Chinook Scenic Byway

Drive in Mount Rainier’s backyard through the Wenatchee National Forest as you travel towards Naches, which features a drier climate and very different topography.

Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain Trail, Sunrise Area

Although the drive can be done in either direction, we describe the drive starting in Enumclaw and traveling to Naches. To reach Enumclaw, it really depends on where you are coming from, but from Seattle, take Exit 149 on I-5 onto WA-516 West. In about three miles, take WA-167/Auburn for about five miles, then take WA-18 for half of a mile, and finally take WA-164/Auburn/Enumclaw until the very end (15 miles) and you will be on WA-410. Once in Enumclaw, you’ll want to get out and take some pictures of Mount Rainier, although you will soon be much closer.

The scenic drive follows the White River until just before the Sunrise entrance to Mount Rainier. Federation Forest State Park (H4) is a great place to stop and learn about the Cascades’ environment; from here, there are a few trails that traverse the old-growth forest, giving you a great first taste of the Cascades.

Just after Greenwater, you will start seeing views of Mount Rainier. There are several turnouts for opportunities to take pictures and enjoy the fresh air. Mount Rainier is an active volcano, and at 14,411 feet, is the tallest mountain in Washington and the Cascade Mountain Range. It is also home to the most glaciers of any mountain in the United States outside of Alaska.

As you approach the Sunrise entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, consider stopping in the White River Wilderness Information Center (I2) for hike suggestions, and camping or climbing permits. Depending on how much time you have, we highly recommend the drive up to the Sunrise Visitor Center (I1). At 6,400 feet, it is the highest point in this park that a car can reach. There are hiking trails for every level that deliver jaw-dropping mountain views, wildflower-laden hills, and a chance to spot wildlife. The Visitor Center offers ranger-led programs, exhibits, and is open early July - early September. Note, the road to Sunrise is closed in winter, which up here is late September to early June. Please check road status before heading out.

Just after the Sunrise entrance on WA-410, the drive takes a sharp left where more fantastic views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding park can be enjoyed. Tipsoo Lake (H1) is a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy the views. Take the easy 3.2-mile Tipsoo Lake - Naches Peak Loop. Walk in a clockwise direction for the best views of Mt. Rainier.

As you head lower down the Cascade Range and through the Wenatchee National Forest, you will see basalt columns from Mount Rainier’s past eruptions.

Where the highway turns and starts heading south again, keep an eye out for Boulder Cave (H2), a 200-foot long cave formed by lava deposits. A 2-mile roundtrip hike travels through the cave, which is also home to the Pacific western big-eared bat. Please follow the guidelines to protect the bats. A lightsource is recommended.

As you get closer to Naches, you will notice a stark difference from the green, lush Wenatchee National Forest and Mount Rainier areas, as the landscape get drier as you head east.

At the end of the drive, you have a few options. Head further east towards the Yakima Valley to experience more desert-like terrain, or if you want more of the Cascades, or are heading back towards Seattle, consider returning via the White Pass Scenic Byway.