Nisqually Vista Trail

This easy hike in the Paradise area offers year-round views of the Nisqually Glacier as well as seasonal highlights, such as wildflowers and fall foliage. The trail is fully paved, 1.2 miles roundtrip and has 200 ft of elevation gain, following a lollipop shape. Find the stairs at the west end of the lower Paradise parking lot to start the trail. It is suitable for families with strollers, but be cautious of the stairs at the start of the trail.

As you start along the trail you will be treated to several views of Mount Rainier as you wind through a forest of evergreen trees and blueberry bushes. In about 0.25 miles you will encounter a fork in the trail. You can choose to go clockwise or counterclockwise from here, with the clockwise direction taking you to the viewpoints quicker. Four separate viewpoints offer different vantages of the Nisqually Valley, highlighting the end (terminus) of the Nisqually Glacier and the beginning of the Nisqually River.

The trail also features meadows that fill with wildflowers mid-summer and views of the Tatoosh mountain range to the south. The trail can even offer beautiful views on cloudy days, showcasing how weather shapes the landscapes, plants, and animals. The valley is typically visible on higher cloud days, but even foggy days can can offer things to see; most notably flowers, mushrooms, and berries! The many blueberry bushes along trail turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange in the early fall and thriving mushrooms can be spotted on wet days.

Like all Paradise trails, Nisqually Vista is snow covered in the winters. It is, however, a marked snowshoe route, so the views can still be enjoyed with some extra equipment and layers.