Summerland meadow in yellow wildflowers below snowfields, with Mount Rainier's glacier-capped summit on the right under a clear summer sky

Wonderland Trail Itinerary: 10 Days, Permits and Camps

93 miles (150 km) around Mount Rainier, 27,000 feet (8,230 m) of climbing and a permit you need to plan in February.

94.1 mi · 10 days · Hard
By

Photo: Abhinaba Basu from Redmond, United States, CC BY 2.0

The Wonderland Trail is a loop of 93 miles (150 km) around Mount Rainier, with about 27,000 feet (8,230 m) of climbing and the same amount of descent, through lowland forest, river valleys and high alpine ground. You cross a river valley, climb out, and do it again: the park's own description is "strenuous", and no day is flat.

The park publishes camps and the distance and climb between each pair of them, not a fixed itinerary. This page uses a 10-day clockwise loop from Longmire with 9 nights, because the park's mileages run clockwise from Longmire and 10 days keeps every day under 12 miles (19 km). Every distance and climb is the sum of the park's own segments between camps, not a measurement, so the 10 legs add up to 94.1 miles (151.4 km) and 27,154 feet (8,277 m) of climbing, a little more than the park's headline 93 miles (150 km) and 27,000 feet (8,230 m). It skips the Spray Park alternate between Mowich Lake and the Carbon River, which day 5 describes.

The decision that matters is the permit, and it comes months before the hike: the early-access lottery opens in February, and the full circuit is hard to assemble after it. Current note (checked 1 November 2026): the park's alerts page says the Wonderland Trail is closed by fire from the Carbon River Suspension Bridge to Frozen Lake near Sunrise, with the camps in between, while its trail conditions page says the trail is closed from the Carbon River to Summerland. The SR165 Fairfax Bridge outside the park is closed too, so there is no road to Carbon River or Mowich Lake and no food caching at Mowich Lake. The trail conditions page also says no full Wonderland Trail circuit permits will be issued until further notice. Read both pages before you apply, and again before you leave.

The Route on the Map

Each day in its own color, with the start and every night's stop numbered along the way.

Loading map...

Elevation Profile

Highest 6,770 ft (2,065 m) · lowest 2,440 ft (743 m)

6,770 ft2,440 ft123456789
0 mi94.1 mi (151 km)

Route line: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), simplified. Elevations: USGS 3D Elevation Program (public domain).

Day by Day

10 legs and 9 nights on the way, each in a different place.

  1. Day 1

    Day 1: Longmire to Devil's Dream

    Longmire TrailheadtoDevil's Dream Camp

    Distance
    5.8 mi 9.3 km
    Up
    2,650 ft 809 m
    Down
    370 ft 112 m

    A short day on purpose: 5.8 miles (9.3 km) and 2,654 feet (809 m) of climbing, so you can collect and activate the permit at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center and still arrive in daylight. A Longmire food cache only helps if you start somewhere else, because this loop passes Longmire at the start and the end. The park lists Pyramid Creek Camp at 3.3 miles (5.3 km) if you want to stop early, and Devil's Dream at 4,997 feet (1,523 m).

    Sleep
    Devil's Dream Camp · Backcountry campsite · How to book
    Water
    A source near the camp is listed by the park; Pyramid Creek camp is at 3.3 miles (5.3 km).Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  2. Day 2

    Day 2: Devil's Dream to Klapatche Park

    Devil's Dream CamptoKlapatche Park Camp

    Distance
    10.6 mi 17.1 km
    Up
    4,000 ft 1,219 m
    Down
    3,500 ft 1,067 m

    The first hard day: 10.6 miles (17.1 km) with 4,000 feet (1,219 m) of climbing and 3,500 feet (1,067 m) of descent. You drop to South Puyallup River Camp at 4,266 feet (1,300 m) after 6.5 miles (10.5 km) and climb again to Klapatche Park at 5,504 feet (1,678 m). Klapatche Park has no group site. If this is too much, South Puyallup River Camp, 6.5 miles (10.5 km) in, is the place to stop.

    Sleep
    Klapatche Park Camp · Backcountry campsite · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park, including South Puyallup River Camp on the way.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  3. Day 3

    Day 3: Klapatche Park to Golden Lakes

    Klapatche Park CamptoGolden Lakes Camp

    Distance
    7.7 mi 12.4 km
    Up
    2,000 ft 610 m
    Down
    2,500 ft 762 m

    The shortest real day of the loop, 7.7 miles (12.4 km) past North Puyallup River Camp at 3,729 feet (1,137 m). The park counts 1,900 feet (580 m) of climbing between North Puyallup River and Golden Lakes, so the afternoon is steep even though the day is short. Golden Lakes sits at 4,942 feet (1,506 m).

    Sleep
    Golden Lakes Camp · Backcountry campsite · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  4. Mowich Lake, deep blue under fir trees, with a weathered, broken wooden dock and a patch of snow on the shore
    Day 4

    Day 4: Golden Lakes to Mowich Lake

    Golden Lakes CamptoMowich Lake Campground

    Distance
    10.2 mi 16.4 km
    Up
    2,600 ft 792 m
    Down
    2,700 ft 823 m

    You lose 2,400 feet (731 m) to South Mowich River Camp at 2,798 feet (853 m) and then regain 2,400 feet (731 m) in 4.4 miles (7.1 km) to Mowich Lake at 4,939 feet (1,505 m). This is the one big dip-and-climb of the day. Mowich Lake is a trailhead and a non-wilderness campground that the park lists among the Wonderland camps; choose it as a camp when you build the itinerary on Recreation.gov. The park currently says there is no road access from the SR165 Fairfax Bridge side and no food caching here, so everything you need from Longmire to White River (days 1 to 6) goes in your pack.

    Sleep
    Mowich Lake Campground · Campground · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park; Mowich Lake is a non-wilderness campground.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go

    Photo: Mount Rainier National Park, public domain

  5. Mount Rainier's snowfields above dark subalpine firs and low heather in Spray Park, the alternate route on this day
    Day 5

    Day 5: Mowich Lake to Dick Creek

    Mowich Lake CampgroundtoDick Creek Camp

    Distance
    10.9 mi 17.5 km
    Up
    2,700 ft 823 m
    Down
    3,500 ft 1,067 m

    The longest descent of the first half, then a climb: 10.9 miles (17.5 km) in total, 3,000 feet (914 m) down to Ipsut Creek Campground at 2,473 feet (754 m), then 1,300 feet (396 m) up to Carbon River Camp and 1,000 feet (305 m) more to Dick Creek at 4,132 feet (1,259 m). The park's trail reports mention 150-plus blowdowns on the Northern Loop near its junction with the Wonderland Trail at the Carbon River, and a river bar with no defined trail on the Carbon Glacier Trail, marked with orange flagging.

    The Spray Park alternate is 8.5 miles (13.7 km) from Mowich Lake to Carbon River Camp via Eagle's Roost and Cataract Valley camps, with 2,200 feet (671 m) of climbing against 1,700 feet (518 m) on the main trail. The fire closure in the introduction covers most of this day and the next two, so they depend on the park reopening the trail.

    Sleep
    Dick Creek Camp · Backcountry campsite · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park; the camps on this day are Ipsut Creek, Carbon River and Dick Creek.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go

    Photo: Mount Rainier National Park, public domain

  6. Day 6

    Day 6: Dick Creek to Granite Creek

    Dick Creek CamptoGranite Creek Camp

    Distance
    7.8 mi 12.6 km
    Up
    3,600 ft 1,097 m
    Down
    1,800 ft 549 m

    A day with 3,600 feet (1,097 m) of climbing in 7.8 miles (12.6 km), mostly in the first half to Mystic Camp at 5,595 feet (1,705 m), then a smaller climb to Granite Creek at 5,858 feet (1,785 m). It is the highest night of this itinerary. If the weather turns, the park lists Mystic Camp 3.7 miles (6.0 km) in as the earlier stop.

    Sleep
    Granite Creek Camp · Backcountry campsite · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park; Mystic Camp is on the way.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  7. Day 7

    Day 7: Granite Creek to White River

    Granite Creek CamptoWhite River Campground

    Distance
    8.1 mi 13.0 km
    Up
    1,500 ft 457 m
    Down
    3,100 ft 945 m

    A gentler day: 8.1 miles (13.0 km) with 1,500 feet (457 m) up and 3,100 feet (945 m) down. You pass Sunrise Camp at 6,256 feet (1,907 m) and the Sunrise parking lot, which the park lists 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the trail at mile 57.4. White River Campground is where the park holds your food cache (caches are mailed to the White River Wilderness Information Center and rangers carry them to the campground; there is no pick-up at the information center itself), and the Day Lodge at Sunrise may be open for basic supplies, so it is the only resupply on this plan after Longmire, six days of food in.

    Sleep
    White River Campground · Campground · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park; White River is a non-wilderness campground.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  8. Mount Rainier's glaciers above a gray rock basin and a small tarn, on the climb toward Panhandle Gap
    Day 8

    Day 8: White River to Indian Bar

    White River CampgroundtoIndian Bar Camp

    Distance
    11.7 mi 18.8 km
    Up
    3,500 ft 1,067 m
    Down
    2,800 ft 853 m

    The longest day: 11.7 miles (18.8 km) with 3,500 feet (1,067 m) up and 2,800 feet (853 m) down. Summerland Camp at 5,959 feet (1,816 m) is 7.0 miles (11.3 km) in and is the sensible bail-out or alternative night. Indian Bar is at 5,096 feet (1,553 m). Between Summerland and Indian Bar the trail crosses Panhandle Gap, the high pass of this itinerary and the stretch where early-season snow lasts longest. Start early, and if the park's trail reports or a ranger describe snow on the gap, stop at Summerland. Snow on the gap is why the park advises against an average snow year before mid to late July.

    Sleep
    Indian Bar Camp · Backcountry campsite · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park; Summerland Camp is at the halfway point.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go

    Photo: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

  9. Day 9

    Day 9: Indian Bar to Maple Creek

    Indian Bar CamptoMaple Creek Camp

    Distance
    10.4 mi 16.7 km
    Up
    2,000 ft 610 m
    Down
    4,300 ft 1,311 m

    The steepest descent of the loop: 10.4 miles (16.7 km) with 4,300 feet (1,311 m) down and 2,000 feet (610 m) up. You pass Nickel Creek Camp at 3,479 feet (1,060 m) after 6.8 miles (10.9 km) and drop to Maple Creek at 2,862 feet (872 m). Descents like this are hard on knees, so give yourself time.

    Sleep
    Maple Creek Camp · Backcountry campsite · How to book
    Water
    A source near each camp is listed by the park; Nickel Creek Camp is on the way.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go
  10. Day 10

    Day 10: Maple Creek to Longmire

    Maple Creek CamptoLongmire Trailhead

    Distance
    10.9 mi 17.5 km
    Up
    2,600 ft 792 m
    Down
    2,600 ft 792 m

    The last day is 10.9 miles (17.5 km), with 2,600 feet (792 m) up and the same down. The 7.3 miles (11.7 km) from Maple Creek to Paradise River Camp at 3,942 feet (1,201 m) have 2,500 feet (762 m) of climbing, and the last 3.6 miles (5.8 km) from there to Longmire descend 1,200 feet (366 m). Cougar Rock Campground, reservable separately through Recreation.gov, is the alternative for a final night.

    Water
    A source near the camp is listed by the park.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go

Permits

A permit is required

A wilderness permit is required for every night in the backcountry, all year. On the full loop you camp only in designated camps, no cross-country zones. About two thirds of the summer permits are reservable on Recreation.gov (at least 2 days before the trip starts); the rest are first-come, first-served walk-ups, issued in person at a Wilderness Information Center the day your trip starts or the day before. The 2026 fee is $12 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee per trip, so the 9 nights below cost $114 per person; park entrance fees are separate. One permit covers up to 13 nights. The park also says that if the full circuit is closed or full, you can still book shorter trips and sections. A reservation is not a permit until you pick it up in person with photo ID, and the park cancels it if you have not arrived by 12:00 on the first day. The park says about 600 Wonderland trips can be reserved in advance each summer and about 300 more are issued as walk-ups. Parties in summer are limited to 5 people in a regular camp (6 to 12 need a camp with a group site).

The lottery

The park runs an optional early-access lottery and says it is unlikely you can build a complete Wonderland itinerary at the general on-sale. Applications open in February each year (the park's FAQ says mid-February to early March; check Recreation.gov for exact dates). Winners get a personal access window between March and April and can make one reservation in it; general reservations open April 25. A later window means fewer open camps, so apply with a flexible start date. A window is not a trip: the park says you compete with others in the same and earlier windows, and its advice is to arrive with alternate dates and camps. Expect to get your exact chain of camps rarely. If Devil's Dream, Klapatche Park or Indian Bar is full, the park's other camps in the same stretch (Pyramid Creek, South Puyallup River, North Puyallup River, Mystic, Sunrise, Summerland, Nickel Creek, Paradise River) change the day lengths, so re-add the numbers before you book. Longer days improve your odds, and after April 25 you can phone the Wilderness Information Center (360-569-6650) to ask for a longer itinerary than Recreation.gov will accept. The park also lists direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), start trailhead and a midweek start as the flexibility that helps most, so treat this clockwise Longmire plan as a template, not a requirement.

The official permit page

Getting There and Back

How to reach the start of the Wonderland Trail Itinerary, and how to get home from the end.

The start

Longmire, in the southwest of the park. The park's mileages run clockwise from the Longmire trailhead, and the Longmire Wilderness Information Center is where you activate the permit. There is no camping at Longmire, so plan lodging or a night outside the park before a first day that starts after you collect the permit. Food caches (July to September): Longmire Wilderness Information Center and a storage bin behind the White River Campground ranger station. Pack food in a labeled plastic container (up to five 5-gallon buckets per group per location) with the permit holder's name, pickup place, pickup date and permit number. The park does not move caches between locations and cannot return caches sent to Carbon River; fuel cannot be cached except in a locker at Longmire. As of the 2026 alerts there is no caching at Mowich Lake. The only shops are the General Store at Longmire and the Day Lodge at Sunrise, if they are open.

The end

The loop closes at Longmire, so there is no shuttle. Other trailheads on the loop (the park's mileages from Longmire: Mowich Lake 34.3 miles (55.2 km), Sunrise parking lot 57.4 miles (92.4 km), White River Campground 60.3 miles (97.0 km), Box Canyon 79.7 miles (128.3 km)) let you split the trip or bail out.

Shuttle

None: it is a loop that ends where it starts.

Parking

You give the ranger the color, make, model and license plate of any car left overnight when you activate the permit. Park entrance fees apply.

Safety

  • Snow: in an average year the park advises against hiking the loop before mid to late July, and September snow is possible on the high sections. Earlier or later trips need ice-axe self-arrest, expert navigation and glacial river fords. Check the park's trail reports and ask a ranger when you pick up the permit.

  • River crossings: footlogs and bridges wash out in any prolonged rain and in fall and winter storms, and the park does not replace them until the next spring or summer. Cross glacial rivers early in the day when the water is lowest, and have a plan for one side being unreachable.

  • Pace: the park says choosing the distance between camps is the biggest planning decision and that it often sees hikers go beyond their skill level, which ends trips early. This itinerary has a day with 4,000 feet (1,219 m) of climbing and another with 4,300 feet (1,311 m) of descent: add a night if you mostly hike at low elevation.

  • Water: the park lists a source near every trailside camp and requires you to boil or otherwise treat all water. Do not wash with soap in, or put waste within 100 feet (30 m) of, any water source.

  • Fire: wood and bio-fuel fires and stoves that burn twigs are banned; white gas, isobutane cartridge and alcohol stoves are allowed. The park removes the bear poles in fall (it asked for canisters from 4 October 2026), so check the pole status for late trips. Wildfire can close long sections of the loop: see the dated note in the introduction and re-check the alerts page the week you leave.

  • Food and wildlife: every trailside camp has poles for hanging food and garbage. Do not feed or disturb wildlife, and keep cached food in the rodent-proof container the park requires.

  • Weather: it can change from calm to stormy quickly. The park asks every hiker to carry its 10 Essentials list (map, compass and GPS, extra warm clothing and rain gear, headlamp, first aid, fire starter, repair kit, extra food and water, emergency shelter) and to tell someone your plan.

  • Pets, bicycles and firearms are not allowed on the trail or in the backcountry. Camp only at the site named on your permit for that night.

Wonderland Trail Itinerary: FAQ

How long is the Wonderland Trail?

The park gives about 93 miles (150 km) with about 27,000 feet (8,230 m) of climbing and the same descent. Trailhead choice shifts the total a little, and the park's camp-to-camp segments add to 94.1 miles (151.4 km) and 27,154 feet (8,277 m) of climbing from Longmire.

Do you need a permit for the Wonderland Trail?

Yes, a wilderness permit is required for every night, all year. Most summer permits are reservable on Recreation.gov, about one third are walk-up only, and you must collect the permit in person.

How does the Wonderland Trail lottery work?

The optional early-access lottery opens in February and gives winners a reservation window between March and April, when you can make one reservation. General reservations open April 25. The park says that without an early window it is unlikely you can build a full circuit.

Which direction should you hike the Wonderland Trail?

The park allows either direction and lists it as a way to improve your chances of a permit. This page runs clockwise from Longmire because the park's mileages and segments are published that way; the camps you can actually book decide the direction.

Can you hike the full Wonderland Trail this year?

Check the park's trail conditions page first. As of 1 November 2026 it says the trail is closed from the Carbon River to Summerland by fire and that no full-circuit permits will be issued until further notice.

How much does a Wonderland Trail permit cost?

In 2026 it is $12 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee per trip, so $114 per person for nine nights, plus the park entrance fee.

Can you hike the Wonderland Trail without a reservation?

Sometimes. About one third of campsites are walk-up permits, issued in person at a Wilderness Information Center the day your trip starts or the day before. The park says you should be willing to accept a different itinerary.

Can you cache food on the Wonderland Trail?

Yes, July through September, at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center and at White River Campground, in a labeled plastic container. As of 2026 there is no caching at Mowich Lake.

More hikingAll adventuresMore about United States