Mount Rainier’s east side: Sunrise and Chinook Pass

Route description

From Enumclaw, SR-410 follows the White River into the mountains, about an hour to the park’s northeast entrance. The Sunrise Road climbs 15 miles from the White River entrance to Sunrise, at 6,400 feet, the highest point you can drive to in the park. It is usually open only from early July to late September. Trails lead to Frozen Lake and the Mount Fremont Lookout.

Back on SR-410, continue to Cayuse Pass and up to Chinook Pass, closed in winter. Tipsoo Lake, just below the pass, reflects Mount Rainier, and the Naches Peak Loop of about 3.5 miles leads through wildflower meadows in late July and August. Return to Cayuse Pass and take SR-123 south to the Stevens Canyon entrance.

Stevens Canyon Road runs west for about 20 miles toward Paradise. Box Canyon has a short loop and a bridge over a slot cut by the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River. Higher up, Reflection Lakes mirror Rainier on calm mornings; parking is along the road. Stevens Canyon Road is usually open from late May or June to autumn.

Paradise has the park’s main visitor center, a historic inn and meadow trails such as the Skyline Trail. From there, the road drops through the Nisqually entrance to Ashford, where there are campgrounds and supplies. The park has an entrance fee, and the timed entry reservations used in 2024 and 2025 were dropped for 2026; check the rules before you go.