Peak · Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier

14 mi round trip8,719 ft gainVery hardDay hike: No permitOvernight: Reservation

Get alerts for this hike

Permits 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

Distance14 miRound trip, out and back

Elevation gain8,719 ftTotal climb, round trip

Summit14,409 ftFrom elevation data

Overview

Mount Rainier is a peak reached by a 14-mile round trip from Skyline Trailhead. The route follows Skyline Trail, then Alta Vista Trail, then Skyline Trail, then Pebble Creek Trail, then Camp Muir Route, then Disappointment Cleaver Route to the summit.

Heads up: this is a glaciated summit that needs mountaineering skills and gear, not a hike.

Photos from hikers

Loading photos…

What you need

Parking and passes

National park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle for 7 days, the $55 Mount Rainier annual pass, or an America the Beautiful pass. No timed-entry reservation is required in 2026.

Buy an entrance pass

Getting there

The hike starts at Skyline Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.

Directions to the trailheadGoogle Maps See the peak on a mapGoogle Maps

Conditions

Loading the National Weather Service forecast for this spot…

Full forecast at weather.gov