Eagle Peak Trail (Mount Rainier) Hiking Guide
Eagle Peak Trail is the hard workout out of Longmire: a relentless climb of nearly 3,000 feet through old-growth forest to a 5,700-foot saddle in the Tatoosh Range with a sweeping view of Mount Rainier. It is a favorite for hikers who want a real effort on the park's west side. The final half mile is steep, rocky and exposed, so it is not for everyone.
Permit: Mount Rainier National Park charges an entrance fee of $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person 16 and older arriving on foot or bike, each valid for 7 consecutive days. The $55 Mount Rainier annual pass and America the Beautiful passes are accepted; Washington's Discover Pass is not. Entrance stations take cards only. The park is not using timed-entry reservations anywhere in 2026. Day hikes need no permit; a wilderness permit is required for any overnight camping.
Getting to the Trailhead
Drive past the National Park Inn at Longmire, turn right at the two-story building with the flagpole, continue through employee housing and cross the Nisqually suspension bridge; the trailhead is 300 feet beyond it. The bridge has a 3-ton (6,000-pound) limit, which rules out RVs, trailers and some large trucks and SUVs. If yours is too heavy, park in the main Longmire lot and walk across. Parking at the trailhead is limited.
The Numbers
The park and AllTrails agree on the length: 7.2 miles round trip. The park gives 2,955 feet of gain and about five hours; AllTrails maps 2,975 feet and labels it strenuous. Nearly all of that climbing is packed into 3.6 miles, so it is steep from the start.
Forest, Meadow, Saddle
For two miles the trail climbs hard through dense forest to a small stream, then another mile to a meadow. Past the meadow the last 0.5 mile gets much steeper and rockier as it climbs to the saddle, where the trail ends. Flower fields surround that upper section in summer. The park's warning is direct: the saddle is exposed and a fall could be deadly, so stay well back from the edges.
Name and History
The peak was originally called Sim-layshe, a Native American word for eagle, according to the park; George Longmire, whose family settled the area, anglicized it to Eagle Peak. There's no designated camp on the trail or anywhere along the Tatoosh crest, so this is strictly a day hike.
Before You Go in Fall
Longmire's road stays open year-round, but the upper trail doesn't stay snow-free; the park notes snow can linger at 5,000 to 8,000 feet well into July, and fall storms bring it back. Rain is likely on any spring, fall or winter day. If the saddle is icy, turn around at the meadow. Bring plenty of water; the stream at two miles is the only one the park mentions, and it should be treated.
Hiking tips for Eagle Peak Trail (Mount Rainier)
- Check your vehicle weight before crossing the 3-ton Nisqually suspension bridge.
- Start early; the climb is steep and steady for 3.6 miles.
- Turn back at the meadow if the final rocky half mile is icy.
- Keep well away from the drop-offs at the exposed saddle.
- Treat water from the stream before drinking it.
Nearby trails to explore
- Rampart Ridge Loop
- Comet Falls Trail
- Carter and Madcap Falls Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Eagle Peak is a tough climb that goes better with a steady partner. Use TrailMates to find Longmire hikers who want a big day and join their trip. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.