Plan Your Visit to Mount Rainier National Park
This Mount Rainier National Park travel guide helps you plan a first visit without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. Mount Rainier dominates the landscape, but some of my favorite stops are closer to the ground: waterfalls tucked beside the road, old-growth forests, glacier viewpoints, alpine lakes, and summer meadows filled with wildflowers.
You will find what not to miss, when to visit, where to stay, and how to make the most of one day in the park. I’ve also included the experiences that make Mount Rainier memorable, from seeing Christine and Narada Falls to hiking at Paradise, looking for Mount Rainier’s reflection in Reflection Lake, and following scenic mountain roads through the park.
READ 10 Day Glacier National Park and the Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
Mount Rainier National Park at a Glance
Location: Washington State, southeast of Seattle
How much time: 1 full day for the highlights; 2–3 days to explore multiple areas
Best time to visit: July through September for the greatest road and trail access
Don’t miss: Paradise, Skyline Trail, Narada Falls, Christine Falls, and Reflection Lakes
Best mountain views: Paradise
Best waterfall stop: Narada Falls
Best short hike: Nisqually Vista Trail
Best longer hike: Skyline Trail
Best wildflowers: Paradise and Sunrise when those areas are accessible
Best scenic drive: The route through Longmire, Paradise, and Stevens Canyon when roads are open
Where to stay: Paradise Inn, National Park Inn, Ashford, Packwood, or Enumclaw
Good to know: Snow can linger on higher trails well into summer
Before you go: Check current road, trail, wildfire, construction, and parking conditions
Mount Rainier National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
1. Explore the Paradise area
2. Hike part or all of the Skyline Trail
3. Walk the Nisqually Vista Trail
4. Stop at Christine Falls
5. Walk to the Narada Falls viewpoint
6. Photograph Mount Rainier from Reflection Lakes
7. Explore the historic Longmire area
8. Hike to Myrtle Falls from Paradise
9. Drive Stevens Canyon Road when it is open
10. Visit Sunrise when current road and wildfire conditions allow
Where is Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is located in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle Washington. The closest airports to Mount Rainier are Seattle International Airport and Portland International Airport. The drive from Seattle is 107 miles and 140 miles from Portland. Mount Rainier is in the center of the park and park roads circle the mountain. There are four entrances to the park, the Stephens entrance is the least busy. This park does not have a shuttle system in place. Day trips from Seattle are available.
Facts About Mount Rainier National Park
- Mount Rainier became a national park in 1899, it was the 5th national park in the US.
- Mount Rainier National Park is 236,000 acres with seven wilderness areas and three national forests.
- 97% of Mount Rainier is designated wilderness.
- Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain in the Cascades, it is 14,411 feet.
- Mount Rainier has the largest alpine glacier system outside of Alaska.
- There are 26 glaciers on Mount Rainier. Carbon Glacier is the largest glacier by volume and Emmons Glacier covers the largest area of any US glacier.
- The world’s largest volcanic glacier cave system is in this park.
- Mt Rainier is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. The most recent volcanic eruption was over 1000 years ago.
- Mount Rainier has 20+ small earthquakes annually.
- It is common for trails to be covered in snow until mid-July.
- There are 150+ waterfalls and 275+ hiking trails in Mount Rainier National Park.
- Mount Rainier averages 670 inches of snow each year, it is always snowcapped.
Best Time of Year to Visit Mount Rainier National Park
Summer is the best time to visit Mount Rainer. The wildflowers bloom and meteor showers are common in mid-July and August. July is the sunniest month with the least chance of the mountain being cloud-covered. Early Fall is a great time for a train ride to see the leaves change colors and go mushroom hunting. Roads begin to close in late fall. Paradise remains open for winter activities.
Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park
There are two lodges in Mount Rainier National Park. Paradise Inn is open from late May to early October. National Park Inn in Longmire is open year-round. There are 4 campsites in the park: Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, White River, and Mowich Lake. They all accept reservations. Backcountry camping is available by permit. The communities of Ashford, Packwood, and Enumclaw offer a variety of hotel options.
Plan Your Mount Rainier National Park Day Trip
The Five Sections of Mount Rainier National Park
The Paradise area is located in the south section of the park. Paradise is the most visited area of Mount Rainier National Park. This section offers close-up views of Mount Rainier, waterfalls, glacier lakes, and alpine meadows of wildflowers.
The Sunrise area in the northeast is the highest point reachable by car. This area offers close-up views of the mountain and meadows of wildflowers.
The Ohanapecosh area in the southeast is full of old-growth forests. The Grove of the Patriarchs trail is in this section of the park.
The Longmire area in the southwest was once the gateway to Mount Rainier National Park. It is now the historical center and home of the park’s museum.
Mount Rainier National Park Waterfalls
- Roadside waterfalls include Christine Falls, Ruby Falls, Upper Sunbeam, Martha Falls, Lower Sunbeam, and Picture Frame Falls.
- Head to the Narada Falls viewpoint (.2 miles) in the afternoon to see the rainbow in the mist.
- Walk the 1-mile RT path to Myrtle Falls on the Skyline Trail.
- Photograph Edith Creek from the wooden bridge.
- Hike 3.8 miles to Comet Falls and Madcap Falls on the Wonderland Trail.
- Hike 1 mile to Silver Falls, the trailhead across from the Grove of the Patriarchs.
Mount Rainier National Park Trails and Hikes
- Hike the Skyline Trail past waterfalls and fields of wildflowers to Panorama Point.
- Hike 1.2 mile RT Nisqually Vista Trail to the Nisqually Glacier viewpoint.
- See the wildflowers on the .8-mile loop trail at Tipsoo Lake.
- Cross the suspension bridge and hike the 1.2-mile Grove of the Patriarchs trail.
- Take the .7 RT Trail of the Shadows through Longmire Meadow.
- Follow 1.5 miles of the trail to Shadow Lake and Glacier Overlook.
- Hike the 3.4 Naches Peak Loop through meadows of wildflowers.
- Chose the 1.7 mile Alta Vista Trail, 5.2 mile Sunrise Rim Trail or the 9.4 mile Burroughs Mountain Trail for close-up views of the mountain.
- Walk the Sourdough Ridge Trail through meadows of wildflowers.
- Hike the 6-mile RT trail to Mount Fremont Fire Lookout.
- Circle Mt Rainier on the 93-mile Wonderland Trail past 300 alpine lakes.
One Day in Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary
8 am Enter the park at the Nisqually entrance and drive Paradise Road.
Stop for a photo at Christine Falls Bridge.
Check out the view from Ricksecker Point.
Stop at Narada Falls and walk .2 miles to the viewpoint.
See Ruby Falls from the road.
10 am Drive the scenic Paradise Road Loop.
Hike the 1.2-mile RT Nisqually Vista Trail to the Nisqually Glacier viewpoint.
Enjoy lunch with a view or relax with a Rainier beer at Paradise Inn.
Check out the views and fields of wildflowers on the Skyline Trail.
Walk the 1-mile RT path to Myrtle Falls and Edith Gorge Falls.
3 pm Merge onto Stevens Canyon Road.
Check out the view from Inspiration Point.
Photograph Mount Rainier’s reflection on Reflection Lake.
View Upper Sunbeam Falls, Martha Falls, Lower Sunbeam Falls, and Picture Frame Falls from the road.
Tips for a Day Trip to Mount Rainier National Park
- Arrive early, there are often delays of 2 hours or more to enter Mount Rainier National Park.
- Use the posted radio stations for visitor updates.
- There are no gas stations in the park.
- There are three restaurants in the park: National Park Inn, Longmire, and Paradise Inn.
- Snack bars and gift shops are in Longmire, Sunrise, and Paradise.
- Bring a picnic lunch to avoid snack bar crowds.
- Dogs are not allowed on the trails.
- There is limited cell service in the park, save offline maps before you arrive.
- People hiking downhill yield to people hiking uphill.
- Visit on weekdays and arrive before 8 am to find parking at the trailheads.
- All vehicles must carry tire chains from November 1 through May 1.
- Learn bear safety
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles
- Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass
- Check the Mount Rainier National Park Service for current events.
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