VISIT MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK WITH YOUR DOG
Of the three national parks in Washington, I think Mount (Mt.) Rainier National Park is the hardest one to visit with a dog. My Trusty Pup Ruby and I visited over Christmas in 2021, and we were limited in what trails we could take due to the enormous amount of snow, and because very few trails at Mt./Mount Rainier National Park are dog friendly. We still found some places to walk and play in the snow, but it would have been nice to have a list dog-friendly trails at Mount Rainier National Park beforehand. Read on to see if I think Mt. Rainier is the dog friendliest of Washington’s three national parks.
Want to find out what I think about other national parks? I compiled a guide to the top dog-friendly national parks.
North Cascades and Olympic National Parks both have surrounding national forest/ national recreation area land, and are more dog-friendly. Read on to see which trails you can bring your dog on.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
IS MT. RAINIER DOG FRIENDLY?
Mount Rainier National Park (MRNP) is home to the tallest mountain in Washington state, at over 14,000 feet. It’s actually a volcano and receives an enormous amount of snowfall each year. I would not consider Mt. Rainier National Park a very dog-friendly national park, because unlike Redwoods, Olympic or Congaree, there are not as many roads or trails that your dog can join you on.
However, many, many of the cabins are dog-friendly in the surrounding towns of Packwood and Ashford, and are more affordable than other woodsy areas of the state. You may find it easiest to bring your puppo for a walk and drive around Longmire, and leave them at the cabin while you hike.
DOG-FRIENDLY HIKES IN MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
As with any park or trail, you and your dogs should be courteous BARK Rangers. Dogs must remain leashed, pack plenty of water, and pick up and pack out after your dog. I’ve linked each hike to its Washington Trails Association trail page. Be sure to read the directions, notes and trip reports thoroughly to evaluate if this hike is appropriate for the fitness level of you and your dog.
I also use the Mountaineers Day Hikes: Mount Rainier book (af link) before each hike to see if the hike is dog-friendly, and if it’s accessible during winter. You can also refer to Mt Rainier National Park, Wa Green Trails Map (af link). Some roads or passes may be closed for the season due to snow.
LONGMIRE HISTORIC DISTRICT
Mount Rainier National Park: ~1 mile, little elevation gain. Interagency or National Park Pass required.
This is one of the only dog-friendly loops/trails within the park. In national parks, dogs are typically allowed wherever cars are allowed. This paved road through historic Longmire allows dogs, although be sure to keep an eye out for cars and kids. The self-guided walking tour will take about an hour.
BERTHA MAY AND GRANITE LAKE
Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, 3 miles, 900 ft elevation gain, NW Foret Pass or Interagency Pass required
This easy hike is good for kids, dogs and beginning hikers. There are no recent trip reports on the WTA site, so it has low visitation. If you are traveling with an anxious dog and/or kiddos, this is a good hike at the beginning of the season.
HIGH HUT
Mt. Rainier area/Washington State DNR, 5.5 miles RT, 1600 ft elevation gain, Discover Pass required
While not technically in the national park, this ridge road hike gives tremendous views of Mt. Rainier at the end. The aforementioned hut is available for camping with prior reservations. This is one of the top hikes on my to-hike list!
Update March 2024: There seems to be online discussion of the allowability of dogs on trails within the Mt. Tahoma Trails Association purview. It seems High Hut is allowable but Copper Creek may not. I recommend your own research, and pay attention to signage at the trailhead.
SURPRISE LAKE
Carbon River/Mowich, 4 miles RT, 1,444 ft elevation gain, Private land/no pass required
This hike follows a forest service road entirely on private land. You likely won’t run into very many other hikers. Be respectful of the land as you hike to the lake.
NOBLE KNOB
Mt. Rainier Area/Mt. Baker Snoqualmie NF, 5 miles, 950 ft elevation gain, NW Forest Pass/Interagency pass required
This trail has three different potential starting points off of a forest service road. Despite the humble beginnings, you get terrific views of all of the peaks around Mt. Rainier. This trail does not have many trip reports so it is unlikely to be crowded. Consider bringing Green Trails 239 for Lester, Wash., map with you, since this trail crosses several others.
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT
Mt. Rainier/Enumclaw area, various elevations and lengths, no pass required
I had no idea until writing this blog that Crystal Mountain was dog-friendly! Crystal is a ski resort on the side of Mt. Rainier that in the summer allows dogs in its gondola and on its hiking trails. I’m not sure how Ruby would do in a gondola, but if your dog is not a chaos agent, check out the trails at Crystal in the summer. Full map here.
NOT DOG-FRIENDLY TRAILS IN MT. RAINIER
Dogs are not allowed at the Paradise area or on the Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier National Park. Consider leaving your dog at home or finding another trail if your dog is anxious around crowds, people, and other dogs.
DOG-FRIENDLY PLACES TO STAY AT MT. RAINIER
Mount Rainier National Park is fairly remote and does not have the typical chain hotels you might find near other parks. Seattle is 2-3 hours away from the park. You could certainly stay in the city and do a day trip up to MRNP, although given the time it takes to reach the trailhead, you may want to stay closer. Large cities are Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. Smaller cities are Randle, Elbe, Packwood and Ashford. On the eastern side of the park, Yakima (airport) or Enumclaw.
Chipmunk Cabin, Packwood: This cabin has over 250 five-star reviews so you know it’s good! This is close to the Cowlitz River, which is a great place to walk your dog as well. It has two bedrooms, a hot tub, fireplace, many amenities, and a reasonable pet fee of $25/day. Rates from $179 (so affordable!!).
Nanook’s Retreat, Packwood: Another very affordable cabin, with access to the country club’s outdoor pool and facilities for a slight charge. Also near the Cowlitz River for ample walkies with your pet. A very very reasonable pet fee of $15/pet per day, and rates from $110.
Cozy Packwood Ski Cabin near White Pass and Mt Rainier, Packwood: This cabin is close to White Pass Ski Resort, and while small is also very reasonably priced for the area. Dogs under 50 pounds are allowed for a $50 pet fee.
Cowlitz River Lodge, Packwood: If a hotel is more your style, check out this basic hotel walking distance to Packwood. The lobby has coffee and popcorn, and it has air conditioning in the summer as well. Herds of elk are known to visit the large lawn in front in the evenings. Rates from $150, pet fee may be additional.
Eagle’s Nest Cabin with Fenced in Yard, Ashford: Three-bedroom cabin with a fully fenced in yard! It’s hard to find a fenced in yard near Mt. Rainier. Rates from $186 and a $50 pet fee. Well worth it for a fence!
Niqually Lodge, Ashford: Another basic motel near the entrance of MRNP. Not all rooms are pet friendly, so be sure to book a pet friendly room via Booking. Rates from $169.
Wits End Retreat @ Mt. Rainier, Ashford: How cute is this cabin. You know it’s pet-friendly when the owner provides blankets to cover the couch! This location has a trail down to the Nisqually River so you can frolic in the (cold) water with your pup. Or check out the hot tub if you want to frolic in the water. Rates from $247 with a $35 pet fee.
Alexander’s Lodge, Ashford: I looked at this historic hotel for Christmas a few years ago, but it sold out before we could book it. This is very close to the entrance of MRNP, has electric car charging stations, and many pet-friendly rooms. Alexander’s Lodge also looks very cute! Rates from $170.
Tranquil, Nostalgic Riverfront Property on 1/2 acre on White Pass, Naches: Take a step back in time with this house near White Pass. You and your doggo will be near the river, whitewater rafting, hiking and hunting activities. Rates from $175.
LOGE Alta Crystal, Enumclaw: This ski hotel near Crystal Mountain lets pets stay FREE! Relax on your balcony or by the outdoor pool. It also has a shuttle for you (not your doggo though) to the ski resort. Unlike the Packwood and Ashford listings, this is near the Sunrise entrance to the park.
PARK TRAVEL TIPS THAT WILL BE HELPFUL:
Visit Rainier has some pet-friendly guidelines and other activities near the park.
Crystal Mountain Gondolas are dog-friendly in the summer. Let your puppo pretend she is a bird for once.
Other Crystal Mountain activities your dog can enjoy include stand up paddleboarding? BRB, teaching Ruby to swim.
Find other dog friendly national parks, like North Cascades (very dog friendly), Redwoods (one of the most dog friendly) and Congaree (THE most friendly!).
Check out my top ten dog-friendly National Parks guide.
Want to read more about taking my dog to the national parks? All of my dog-friendly posts are here.
I acknowledge the Mt. Rainier National Park is is on the Ancestral homeland of the Cowlitz, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, Yakama, and Coast Salish people.
