Carbon River Trail Trail at Mount Rainier National Park

more stats

5.0 miles

Distance

608 ft

Climb

-6 ft

Descent

00:50:02

Avg time

604 ft

Altitude change

1,769 ft

Altitude min

2,373 ft

Altitude max

1,769 ft

Altitude start

2,372 ft

Altitude end

2.3%

Grade

-1.8%

Grade max

9.4%

Grade min

5 miles

Distance climb

574 ft

Distance down

135 ft

Distance flat

00:50:02

Avg time

Carbon River Trail Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Gravel Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Mount Rainier National Park
Ashford, Washington
Difficulty Rating

Green Rate
Local Popularity
100 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 100 in E-Biking
- 80 in Trail Running
- 75 in Hiking
Global Ranking
#6256 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #5965 in E-Biking
- #72679 in Trail Running
- #62450 in Hiking
Hiking SAC Scale

T1 Hiking
Trail Type

Dirt/Gravel Road
Bike Type

XC, Gravel
Direction

Both Directions
eBike Allowed

Yes up to Class 1
Land Owner

National Park Service

The Carbon River Trail now begins at the Carbon River entrance at the northwest border of the park. This is due to flooding which altered the roadbed and closed the road to vehicles. Bikes are allowed on the portion of the trail on the old road bed, from the Carbon River Entrance to Ipsut Creek Campground. Bikes are not allowed on trails past the campground. Given that this trail follows an old roadbed, it's quite easy-going. The grade stays consistent at ~2%.

Like the now closed Westside Road, the Carbon River Road is one of the few places mountain bikes are allowed within the national park. Park officials will be putting bike racks in place at the trailheads along the Carbon River Road, which will allow for the unique experience of bike and hike outings.

The Ipsut Creek Car Campground is still open, but now accessible to just hikers and bikers. If you plan on spending a night at this delightful campground on the Carbon River, pick up a backcountry permit at the Carbon River Wilderness Information Center near the Ranger Station. From Ipsut Creek you can hike 3.2 miles on the Wonderland Trail to a suspension bridge over the Carbon River at the snout of the Carbon Glacier. At an elevation of 3,500 feet, Carbon is the lowest elevation glacier in the Lower Forty-eight and at over five miles long-the longest glacier within the contiguous states as well.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

0 rides

6 Months

0 rides

All

15 rides
Last: Jul 11, 2026

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

update trails status or condition

Carbon River Trail Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Jan 6, 2025 @ 4:39pm Jan 6, 2025
	Jun 2, 2023 @ 8:02am Jun 2, 2023
	Nov 11, 2022 @ 6:43pm Nov 11, 2022	A couple of large blowdowns to climb over or bypass after the first mile. Light snow beginning around 3 miles, but doesn't exceed 2-3 inches up to...
	Jul 28, 2022 @ 7:56am Jul 28, 2022	Great trail.