Hiking

There are more than 260 miles of maintained trails in Mount Rainier National Park, leading through old-growth forests and high subalpine meadows. Park officials ask that day hikers limit their party size to no more than 12 people per group, and day hikers are encouraged to stay on designated trails so as not to do any ecological damage to their surroundings; hikers are required to stay on trails in busy Paradise, Sunrise, and Tipsoo Lake Meadows. During the busy summer months, some flexibility with plans is important as some trailhead parking lots may fill. Overflow parking is not permitted. For information on trail conditions, check out the [trails and backcountry camp conditions page](http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/trails-and-backcountry-camp-conditions.htm) at the Mount Rainier National Park site. While permits are not required for day hikes, any overnight backcountry camping does require a permit, so plan ahead. In the summer, hikers can obtain permits at any ranger station during normal business hours. In the winter, permits are available at the Longmire Museum every day and the Jackson Visitor Center on weekends.  Hikers attempting all or part of the famed 100-mile loop Wonderland Trail should plan particularly far in advance as campground reservations fill up quickly.