The plan
- 01
Day 1 morning — Greenwater Lakes
An easy, nearly flat riverside walk to a pair of forest lakes. A gentle, shaded warm-up your dog will love.
- 02
Day 1 afternoon — Skookum Flats to Skookum Falls
A cool, shaded out-and-back along the White River ending at Skookum Falls. Ideal for a warm afternoon.
- 03
Day 2 — Noble Knob (or Suntop Lookout)
Save the big views for day two. Noble Knob delivers a 360-degree Rainier panorama from a former fire lookout; Suntop Lookout is the shorter, steeper alternative.
- 04
Know before you go — the park rules
Mount Rainier National Park bans dogs from its trails. Read the official rule so you know exactly where leashed dogs are and are not allowed.
You can build an outstanding dog-friendly weekend around Mount Rainier without ever testing the national park’s trail restrictions. Everything below sits on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest land east of the mountain, along the Highway 410 / Chinook Pass corridor, where leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Base yourself east of the park
Stay near Greenwater or Enumclaw to keep drive times short. This puts the Chinook Pass trail network within easy reach and keeps you close to food and fuel.
The packing list
- A Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful pass) for trailhead parking.
- A leash (six feet or shorter) — the Forest Service requires it on these trails.
- More water than you think you need, plus a packable bowl.
- A small trail first-aid kit for your dog.
- Layers and sun protection; several of these routes are exposed up high.
The rhythm
Start with the easy, shaded, water-adjacent hikes (Greenwater Lakes, Skookum Flats) and save the bigger, more exposed payoff (Noble Knob or Suntop Lookout) for day two, when you and your dog are settled into the trip. Read the Mount Rainier rules first so you know exactly where dogs are and are not allowed — then enjoy the forest, where none of those rules apply.
Gear for this trip
Ruffwear
$99.99Ruffwear Approach Pack — Research Review
The Ruffwear Approach Pack is a compact dog‑pack built on Ruffwear’s WebMaster harness frame. It pairs radial-cut saddlebag construction and a weight-forward design with two zippered saddlebags (each with a smaller pocket) for about 13 L of total carrying volume. The pack is offered in four girth-based sizes (XS–L) and includes multiple adjustment points, leash attachment options, and trail-oriented load-tuning.
Ruffwear
$49.99Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash — research review
The Ruffwear Roamer is a 1-inch webbing bungee leash offered in two length ranges that combines Wavelength stretch webbing, a padded adjustable handle with a side‑release buckle, a traffic handle for quick restraint, and an anodized 6061‑T6 aluminum Talon Clip. It’s presented by Ruffwear for running, hiking, hands‑free walking and biking and can be worn at the waist, carried by hand, or looped around a post without unclipping; the waist fit adjusts up to 48 in. The longer 7.3–11 ft option is noted as not ideal for crowded or high‑traffic sidewalks.
Ruffwear
$24.99Ruffwear Quencher Packable Dog Bowl — Research Review
The Ruffwear Quencher Packable Dog Bowl is a collapsible square bowl designed for food and water on the go. It is made from a durable water-resistant shell fabric with a lightweight waterproof lining and includes reflective trim. The Quencher comes in three capacities (Small 0.75 L, Medium 1 L, Large 2.5 L), folds flat for pocket or pack storage, and—because its fabric construction is not rigid—must be held or placed on level ground to maintain shape. Ruffwear provides a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Adventure Medical Kits
$37.99Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog First Aid Kit — research review
The Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog is a compact canine-first-aid kit packaged in an inner DryFlex waterproof bag and curated for common hiking-trail dog injuries such as paw wounds, ticks, and sprains. It weighs 12 oz, measures 7.5 x 5.3 x 1.5 in, includes a Pet First Aid Handbook plus wound care and tick-removal tools, and carries a 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. The manufacturer notes it is designed for canine use and is not a substitute for veterinary care.