Wonderland Trail

Mount Rainier National Park (common starts: Longmire, Sunrise, Mowich Lake)

Check before you go. Check before you go: the park's alerts page (updated Oct. 13, 2026) says the Wonderland Trail is closed from the Carbon River Suspension Bridge to White River Campground, along with the Northern Loop Trail and all Grand Park area trails, because of the 2026 Wonderland Complex and Grand Park 2 fires, which it expects to burn until extinguished naturally. A Sept. 5, 2026, closure order (effective until further notice) lists the trail from Frozen Lake to the Carbon River suspension bridge and camps including Mystic Lake, Granite Creek, Dick Creek, Fire Creek and Berkeley Park. Sunrise Road is closed to private vehicles for the rest of 2026, and NPS says White River Road stays open until its normal winter closure Oct. 26, 2026, weather permitting. WTA reported the Summerland trailhead closed Sept. 28-Oct. 31, 2026, for bridge replacement. The SR 165 Fairfax Bridge, the only road to Mowich Lake and Carbon River, has been closed since April 2025; no 2026 reopening was found.

The Wonderland Trail circles Mount Rainier in about 93 miles, crossing the ridges and glacial river valleys that radiate from the volcano. onX notes it was completed in 1915 and designated a National Recreation Trail in 1981.

The Mountaineers list about 25,500 feet of gain and a season of July through October. Many hikers start at Longmire, Sunrise, or Mowich Lake.

The hike

onX describes the loop counterclockwise from Longmire. The trail crosses the Tahoma Creek drainage, which a 2020 trip report says is spanned by a suspension bridge, and climbs to Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground, where onX says the park’s oldest ranger cabin dates to 1915. It continues past Devils Dream and Pyramid Creek camps to Klapatche Park and Saint Andrews Lake around mile 12, then drops to the North Puyallup and continues past Golden Lakes to the South Mowich River corridor and Eagle’s Roost Camp, around mile 22.

The northwest corner leads to the Carbon River and the Carbon Glacier, which onX calls “the lowest glacier on the mountain at roughly 3,500’.” From there the trail climbs past Mystic Lake, Granite Creek, and Berkeley Park to Sunrise and White River. This is the section the park closed in 2026 for wildfires.

South of White River, the trail climbs to Summerland and crosses Panhandle Gap, then descends to Indian Bar. A 2020 trip reporter called Panhandle Gap, Summerland, and Indian Bar the trip’s highlight. The trail then follows the Ohanapecosh drainage, crosses the Cowlitz Divide, and passes Reflection Lakes and the Paradise River on the way back to Longmire.

NPS warns that “major glacial rivers may have washed-out bridges” and that river levels rise during the day, so morning crossings are usually safer. The 2020 trip report describes a barkless log at the South Mowich River and a high-water detour at the White River.

Most camps are 3 to 7 miles apart, according to Where the Road Forks, and its author advises checking gain between sites. CleverHiker warns that “it is common for hikers to take on too much trail between campsites.” Where the Road Forks lists the Spray Park alternate on the northwest side at 16 miles. Mowich Lake, a common starting point, has had no road access since the Fairfax Bridge closed in 2025.

For another long volcano loop in the South Cascades, see the Loowit Trail around Mount St. Helens.

Tips

Enter the lottery. The Big Outside calls the early access lottery “quite possibly the only chance” at a full-loop permit.
Stay flexible. About a third of summer permits are walk-ups, issued the day before or day of a trip.
Hang your food. Bear poles are at the camps; NPS strongly recommends canisters in some subalpine camps.
Cross rivers early. NPS says to turn back if a crossing looks too hazardous.
Check closures before you plan your start. The 2026 fire closure affects the north side.

Camping

Wonderland hikers must camp in designated trailside camps; NPS says cross-country camping isn’t allowed for them. Individual sites hold up to five people, and groups of 6 to 12 must use group sites. Stay up to four consecutive nights in one camp. Campfires are banned in the wilderness; gas and alcohol stoves are fine, but wood-burning stoves aren’t. Pets aren’t allowed on park trails. Use camp toilets and pack out toilet paper. Permits are required year-round.

Inside Intel: Where the Road Forks calls Summerland “possibly the most popular camp in the entire park” and Indian Bar a “beautiful camp,” and suggests South Mowich River for a stormy night because of its shelter and tree cover. A 2020 Oregon Hikers forum reporter said “Isput Creek CG was my favorite,” citing large, flat sites and nearby water.

Trail facts

Distance: About 93 miles (NPS, Mountaineers)
Route type: Loop
Difficulty: Very strenuous
Campsites: Designated camps every 3 to 7 miles, including Devils Dream, Klapatche Park, North Puyallup, South Mowich, Ipsut Creek, Mystic Lake, Sunrise, Summerland, Indian Bar, Nickel Creek, Paradise River
Water: At or near most camps; treat all water
Permits: Mount Rainier wilderness permit (lottery, April 25 reservations, or walk-up)
Food storage: Bear poles at camps; canister recommended in some subalpine camps
Fires: Prohibited; stoves only
Dogs: Not allowed
Trailheads: Longmire, Sunrise/White River, Mowich Lake (road access closed), and others
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

Panhandle Gap to Indian Bar:

One Wonderland guide writer hit freezing rain and ice crystals at Devil's Dream camp on a September trip. See the sleeping bags testers trust on cold nights.

Read the full guide →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.