As someone that has hiked nearly all of the trails at Mt. Rainier National Park, I often get asked if there’s one hike not to be missed.
Well, the answer is almost too easy – the Skyline Trail hike is hard to beat!
If you’re into stunning wildflower meadows, massive glaciated peaks, alpine meadows, abundant wildlife, and panoramic vistas, this is the hike for you.
AND if you happen to be visiting the park in August you’re in for an especially stunning display. Can you say ‘Wildflower season at Mt. Rainier?!‘ This is one of the best hikes for wildflowers in the world.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about hiking the Skyline Trail Loop at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Skyline Trail Hike Details
- Distance: 5.4 mile loop
- Elevation gain: 1,700′
- Estimated hiking time: 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Area: Paradise
- Trailhead: Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise
- Parking: Free with park entrance fee ($30 per vehicle, valid 7 days)
Important Skyline Trail Hiking Tips
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)
- Take my word for this. I forgot to use sunscreen while hiking the Skyline Trail and came back with a burn so bad that I couldn’t sleep on my back for six days. Here’s the sunscreen I NEVER leave the house without now.
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.
Be gentle
- Stepping on the exposed tree roots actually harms the trees and causes them to degrade over time. Step over roots whenever possible.
Be prepared
- Bring insect repellent during summer months and a light rain jacket regardless of the season.
- Check trail conditions before heading out!
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 this respite from the rain!
- To avoid congestion, visit during the weekdays whenever possible, and start your hikes early (before 8am is a safe bet).
- The Paradise parking lot fills up by 10 AM on summer weekends. I’m not exaggerating. If you arrive after that, you might be circling the lot for 30 minutes or more. We learned this the hard way on our second visit.
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.
Wildflowers
- Mt. Rainier National Park is a world-renown destination for wildflowers. The best time to catch peak bloom is mid to late August. Wondering where else to see them in the park? I’ve got you covered. For the very best wildflower hikes, read: 10 BEST Wildflower Hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Our Experience Hiking the Skyline Trail Loop at Mount Rainier National Park
The Skyline trail loop offers the best of the best when it comes to trails at Mt. Rainier National Park. You’ll see overwhelming views of Mt. Rainier, endless fields of wildflowers, waterfalls galore, and glaciers, glaciers, glaciers!
I’ve hiked this trail four times and each time the weather was different. You never know what you’re going to get at Mt. Rainier National Park, but the views from this trail are spectacular regardless!
Pro Tip: check instagram before you go and look at the most recent photos with the location tag of Mt. Rainier to see how the wildflowers are looking to get an idea of what to expect before you arrive.
The trail starts right behind the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. There are restrooms, a gift shop and a small cafeteria here, so it’s a great place to fuel up before the hike. I always grab a hot chocolate before heading out because the mornings can be chilly even in July.
Should You Hike the Skyline Trail Clockwise or Counterclockwise?
The trail starts on pavement until it reaches a junction where hikers must choose between hiking clockwise or counterclockwise. I’ve hiked both routes and suggest hiking this trail clockwise.
Worth mentioning – when I hiked the trail with my mom, counterclockwise suited us best because the elevation gain is less steep on the way up.
Whichever way you choose, you’ll be stunned by never-ending vibrant meadows and stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range.
Ah, Mt. Rainier, I can go on for days!
Continue up the trail and you’ll feel like you may accidentally summit if you take a wrong turn (and you actually could if you continue up the Camp Muir Trail) – that’s how close the Skyline Trail takes you to the mountain!
At about the 2-mile mark you’ll pass Myrtle Falls, which is one of the most photographed spots in the entire park. It’s a short detour down a paved side trail and absolutely worth the 5-minute stop. On a clear day you can see Mount Rainier reflected in the pool below the falls.
When you reach the top make sure to soak in the views, because goodness – you’ve earned it! I highly suggest bringing lunch with you and taking a break at the top (but don’t feed the marmots or chipmunks!). Seldom do you get an opportunity for this kind of view!
The highest point on the trail sits at about 6,800 feet, and from here you can see the Nisqually Glacier up close. The crevasses and blue ice are mesmerizing. You’ll also spot climbers on the snowfield heading up toward Camp Muir at 10,188 feet.
When you’re done soaking in the views, feel free to make your way down. Since the Skyline Trail is a loop, you’ll be rewarded with a different landscape on the way down (be sure to look back toward the mountain occasionally). This is the hike that keeps on giving!
And that’s a wrap! Before long you’ll find yourself back at your car with nothing but sweet, sweet memories and stunning photos.
What to Bring on the Skyline Trail
Even on a sunny summer day, weather at Paradise can change in minutes. I’ve started a hike in shorts and ended it in a rain jacket more times than I can count. Here’s what I always pack for this trail.
- Rain jacket (non-negotiable, even in August)
- At least 2 liters of water
- Snacks and lunch
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Trekking poles (helpful on the steep descent)
- Camera with a wide-angle lens if you have one
Further Reading
- 13 Best Hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park
- 10 Things to Do at Mt. Rainier National Park
- 10 Wildflower Hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park
- Hiking the Mt. Fremont Lookout Trail
- Pinnacle Peak Hike at Mt. Rainier
Happy hiking!
Antonina
Frequently Asked Questions
Late spring through early fall (May to October) generally offers the best hiking conditions with clear trails and mild weather. Always check current trail conditions before heading out, as snow, closures, and permit requirements can change seasonally.
Most trails in this guide range from beginner to intermediate. We note the difficulty level for each hike. Good footwear, plenty of water, and realistic expectations about your fitness level are more important than prior hiking experience.
Hey! I was wondering if you have done this hike in late April? And if so, is it worth it?
Hi Ashley,
I haven’t done this hike in April — there’s a pretty fair chance the area will have tons of snow on the ground. I suggest waiting until July, if possible. Otherwise bring your snowshoes, it will be such a blast!!
If you had to pick one or two hikes that are good for late April in Mount Rainer National Park, which would you chose?
Hi Marisa,
Late April is still very snowy and most of the park will be completely covered. Your options would be a low elevation hike, such as Grove of the Patriarchs, otherwise, I highly suggest visiting during June when the snow clears (or August with the wildflowers are roaring!).
Happy hiking!
Antonina
August 22, 2021: My teenaged daughter and I were on the Skyline trail just a week ago, August 14, 2021. The wildflowers were beautiful, but I highly recommend walking the trail clockwise (starting off to the left as you face the trail from its starting point.) We made the mistake of heading off to the right, and found ultimately I couldn’t complete the last 200 vertical feet (very steep trail on loose rock at that point). Both my daughter and I were extremely disappointed, but vow to return at some point and do the trail clockwise instead of counterclockwise. I probably would have made it.
My daughter and I were at Mt. Rainier in late June, 2020 and couldn’t even see the trail as there was snow all the way down to the parking lot. Later we discovered that just a week later the snow was gone and the trial was open (very muddy and hard to walk in at places, but open).
We did this hike yesterday. Amazing views!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Do you think we would see the flowers if we went end of August – around the 28th?
I think so!
We went late April this year with snow shoes and it was amazing! Can rent gear at REI. Can also consider packing winter camping gear and sleep on the mountain.
Benson — you sound so adventurous! My husband and I accidentally spent the night on Mt. Rainier (from the Fremont Trial) because we wanted to get photos of the meteor shower. We were too tired to hike back and ending up (half) sleeping at the top. Needless to say, we were ill prepared, so kudos to you and your adventurous spirit!
were planning on visiting Rainier this summer and Im mapping out our days already 🙂 I dont think my kids can manage over 5 miles of this trail. Is it still worth it to do part of it (they’ve done 3 miles before so im thinking around that)
Hi Eva!
The Skyline Trail is a great one to pop on to even if you don’t make it the whole way. There is a steep incline at the beginning but it’s totally worth the views. Fifteen minutes of hiking down the trail yields some stunning views 🙂
Cheers,
Antonina