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Halfway Anywhere: Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

A guide to hiking the Wonderland Trail in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park.

Halfway Anywhere: Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

Last updated:
July 24, 2025
|  5 min read

Halfway Anywhere: Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

Halfway Anywhere: Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

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A guide to hiking the Wonderland Trail in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park.

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Halfway Anywhere: Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

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Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile (150 km) circuit located in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park, featuring over 23,000 ft (7,090 m) of elevation gain. The trail circumnavigates (goes in a circle around) Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington at 14,411 ft / 4,392 m.

It’s a popular trail that requires hikers to apply for a permit ($20 application fee per group of up to 12 people) in advance. More information on Wonderland Trail permits, including walk-up permits, is available below. There are several starting points for the Wonderland Trail, and it can be hiked in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Mac.

Halfway Anywhere: Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile (150 km) circuit located in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park, featuring over 23,000 ft (7,090 m) of elevation gain. The trail circumnavigates (goes in a circle around) Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington at 14,411 ft / 4,392 m.

It’s a popular trail that requires hikers to apply for a permit ($20 application fee per group of up to 12 people) in advance. More information on Wonderland Trail permits, including walk-up permits, is available below. There are several starting points for the Wonderland Trail, and it can be hiked in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Mac.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Contributing Writer
Mac
Tyler 'Mac' Fox, the voice behind Halfway Anywhere, is a multifaceted adventurer, thru-hiker, bikepacker, ultrarunner, and van dweller, after a pivotal experience thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2013.
Media Mentions

Halfway Anywhere: Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide

The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile (150 km) circuit located in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park, featuring over 23,000 ft (7,090 m) of elevation gain. The trail circumnavigates (goes in a circle around) Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington at 14,411 ft / 4,392 m.

It’s a popular trail that requires hikers to apply for a permit ($20 application fee per group of up to 12 people) in advance. More information on Wonderland Trail permits, including walk-up permits, is available below. There are several starting points for the Wonderland Trail, and it can be hiked in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Mac.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Contributing Writer
Mac
Tyler 'Mac' Fox, the voice behind Halfway Anywhere, is a multifaceted adventurer, thru-hiker, bikepacker, ultrarunner, and van dweller, after a pivotal experience thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2013.
Media Mentions
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