The Outstanding Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park

The most prominent feature in the state of Washington is Mount Rainier’s towering glacier-capped volcano. Standing at 14,410 feet high with almost blinding intensity, the park’s centerpiece is jaw-droppingly beautiful. And the best day hike to experience it in its full glory is the Skyline Trail Mount Rainier National Park. 

Skyline Trail Mount Rainier National Park
The beginning of the Skyline Trail Mount Rainier – first looks at the mighty mountain.

Everything You Need to Know about Hiking Skyline Trail Mt Rainier

Below are all the details you need to know to plan your hike and don’t forget to keep reading for our detailed account and pictures below. 

Skyline Trail Hike Distance: 5.5-mile loop.

Skyline Trail Mt Rainier Elevation Gain:  1,700 feet.

Skyline Trail Mt Rainier Difficulty: Strenuous with sections of snow even in the summer months.

Length of Time: 4 1/2 Hours. More if you take a lot of pictures and videos like us.

Best Time of Year: Summer.

Mt Rainier Skyline Trail Weather: The park is open all year long (many closures during winter months) with its peak busy months being July and August, the warmest months of the year. The climate is usually cool and rainy with average temps in the 60s and 70s in the summer. The coldest months are January, February, March, and December with an average of 121 snowy days totaling 670 average inches a year. 

*Check with the rangers on the Skyline Trail conditions before departing for the hike.*

Sun Exposure: All sun, no shade.

Trailhead: Near the north side of the upper parking lot, next to the visitor center. 

Pets: No pets allowed.

Bathrooms: Bathrooms at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center and a pit toilet at Panorama Point Mt Rainier during summer only. 

Parking: Adjacent to the Visitor Center in the Paradise section of the park.

RELATED: ANOTHER AWESOME HIKE IN MT RAINIER – TOLMIE PEAK TRAIL

Pink wildflowers on the Skyline Trail Mount Rainier in Washington.
Wildflowers season in Mount Rainier National Park is usually from mid-July through August.

HIKING TIPS:

  • Begin the hike early for fewer people on the trail and parking availability.
  • Pack out all trash. 
  • The trail can be closed or washed out with snow so make sure to check trail conditions beforehand.
  • Also, take a look at our recommended guide for Sunrise Area in Mt Rainier.
  • Stay at least 100 yards from all wildlife on your visit. That means no close selfies!
  • Stay on the trail and do not pick any wildflowers! Remember all plants, rocks, and artifacts should remain in the park and unharmed. 
  • Pets are not allowed on trails in Mount Rainier National Park.
Snow on the Skyline Trail Mount Rainier.
Even in the summer, you’ll find snow at the top of the Skyline Trail in Washington.

WHAT TO PACK AND WHAT TO WEAR: You’ll want to dress in layers as the temps can change quickly. Plus, even though you’ll be sweating on the steep climb up, you’ll be cool in the beginning and on the way down.

Wear sturdy trail runners or hiking shoes, carry a lightweight daypack (click to see a recommended bag), and put on sunscreen before you head out.

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For the hike, you’ll want to pack the following:

  • Water (the NPS recommends two quarts per person for a two-hour hike)
  • Snacks and lunch
  • Hat and/or Sunglasses
  • Camera or GoPro

We have been fortunate to visit some of the most stunning and jaw-dropping landscapes of America and Canada. Read about our other national park experiences of the trip:

Mount Rainier National Park

What It’s Like to Hike the Skyline Trail Mount Rainier

You’ll find the Skyline Loop Trail in one of the most popular areas of the park, Paradise. Aptly named for its spectacular views and glorious meadows.

It sits at 5,400 feet on the south slope of the mountain and was named by Virinda Longmire in 1885. She was overwhelmed with its paramount beauty as the wildflowers bloomed and exclaimed, “Oh, what a paradise!”

The area is accessed through the Nisqually entrance and it is highly recommended to arrive early for your visit.

With limited time to explore, we are always on a mission to find the best hikes. Mixing it up from easy to strenuous hikes with various scenery, the national parks never disappoint.

The Skyline Loop Trail is one of our favorite hikes within Mount Rainier National Park. See the Skyline Trail map below. 

Skyline Trail Loop, Via the High Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail loop via the High Skyline Trail combines all the best the area has to offer: wildflowers, waterfalls, creeks, glaciers, and up-close views of Mount Rainier.

Fortunately, we had perfect 70-degree temps and sunshine throughout the day. Hopefully, if you visit in the summer you will too. 

Mount Rainier National Park mountain with a stream landscape.

Wildflowers in Mount Rainier National Park
Wildflowers bursting along the Skyline Loop Trail in Washington.

In late July and early August, it is a wildflower extravaganza in Mount Rainier National Park.

The beginning of the trail will lead you through meadows of subalpine wildflowers providing a colorful foreground to the striking mountain.

The park is home to an array of flowers: Rosy spirea, avalanche lilies, Western pasque, lousewort, magenta paintbrush, and purple lupine.

Wildflowers in Mount Rainier National Park
Wildflowers on the Skyline Trail Mt Rainier National Park.

Much of the lower portion of the trail is packed gravel and easy to navigate.

Next, you’ll pass two waterfalls: Myrtle Falls and Sluiskin Falls, along with a few creeks before a constant ascent to the snow-covered part of the trail.

Skyline Trail Mount Rainier National Park
The Skyline Trail Mount Rainier is one of the best hikes in the park.
Mount Rainier National Park
Small waterfall on the Skyline Loop Trail
Skyline Trail Loop in Mount Rainier National Park
Skyline Trail Loop has view after view!

Don’t even bother putting your camera away because the views keep exploding with every step. With all the greenery, it’s hard to imagine the amount of snow that accumulates here throughout the year.

Because of its close proximity to the ocean, Mount Rainier is a magnet for storms and has an average snowfall of 640 inches a year. The record high was during the 1971-72 season with 1,122 inches on record almost completely burying the inn!

A view from Skyline Trail to Panorama Point in Mount Rainier National Park.
Panorama Point Mt Rainier National Park
Skyline Trail to Panorama Point
Stairs on the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point in Mt Rainier.
Skyline Trail to Panorama Point
Skyline Trail Mt Rainier Difficulty: Strenuous with sections of snow even in the summer months.

As you continue to climb, the views will keep growing more inspiring and impressive.

At 6,800 feet high, reaching Panorama Point was the pinnacle of the hike.

Up close and personal is Mt. Rainier on one side and expansive views of Paradise Valley, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and even Mount Hood in the distance on the other side.

Skyline Trail Mt Rainier Difficulty is strenuous with snow still sometimes on the ground even in summer.
Snow still on the mountain on Skyline Trail to Panorama Point in Mount Rainier.
The top of Mt Rainier
Would you take a look at that view?!

Spend some quality time up here taking in all the breathtaking views. You’ve earned it! 

A picture at the top of the Skyline Loop Trail.
Dang Travelers at the top of the Skyline Loop Trail. It’s so strange to be in a tank top surrounded by snow!

It took us about 4 ½ hours to complete the loop including stops for pictures and lunch.

You can easily see why we think the Skyline hike is one of the best day hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. It is challenging yet rewarding, and it was one of our favorite days in the park!

And we are not the only ones. Recent reviews are as follows: 

“We have hiked many NP trails and this one gets into the top three trails of all time (so far!). If you are only going to do one thing at Mt. Rainier, this is it. It IS strenuous but little kids and adults in their 70s were doing it—just at a slower pace. It is so beautiful you will forget all about the effort to get to the top once you are there.”

“Such a lovely walk, can be quite steep at the start but definitely worth it the views are stunning and you can then go onto different walks from here.”

Leaving the Paradise Section in Mt Rainier

HOT TIP: Don’t let your day end here, on the way out make sure to stop at Narada Falls and Reflection Lake. 

Mount Rainier National Park
Narada Falls in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Reflection Lake in Mt Rainier National Park

Do you have a favorite hike in Mount Rainier National Park? Tell us in the comments below. 

And don’t forget to sign up below to be the first to know when a new post comes out so you can follow along on our adventures!

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The Skyline Trail loop via the High Skyline Trail combines all the best the area has to offer: wildflowers, waterfalls, creeks, glaciers, and up-close views of the mountain range. It is the best day hike in Mount Rainier National Park. #nationalpark #hike

The 5.5 mile Skyline Trail Loop in Mount Rainier National Park should be on every hiker's bucket list. With cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, and blooming wildflowers it is a must-do trail. #mountrainier #washington

Skyline Trail Pin

 

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Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

14 Responses

  1. Chris Travels

    Looks like you had perfect weather at Mt. Ranier National Park with that flawless blue sky in your photos. Consider yourselves lucky, because it’s been known to be shrouded in fog quite often. In fact, my family was on the nearby interstate as we headed east out of Seattle 25 years ago. We were contemplating the turnoff for the park, but because the day was overcast and barely caught a glimpse of the mountain, we decided to pass on by. I always kind of regretted our decision because we were “right there”, and after seeing your photos…big mistake.

    • Dang Travelers

      You are so right Chris. We were told about the fog a few times, thankfully it was beautiful clear skies the entire week. It was hot the first day of hiking, but then cooled down. Hopefully you’ll get back at some point!

    • Dang Travelers

      Thanks Jessica! We just LOVED Mt Rainier NP. I thought it was going to feel small with the focus only on Mt Rainier, but it has so many other things to offer.

  2. Natalie

    It is a stunning mountain. I had no idea it was surrounded by wildflowers. It sounds like there are trails appropriate for little kids (with the difficulty ratings from easy to hard). That’s good to know, as I would like to take my kids on some easy hikes before too long.

  3. Sarah Stierch

    Absolutely gorgeous – it almost looks unreal. I have seen Mount Rainier but haven’t “visited” it yet. So thanks for the inspiration.

  4. Francesca

    My goodness, your pictures are stunning! I’ve seen Mt. Rainier only from above (airplanes) and afar. What an amazingly epic experience you Dang Travelers had 😉

  5. Christina

    The views from Mount Rainer National Park look postcard perfect. What a rewarding hike the skyline trail must have been.

    • Dang Travelers

      It is a beautiful hike and Mount Rainier is definitely the star! Every picture we took that day we kept saying the same thing! It almost looks like a backdrop!

  6. Indrani

    4 1/2 hours in the park is well spent! The experience seems to be enriching.
    Mindblowing views from the panorama point!

  7. Teara

    Thanks for the recommendation! We have one day to spend at Mt. Rainier going from Seattle to Glacier and I found this post on Pinterest, printed your map and we are going to hike the Skyline Trail.
    On a side note, I was looking at your beautiful pictures and thought, “Man that looks like Dave.” Then I noticed his name was Dave, so I read your bio. It’s a small world- I went to school with him. He was in my brother’s class.

    • Dang Travelers

      What a small small world! Dave said hello to you and Justin. So happy you are checking out the hike. Let us know how it goes. Hope you have a good weather day!

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