Est. 1899 | Washington | 236,381 acres

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park is a fairytale waiting to be told. Lush carpeted forests mingle with coursing rivers underneath the snow-capped rocks of a dormant volcano. Black bear, fox, deer, marmots and birds beyond counting teem in the acres of untouched wilderness. With forested gowns and a glacier crown, Mount Rainier appears like a queen ruling over the surrounding lands that bow to her majesty.

Mount Rainer is massive. The 14,410 foot peak towers above the surrounding sea level lands. She can be seen from Seattle some 90 miles away. And because the park exists to conserve this mountain playground, the park’s footprint is equally as large, mapping a square of wilderness centered around the peak. Of the 4 main entrances—one in each corner—the main Nisqually Entrance in the southwest is the most popular. From here begins an 18-mile ascent up to the Paradise section of the park and the gorgeous Jackson Visitor Center, bringing visitors the closest to the peak of any other visitor center.

Continuing east, the seasonal Stevens Canyon Road leaves Paradise and transports drivers to the Stevens Canyon Entrance in the southeast corner near the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center. From here, Highway 123 leads travelers north to the White River Entrance and the Sunrise section of the park, most likely named for the beautiful alpenglow seen in the mornings. Here, the Sunrise Visitor Center reveals breathtaking views of Rainier from the highest drivable point in the park.

The last and least visited entrance, Carbon River Entrance in the northwest, is completely isolated from the other three. To access this portion of the park, visitors must exist and reenter along Highway 165. All four entrances offer excellent hiking, roaring falls and stunning views of Mount Rainier. Each entrance also provides access to the Wonderland Trail, a 93-mile hiking path encircling the entire mountain.

Park Highlights

1. Skyline Loop Trail—Get up close and personal with Mount Rainier as this 5.5 mile network of trails climbs north through Paradise Meadows, tops out at Panorama Point and returns to Jackson Visitor Center. Consider visiting this trail first thing in the morning for a peaceful alpine sunrise at treeline.
2. Comet Falls Trail—Resembling the tail of a comet, these falls are some of the highest in the park cascading 320 feet. Hike 2 miles to the falls and for a bonus venture another mile further to Van Trump Park for additional alpine meadows with views of Mount Adams and the Tatoosh Range.
3. Ricksecker Point—A pull-off along Paradise Road, Ricksecker Point grants easy access to another stunning angle of Mount Rainier. Because the overlook sits on a dropoff, visitors are treated to sweeping valley views with the peak presiding perfectly in the background.
4. Tipsoo Lake—On the eastern side of the park just before the White River Entrance sits a seemingly insignificant lake—pond really. But those who park and explore this bit of paradise soon find it to be one of the most photogenic reflection angles of Mount Rainier. Highly consider visiting this area at sunrise for one of the best sunrises in the National Park System.
5. Tolmie Peak—Accessible via the Carbon River Entrance, Tolmie Peak Trail leads hikers just over 3 miles to a fire lookout tower with incredible views of Mount Rainier’s western face. Pack a headlamp and hike this trail at sunset for a scene that will rival Tipsoo Lake at sunrise.

Best time to visit Mount Rainier

Though open year round, Mount Rainier is best experienced in the summer months when all the roads and trails are open. At this latitude, snow usually lingers at higher elevations well into late-June, making July and August peak visitation months. September can be equally gorgeous with fall foliage, but weather is more unpredictable. The spring months (April–June) bring lots of rain. often shrouding Rainier in clouds. If prepared for limited conditions, winter can be a wonderland on Mount Rainier accumulating an average of 640 inches of snow annually. Paradise once held the world record for annual snowfall at 1,122 inches.

How long should I visit Mount Rainier?

Because the mountain, and therefore the park itself, is sprawling it is best to allow at least 2–3 days to explore the simple highlights of Mount Rainier. Trails and attractions at Paradise alone can easily entertain visitors for 2 full days. To explore Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, or Carbon River as well, expect to tag on at least 1 day per area. For the more adventurous visitors, perhaps carving aside two weeks to hike the entire Wonderland Trail is worth the time. Whatever the itinerary, keep in mind driving between areas of the park can take several hours so plan accordingly.

Getting to Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park is conveniently located just 90 miles southeast of Seattle. Most visitors fly in to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and drive 1.5–2 hours to the park. Portland International Airport (PDX) and Yakima Air Terminal (YKM) are alternative options, though they are farther away and usually more expensive.

Where to stay in Mount Rainier

As a premier camping destination, Mount Rainier offers many options for overnight accommodations. The National Park Inn in Longmire and the Paradise Inn just up the road are the park’s two lodges, with dining options and nearly 150 rooms retrofitted with modern amenities. In addition to these, the park boasts 450 individual campsites over 4 major campgrounds: Cougar Rock in the southwest, Ohanapecosh in the southeast, White River in the northeast, and Mowich Lake in the northwest. For additional information on camping in Mount Rainier, visit the official park website.

Additional accommodations and restaurants can be found outside the park in the nearby town of Ashford.

When should I book?

Because the window for peak conditions is so narrow, Mount Rainier sees an influx of reservations in the summer months. Paradise Inn can book up 6 months in advance, while the National Park Inn can reach capacity 4 months in advance. Reservations for campsites at Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh open 6 months in advance and usually sell out quickly. Though both campgrounds reserve a block of sites to reserve 7 days in advance. And all campgrounds have first come first served campsites available as well. Mowich Campground is unique in that it requires a wilderness permit.

To mitigate long wait lines at entrances, Mount Rainier also requires timed entry passes for the summer months (June–August). These permits are available in late February and early April. If you cannot reserve a permit, plan to enter the park before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m. when entry passes are not needed.

How much should I budget?

A frugal 3-day trip can stay within $500 when factoring in costs. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Seattle	$170–$300
Car Rental	$55–$100/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$20/night
Hotel Lodging	$200–$350/night
Restaurant Meals	$20–$40/meal

Packing list for Mount Rainier

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Mount Rainier National Park we wouldn’t want to be caught without bug spray, rain coat, hiking shoes, sunscreen, sack lunches (to save money) and sunglasses.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into Mount Rainier.

For more detailed information on Mount Rainier National Park, visit the official park website.