Hiking, Skiing, and Lakes Near Puyallup

On a clear day, Mount Rainier fills the sky southeast of Puyallup. It is close enough that people here refer to it as "the mountain," as if there were only one. That view is a fair summary of the area's biggest lifestyle advantage: a great deal of the Northwest's outdoor recreation is within a day trip, and some of it is within a bike ride.

Here is what is nearby, how long it takes to get there, and what you need to know before you go.

The quick picture

Drive times are general estimates from central Puyallup in normal conditions. Mountain roads close seasonally and in bad weather. Check conditions before you leave.

Close to home

You do not need to leave town to get outside.

The Riverwalk Trail follows the Puyallup River for about five miles on a flat, paved path. Walkers, runners, strollers, and cyclists all use it.

The Foothills Trail begins at a trailhead on the east side of Puyallup and runs roughly 25 miles along a former rail line through McMillin, Orting, and South Prairie toward Buckley and Enumclaw. It is paved for most of its length and nearly flat, with the Carbon River beside it and the mountain ahead. It is the best long bike ride in the county for all abilities.

City parks. Bradley Lake Park has a loop around a 12-acre lake stocked with trout. Wildwood Park has wooded trails. Clarks Creek Park has a creekside path and an off-leash dog area. The city's parks page lists them all.

South Hill. The county's South Hill Community Park has a paved loop of about a mile and a half.

A new shared-use trail is also being built alongside the State Route 167 extension to link Puyallup with Fife and Tacoma.

Hiking

Low elevation, all year

When the high country is under snow, these stay open.

• Point Defiance Park in Tacoma: miles of forest trail on a peninsula in Puget Sound, with old-growth trees and beach access.
• Foothill peaks near Enumclaw and Buckley: short, steep climbs that locals use for conditioning.
• State and county forest parks along State Route 410 east of Enumclaw, with riverside walks through big trees.
• The national wildlife refuge on the Nisqually delta, off Interstate 5 south of the base: a flat boardwalk over tidal marsh, popular for birding.
• Waterfront paths in Tacoma and University Place.

Mount Rainier National Park

The park is the main event. It has hundreds of miles of trail, from flat nature loops to multi-day routes.

• The southwest entrance, reached through Eatonville or Elbe and Ashford, is the year-round way in. It leads to Longmire and up to Paradise, known for its wildflower meadows in July and August and its deep snow in winter.
• The northeast side, reached by State Route 410 through Enumclaw, leads to the White River area and Sunrise, the highest point in the park you can drive to. The road to Sunrise is typically open only from about early July into early fall.
• The northwest corner, the Carbon River and Mowich Lake area, is the closest part of the park to Puyallup on the map. Access has been disrupted by a bridge closure on the state highway that serves it. Check current status before planning a trip there.

The National Park Service's directions page lists which entrances and roads are open.

Know before you go

• There is an entrance fee, or you can use an annual national parks pass.
• In some recent summers the park has required timed-entry reservations for the most popular corridors. Check whether they are in effect.
• Summer weekends are crowded. Arrive early or go on a weekday.
• In winter, all vehicles are required to carry tire chains inside the park, and the road to Paradise closes overnight.
• Weather on the mountain changes quickly at any time of year.

National forest and the Cascades

State Route 410 east of Enumclaw runs through national forest with dozens of trailheads, from river walks to ridge hikes with views of Rainier. Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass, about an hour and a quarter away, opens up another large set of trails.

Skiing and snow

Three ski areas are within day-trip range.

Crystal Mountain, on the northeast side of Mount Rainier off State Route 410, is the largest ski area in Washington and the closest major one to Puyallup. It has a gondola, a wide range of terrain, and views of Rainier from the summit. The gondola also runs in summer for sightseeing and hiking. On powder days and weekends the access road and parking lots fill early, and the resort has used parking reservations at peak times. Check before you drive.

The Summit at Snoqualmie, on Interstate 90, has several base areas, extensive night skiing, and a large learning area. It is the most forgiving drive, on an interstate highway the whole way.

White Pass, on U.S. Highway 12 southeast of Mount Rainier, is smaller and quieter, with a loyal following among families.

Snow play and Nordic skiing

• Paradise has a designated snow play area in winter when conditions allow, plus snowshoe routes.
• State Sno-Parks along the mountain highways offer plowed parking for sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. A seasonal permit is required.
• Groomed Nordic trails are available near the passes.

Winter driving. Carry chains, check the pass reports from the state transportation department, and leave early. State Route 410 over the high passes closes for the season, though it stays open to Crystal Mountain.

Lakes

Lake Tapps is the nearest large lake, about 15 to 25 minutes east. It is a reservoir with public parks on the Bonney Lake side and the north shore, offering swimming beaches and boat launches in summer. The water level is lowered in the off-season, so boating is a late spring through early fall activity.

Bradley Lake, in a city park on South Hill, is small, stocked with trout, and good for a child's first fishing trip. It is not a swimming lake.

Spanaway Lake and American Lake, to the west and southwest, have county and city parks with swimming, boating, and fishing.

Lakes toward the mountain, including reservoirs and small lakes near Eatonville and Elbe, have fishing, paddling, and camping.

Alpine lakes in the park and the national forest are reached by trail in summer.

Puget Sound

Saltwater is about half an hour away.

• Point Defiance has beaches, a marina, a boathouse, and the ferry to Vashon Island.
• The Tacoma waterfront along Commencement Bay has a long paved promenade, piers, and restaurants.
• State parks on the Sound, north toward Federal Way and west across the Narrows toward Gig Harbor, offer tide pools, beaches, picnic areas, and camping.
• Boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding are popular from Tacoma's marinas and launches.
• Crabbing, clamming, and saltwater fishing are open in season under state rules.

Fishing and hunting

The Puyallup and Carbon rivers support salmon and steelhead runs, with seasons that open and close under state regulations and in coordination with tribal fisheries. Lakes in the area are stocked with trout.

A state license is required, and rules vary by water body and change during the season. Read the current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before you go.

Hunters use state and federal lands in the foothills and beyond, under the same agency's rules.

Cycling

• Paved trails: the Foothills and Riverwalk trails.
• Road riding: the valley roads toward Orting and Sumner are flat and popular with clubs. The hills on every side of the valley provide the climbing.
• Mountain biking: dedicated trail systems are found in Tacoma, in the foothills, and near the passes.

Golf, camping, and the rest

• Golf. Public courses operate on South Hill, in the valley, and toward Orting and Sumner, with more across Pierce County, including a links-style championship course on the Sound in University Place.
• Camping. Mount Rainier National Park has several campgrounds. State parks on the Sound and in the foothills take reservations, and the national forest has campgrounds and dispersed sites along State Route 410.
• Whitewater and paddling. Rivers in the foothills draw kayakers and rafters in season.
• Climbing. Mount Rainier is a major mountaineering objective, attempted with guides or after serious training.
• The ocean. The Pacific beaches are about two to two and a half hours west, good for a long day or a weekend.

Passes and permits

Different land managers require different passes. Keep them in the glove box.

Prices and rules change. Check each agency before you buy.

Seasons

Spring. Low trails are green and muddy. The high country is still under snow. Skiing continues into April most years.

Summer. The prime season. Meadows bloom on Rainier in July and August, the lakes are warm, and it rarely rains. Late summer can bring wildfire smoke, so check air quality.

Fall. Clear, cool days in September and early October are the locals' favorite. Larches and huckleberries turn color in the mountains. Salmon run in the rivers.

Winter. Rain in the lowlands and snow in the mountains. Ski season, snowshoeing, and low-elevation forest walks.

Which side of town is closest to what

If outdoor access is a priority, location within the Puyallup area matters.

Sumner and Bonney Lake sit even closer to State Route 410 and the lake. I compare the three in my post on Puyallup, Sumner, or Bonney Lake.

Gear, garages, and what to look for in a home

People who spend their weekends outside have specific needs in a house.

• Storage. Skis, bikes, kayaks, and camping gear take space. A three-car garage or a shop is worth more to these buyers than a formal dining room.
• Parking for a boat or trailer. Many homeowner associations restrict it. Read the covenants before you buy, or look at homes without an association.
• A mudroom or a garage entry with room for wet boots and coats.
• A hose bib and a place to wash bikes and dogs.
• Quick freeway access for early starts.

Tell me what you haul, and I will filter for it.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Puyallup from Mount Rainier?

The nearest year-round park entrance is roughly 60 to 75 minutes by car. Paradise, the most visited area, is about an hour and 45 minutes from central Puyallup.

Where is the closest skiing to Puyallup?

Crystal Mountain, about an hour and 15 to 30 minutes away by State Route 410, and the Summit at Snoqualmie, about an hour and 15 minutes away by Interstate 90. White Pass is about two hours.

Are there lakes near Puyallup?

Yes. Lake Tapps is 15 to 25 minutes east with swimming and boating in summer. Bradley Lake is in a city park on South Hill, and Spanaway Lake and American Lake are to the west.

Are there hiking trails in Puyallup?

In town, the Riverwalk Trail and the Foothills Trail are flat and paved, and Wildwood Park and Bradley Lake Park have walking trails. Forest and mountain hikes begin about 30 minutes away.

What passes do I need for outdoor recreation in Washington?

A Discover Pass for state lands, a Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass for national forest fee areas, an entrance fee or pass for Mount Rainier National Park, and a Sno-Park permit for winter lots.

Related reading

• Things to Do in Puyallup With Kids and Family
• Puyallup Weather: What to Expect Through the Year
• Which Parts of Puyallup Are Best for Your Commute?
• Puyallup, Sumner, or Bonney Lake: Which One Fits You?

Equal Housing Opportunity. Austin Robertson, License # 21036843, Austin Robertson and Allena Robertson Real Estate Brokers, regulated by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). This article is general information only. It is not legal, tax, insurance, lending, or construction advice, and it is not an appraisal of any property. Robertson & Co. supports fair housing and does not describe or recommend neighborhoods based on who lives there. Costs, rates, and rules change. Confirm the details with the sources linked above before you act.