Way, way better than I expected!!
Every time I go to Mt Rainier I pass the sign for Mud Mountain Dam, and every time I chuckle at myself that people would want to go there because it sounds super lame.
WELL! I had energy left after my Mt Rainier hike, so I decided why not? It's on the way home and the worst thing that happens is I never come back.
I was always under the impression that you had to hike in, but after following the road a ways I came to a developed parking lot and what appeared to be a look out point.
Nice looking, new playground for the kiddos. Bathrooms are available and a huge props to the people that maintain them!! The buildings were older and a bit run down, but the facilities were *clean*! Even smelled nice, I was really shocked!
Lookout point is right off of the parking lot and is ADA accessible. There are several educational signs along the way and in the lookout shelter and some really lovely views!
There's also a trail. Pretty short, 1/2 mile? Switchbacks all the way. There's a new chain-link fence for safety and the trail ends at a little lookout point that gets you a lovely view of the dam.
Most definitely not worth a special trip, but if it's already on the way it's not a bad idea to stop by and check it out! read more