The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier National Park: The Complete Guide
The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park for its relative ease but breathtaking mountain views from a scenic fire lookout. In this guide, learn everything you need to know to hike to the Mount Fremont Lookout, including where the trailhead is, how long it takes, when to go, what to expect on the trail, and more!
Mount Rainier National Park in Washington is home to a large collection of hiking trails that weave through wildflower-strewn subalpine meadows, pass beautiful blue lakes, cross rocky and rugged landscapes, and (most importantly!) bring hikers to absolutely epic and jawdroppingly gorgeous views of Mount Rainier itself.
And if you’re anything like us, you don’t have tons of time to spend in the park and want to know which hikes to choose to give you the best Mount Rainier views! Well, we have one idea for you…
Perhaps one of the best views you can get of Mount Rainier from a hiking trail is along the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail. This moderately short hike leads to an historic fire lookout, with incredible views of Mount Rainier for pretty much the entire hike. At the lookout, you’ll feel as if you can almost reach out and touch it…that’s how in-your-face the mountain will be!
With these amazing views combined with its relatively short distance and ease, the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier National Park is definitely one of the best hikes in the park, if not in all of Washington State!
Want to know more? You’re in the right place! In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to hike the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, including how to get there, when to go, what to expect along the trail, and all of our best tips for hiking in Mount Rainier.
In this Mount Fremont Lookout Trail guide:
Check out all our Mount Rainier trail guides!
The Burroughs Mountain Trail
Dege Peak
The Skyline Loop Trail
The Tolmie Peak Lookout Trail
And for even more hikes and tips check out our
Complete Mount Rainier Hiking Guide
Where is the Mount Fremont Lookout in Washington?
The Mount Fremont Lookout is located in Mount Rainier National Park, just about two hours from Seattle. This makes it an easy day or weekend trip from the city.
Mount Rainier has five main regions that each contain its own collection of sights, hiking trails and entry stations. The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is located in the area called Sunrise, which is found on the eastern side of Mount Rainier. Sunrise is the highest point in the park that you can visit with a car, at 6,400 feet, and the views from just the parking lot alone are incredible…but trust us, you’ll still want to hit the trails because, if you can believe it, the views only get better.
The Sunrise lot with the epic Mount Rainier towering behind…talk about a scenic parking lot!
The entrance to Sunrise is called the White River Entrance Station, and it is located off of State Route 410. This entrance station is about two hours from Seattle depending on traffic around the city, about an hour from Enumclaw (the closest substantial town to the North along State Route 410), and about 40 minutes from Packwood (the closest substantial town to the South).
Mount Rainier National Park map
This map of Mount Rainier National Park is found on the park brochure and shows each region of the park. We’ve highlighted the Sunrise region and the White River Entrance, which is where you’ll be going for the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail.
This is a very broad map of Mount Rainier from the park brochure, but it is meant to highlight where Sunrise is in relation to other regions of the park. We’ve highlighted the White River Entrance, Sunrise, and the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail.
Mount Rainier Reservations for the Sunrise Corridor
Due to high visitation to Mount Rainier National Park, both Sunrise and Paradise, the two most popular sections of Mount Rainier, now require timed entry reservations at certain times of the day. Because the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is in Sunrise, this timed entry requirement will affect when you can hike this trail (and spoiler: you can still hike this trail without the reservation! So keep reading…).
Here’s the need-to-know info on the timed entry reservations for Sunrise in Mount Rainier:
A timed entry reservation is required only from July 3rd to September 2nd. If you visit outside of these dates, you can enter the Sunrise section of the park at any time without a reservation.
A timed entry reservation during these dates is only needed between 7 am and 3 pm each day. That means coming before 7 am or after 3 pm is possible without a reservation!
A reservation is good only for the Sunrise region of the park and not for Paradise- that requires its own separate reservation. The reservation is good for just a single day for one car (not per person)- so if you plan on visiting Sunrise multiple days, you’ll need multiple reservations.
The reservation will give you a two hour window in which you can enter the Sunrise region (for example from 9am-11am). You can enter through the White River Entrance at any time in that two hour window and then stay for the rest of the day.
For tons more specific information, check out the National Park website FAQs.
How to get a reservation for Sunrise
Views from the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Sunrise reservations are only available online at recreation.gov and cost $2. There are two ways to get Mount Rainier reservations:
Most of the available slots are released into the system at 8 am PT about 90 days in advance for roughly one month blocks of time:
On April 1st, slots open for July 3rd-July 31st
On May 1st, slots open for August 1st-September 2nd
Some slots are saved for a next day timed entry, and these are released into the system at 7 pm PT the day before starting on July 3rd- good for those who couldn’t get the more advanced reservation or who are planning a last- minute trip.
In either case, we definitely recommend having your recreation.gov account ready to go and be logged in before 8 am PT (for advanced reservations) or before 7 pm PT (for next day reservations) on the day you want to snag a timed reservation- they are likely to go pretty fast. Any cancellations are also released back into the system as they happen, so if you couldn’t get the day you were looking for, keep checking back for any new available slots.
Once you get your Sunrise reservation, make sure to print it and bring it with you or download it to your phone ahead of time! You might not be able to pull it up from your email at the entrance gate due to lack of cell service in the area.
How to visit Sunrise without a reservation
If you couldn’t get a reservation, don’t panic! There are still ways to visit Sunrise and hike the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail.
The best way to visit Sunrise without a reservation is to get to Sunrise before 7 am or after 3 pm, when timed entry is not needed to get in. This actually works great for hiking the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail, because as we talk about later, this trail is great for either a sunrise or sunset hike. So if you’re after a sunrise hike, you’ll get to Sunrise well before…well, sunrise. And starting the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail any time after 3 pm is totally fine, because the trail is short enough to have such a late start, and staying for sunset is awesome (that’s what we did, and we’ll talk more about this below!).
Tip! If planning on getting to Sunrise before the 7 am timed entry begins, we recommend getting there a bit earlier than 7 am. Many people might have the same idea, creating a line at the entry gate that could hold you up past the 7 am cutoff…which would be a shame after making the effort to get up so early!
There is one campground along the Sunrise Road past the White River Entrance (the White River Campground). We’ll talk more about this later, but if you happen to get a site here, then you can get into this part of the park without a timed entry reservation for however many days you’re camping there.
If you have a Wilderness Permit to begin a backpacking trip from Sunrise, you also do not need a timed entry reservation to get into Sunrise on the day of your hike.
How to Get to the Mount Fremont Lookout Trailhead
From the White River Entrance off of State Route 410, the road to Sunrise is about 14 miles long. It’s all paved, which is nice! But, it can get pretty twisty and turny, climbing almost 3,000 feet up to Sunrise, so it’s a slow-going drive that will take about 30-40 minutes. Most of the early drive is wooded, but once you get towards the top, the views really open up and Mount Rainier will be in clear sight. Make sure to stop at Sunrise Point Lookout not too far before the Sunrise parking lot for a chance to stop and get out of the car to enjoy the views and take some pictures.
Views from the car on the way to Sunrise in Mount Rainier!
The road ends at the Sunrise parking lot, which has a visitor center, a picnic area, a day lodge that serves food and has a gift shop, restrooms, water fill stations, and several trailheads, including the one for the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail.
Parking used to be an issue when arriving by mid-morning, however, with the new timed entry system in place, this should no longer be a problem!
A nearly empty parking lot at Sunrise in the early morning
The trailhead for the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is found on the North end of the lot, to the left of the day lodge. You’ll see a large paved pathway leaving the lot. Follow the signs leading to the trail access (not to the picnic area). After a few minutes of walking, you’ll see a large trailhead sign and the start of the trail branching off to the right. This trail is the starting point for many hikes in Sunrise, and there are many intersecting trails in the area, but all junctions are well-signed so it should be easy to navigate.
This is the main trailhead in the Sunrise area that branches off the path near the Sunrise Visitor Center
How Long is the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail?
What makes the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail such a great hike in Mount Rainier is that it’s a relatively short hike for such a huge payoff.
Here are our hiking stats for the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier National Park:
Distance: 5.9 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 1,135 feet
Time: 3 hours. This is just hiking time. Plan on spending some time at the lookout!
Trail profile:
Our elevation profile for the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier
How hard is the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail?
We would say that the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is easy to moderate (we say moderate mainly due to the distance). It’s easy to follow, with nothing technical or challenging. There are sections of steady climbing, but there are also plenty of spots with easy flat hiking. Some of the trail, particularly near the lookout, gets rocky, but it’s still easy to walk on and there’s no scrambling or boulder hopping. It’s all pretty straightforward. Plus, the views from pretty much the entire trail will be your motivation to keep going!
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail Map
We got this map of Sunrise hiking trails from the Sunrise Visitor Center and have highlighted the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail to help orient you. Since there are so many intersecting trails in this area, we recommend grabbing one of these maps and hiking with it just to keep you oriented, help you plan out where you want to go, and anticipate upcoming trail junctions. All junctions in Sunrise are very well-marked and well-signed, though, so you really should have no trouble navigating, but having this map will help you plot out your route in advance.
We’ve highlighted the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail on this trail map of Sunrise
This is a satellite view of our hike to the Mount Fremont Lookout in Mount Rainier
The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail: Trail Description and Our Experience
Ok, now on to the good stuff…here’s what you can expect on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier! And don’t worry, no matter how many times you see pictures of this trail or of the mountain, we promise you it’s 1000 times better in person.
From the Sunrise parking lot, head out on the paved path that leaves the lot near the Sunrise Day Lodge. About 600 feet down the trail, the major trailhead for many of Sunrise’s hikes will branch to the right, and this is where you’ll begin your hike to the Mount Fremont Lookout.
This initial part of the hike is a short but steady climb up to the Sourdough Ridge Trail. Here, you’ll walk an easy and wide gravel path through a meadow, which, if you’re there in July or August, will be covered in beautiful wildflowers. And with Mount Rainier in full view to your left, these wildflowers provide a super picturesque foreground and a nice colorful contrast to the mountain. Turn around for views back down to Sunrise.
The beginning part of the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is packed with views and wildflowers!
Looking back down to the Sunrise parking lot from the trail to Sourdough Ridge
As you begin your hike to the Mount Fremont Lookout here, this early part of the trail will be pretty crowded. As we said, most of the area’s trails start here, and many people like to also just wander this area for the views and wildflowers. But don’t worry… the further you hike, the more the crowds will dissipate.
As you continue up, there will be a split in the path. Bear left here.
This path will top out as it meets up with the Sourdough Ridge Trail. This trail is super popular as it’s used to access other Sunrise trails, it’s easy, and it has stunning views of Mount Rainier, which you’ll see for yourself once you continue on. Up here, you also get a brief glimpse to the other side of the ridge and out to the distant Cascade Mountains.
Views on the other side of the Sourdough Ridge
Once on Sourdough Ridge, take a left and continue to follow the trail. It initially climbs steeply a bit, but it’s pretty brief. After, it’s an easy- going slight climb upward, followed by a gentle descent to Frozen Lake.
Along the way, you’ll be treated to amazing views of Mount Rainier (still just a preview of what’s to come on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail!). Take your time and enjoy the views back down towards Sunrise and the meadows, and out to Mount Rainier.
A short steep spurt along the Sourdough Ridge Trail
The view from the Sourdough Ridge Trail of Mount Rainier and the meadows of Sunrise
The views start early on the hike to Mount Fremont Lookout! From the Sourdough Ridge Trail you get amazing views out to Mount Rainier.
The view from the Sourdough Ridge Trail back towards the Sunrise parking lot
Along the ridge, there will be another split in the trail, so be sure to bear left here to continue onto Frozen Lake and Mount Fremont.
As you get closer to Mount Rainier, you’ll notice the trail turn from packed dirt and gravel to more rocky terrain as you head into more tundra-like territory.
The end of the Sourdough Ridge Trail as it approaches Frozen Lake
Looking back at the Sourdough Ridge Trail as it traverses the side of a rocky slope
Towards the end of the Sourdough Ridge Trail, you’ll hike up a small set of switchbacks that bring you to Frozen Lake, a small lake with its own little glacier. Just beyond the lake is a major five- way intersection of trails. Many hikers in the Sunrise area end up here at some point- the famous Wonderland Trail goes through here, and our other favorite hike in Sunrise- the Burroughs Mountain Trail- also meets up here. It can be a busy place, but once you take any of the trails that branch out from it, the crowds thin out, as everyone kind of spreads themselves out amongst all the Sunrise trails.
Frozen Lake
Approaching the five-way junction on the way to the Mount Fremont Lookout. The First Burroughs Mountain is on the left, and you can see the faint trail heading up it.
As you approach this five-way junction from the Sourdough Ridge Trail, you’ll take the trail on the right to head up to the Mount Fremont Lookout (there will be plenty of signs to help you out here). Ahead, you can see the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail sprawling out in front of you as it climbs the side of the ridge up ahead. To the right, you’ll see the other side of Frozen Lake, and don’t forget to keep looking behind you- it doesn’t take too long on this trail for Mount Rainier to really show itself! As you look back at the mountain, you can see the Burroughs sitting just underneath it, and the Burroughs Mountain Trail weaving its way to their summits.
A view of the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail from the junction as it heads towards the ridge ahead
Looking back down the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail back to Mount Rainier. You can see the Burroughs Mountain Trail heading up to the first Burrough from here (we highly recommend this trail, too!).
Also, keep a sharp eye on the sprawl of meadows to your left…mountain goats are often seen here, and we were lucky enough to see a whole herd of them grazing and playing! If at the five- way junction we had taken the trail straight across this meadow, we would have gotten to see them up close (but we were trying to make it for sunset at the lookout and we didn’t notice the mountain goats until we had already started up the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail!), but with my zoom lens we could make them out really well, even from up here.
Mountain goats seen from the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail!
The mountain goats of Mount Rainier
The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail starts off with a gentle ascent as it leaves the five- way junction, but once you make it to the bottom of the ridge, the real climbing begins. It’s a very steady climb the entire way to the lookout from here. Some sections are steeper than others, but it’s nothing overly difficult. The further you hike, the more the views really open up, and you get a pretty great birds-eye view over most of the Sunrise area and its trail system, and of course, Mount Rainier is in view the whole time, but in this direction, it’s often behind you (which makes the hike back so great!).
The start of the trail up the ridge to the Mount Fremont Lookout
Looking back down the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail out to Frozen Lake and the five-way junction
Parts of the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail can get steep
The trail can get rocky but is easily navigable
Mount Rainier dominates the view from the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail!
Picture-perfect views over Mount Rainier and the Sunrise meadows from the hike to the Mount Fremont Lookout
A sea of jagged peaks from the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Soon, you’ll see the Mount Fremont Lookout in the distance perched at the end of the ridge. This final section of trail was the most epic. You’ll have to keep turning around to see the mountain, but it just looks so giant and close from here (and on the way back, these views will be right in front of you as you hike!).
Can you see the Mount Fremont Lookout at the end of the ridge?
Looking back on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail to the epic view of Mount Rainier
The trail gets a bit narrower and exposed up here, but it never even phased us because we were too distracted with the views. And the last bit of steady climbing is through rock and shale, but nothing technical or difficult.
The last bit of trail to the Mount Fremont Lookout gets a bit rocky
Almost to the Mount Fremont Lookout!
The views of Mount Rainier get more epic the closer you get to the Mount Fremont Lookout
Eventually, the trail will spill you out at the Mount Fremont Lookout. From here, you can see directly out to not only Mount Rainier, but to meadows and a sea of peaks that make up the surrounding Cascades. We took some time to walk around the lookout and take in all the views. We even got to see a cute little pika scurrying along the rocks…and there were even more mountain goats in the valley on the other side of the ridge!
The Mount Fremont Lookout
Admiring the views from the Mount Fremont Lookout…it doesn’t get much better than this!
Couldn’t get enough of these views!
A pika!
We did the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail around sunset, and while the trail itself was pretty quiet and crowd-free once we passed the five-way junction, we were surprised to see quite a large crowd at the lookout itself waiting for sunset. It is a big area, though, so there is a lot of room for people to spread out. For us, though, the crowd wasn’t really our thing, it was getting pretty cold, the bugs were pretty bad, and there was no cloud inversion like we were hoping to see (inversions can happen often here!) so we decided to start our hike back down before sunset.
But doing this actually worked in our favor because we still got to enjoy the epic sunset from the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail most of the way down, which was super quiet and peaceful since the crowds were still at the summit. On the hike down, Mount Rainier is in front of you for most of the way so it’s even better than the hike up. And seeing the purple alpen glow off of Mount Rainier as the sun was setting from what felt like such a rugged and remote area was what made the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail one of our favorite hikes ever.
Sunset views from the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail…those sunset colors are unreal!
Looking back at the sunset colors over the Mount Fremont Lookout
Heading back down the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail to Frozen Lake
We made it back to the Sourdough Ridge as dusk set in. Even after the sun was set, Mount Rainier still felt so majestic under the moonlight, and we even got to see a few elk on the side of the trail! Walking the trail at night was so peaceful…no one was on the trail and all we heard was the sound of the buzzing bugs around us.
Seeing the purple alpenglow off Mount Rainier as the sun sets on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Dusk at Mount Rainier
Elk along the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Overall, we’d say the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in Mount Rainier, no matter what time of day you do it- the view of the mountain is unbeatable.
Best Time to Hike the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Early July to late September are the best times to hike the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail. In general, this is when the Sunrise Road is open, as well as the services in Sunrise (the Visitor Center and the Sunrise Day Lodge café and gift shop). If you are coming towards the beginning or end of this time frame, definitely make sure to check the road status of the Sunrise Road to make sure it’s open before you head out. Also, be sure to check trail conditions for any lingering snow on the trail to make sure you come prepared. Snow can linger into July (we even encountered snow in the park well into August, though not on this trail!). Trekking poles and microspikes would be good to have for some light snow crossings.
A bonus to hiking in July and August is that these months are prime time for the beautiful wildflowers that adorn the meadows around Sunrise. On the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail, you’ll see beautiful flowers particularly at the beginning as you head up to the Sourdough Ridge Trail.
Summer wildflowers along the hike to the Mount Fremont Lookout in Mount Rainier
In terms of the best time of day to hike the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail, there really is no bad time. But, we will say that sunset at Mount Fremont Lookout is particularly epic. The alpenglow off the mountains is gorgeous, with Mount Rainier glowing in golden and purple hues. Check the sunset time for the date you’ll be hiking, and start the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail about 2 to 2.5 hours beforehand to be at the summit as the alpenglow starts (about a half hour before actual sunset). Sunrise is also great for watching the first morning light hit the mountain and for avoiding crowds (I wish we were more morning people!). Another reason for a sunrise or sunset hike to Mount Fremont Lookout is that cloud inversions are a common occurrence here, so getting to potentially witness that would be amazing!
Alpenglow at sunset on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
In terms of crowding and parking for the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail, there used to be issues at the Sunrise parking lot as it’s a popular area in the park to visit. Before the reservation system, the Sunrise lot would often fill by mid-morning, particularly on weekends, and then cars would be held at the White River Entrance and slowly metered in, meaning you’d potentially be waiting in line to get in. We visited Sunrise twice before the reservation system was implemented. Once was on a Sunday evening to hike the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail at sunset. When we arrived at the lot around 5:30 pm, we would say the lot was only about 80% full. The next morning, we arrived at Sunrise just after 7 am and the lot was pretty wide open. So even before reservations were in place, we never had an issue.
However, with the new reservation system in place, any potential issues with finding parking or waiting in long lines shouldn’t be a problem anymore, as this is exactly what timed entry is supposed to eliminate!
Tips for Hiking the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Here are some extra tips for hiking the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail and for visiting Mount Rainier.
Fees for Mount Rainier
To visit any area of Mount Rainier National Park, there is an entry fee of $30 per vehicle that is good for 7 consecutive days. You can buy it in advance online or at the park gate when you arrive (card only!).
In addition to a park pass, you might need to also purchase a $2 timed entry reservation to get into Sunrise if hiking the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail (but this can be avoided by arriving before 7 am or after 3 pm).
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail conditions and road status
Before heading out, make sure to check trail conditions and check the status of Sunrise Road, especially if coming early or later in the hiking season. Also, make sure to check the smoke forecast and air quality index (AQI) before heading out to make sure that it’s safe to hike and that your view won’t be obstructed! This is one trail that’s really only worth it if the mountain is out.
What to bring on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
In addition to the usual day hiking essentials, here are some things we would recommend having particularly for the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier.
Bug spray: Mount Rainier’s trails can get quite buggy (flies and mosquitos), especially in July and August, so make sure to have spray and maybe even a bug net if they get particularly bad while you’re enjoying the views from the Mount Fremont Lookout.
Sunscreen and hat: The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is exposed to the sun the entire time.
Layers: It can get cool and windy at the Mount Fremont Lookout, especially if you go for sunrise or sunset, so make sure to pack layers. Remember, Sunrise is over 6,000 feet in elevation and the Mount Fremont Lookout is over 7,000 feet!
Bear spray: Mount Rainier is home to black bears, so we would always recommend being bear aware and hiking with bear spray in case of an emergency.
Binoculars or a good zoom lens: Mountain goats frequent the valleys on either side of the Mount Fremont Lookout, so bring something that you can see them closely with!
Map: All the junctions in the Sunrise area are well-signed, but we still recommend having a map, even a simple one like the one we showed above from the Sunrise Visitor Center, as this will help you plan out your route and anticipate the upcoming trail junctions.
Headlamp: If planning on a sunset hike to Mount Fremont Lookout, don’t forget your headlamp for the hike out!
Can I hike with my dog to the Mount Fremont Lookout?
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the trails in Mount Rainier, including on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail.
Where to Stay Near the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Views from the Mount Fremont Lookout in Mount Rainier
The closest place to stay near the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is the White River Campground that’s found along the road to Sunrise. It’s generally open from late June to late September, but check the current campground status to be sure.
This is a first-come first-served campground and costs $20 per night, but with the recent implementation of the timed entry system into the Sunrise area, getting a site has become a bit more tricky.
To access the White River Campground between 7am-3pm, you need to have a timed entry reservation, but with this, there is no guarantee that a site will be available by the time you get to the campground. You can always get there before 7 am to try and find a spot, or wait until after 3 pm.
The good news is that once you get a spot in the campground, you don’t need a timed entry to enter the Sunrise portion of the park for the duration of your stay there- your campground pass can be used for entry (you’ll still need reservations for Paradise, though, if you plan on visiting there as well)
There are also other campgrounds in Mount Rainier, though a bit further from Sunrise (note that these don’t get you entry into Sunrise like the White River Campground does, so you’ll still need to get a timed entry reservation between for times between 7 am and 3 pm):
Ohanapecosh- near the Nisqually entrance to Paradise and is an hour from the Sunrise Visitor Center. You can make reservations but there are also first-come first-served options as well.
Cougar Rock- near Paradise, and about an hour and 40 minutes from Sunrise. You can make reservations but there are also first-come first-served options as well. As this campground is within another timed entry portion of the park, getting these can be tricky as we explained above.
Mowich Lake- this is a more primitive campground in the Northwest region of the park and is over two hours from Sunrise, so not ideal (but could work if you want to also hike in the Carbon River area of Mount Rainier!)
Check for campground status updates before heading out to make sure they are open.
Lodging in Mount Rainier
There are two options if you don’t want to camp but still want to stay within Mount Rainier National Park itself. One is in Longmire and one is in Paradise, but they are an hour and a half to 2 hours from Sunrise. These are good options if you plan on also spending time in Paradise and just want to make a day trip to Sunrise for one of your days in the park.
Other options to stay near Mount Rainier National Park
Outside of the National Park are cheap camping options on Forest Service Land.
Nearby lodging includes the Crystal Mountain Lodge which is right near the White River Entrance on State Route 410. Otherwise, the town of Enumclaw is about an hour and 20 minutes North on State Route 410, while Packwood is about an hour South. Enumclaw is best if you plan on spending time in the Carbon River area along with Sunrise, while Packwood is best if splitting time between Paradise and Sunrise.
Can you camp on the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail?
Unfortunately, you can’t sleep in or camp around the Mount Fremont Lookout or anywhere along the trail. If you’re aiming for a sunrise or sunset hike to Mount Fremont Lookout and want a short drive to and from the trailhead, the closest option to stay nearby would be at the White River Campground that we mentioned above.
If you’re looking for a cool lookout in Washington with amazing views that you can spend the night in, check out the Park Butte Lookout Trail near Mount Baker, or the Hidden Lake Lookout Trail in North Cascades National Park!
More Hikes Near the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
Sunrise is home to many of Mount Rainier’s best hikes! Here are a few more to check out near the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail:
If you’re looking for other Mount Rainier hikes in other sections of the park, here are some good ones to check out:
The Skyline Trail in Paradise
The Tolmie Peak Trail in the Carbon River section
More Washinton Travel and Hiking Guides
With three National Parks and plenty of National Forest land, Washington is a treasure trove of stunning hiking trails, and making a Washington road trip that stops at several of these places is a great way to spend your time in the state! Check out more of our Washington travel guides to help you plan an amazing trip!
Mount Rainier National Park Itineraries
One day in Mount Rainier National Park- How to plan your time and visit both Paradise and Sunrise!
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
MOUNT BAKER WILDERNESS
Check out our favorite hikes near Mount Baker, and our more specific trail guides including:
Are you planning on hiking the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier? Let us know if you have any questions! As always, happy hiking!