17 Best Sunrise Hikes in Washington (+ Near Seattle!)
Are you looking for the best sunrise hikes in Washington and near Seattle?
As the sun rises, the bright oranges, yellows, and pinks take over the sky and create an absolutely magical glow over everything the light touches.
And there you are, sitting on top of a mountain, admiring the miles of views, listening to the peaceful sound of birds chirping.
I recently lived in Washington for 6 months and spent every weekend exploring. I did probably 40 sunrise hikes in those 6 months and saw so many amazing sunrises!
Below, I’ll tell you the top hikes in the state that are worth crawling out of bed early and trekking up a mountain for, just to see those epic colors.
Quick Look at My Personal Favorite Washington sunrise hikes:
- Mount Fremont Lookout
- Silver Star Mountain
- Earl Peak
- Huntoon Point
Best Sunrise Hikes in Washington
1. Mount Fremont Lookout
Distance: 5.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Estimated Time: 3 hours
Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Starting at the Sunrise Visitor Center (fitting name, right?!), head out on the Sourdough Ridge Trail, which starts off paved, but quickly becomes dirt.
Trust me when I say that the views of Mount Rainier along this entire trail are incredible. You’ll get to admire them on your way back to the trailhead!
Be sure to use a headlamp so you don’t miss the turn, but once you’ve arrived at Fremont Lookout, sit back and relax until the sun starts to rise. This was my favorite spot in Mount Rainier.
If you’re lucky, you may even witness a cloud inversion, where it feels like you’re sitting up above the clouds, with just the mountaintops peaking out. We were able to see one, and it was something I’ll never forget.
2. Rattlesnake Ledge
Distance: 5.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Estimated Time: 3 hours
Location: North Bend
Pass Required: None
Want to visit one of Washington’s most popular hikes without having to worry about as many crowds?
Check out Rattlesnake Ledge at sunrise, when the views are better and there are fewer people in the way of that perfect shot. đ
This sunrise hike by Seattle starts at the large parking lot for the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. I didn’t expect this one to be so difficult, but to my surprise, it was mostly uphill and my legs were burning at the top.
From the first ledge, you’ll be able to see for miles, looking down at Rattlesnake Lake and outwards at Mount Si and Mailbox Peak.
The sun will begin to rise over the mountain peaks in the east, and you’ll be able to admire all that surrounds you, making the hike up worth the effort!
3. High Rock Lookout
Distance: 3.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Estimated Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Location: Ashford
Pass Required: None
Standing at over 5,600 feet tall, High Rock sits higher than many of the surrounding peaks, making for a phenomenal spot for sunrise.
After you’ve made the 1.5-mile hike to the top, you’ll find High Rock Lookout atop a large rock. It’s shorter, but the final stretch is a bit steep with loose rock.
From the top, you’ll have views of Mount Rainier, Sawtooth Ridge, and everything else over the steep drop-off in front of the tower.
This is a popular sunrise hike in Washington because it isn’t too hard and still delivers on the views.
4. Mount Storm King
Distance: 4.1 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Location: Olympic National Park
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
One of the most difficult hikes that I’ve done is to Mount Storm King, simply because it’s a straight uphill shot for the entire hike.
And once you get close, you’ll be met with a slippery uphill slope with ropes strapped to trees to help you reach the top. But it is pretty darn epic up there with fjord-like mountains around Lake Crescent.
When the oranges from the sunrise start to fill the sky and spill over the mountains, the entire view gets a magical glow.
I could sit at the top of Mount Storm King for hours and just take in everything around me (in fact, I think that I did… đ).
Truly, you’ll never want to make your way down, but as you do head down the mountain, you’ll start to see how popular this trail is. This trail gets really busy around 8-9 am in the summer!
5. Silver Star Mountain
Distance: 6.3 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
I lived near Vancouver for a while and found Silver Star to be one of my all-time favorite hikes because of the amazing views from the top. We did the hike 5 times in just a few months!
It’s uphill almost the entire time with loose rocks covering the trail, except for a few spots that open up to views of rolling hills.
But once you reach the peak of Silver Star, you’ll completely forget about the effort that you had to put in, since there are mountain views in all directions.
Mount St. Helens is first in line, and as you spin around, you’ll also see Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount Jefferson. Talk about an incredible view.
It really can’t get much better than this, until I tell you that there’s a good chance you’ll have this spot all to yourself, since it’s not as popular! (But it should be!)
6. Picture Lake
Distance: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 10 feet
Estimated Time: 10 minutes
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
While not much of a hike, this short path leads you to a phenomenal viewpoint that you won’t believe is just seconds from your car.
Picture Lake was definitely given its name for good reason, as it’s likely one of the most picturesque alpine lakes I’ve ever seen! We loved it so much that we visited for sunrise and sunset!
A small lake, surrounded by trees, and patches of snow, with the incredible Mount Shuksan in the background. This is a perfect family friendly hike.
If you’re looking for the best time to visit, definitely choose sometime in the fall, because the colors and larches around the lake are astounding.
7. Hurricane Hill
Distance: 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Location: Olympic National Park
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Way up on the Olympic Peninsula, you’ll find the hike to Hurricane Hill, a 5,765-foot peak overlooking the Olympic Range and National Forest.
Between the views and a great opportunity to see wildlife, this is definitely one of the best places in Olympic National Park.
It’s a fairly easy trail to the top, as it’s paved for the entire way and is just a slight incline until you reach the last portion, where it does get a little steep.
Once you’ve made it, relax on one of the rocks at the top, watch as the sun creeps its way over the hills, and admire the peaks in the distance.
8. Lake Ingalls
Distance: 8.9 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2,800
Estimated Time: 5 hours
Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
One of my favorite hikes that Iâve ever done was to Lake Ingalls, and thatâs because itâs just stunning for the entire trail!
As you make the climb to the top, the entire trail is opened up to views of the mountains and of course, if youâre hiking in the morning, the stunning sunrise.
Once youâve made it up and over the first ridge, youâll have an incredible view of Mount Stuart, as well as down into the valley which is often called Headlight Basin.
During my last hike here, we saw like 10 mountain goats, which was amazing. So keep an eye out for these unique creatures!
9. Earl Peak
Distance: 6.3 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 3,300 feet
Estimated Time: 5 hours
Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
I was on the hunt for some unique hikes that I hadnât seen a lot of other people do when I came across Earl Peak. This trail is tricky with quite a bit of elevation gain, but the views are just incredible.
The views are expansive, looking out around the mountain ranges that seem to go for miles. Tyler and I literally just sat down in silence staring out around us wondering why this hike isnât on more peopleâs must-do lists!
At sunrise, you can see the sun coming up over the mountains and it turns everything a stunning shade of orange and pink. That alpenglow from the sun is something unlike anything Iâve ever seen!
One thing that I would keep in mind is that the final stretch to the top does have quite a bit of loose rock, so watch your footing. I slipped a few times!
10. Mount Pilchuck
Distance: 5.2 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Location: Mount Pilchuck State Park
Pass Required: Discover pass
Another classic sunrise hike near Seattle is the one to Mount Pilchuck in Mount Pilchuck State Park. This long but unique and beautiful hike has pretty different views from the previous two on this list, but itâs still well worth the visit!
At the top of Mount Pilchuck, thereâs an old wooden fire lookout that you can climb to and see the views from. Be careful climbing up, because thereâs an old wooden ladder and a lot of loose rock to get to the lookout.
The views from the lookout allow you to admire the views of the rolling hills and the jagged peaks. There are a few small lakes in the distance, and when youâre here for sunrise, it all becomes just that much more magical!
11. Heybrook Ridge
Distance:
Difficulty:
Elevation Gain:
Estimated Time:
Location:
Pass Required:
The first time that I did this hike I was honestly really surprised at how great it is for being such a short distance. It is mostly uphill to get to the viewpoint, but itâs really just a stunning spot for minimal effort!
Plus, itâs not as popular as other trails, so you can typically get it all to yourself. When I last visited, there wasnât a single other person on the trail! Most other people are heading to Heybrook Lookout which is just down the road.
We really enjoyed just sitting down on the rocks that are up by the top of the viewpoint and watched as the sun came up and illuminated the rocks and mountainsides.
12. Sunrise Nature Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Pass Required: National Park pass
If youâre looking for a hike thatâs a bit shorter and will only take about an hour or so, then the Sunrise Nature Trail in Mount Rainier National Park will be perfect for you.
The trailhead is right at the parking lot for the Sunrise Visitor Center, and I think that based on the name, we can all agree that the sunrises here must be incredible! For such a short walk, you get incredible views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains in the distance.
The location also is really great because dozens of other trails are nearby that you can easily add on like the Sourdough Ridge Trail and Mount Fremont Lookout.
13. Mount Ellinor
Distance: 5.9 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 3,500 feet
Estimated Time: 6 hours
Location: Olympic National Forest
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Another epic sunrise hike close to Seattle is to Mount Ellinor in the Olympic National Forest. The trailhead is just on the other side of the bays and inlets near the city.
For a lot of the trail, youâll have views out into Puget Sound and the surrounding rugged cliffs. The views of the Olympic Mountains here are just insane and feel like something from Switzerland!
My favorite part of this hike is when thereâs a cloud inversion and the clouds sit low below you. Itâs just unbelievable and feels like youâre floating! Plus, the sunrise from all the way up here is pretty amazing!
14. Artist Point and Huntoon Point
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Location: Mount Baker Wilderness
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
If youâve ever wanted a hike that gives you the most bang for your buck, then Artist Point is going to be your best friend. This short hike is more than rewarding.
As you make your way along the trail to Huntoon Point, youâll be able to turn around and see Mount Baker. And then in front of you is my favorite mountain in Washington, Mount Shuksan.
Literally everywhere you look, there are mountains, which is my favorite kind of hike. The alpenglow on Mount Baker as the sun rises above the horizon is one of my favorite parts of this hike! And because itâs pretty out of the way, you might have a chance of having it to yourself.
15. Sherrard Point
Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
This hike is technically in Oregon, but itâs right over the border and I really do think that itâs worth mentioning because when we visited, there wasnât a single other person there, and this short trail gives you a great treat.
Once youâre at the top of Sherrard Point (you donât have to do the whole Larch Mountain loop, just park at the Larch Mountain Trailhead and take the short trail), youâll have views of 5 major mountains in the PNW. This is great for a sunrise or sunset hike!
Itâs really phenomenal, and Iâm surprised that more people donât know about or visit this trail! I honestly feel lucky that we discovered this hidden gem!
16. Sunrise Peak
Distance: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Estimated Time: 3 hours
Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Although short, this trail gives you a run for your money with so much elevation change. But at the top of Sunrise Peak, youâll have stunning views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and some of Mount Hood, plus a pretty epic spot to watch the sunrise.
Again, with the word âsunriseâ being right in the name of the trail, we know that they will be epic here.
And when you add together epic sunrises and beautiful mountain views, thatâs my kind of place! When we did this hike a few years ago, we were able to experience a cloud inversion, which was absolutely crazy! It was so beautiful!Â
17. The Enchantments
Distance: 20 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 5,000 feet
Estimated Time: 1+ days
Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
This is one long hike, but boy is it a good one. If youâre able to snag an Enchantments permit and spend the night in the core zone, you will be treated to one of the most magical sunrises of your life.
As the sun rises, it turns all of the mountains and jagged peaks into shades of orange and pink. Watch as mountain goats graze around you, the alpine lakes glisten, and the birds chirp above you.
Talk about something straight out of a fairytale. I really wouldnât recommend this one for sunrise if youâre not camping overnight, though, because the hike to get there is brutal after Colchuck Lake!
Tips for Viewing a Great Sunrise
You definitely do not have to be a weather expert to look out for a great sunrise, but using these tips will help make sure that you get a good one.
What To Pack on a Sunrise Hike in Washington
Hiking at sunrise can definitely be a bit different than hiking during the day because you’re likely going to be hitting the trail in the dark.
Here I’ll give you a quick rundown on what you should be packing for a hike at sunrise.
âď¸ Warm Clothing: It’s typically colder in the dark, so pack an extra layer.
âď¸ Windproof Jacket: Peaks and viewpoints tend to be windy. Bring a windproof layer.
âď¸ Headlamp: To be able to see in the dark, of course!
âď¸ Spare Batteries: Just in case you need your flashlight for longer than you think.
âď¸ Flashlight: As an extra light source. This one is waterproof!
âď¸ Bear Spray: Because animals are most active as the sun is coming up.
âď¸ GPS System: All Trails and Cairn are great options for a phone GPS.
Wrap-Up: Sunrise Hikes in Washington
Between the great views, the epic experience, and the incredible colors that fill the sky during sunrise, doing a hike at this time just can’t be beaten.
All of these trails give the perfect opportunity for a great sunrise hike in Washington, as long as you are lucky with a clear day and the ability to crawl out of bed early in the morning!
