240/ho88gg.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
If you have the time, I recommend walking the Naches Peak Loop for ample wildflowers in the spring and a couple more lakes on the way.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/40241/9i92pg.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Evening
Sunrise - The Location ;)
41 min from Tipsoo Lake
Confusing, I know, but Sunrise is the visitor’s center on the north side of Mt. Rainier and offers some beautiful hikes that are vastly different than what you’ll find at Paradise.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40243/1ejhedf-image_cropper_40F90F24-5DA7-4521-A7CB-5FB6D37708C8-332-0000000EE25F1B9B.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
My rec? Hike the 5.7 miles RT to the Fremont Fire Lookout.
Washington’s fire lookouts are a big part of the state’s outdoors history. Some are still in use today! The hike takes you above the tree line, past a lake, and ends on a ridge looking west over the Cascades. Climb up the fire lookout, peek inside the windows and walk around the deck. The mountain looks huge from here!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40244/1mfi9jh-image_cropper_B3DC570B-FFEB-4343-A561-0A58EF1ABCF4-332-0000000F4D380610.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Optional: Glacier Basin Trail
This little-known 2-mile round trip hike reaps a massive reward: a blue Gatorade lake with a glacier in the distance! Just make sure you take a left at the fork at the 1-mile point. If you’re feeling up to it, hike the full 7.8 miles round trip that takes you eight up to the glacier!
(It’s a base camp for those summiting the mountain).
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/by-user/0MP7gnHv0cX4HtYvbdVcUlqkAZb2/places/40246/11vtjya-image_cropper_123D29FF-ADE6-4781-A54F-ED9A8B5D3EF0-332-0000000C4851E7CC.jpg)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)