Palisades Lake Trail

Palisades Lake Trail is a 7-mile, round-trip hike on the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier National Park. Expect about 1,800 feet of elevation gain and a typical 4–5 hours moving time for the full out-and-back to Upper Palisades Lake.

Start at the east end of the Sunrise Point Overlook parking area. The route drops steeply for the first 0.5 mile along a slope that can hold snow into late July, then you reach a junction where you can take a short spur to Sunrise Lake; staying on the main trail continues toward the Palisades Lakes system.

After the early descent, the trail works up and down for the rest of the hike. Clover Lake sits about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, and the route continues past Tom, Dick, and Harry Lakes before ending at Upper Palisades Lake.

Hidden Lake connects via a spur trail one mile before Upper Palisades Lake. Camping is not permitted at Hidden Lake, but backpacking camping is available at Dick’s Lake and Upper Palisades Lake (with required permits).

This is a “Mount Rainier-blocked” route: the Sourdough Mountains prevent views of Mount Rainier from the trail. Wildlife activity is part of the experience, with pikas and marmots in talus slopes and elk heard bugling during the early-autumn rut.

Plan around park rules and resource protection. Fires are prohibited, pets are not allowed on trails (service animals excepted), and you’ll need to treat water before drinking. Road access to the Sunrise area is seasonal; check current access status before you head out.

More information: Conditions, Visitor information, Visitor information