wildflower hikes mt rainier national park

Trying to find the best wildflower hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park? I have you covered!

Mt. Rainier National Park is a world-renowned destination for wildflowers and after experiencing it first hand, I can see why. When the meadows burst with pops of vibrant colors, it changes the entire landscape!

Every year, without fail, I find myself amazed by the endless display of breathtaking wildflowers at Mt. Rainier National Park. Today, I’m going to share my 10 favorite hikes during peak bloom. I hope you enjoy!

Best time for wildflowers at Mt. Rainier National Park

Peal bloom varies from year to year due to weather and precipitation patterns, but the general rule of thumb for peak wildflowers at Mt. Rainier National Park is late-July thru mid-August.

Based on personal experience, mid-August is a safe bet! For current blooms in the park, click here.

Tips for Visiting Mount Rainier National Park for wildflowers

Practice Leave No Trace

If you’re unfamiliar with Leave No Trace, it’s a measure to be a good steward of the land. You can read about the seven principals of Leave No Trace here.

You + Sunscreen = Best Friends (Forever)

I swear by this sunscreen, I discovered it in France and now buy it in bulk. You’ll never catch me without it!

Wear hiking boots with good traction

Even though the trails are well maintained, exposed roots are common. It’s easy to trip in the woods, so set yourself up for success by wearing proper shoes.
These are my hiking boots, and I’d sleep in them if I could.

Stay on the trail

It goes without saying that the wildflowers at Mt. Rainier are for all to enjoy – please stay on the trail and don’t pick flowers.
Stepping on the exposed tree roots actually harms the trees and causes them to degrade over time. Step over roots whenever possible.

Come prepared

Bring insect repellent during summer months and a light rain jacket regardless of the season.
Check trail conditions before heading out!

Expect crowds

No way around this, my friends. With an average of two million visitors a year, prepare for crowds – especially during the nice, warm summer months. Pacific Northwest folks wait all year for the dry summer months!

Hiking with pups

Dogs are NOT allowed on trails, snow, wilderness or in buildings. Essentially, pups can only go where cars can go. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen hikers prep their cute pups for a hike before a ranger notices and tells them dogs aren’t allowed on trails – heartbreaking to watch.

10 Best Wildflower Hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park

#1 Skyline Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 1,500′
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Region: Longmire/Paradise

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: If there’s a place between heaven and earth, this is it.

When it comes to wildflowers, the Skyline Trail is hard to beat. This hike is rated moderate/difficult, but it’s worth the effort — especially mid-August when the flowers are at peak bloom.

I’ve hiked the Skyline Trail both clockwise and counterclockwise and suggest hiking the trail clockwise.

Types of wildflowers: lupine, scarlet paintbrush, mountain heather, cascade aster, bistort.

#2 Alta Vista Trail

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 1.8 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 600′
Estimated Time: 1.5 hours
Region: Paradise

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: Hillsides alive with pops of color! What’s not to like?

My favorite thing about the Alta Vista trail is that it’s less crowded than the Skyline Trail it spills into. This is a good hike for families with young kiddos, too!

#3 Pinnacle Peak

best wildflower hikes Mt. Rainier National Park

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.4 miles, out and back
Elevation Gain: 1,100′
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Region: Paradise

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: Think endless fields of deep purple lupine and pops of magenta mixed in with white blooms. I’ve hiked the Pinnacle Peak trail once before and liked it enough to return.

Little did I know how much more beautiful the hike becomes during wildflower season – I mean wow! It took an hour longer to reach the top this time because I couldn’t stop taking photos.

#4 Tolmie Peak

Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100′
Estimated Time: 6 hours
Region: Mowich

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: Tolmie Peak remains one of the most memorable trails I’ve ever hiked at Mt. Rainier National Park — if not for the 100+ mosquito bites alone.

Jokes aside, the Bear Grass along the trail is surreal! Imagine hundreds of those fluffy flowers lining picture-perfect Eunice Lake. It creates an incredibly dreamy landscape!

#5 Mt. Fremont Lookout Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.6 miles, out and back
Elevation Gain: 1,200′
Estimated Time: 3 hours
Region: Sunrise

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: The view from Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout is worth the hike alone, but sprinkle in wildflowers? Talk about jaw dropping!

Mt. Fremont is my favorite hike in the park because the 360 views from the top are breathtaking. The best time to hike is mid-August when the trail winds through beautiful blooms that lead directly to the lookout.

#6 Van Trump Park

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,200′
Estimated Time: 6 hours
Region: Longmire/Paradise

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: I will not lie to you, hiking to Van Trump Park humbled me and made me realize I was out of shape! But goodness, we had an entire meadow of wildflowers to ourselves!

Because this hike is challenging, you won’t see many folks hiking past Christine Falls. Do not make this mistake! Continue on until you reach the meadow where Mountain Goat spottings are common and the flowers make the trek more than worthwhile.

#7 Spray Park

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2000′
Estimated Time: 5.5 hours
Region: Mowich

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: Located in the Northwest corner of Rainier, Spray Park attracts far less visitors than most of the other popular wildflower hikes in the park.

That’s not to say it attracts any less wildflowers. In fact, quite the contrary is true to the point that depending on the year some folks say this is the top spot for wildflowers in the park.

NOTE: This trail is very popular for black bears. Hikers frequently report black bear sightings on this hike so keep your distance and be bear aware!

#8 Naches Loop Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 600′
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Region: Stevens Canyon

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: Carpets of purple lupine show up like clockwork every August and transform the landscape in the most beautiful way!

#9 Tipsoo Lake

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: .8 miles
Elevation Gain: 40′
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Region: Ohanapecosh

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: This hike is a gem because it takes very little effort. Simply park your car and head down to Mowich Lake! You’ll be greeted by a stunning display of colorful wildflowers eager to please.

Easily the best bang for your buck! Don’t miss this one.

#10 Berkeley Park

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 7.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1700′
Estimated Time: 4.5 hours
Region: Sunrise

Why I like this hike for wildflowers: Some Rainier aficionados refer to Berkeley Park as the best wildflower hike in the park and the Pacific Northwest for that region.

While I’m not sure I’d go quite that far, the meadows here can be spectacular especially come August with nearly every color of the rainbow represented.

Good to know before you go

To visit Mt. Rainier National Park during wildflower season without a guide is a disservice to yourself! Reference this handy online guide to learn about all the flowers you will see on the trails.
Different elevations experience peak wildflower bloom at different times.
Stay on trails and don’t trample the wildflowers. They’re for everyone to enjoy.
Summer = mosquitos. I once returned from a hike with 100+ bites. Dress accordingly, nothing is as effective as good layers – I never leave the house without this shirt.

Where to see wildflowers at Mt. Rainier National Park (Post Summary)

In sum, the BEST wildflower hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park are:

Skyline Trail
Alta Vista Trail
Pinnacle Peak
Tolmie Peak
Mt. Fremont Lookout Trail
Van Trump Park
Berkeley Park
Naches Loop
Tipsoo Lake
Spray Park

It probably comes as no surprise that Mt. Rainier National Park is my favorite park. Over the past three years I have hiked most trails in every season, but nothing beats the wildflowers. I hope you enjoy your time!

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Happy hiking!

Antonina

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