- 100 Classic Hikes of Washington, Camping & Backpacking
Your Guide to Backpacking Spray Park and Isput Creek Loop
The Spray Park – Ipsut Creek Loop is an absolutely stunning backpacking route in Mount Rainier National Park. It offers incredible views of the mountain, alpine meadows, waterfalls, and old-growth forests. It is the perfect moderate backpacking trail in Mount Rainier National Park!
This loop is moderately challenging and can be completed as an overnight or multi-day backpacking route. The choice is up to you!
In this blog post, I will share all the details that go into planning your backpacking trip in Mount Rainier, campground options, what to expect on your hike, and a short gear guide. Reference the Q&A section for frequently asked questions about the Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop Trail to gather further details.
If all that sounds good to you, let’s get into it!
Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Complete Trail Guide for Spray Park - Ipsut Creek Loop in Mount Rainier NP
Located in one of the most impressive National Parks in the United States is a spectacular overnight backpacking trail, Spray Park – Ipsut Creek Loop. While Spray Park is popular as a day hike(more about that below), having the opportunity to trek this underrated trail is breathtaking.
Whenever you’re staying in the backcountry in Rainier, you need to apply for permits. Backcountry Permits in Mount Rainier National Park open Feb. 10th @7:00 AM PST for an early access lottery. All rememaining permits become available for reservation on April 25th.
Let’s get into the nitty gritty of this amazing backpacking trail!
Know Before You Go
Before you hit the trail, here are some important things to know and consider for planning purposes!
Where is the trailhead located?
Mount Rainier National Park is located on the ancestral lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Nations, as well as the Puyallup tribes. We are grateful for the stewards of this land past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.
Getting to the Trail
The trailhead for Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop is located at Mowich Lake in the Carbin River Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. However, keep in mind that you will need to stop at the Carbon River Ranger Station to register your permits.
From Enumclaw, head west on State Route 410 before turning left onto WA-165. Continue on WA-165 for 21 miles before veering right onto Mowich Lake Road. Follow Mowich Lake Road for 6 miles until you reach the trailhead parking lot.
To get to the Carbon River Ranger Station, veer left off of WA-165 onto Carbon River Road. The Ranger Station will be on the left in a couple of miles.
Trailhead Facilities
The spray park trailhead has a small campground, Mowich Lake Campground, and pit toilets for visitors to use.
This is a common rest area for Wonderland Trail hikers.
Season to Visit
This trail is accessible from mid-July through October.
It is most popular during July through August when the Spray Park Area is filled with wildflowers.
Snow begins melting in this area in Late June, which can make for challenging route navigation and muddy trails.
Passes/Permits
This route is within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park which requires both a pass and a permit.
Pass: An America the Beautiful Pass is required for daily use and cars. For overnight trips an day trips, leave the National Park Pass in the windshield.
Permits: Overnight camping permits are required for this trip, which can be purchased on Recreation.gov. There are four campgrounds along the route: Ipsut Creek Campground, Carbon River Campground, Cataract Valley Camp, and Eagles Roost Camp.
Reservations for campsites go on sale on April 25th for trips between late May and early October.
For more information about the early-access lottery, visit recreation.gov.
Let’s get into hiking the trail!
Hiking the Spray Park - Ipsut Creek Loop Clockwise
Opting to hike the Spray Park – Ipsut Creek Loop clockwise offers a different experience, with a more gradual ascent on your first day and the opportunity to save the stunning alpine meadows of Spray Park for the final day.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the clockwise route:
Day 1
The adventure begins with a relatively easy walk through a dense, shady forest. Initially, this direction is much gentler on the knees, making for a great warm-up as you head to Ipsut Pass. Following the trail to the right, you’ll begin the descent to the Carbon River Trail.
Taking the trail to the left, you’ll head to the famous Tolmie Peak!
The trail begins with a gradual descent along the Carbon River Trail, which follows the Carbon River. This part of the hike is peaceful and flat, with towering old-growth trees and plenty of shade. The trail is well-maintained, making it ideal for a smooth start to your loop.
After ~4.2 miles, you’ll reach the trail split for Ipsut Creek Campground just after Ipsut Falls. Turn left to get to the ipsut campground and turn right to continue on the loop.
Ipsut Creek is a former car campground, now only accessible by foot, and offers amenities like picnic tables, bear boxes, a shelter, and pit toilets. Surrounded by forest and the sound of the creek, it’s a comfortable and scenic place to spend your first night. The proximity to the Carbon River also means plenty of access to water, but make sure to filter it.
Carbon River Crossing
You’ll cross the Carbon River using a sturdy footbridge that spans the glacier-fed water. The trail then follows the river for a while, offering views of the silty, fast-moving current. This section of the hike gradually gains elevation as you make your way toward the Carbon Glacier. Due to various trail washouts, you will make your way across the Carbon River a number of times before the actual trail becomes safe to traverse.
One of the highlights of this direction is the early view of the Carbon Glacier, which is the largest glacier by volume in the contiguous United States. You’ll have some incredible photo opportunities as the trail skirts the edge of the glacier. The stark contrast between the bluish-gray ice and the surrounding rocky terrain is breathtaking.
Cross the Carbon River to follow the Northern Loop Trail for the opportunity to cross the suspension bridge. It is likely you’ll come across a few day hikers whose main goal is to get to the suspension bridge!
On the other side of the suspension bridge is Carbon River Camp (~8.5 miles). Carbon Camp is a fantastic camp with plenty of water access. If completing this as a single overnight trip, Carbon River Camp would be my first choice.
Cataract Valley Camp
The 1.4 miles between Carbon River Camp and Cataract Valley Camp are no joke, especially if you’ve been hiking all day. The trail meanders up a collection of switchbacks for the entirety of the distance between the two camps. Sections of the trial are covered in wild blackberry bushes that require a little bushwacking but are otherwise easy to navigate around.
Cataract Valley Camp is another phenomenal camp along the route. The bear hang is easy to use, and each of the campsites is secluded, offering privacy even with plenty of people around. There is a small stream that runs through the camp, and there is a large group site here. This is my second choice of campsite on this route for overnight accommodation. But it was a great place to stay and would absolutely stay again!
Day 2
Seattle Park
Leaving Cataract Valley Camp, there is a short section of ascent before you reach Seattle Park. Once you do, you’ll be in a gorgeous alpine zone with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. During the summer months, the alpine meadows here may still have patches of snow, creating a striking landscape against the backdrop of towering Mount Rainier. This is one of my favorite sections of the trail.
There are plenty of water crossings, wildflowers, waterfalls, and epic views of Mount Rainier.
Seattle Park continues the ascent up to the rock scramble pass into Spray Park.
Spray Park
Spray Park is one of the most beautiful alpine meadows in the park. Spray Park is renowned for its stunning wildflower displays in late summer, with fields of lupines and Indian paintbrush. Mount Rainier rises dramatically above the meadows, offering some of the best views of the mountain on the entire loop.
As you descend through the park, the trail leads you to a side spur that takes you to Spray Falls, a magnificent 350-foot waterfall. The cascade is a popular spot for taking a break and capturing some stunning photos. The waterfall is surrounded by rugged cliffs and dense greenery, creating a serene atmosphere.
Eagle's Roost
At the base of Spray Falls is Eagle’s Roost Camp. This backcountry campsite is perched on a ridge and offers stunning views of Mount Rainier, though it is more exposed and can be quite windy. There are tent sites, and water is available from nearby creeks, but be prepared for colder temperatures, especially at night. Just past the camp is Eagle Cliff viewpoint which has a great view of Rainier.
After Spray Falls, the trail descends through several switchbacks, gradually making its way back into the forest. This part of the hike brings you back under the canopy of fir and hemlock, where the temperature FINALLY cools. There is a slight ascent before you reach Mowitch Lake Campground, and your backpacking trip is complete.
Side Trips Along the Spray Park Loop
This trail is part of a vast amount of connected trails, making it easy to plan small side trips throughout your hike.
Some of the popular side trips on this route include:
- Hessong Rock – A 1.5 mile detour to a beautiful lookout near Eagle’s Roost Camp.
- Tolmie Peak – A popular trail to an amazing fire lookout. This side trip adds 3.5 miles round-trip, but is worth it especially for the amazing views of Mount Rainier.
- Glacier Viewpoint – Before crossing the swing bridge, continue straight for 0.3 miles for amazing views of Carbon Glacier.
- Mystic Lake – A further side trip is Mystic Lake adding 4 miles one way after the Glacier Viewpoint. There is a camp at Mystic Lake making it a nice place to stop for the night.
Should Spray Park Loop be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
I am hiking all “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”. But the question is, Should Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop be 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
There are some extremely beautiful sections of this trail. Seattle Park is second to none in terms of gorgeous alpine views. However, this trail overlaps frequently with the Wonderland Trail and the Northern Loop Trail, both of which are also considered 100 Classic Hikes of Washington.
So, while I do believe that this overnight backpacking trip in Mount Rainier National Park is worth the time and effort, I do not think it should be included on the list.
Many people were completing the trail as a day hike to Spray Park, which would be beautiful in and of itself, but it would be a challenging day hike.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved this trail. But if there are already two trails in the book that this trail overlaps with.
Let me know in the comments if you think Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington!
If you’d like to complete your own 100 Classic Hikes journey, you can purchase the book here.
What to Pack for Your Spray Park Trek
As an overnight backpacking trip you’ll want to bring some essentials! Check out my backpacking essentials guide for all of the save vs splurge gear options.
Here are some of my favorite items that I brought on the trip.
Backpack – I brought my standard Osprey Aura 65 for this overnight trip. Get this backpack.
Warm Sleeping Bag – At the higher altitude, even in the summer months it gets pretty chilly! Bring a lightweight, down sleeping bag for ultimate comfort. Shop my sleeping bag.
Sleeping Pad – A comfortable sleeping pad is imperative for a good nights sleep. Try out my favorite.
Tent – I brought my Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1. It is my favorite single tent.
Water Filter – There is plenty of water along the trail, so I brought my Hydrapak Flux+ Water Bottle to filter on the go.
Sturdy Boots – I have always been a fan of boots and have been using the same brand and style of boots for four years. Check them out.
Socks – I bring two types of socks on these trips, wool hiking socks and compression socks.
Kindle – My kindle has been my favorite piece of backpacking gear for solo nights on the trail. Get yours here.
There are many more items to bring, but these were my favorites of the trip!
Suggested Route for Spray Park Loop
This is my recommendation for completing the Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop Trail in Mount Rainier National Park:
Overnight
For overnight stays, the recommended campgrounds are Carbon River or Cataract Valley Camp.
These two campgrounds are roughly halfway through the trail and are in excellent locations. Both campgrounds are great for an overnight because the hike in and out is evenly challenging.
Multi-Day
For a multi-day trek, my suggested campgrounds are Ipsut Creek Campground and Cataract Valley Camp. This again provides equally challenging days. However, if you’re looking to spend more time in the spray park area, the Eagles Roost Camp has phenomenal views of Mount Rainier and would make for an easy hike out on the last day.
Day Hike
This trail is a popular trail running route and would not be considered too challenging for a day trip. However, I would recommend at least an overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about the Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop Backpacking Trail in Mount Rainier National Park.
Still looking for an answer to your question? Drop your question in the comments section, and I would be happy to answer it!
Do I need a permit to hike the Spray Park-Ipsut Creek Loop?
Yes, you need a wilderness camping permit to stay overnight at any of the campsites along the trail. These can be obtained through the Mount Rainier National Park wilderness reservation system, and it’s best to reserve early, especially for peak summer months.
However, I managed to get mine at the last minute due to a cancellation. Two-thirds of backcountry campsites are reserved for walk-ups!
If you’re just going to hike this trail in a day, the only permit you need is a National Park Pass.
How difficult is Spray Park Loop?
This trail is considered moderate to strenuous due to the elevation gain and varying terrain. If hiking counter-clockwise, backpackers should be prepared for steep climbs, especially on the approach to Spray Park. The descent into Carbon River Valley can also be hard on the knees, so trekking poles are recommended.
Should you hike Spray Park Loop Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise?
This is entirely up to you, but I preferred the gradual include of going clockwise than the steep incline of going counter-clockwise. However, this means that the decline was steeper. Many people prefer a steeper incline to a decline.
Are there water sources along the trail?
Yes, there are plenty of water sources, including creeks near the campsites. However, always filter or purify the water before drinking. I carry a filtering water bottle with me on backpacking trips to make filtering on the go easier.
Should you be concerned about bears on the Spray Park Trail?
The loop is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, marmots, mountain goats, and elk. Be sure to practice proper food storage and keep a safe distance from all animals, especially bears.
While there isn’t a large concern for bears on the trail, proper food storage is a necessity. All campsites have bear poles available or you can bring a bear can.
What if campsites are not availble? Can I camp outside of designated campsites?
No, backcountry camping is only allowed in designated sites with a wilderness camping permit. This helps protect the delicate ecosystems in the park.
Pack It Up
Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop is one of the best single day backpacking trips in Mount Rainier National Park. With spectacular views of Mount Rainier, Tahoma, and fields of wildflowers, the views are immaculate in this section of the park.
Keep in mind that this trial requires a backpacking permit that can be purchased at recreation.gov! You’ll need to plan on picking your permit up at the Carbon River Ranger Station prior to your backpacking trip.
This trail is best completed as an overnight, but it is also great for a leisurely two-day backpacking trip or as a long day hike for trail runners.
So, are you going to add Spray Park and Ipsut Creek Loop to your backpacking bucket list in Washington? Let me know in the comments!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
The Ultimate Washington Map
Endless adventures, all at your fingertips
If you’ve ever wished you could access my adventure journals to uncover notes about hundreds of Washington destinations, now’s your chance. I spend an entire year creating this interactive map to make adventure more accessible. You can sort, filter, and explore my notes on hundreds of trails, breweries, campgrounds, and more.
Have a question? Put it in a comment and I'll get back to ya!
Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
