Tacoma — Hikers rejoice when the roads to Sunrise and Mowich Lake open each summer, joining the winding path to Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park. Traveling Route 7 to Ashford or Route 410 through Enumclaw, the towns along the way offer unique settings to fuel up on your way into the park or relax on your way back to the city.
Over several trips around the mountain and throughout the county, we have curated a list of our favorite places en route to each of the park’s three main entrances: Nisqually to Longmire and Paradise in the southwest, Carbon River to Mowich Lake in the northwest, and White River to Sunrise in the northeast.
For the morning, find the best coffee and doughnut shops open early enough for you to get into the park without much of a wait (check the webcams and road status). Post-hike, it’s all about casual hangouts where you can refresh without anyone looking at you funny for being sweaty and wearing Tevas. To the contrary — you’re sure to find good food and good drink surrounded by people who get it.
Whether you’re a daytripper from Western Washington or you’re one of the millions of people who visit every year for a glimpse of Mt. Tahoma herself, if you stick with our guide, you’ll relish the adventure, from dawn to dusk, just as locals do.
Route 7 to Paradise
The Pacific Highway streetscape of Route 7 leaves room for imagination, but the forthcoming mountain views compensate for this part of the journey — as do the doughnuts and coffee. On the way back, discover a casual but memorable Latin American gem, ramen and fresh sushi burritos.
- Wolfe Club Coffee Roasters, 12901 Pacific Ave. S, Tacoma, wolfeclub.com
- Zen Ramen & Sushi Burrito, 528 Garfield St., Tacoma, 253-292-0731, zen1parkland.com
- Frank’s Donuts & Muffins, 14117 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-535-4699
- Carne Aqui, 14506 Pacific Ave. S, Tacoma, 253-535-6328, carneaqui.com
- Kolby’s Donut House, 15012 Pacific Ave. S., 253-537-2089, facebook.com/KolbysDonutHouse
Stop off in Eatonville
This town of under 3,000 is worth the slight detour off the most direct route to Ashford. Here you’ll find a retro cafe and an expansive outdoor dining experience that feels quintessentially Pacific Northwest.
- Cruiser Cafe, 106 Washington Ave. S., Eatonville, 360-832-8646, eatatcruisercafe.com
- Mill Haus Cider Co., 303 Center St. E., Eatonville, 253-487-7065, drinkmillhaus.com
Hang near Ashford & Greenwater
To reach Longmire and Paradise through the popular Nisqually entrance — the only one open year-round — you must pass through Ashford, home to a unique Ukrainian lodge with a full-service restaurant and bakery. Plan ahead to reserve a dip in the Cannibal Hot Tub. Relish Himalayan dumplings and the delicacy that is marionberry pie under one roof (or sky).
- Paradise Village Lodge & Restaurant, 31811 Route 706, Ashford, 360-255-0070, paradisevillagelodge.com
- The Trailhead Bar & Grill, 30319 Route 706, Ashford, 360-569-0118, facebook.com/thetrailheadbar
- Wildberry Restaurant, 37718 Route 706, Ashford, 360-569-2277, rainierwildberry.com
- Greenwater Collective, 58703 Route 410, Greenwater, 360-663-2235, greenwatercollective.com
Route 410 to Sunrise
The road takes you straight through Enumclaw, a 19th-century town once known for its dairy and lumber industries. Its walkable downtown is home to three breweries and a taproom that welcome food from nearby restaurants.
- Cole Street Brewery, 1627 Cole St., Enumclaw, 253-951-6656, colestreetbrew.com
- Casting Iron Axes, 1444 Cole St., Enumclaw, 360-777-4766, castingironaxes.com
- Headworks Brewing & Stacks Burgers, 1110 Marshall Ave., Enumclaw, 253-263-5318, headworksbrewing.com
- Cascadia Pizza Co., 1409 Griffin Ave., Enumclaw, 360-761-1350, cascadiapizzaco.com
- Fills Growlers, 1634 Porter St., Enumclaw, 253-457-3859, fillsgrowlers.com
Kick back in Buckley
On your way to Sunrise, sip craft coffee inside a restored Craftsman house. On the return leg, stick with the forest at the ski and mountain biking shop’s new beer garden, then continue to Buckley for wine and charcuterie next to an outdoor fireplace. Make new friends at one of two breweries, and leave room for a scoop!
- Anchor House Coffee Roasters, 872 Main St., Buckley, anchorhousecoffee.org
- Mom’s Tacos, 760 Main St., Buckley, 206-377-9107, facebook.com/momstacoscatering
- The Scoop on Main, 880 Main St., Buckley, 360-761-7322, thescooponmainst.com
- Blue Rooster, 331 Route 410, Buckley, 360-284-4845, bluerooster.coffee
- Elk Head Brewing Co., 28120 Route 410, Buckley, 360-829-2739
- Lost Woods Brewery, 28002 Route 410, Buckley, 360-761-7550, lostwoodsbrewery.com
You’ll remember Wilkeson
Passionate local investment in this tiny old quarry town means you would be remiss to skip it. Hope the pizza shop still has pies (more on that in the map) but fear not because the pleasant patio at the sister-owned cafe and scoopery awaits. It’s a must-stop on the road to Mowich Lake/Carbon River and only a few minutes south of Route 410 when westward-bound from Sunrise.
- Simple Goodness Soda Shop, 533 Church St., Wilkeson, 360-761-7781, simplegoodnesssisters.com
- The Carlson Block, 531 Church St., Wilkeson, 360-761-7593, carlsonblock.com
- Nomad PNW, 529 Church St., Wilkeson, 360-761-7771, nomadpnw.com
- Pick & Shovel, 527 Church St., Wilkeson, 360-761-7021, facebook.com/Pickandshovelwilkeson
- Carbonado Saloon, 91 Pershing Ave. (off Route 165), 360-829-4347, facebook.com/CarbonadoSaloon
Fuel up in Fife, Puyallup & Sumner
Depending on your home base, a pit stop in Fife, Sumner or Puyallup may fit your route to Mowich Lake, Sunrise or Paradise. Savor house-roasted coffee, Ukrainian pastries, Swedish cardamom buns and classic doughnuts, or grab wraps for the road. Post-hike, catch a food truck at the local brewery, drive-thru a cool independent burger shop or hear local music at an iconic Tacoma dive.
- Lamppost Coffee Roasters, 20077 Route 410, Bonney Lake, 253-826-1146, lamppostcoffee.com
- Top Down Brewing Co., 15355 Main St., Sumner, 253-447-8632, topdownbrewing.com
- Fika at Farm 12, 3303 8th Ave. SE C, Puyallup, 253-697-9486, farm12.org
- Out & About Burgers, 14214 Meridian Ave. E, Puyallup, outandaboutburgers.com
- Emish Market, 2040 70th Ave. E, Fife, 253-262-6070, emishmarket.com
- The Valley, 1206 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma, 253-248-4265, thevalleytacoma.com
