My family was visiting, and they’d never hiked before. We wanted to show them Mount Rainier, but we also wanted a beginner-friendly trail with wildflower meadows and views of Rainier. Naches Peak Loop Trail checked all the boxes. We hiked it on a nice, sunny weekday, when only a few people were on the trail. Our 4-year-old hiked most of the trail except for a few yards, where we saw a bear right on the trail. We carried her past that point.
Quick Facts
- Distance: 3.5 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 669 feet
- Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass or Annual Mount Rainier National Park Pass
- Kid-friendly: Yes. Best for ages 5+
- Bathrooms: Vault Toilets at Trailhead
- Time Needed: 3-4 hours with young kids
- Parking: Dedicated lot with ample spots
Great views of blue, blue waters and ridges (Photo by Vizhi Thirusangu)
Our Experience
We started hiking around noon from the Tipsoo Lake parking lot and headed clockwise.
First, we were stunned by the vibrant wildflower meadows around Tipsoo Lake. The area was dense with flowers. We walked around the lake to take in the views from all sides, then continued uphill toward Naches Peak.
A few yards into the trail from the Tipsoo Lake area, we reached the roadside. A footbridge let us safely cross SR 410, and then the trail continued to climb gently toward Naches Peak. From here, the path was flat and sandy, with a gentle climb, along the mountain’s edge with steep drop-offs to the left (when climbing clockwise). We made sure our daughter held our hands the whole time until we passed the steep drop-off section. About ½ a mile in, it became pretty flat and exposed, with little shade and wildflower meadows to the left.
This trail definitely slowed us down because of one feature: the soft sand that runs throughout the trail. My daughter sat down often to play with it. She picked up sticks and drew lines in the sand as she walked.
This hike surprised us with numerous unnamed pond-like lakes along the trail, and a major view of the stunning, deep blue Dewey Lake—well worth a pause to take in the view and take photos. The trail splits about a mile in at Dewey Lake Campground.
Next, we reached the major transition spot where we hiked around the corner of the mountain to the other side. After about five minutes of hiking, we reached a nice open area where majestic Mount Rainier came into view like a perfect photo backdrop. We spent a good amount of time here taking family pictures.
(Photo by Vizhi Thirusangu)
A surprise off the path
Just then, a fellow hiker alerted us to a bear sighting about 10 minutes up the trail. In that instant, we knew that we had to stay closely together, hold our daughter’s hand, and prepare her by reminding her of the bear safety rules.
A couple of other families were on the trail, and we stayed together. We spotted the black bear foraging about 50 yards uphill from the trail (pretty close), and my husband instantly carried our daughter on his shoulders. I held my bear spray in my right hand and unlocked it. The bear was minding its own business, and when it sensed people, it moved farther away uphill. I’m glad it was a gentle experience.
From there, the hike down was pretty easy, with constant views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams in the distance to our left. The huckleberry bushes were full of fruit, and we came across hikers foraging for berries. This portion of the loop was shaded and cool, which made the hike down easier.
The entire loop is mostly flat, with gentle elevation changes in small sections and no abrupt climbs that would tire us out. This makes it a strong choice for beginners and families with young children ages 5+.
Amenities & Accessibility
Picnic tables are available at the Tipsoo Lake parking lot, along with vault toilets.
Parent Tips
- How long to plan for: Plan for 3-4 hours if you hike with young kids
- Best time to visit: Take this hike June through October
- What to pack: Pack plenty of snacks, sun protection, and drinking water.
- Footwear: High-rise, waterproof hiking boots are recommended, since the trail is full of soft red sand that sifts through the mesh portion of other types of shoes.
- Adult Clothing: Wear full-length leggings to keep the soft dirt sand off your legs.
- Kids’ clothing: They will definitely get dirty with all the fine sand. Be prepared to see them dirty.
Would We Come Back?
We did this in peak summer with wildflowers; we’ll go back in the fall to experience the area’s fall colors. This is a perfect pick for beginners and families with young children ages 5+.
