Reflection Lakes
Reflection Lakes
5
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5.0
53 reviews
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Rajagopal S
Edison, NJ3,336 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This is a must visit inside mount rainier national park . This is on the wAy from to the rainier peak . Generally you can do it on the way back once u finish visiting the peak… tough to get a perfect reflection if there the water is muffled… you will get perfect shots if there is no rain and the wind is less . Take a good wide angle lens with u .. phone pics are decent too. Take care of mosquitoes 🦟 or insects when you go down the steps to the water front . Bend down and take low angled shots for getting any reflection. Overall loved this spot ! 👍👍😳
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edwelsh
North Canton, OH7,220 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This was one of our favorite spots. it’s an easy stop once you leave the Visitors Center on the one-way loop road. It was a beautiful clear day and the stop at reflection lake was stunning. We saw no reflection with the naked eye, but through the iPhone lens it was there. As an amateur photographer this spot was fantastic, so picturesque!
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IrishRover
Pittsburgh, PA3,134 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Sometimes there is a mountain and sometimes there is not. If your day is cloudy you might want to skip it. If your day is clear it should be a mandatory stop. It is such a great place on a clear day. Just know that the Stephenson Canyon Road is closed Monday to Firiday so you can only access it from Paradise
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
www.mikereidphotography.com
Seattle, WA259 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
I spend a lot of time taking photos and hiking around Mount Rainier. I try to avoid the park on weekends as it turns into a bit of a circus. So aside from not going at all, herre are some hints for maximizing your time at Reflection Lakes.
In the summer, the sun sets and rises to the NW and NE respectively. So this spot is good for sunset and sunrise shots. The reflection is best at dawn at sometimes at dusk depending on the wind.
There are two main lakes here. The smaller one to the east is much less crowded, and better shielded from the wind so you can get a reflection. If need be, the west end of the larger lake is shielded too and is calmer at best.
Two other options closeby. If you want a brisk hike and spectacular views, try the Pinnacle Peak trail across the road from the parking. It's about an hour to get to the top and gets you views of Rainier one way and Adams out the back The other option is Bench lake down the road to the east a bit. Take the Snow Lake trail and stop at the first lake. Much less people, similar view.
In the summer, the sun sets and rises to the NW and NE respectively. So this spot is good for sunset and sunrise shots. The reflection is best at dawn at sometimes at dusk depending on the wind.
There are two main lakes here. The smaller one to the east is much less crowded, and better shielded from the wind so you can get a reflection. If need be, the west end of the larger lake is shielded too and is calmer at best.
Two other options closeby. If you want a brisk hike and spectacular views, try the Pinnacle Peak trail across the road from the parking. It's about an hour to get to the top and gets you views of Rainier one way and Adams out the back The other option is Bench lake down the road to the east a bit. Take the Snow Lake trail and stop at the first lake. Much less people, similar view.
Written 9 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon B
Junction City, Oregon, United States30 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
If you park at the first parking area, you can find the trailhead at the West end of the parking area. The best hike is to follow the trail clockwise around the lake. You'll get several views of the mountain in the first section, but keep going - it gets better. Follow the trail around and up, turning right at each trail junction to continue clockwise. About 2/3 of the way around, you will come up at Faraway Rock, which gives a spectacular view of Reflection Lake and Louise Lake. Supposedly it's a 500' elevation gain, but it seems much higher when yo get there. great spot to rest, have some water and a snack and let the breeze cool you off. it's all downhill after that, finishing up at a flat spot with benches that has the perfect view of the mountain and the reflection in the lake.
Be sure to bring bug spray - the flies kept bothering us even with our bug spray on!
You can also hike between the lakes and the Paradise area, althoyuh we didn't do that on this trip.
Be sure to bring bug spray - the flies kept bothering us even with our bug spray on!
You can also hike between the lakes and the Paradise area, althoyuh we didn't do that on this trip.
Written 29 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E.S.Goh
Singapore, Singapore272 contributions
Aug 2019
The key to getting perfect reflection is to go early in the morning. The winds are down & there are few crowds. Must have taken dozens of photos. Regardless of the type of camera used, the photos come up great.
Written 30 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelleygirl2
Sarasota, FL6,295 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We drove three miles east on Stevens Canyon Road towards the iconic Reflection Lake in Packwood where yesterday others had complained about poor mountain visibility but with winds and weather there is always change. We were very lucky to be rewarded with wonderful reflections of a clearly defined mountain in the crystal clear subalpine lake. This area is an easy drive-by site and because there is no hiking involved to see the lake it is said to be the most photographed view in the entire park. The canyon road is only open in the summer, closed in inclement weather, so there are some limitations on accessibility.
Written 8 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelBugSagar
Redmond, WA68 contributions
Aug 2019
This is around 2-3 miles from the Paradise Inn, ample parking around the lake. There is trail around the lake with access to viewing spots which has smaller off shoot trails to the lake. You can easily spend around 30 mins to an hour, it is quite and refreshing!
Written 25 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RodneyLooi
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia199 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
During our recent two days trip to the Mount Rainier National Park, I made an earlier enquiry from my guide, places that would make great photography locations and one of the location is the Reflection Lake. I googled it and was immediately taken aback with the beauty of this place and the various composition of this amazing place at different time of the day. I wanted to hopefully captured some shots during sunset and my perspective of this amazing place. On the day, I arrived at the Packwood Hotel where I stayed for the night, I asked the hotel the distance and time needed to get there. I was told that it would take at least 40 minutes. The sun is forecasted to set around 9pm. After a short rest, I took off at 7:30pm and got there by 8:20pm. With GPS, the place was easy to find. It was still very bright and as I got down to the lake, I was a little disappointed as the water was choppy with the wind blowing, blowing any chances of a reflection. But the sight is still amazing nevertheless. As I set up the camera and started to compose my shots from different angle and position, the wind died down and slowly but surely, the water in the lake started to calm down and the reflection of Mount Rainier started to emerge from the depths of the lake as it were. I was also lucky that there was little clouds that evening and hence, Mount Rainier was clear and unblocked. As the skies darkened, the wind died down completely and what a reflection it was on the water. Words cannot begin to describe the serenity and the beauty of this sight. By the time I packed up my gear and headed back to the hotel, the sun has set. It was a long drive back in the dark but it was worth the trip. A strongly recommended location for a good picture.
Written 31 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dov Ben Amram
California108 contributions
Nov 2018
If you are an avid photographer, visiting this lake is a must. It is one of the most picturesque area in Mt. Rainier National Park, located in the state of Washington
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time of year did you take your photos of Reflection Lake? I would love to go there this week, but the nps website says steven canyon road is closed still.
Written 14 May 2018
Can someone tell me how to get to a parking lot or trail head for reflection lake? I'm coming in from Seattle, and can't find an exact location. I could probably ask at a visitor center but I'd hate to be too far out of the way to be able to fit this into my trip. Thank you in advance!
Written 3 August 2016
There are a few parking spots near the lake. You can use google maps satellite image mode to actually see them near the lake
Written 10 August 2016
Are there any tours that start at the park?
Written 15 May 2016
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