The Wonderland Trail
encircling Mount Rainier

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Mount Rainier

General Information    History    Volcanoes/Glaciers    Flora and Fauna    Weather
Fees
Hiking/Camping    Other Activities

 

Hiking and Camping

Auto Camping
Five auto campgrounds offer 600 campsites for overnight stays in the park.  Campsites are available on a first-come first-served-basis, with no reservations.  Fees range from $6.00 to $10.00 per night. Cougar Rock offers group campsites which can be reserved, call (360) 569-2211 x3301.  Group fee is $3.00 per person.  All campgrounds have running water, flush or pit toilets, and individual sites with a table and fireplace.   Sunshine Point Campground is open year round.

Wilderness Hiking and Camping
Wilderness permits are required year round for all overnight stays in the park's backcountry wilderness. These free permits are available at hiker information centers, ranger stations and visitor centers, on a first come-service-basis.  Over 240 miles of trails throughout the park are available for day hikers and backpackers to enjoy.   The 93 mile Wonderland Trail completely encircles the mountain, traversing low forest, subalpine meadows, and occasional snow and rock. Higher elevation trails remain snowbound into July most years.

The hiking season of Mount Rainier National Park normally extends from mid July through mid-October, although trails at lower elevations may open earlier and remain open longer. The high country should be relatively free of snow of this time. Variations in weather are occasionally responsible for later opening of the high trails as well as earlier closing.