Spray Park and Spray Falls

Mt. Rainier’s parklands are famous for their wildflower displays, and Spray Park certainly lives up to the reputation. Spray Park’s flowers transform the grassy meadows into a sea of color while Spray Falls puts on a watery show of its own. For those willing to go the extra distance, there’s even a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier.
Total Distance: 8.0 miles
Total Ascent: 1600ft
Highest Point: 6400ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Our Hiking Time: 5h 30m
Required Permit: National Park Pass
From Buckley, take State Route 165 south for 1.6 miles to a junction. Turn left toward Wilkeson. In 8.6 miles keep right at the Carbon River Road/Mowich Lake Road junction veering toward Mowich Lake. Follow the Mowich Lake Road for 16.7 miles to the end of the road and the trailhead. View Google Directions >>
From the Mowich Lake camping area, the well-signed Spray Park Trail begins by descending into a forest of cedar and fir rising out of a blanket of greenery. After a few switchbacks and .2 miles of hiking, find yourself at a junction with the Wonderland Trail. Veer right, following the sign that points toward Spray Park and Eagle’s Roost Camp. Legions of boot steps keep this trail clear and easy to navigate as it crosses over creeks and traverses forested ridges. After another 1.4 miles arrive at the Eagle Cliff Viewpoint, a small area where trees have been cleared to offer a lovely pocket view of Mt. Rainier. This is a good place to drop your pack for a short rest before continuing onward.

There's a lot more to Spray Park, and you can learn all about it in Washington Wildflower Hikes: 50 Destinations. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!