Lake · Mount Rainier National Park
Lake James
19.4 mi round trip5,394 ft gainVery hardDay hike: No permitOvernight: Reservation
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeNo permit
Day hikes need no permit, only the park entrance pass. No timed-entry reservation in 2026.
OvernightReservation
Every overnight stay needs a wilderness permit: $6 plus $12 per person per night. Reserve on Recreation.gov or walk up.
Permit calendar
Early-access lotteryFebruary
Lottery winners bookMarch to April 25
General reservations openApril 25
Summer permit seasonJune 1 to October 10
Mount Rainier National Park wilderness rules from the National Park Service. Climbing above 10,000 ft or on glaciers needs a separate climbing permit. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance19.4 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain5,394 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation5,706 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Lake James is a lake reached by a 19.4-mile round trip from Lake Eleanor Trailhead. The route follows Lake Eleanor Trail, then Northern Loop Trail to the shore.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Lake Eleanor Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.