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Trail in Mount Rainier National Park

Wonderland Trail

A 93-mile loop that circles Mount Rainier through subalpine meadows, glacial rivers, and old-growth valleys.

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Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Wonderland Trail, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Region
Washington, USA
Country
United States
Biome
Subalpine volcano circuit (1,500–2,000 m)
Best season
Late July – September
Difficulty
moderate
Known for
  • Backpacking
  • Hiking
  • Mountaineering

Key takeaways

  • Biome: Subalpine volcano circuit (1,500–2,000 m)
  • Best season: Late July – September
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Top activity: backpacking
Loading live weather & climate for Wonderland Trail…

Photos of Wonderland Trail

The Wonderland Trail is an approximately 93-mile (150 km) hiking trail that circumnavigates Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, United States. The trail goes over many ridges of
Photo: Wikipedia contributors · See Wikimedia Commons

Topic summary

A 93-mile loop that circles Mount Rainier through subalpine meadows, glacial rivers, and old-growth valleys.

Key takeaways

  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Best season: Late July – September

Intended uses

backpacking

Climate suitability

Subalpine volcano circuit (1,500–2,000 m)

Verification notes

Permit source: NPS — Mount Rainier wilderness permits.

Region
United States
Biome
Subalpine volcano circuit (1,500–2,000 m)
Difficulty
moderate

Tools for a trip here

Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.

backpacking

How to get there

Wonderland Trail is in Washington, USA, United States. Its center point is 46.8523, -121.7603. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.

Popular pursuits at Wonderland Trail

  • Backpacking

    Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.

  • Hiking

    Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.

  • Mountaineering

    Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.

Animals around Wonderland Trail

Browse all wildlife guides →

Maps, GPS & compass for this trip

Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.

Fishing at Wonderland Trail

Planning to fish Wonderland Trail, Washington? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Washington are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.

Do I need a fishing license at Wonderland Trail?

  • A Washington fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
  • Read the current Washington fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
  • Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.

Hunting near Wonderland Trail

Thinking about hunting Wonderland Trail, Washington? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Washington are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.

Is hunting allowed at Wonderland Trail?

  • Confirm the land around Wonderland Trail is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.

What do I need to hunt in Washington?

  • A Washington hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
  • Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
  • Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.

Destination details unavailable

A reliable destination profile for the Wonderland Trail in Washington cannot be completed with the destination-specific information available here. Trail geography, access points, route options, conditions, and management details remain unverified. Confirm these details with the managing agency before making travel plans.

Sample itineraries

  • One-day visit planning outline · 1 day

    Before choosing a Wonderland Trail outing, confirm an access point, a suitable route and current conditions with the managing agency. This is a planning outline, not a verified hiking itinerary.

  • Two-day trip planning outline · 2 days

    Before planning an overnight trip, confirm route suitability, legal overnight locations and access requirements with the managing agency. No specific route or overnight stop can be recommended here.

Seasonal conditions

Spring

Not established

Local spring conditions are not established here. Confirm seasonal access and trail status before choosing dates.

Summer

Not established

Local summer conditions are not established here. Do not assume that a summer date guarantees suitable trail conditions.

Fall

Not established

Local fall conditions are not established here. Confirm access and current conditions before committing to a route.

Winter

Not established

Winter access and route suitability are not established here. Seek managing-agency guidance before planning travel.

Hazards & regulations

  • Route-specific hazards are not established here; obtain current safety information before departure.
  • Access conditions are unverified; confirm that the intended starting point and route are usable.
  • Travel times and route difficulty are unverified; do not use these planning outlines to judge physical demands.

What to pack for Wonderland Trail

Planning documents
  • Current managing-agency route information
  • Verified access information
Trip-specific preparation
  • Equipment checklist matched to confirmed conditions
  • Confirmed overnight requirements, if applicable

Build this list in the gear builder →

Wonderland Trail FAQ

Is this a verified Wonderland Trail destination profile?
No. Route details, access points and local conditions are not established here. The outlines are planning prompts, not navigational guidance.
How long is the trail, and how many days should a trip take?
Neither trail distance nor a suitable trip duration is established here. Confirm route details before setting a schedule.
Where should a trip start?
No access point is verified here. Ask the managing agency which starting points suit the intended route and current conditions.
Are permits or reservations required?
Confirm current permit and reservation requirements directly with the managing agency before committing to a trip.
When is the best time to go?
A reliable seasonal window is not established here. Choose dates only after checking local access, trail conditions and weather guidance.