Paradise Mount Rainier Loop to Panorama Point

Explore the aptly named and ever-popular Paradise Meadows, an enormous parkland awash with flowery color and jaw-dropping views. We’ve outlined a loop trail that provides a decent tour of these wonderous meadows, but there’s more than enough additional trail to spend a full day wandering amongst the wildflowers.

From parking area, find Nisqually Vista Trailhead at the far end of the lot. Climb the stone staircase and follow paved trail to the Deadhorse Creek Trail just beyond the top of the stairs and veer right. Climb though a short stretch of subalpine trees before entering the meadows, passing the Avalanche Lily Trail at 0.2 miles and the Waterfall Trail soon after at 0.4 miles and the end of the pavement. Stop often to investigate trailside flowers and look up and the sheer bulk of Mt. Rainier and its massive glaciers.

There's a lot more to Paradise Loop, and you can learn all about it in Washington Wildflower Hikes: 50 Destinations. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!