Mountain hike · Washington

Mount Rainier: Stevens Canyon & the Skyline Trail day trip

Mount Rainier: Stevens Canyon & the Skyline Trail

Cross the park the long way: Stevens Canyon Road from the east, Myrtle Falls, a picnic at Reflection Lakes, then the Skyline Trail past Glacier Vista and Panorama Point. Includes a shorter turnaround and a bad-weather plan.

Time: About 14 hours
Driving: About 5½–6 hours driving, in one side and out the other
Best time: Late July to late September
Updated: October 11, 2026 at 9:38 PM Pacific

$4 USD

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Pale pink subalpine daisies in a green meadow at Paradise, with the snow-covered summit of Mount Rainier behind — National Park Service · Public domain. July 2019 photograph, taken in midsummer wildflower season; resized and displayed with crop.

Suggested times, not bookings

Your day at a glance

6:00 amSeattle to the Stevens Canyon Entrance
8:45 amStevens Canyon Road
10:30 amParadise & Myrtle Falls
11:45 amReflection Lakes
1:15 pmGlacier Vista
2:15 pmSkyline Trail
5:15 pmOut via Longmire and Ashford

Highlights

Worth the trip

Box Canyon, Martha Falls & Inspiration Point
Myrtle Falls & a Reflection Lakes picnic
Glacier Vista and the full Skyline loop

What’s in the guide

Matching HTML and PDF guides, detailed stop guidance, rules, practical pitfalls, a route map, Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps links, weather alternatives and phone instructions. See an example guide →

Plan for the conditions

Expected seasonal weather

Stevens Canyon and Longmire are noticeably warmer than Paradise, and Panorama Point is colder and windier still. NPS averages at Paradise run about 64°F/44°F in July and August and 57°F/39°F in September, dropping to about 48°F/33°F in October with cool rain, low cloud and possible early snow. Late July and August are usually the driest, sunniest weeks, but rain, fog and wind can arrive on any afternoon, and the upper loop has little shelter. Strong sun on snow and pale rock makes sunburn easy even on cool days. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast before you go.

Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.