Paradise: Skyline Trail and Wildflower Meadows

The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center stands here, and several trails in the area begin nearby. Paradise is also home to the historic Paradise Inn, built in 1916.

The Skyline Trail is the essential trail in the Paradise area. This 5.5-mile loop climbs from the main visitor area through subalpine meadows. Early on, you pass Myrtle Falls and then walk through pine forests. The route reaches Panorama Point, which offers wide views over the park, before it loops east and south back to Paradise. Along the way you can see Mount Rainier, its glaciers, and the Tatoosh Range, with glimpses of Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens on clear days.

Paradise is well known for its subalpine wildflower meadows, which typically bloom from late July to early August. Hikers in the heavily used Paradise meadows must stay on the trails, and everyone is asked to avoid fragile meadows, lake shores, and stream banks. The park has over 260 miles of maintained trails that lead through old-growth forest and up to subalpine meadows, so day hikers have plenty of choices. Never hike alone, carry the Ten Essentials, and tell someone your plans.

For a shorter outing, the Nisqually Vista Trail is a 1.2-mile loop that starts at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. It is mostly paved and easy, with a few short climbs, and it passes through a high-country meadow. The views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier are close and open. It makes a good add-on before or after a longer hike like the Skyline Trail, and it suits families with young children.