Carbon River Rainforest Nature Trail

The Carbon River Rainforest Trail is an enjoyable, simple interpretive trail in Mount Rainier National Park that is kid-friendly. This trail immerses you in the rainforest, offering the perfect chance to relax and enjoy nature. The interpretive signs on the trail tell you more about the forest itself as you go. Note that the trail is not always in great condition, and parts are susceptible to treefall or washout. We don’t recommend strollers for this reason. The trail can be very muddy in shoulder season, so take care in the spring or fall.

The trail begins by the signpost and kiosk. You can head either left or right to begin. The left-hand pathway starts out on soft dirt covered in hemlock needles and cones. Walk over a scenic bridge covered in skunk cabbage and huckleberry. This bridge is especially beautiful in the morning light.

Admire the hemlock trees that are becoming dominant in the forest, growing past the older cedar and spruce. At 0.2mi (the midway point of the loop), there is a bridge that has previously been out of commission due to damage. If the bridge is still blocked off when you visit, simply hike this trail as an out and back rather than a loop, retracing your steps to the parking lot.