Bike the Parks

Parks / Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

Two of the Northwest's great climbs, to Paradise and Sunrise.

3/5
Worth bringing a bike

Big road climbs to Paradise and Sunrise and a quiet gravel road, but no bike trails and steep, narrow roads.

Riding here

Mount Rainier is a climber's park in both senses. From Nisqually Entrance it's 19 miles and 3,400 feet up to Paradise; from the northeast, 20 miles and 3,650 feet to Sunrise. September and early October are the sweet spot, with fewer cars and fall color. The Westside Road, mostly closed to cars, is a quieter gravel option.

Where you can ride

Bikes may use park roads only. Westside Road: the first 3 miles are open to cars and bikes; beyond, Dry Creek to Klapatche Point (9.25 miles) is bikes and hikers only. The Carbon River Trail (a former road) is open to bikes.

Where you can't

No riding on hiking trails or in wilderness. There's currently no public access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake from SR 165 because the Fairfax Bridge is closed to bikes, walkers and cars.

Rides

  • Nisqually Entrance to Paradise

    • Road
    • 19 mi one way
    • 3,400 ft climbing
    • Paved
    • Hard

    The classic climb through old-growth forest to the subalpine meadows at Paradise.

    Start: Nisqually Entrance

  • SR 410 to Sunrise

    • Road
    • 20 mi one way
    • 3,650 ft climbing
    • Paved
    • Hard

    Up to the park's highest road point, with close-up views of Emmons Glacier. Sunrise Road opens in summer only.

    Start: Northeast entrance (SR 410)

  • Westside Road

    • Gravel
    • 9.25 mi Dry Creek to Klapatche Point
    • 2,100 ft climbing
    • Gravel
    • Moderate

    A mostly car-free gravel road into the park's quiet west side. Rockfall danger near the start; park south of the barricade and don't linger.

    Start: Dry Creek barricade

When to go

July to early October. Many services close after Labor Day as snow arrives; spring riding on closed roads is very limited because plowing runs seven days a week.

Safety

Roads are steep, narrow and winding with unpaved shoulders. Ride single file (except on Westside Road and the Carbon River Trail) and wear a helmet. There's no cell coverage in most of the park, and little bike repair equipment, so be self-sufficient.

E-bikes

E-bikes with motors under 750 watts that assist only while pedaling are allowed wherever bikes are, including Westside Road to Klapatche Point and Carbon River Road to Ipsut Creek Campground. More powerful motors count as motor vehicles.

Fees and reservations

Arriving by bike, you pay the park's individual (per-person) entrance fee, normally valid for 7 days, or ride in on an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Amounts change, so check the park's Fees & Passes page.

Mount Rainier has used timed-entry reservations for vehicles in recent summers; the bicycling page doesn't mention cyclists, so check the park's reservations page.

Rentals, tours and shuttles

  • Your bike shop hereSample listing

    This spot is for one rental shop, guide service or shuttle near Mount Rainier: your name, what you offer, and a link straight to your booking page, at the top of this section.

    Feature your shop on this page, free until spring 2027

Run a shop near Mount Rainier? Add it here.

Sources

Checked November 2026 against these sources. Rules, closures and fees change; confirm with the park before you ride.

  1. Bicycling — Mount Rainier (NPS)

Edited by David Bussell. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

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