Mountain Biking Mt. Rainier
Cycling Mount Rainier National Park
What great scenery for cycling ! If you are looking for great Mountain Bike trails inside the
park - look to the south in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest out of Packwood or Mount St.
Helens. At Mount Rainier bicycles are allowed on park roads but they are not permitted on
any hiking trails and the park does not have any designated bike trails. The road-riding is
scenic though! September and early October are generally excellent times for cyclists to visit
Mount Rainier. During these months, there are usually fewer vehicles on the roads and fall
colors enhance the scenery. Many facilities and services are reduced or closed after Labor
Day.
If you are looking for cruise through a rainforest try the Carbon River Road, in the northwest
corner of the park. It is 5 miles long and offers a ride through a rain forest alongside the
Carbon River to Ipsut Creek Campground. Due to the November 2006 flood the road is
closed to motor vehicle traffic but open to cyclists and hikers.
The Mowich Lake Road is also in the northwest corner of the park at the end of Highway
165. This 5-mile dirt road leads to a scenic alpine lake.
The Westside Road just beyond the Ashford - Nisqually Entrance is closed to motor vehicles
after the first three miles. Mountain bikers can leave their cars at the 3 mile parking lot and
take the remaining 9 miles of the road to Klapatche Point enjoying great views and challenging
climbs.
The road behind the old campground in Longmire is another option. Vehicle parking and
access to this road are at the Community Building in Longmire. This road connects with
Skate Creek Road, Forest Service Road 52.
Get Dirty ! For those looking to get off-pavement head on up to Crystal Mountain area just
outside the NE corner of the Park. Bike up Corral Pass road for great views or take the White
River trail to Snoquera Falls. Advanced riders will love the Skookum Flats trail. Mountain
bikers can also enjoy Crystal Mountain's Ski Resort's 35 miles of trails in the summer. Bikes
can be rented at Alta Crystal Resort.
STAYING IN SEATTLE? Check out their bike park colonade at the Seattle Park constructed by
the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.
For lodging see our Seattle Motel and Lodging Guide or if coming from the south see our
Portland Motel and Lodging Guide.
Photos courtesy of those crazy mountain bike fools that hibernate over at the Mud Blog.
What great scenery for cycling ! If you are looking for great Mountain Bike trails inside the
park - look to the south in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest out of Packwood or Mount St.
Helens. At Mount Rainier bicycles are allowed on park roads but they are not permitted on
any hiking trails and the park does not have any designated bike trails. The road-riding is
scenic though! September and early October are generally excellent times for cyclists to visit
Mount Rainier. During these months, there are usually fewer vehicles on the roads and fall
colors enhance the scenery. Many facilities and services are reduced or closed after Labor
Day.
- Check out ten Mt. Rainier Mountain Biking
videos we have to get an idea of biking in
and outside the park.
From the Ashford - Nisqually Entrance,
in the southwest corner of the park, it is 19
miles one-way with a 3,400 foot gain in
elevation to Paradise. From the northeast
park boundary on SR-410, it is 20 miles
with an elevation gain of 3,650 feet to
Sunrise Visitor Center. Park roads are
steep, narrow, winding and have unpaved
shoulders with significant elevation gains
and drops. Watch your speeds on the way
down.
If you are looking for cruise through a rainforest try the Carbon River Road, in the northwest
corner of the park. It is 5 miles long and offers a ride through a rain forest alongside the
Carbon River to Ipsut Creek Campground. Due to the November 2006 flood the road is
closed to motor vehicle traffic but open to cyclists and hikers.
The Mowich Lake Road is also in the northwest corner of the park at the end of Highway
165. This 5-mile dirt road leads to a scenic alpine lake.
The Westside Road just beyond the Ashford - Nisqually Entrance is closed to motor vehicles
after the first three miles. Mountain bikers can leave their cars at the 3 mile parking lot and
take the remaining 9 miles of the road to Klapatche Point enjoying great views and challenging
climbs.
The road behind the old campground in Longmire is another option. Vehicle parking and
access to this road are at the Community Building in Longmire. This road connects with
Skate Creek Road, Forest Service Road 52.
- RAMROD ! The Ride Around Mount Rainier One Day annual event
is held each July with participant drawings in March. 154 mile course
with a 10,000 feet total elevation gain it is tried by 750 cyclists a
year. redmondcyclingclub.org
Get Dirty ! For those looking to get off-pavement head on up to Crystal Mountain area just
outside the NE corner of the Park. Bike up Corral Pass road for great views or take the White
River trail to Snoquera Falls. Advanced riders will love the Skookum Flats trail. Mountain
bikers can also enjoy Crystal Mountain's Ski Resort's 35 miles of trails in the summer. Bikes
can be rented at Alta Crystal Resort.
- Spend a day exploring
Mount St. Helens just 90
minutes to the south.
Mount St. Helens
National Volcanic
Monument
The Monument does
allow mountain bikes on
many of its trails.
Mount St. Helens Biking
STAYING IN SEATTLE? Check out their bike park colonade at the Seattle Park constructed by
the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.
For lodging see our Seattle Motel and Lodging Guide or if coming from the south see our
Portland Motel and Lodging Guide.
Photos courtesy of those crazy mountain bike fools that hibernate over at the Mud Blog.
| . |
"Bike Mt. Rainier -
It's a blast !"
"For another Tour
de Blast try Biking
Mount St. Helens "
It's a blast !"
"For another Tour
de Blast try Biking
Mount St. Helens "
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..
Mt. Rainier:
.
• Visitor Centers
• Recreation
• Lodging - Motels
• Lodging - Inns - B&B
• Lodging - Cabins
• Camping / RV Parks
• Shopping
• Rainier Cam
• Restaurants
• Climb Rainier
• Hike Rainier
• Bike Rainier
• Rainier Maps
• Satellite Map
• 360° Rainier View
• Photo Gallery
• Photography
• Videos
• Travel Links
• Fun Facts - History
• Rainier News
• Mt. St. Helens