Exploring Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is most famous for its iconic active volcano. On the volcano’s slopes, you can find beautiful green fields with wildflower meadows while there is also ancient forest in the lower parts of the park.
The park was founded in 1899 and is the fourth National Park in the US. It’s easily accessible because of the proximity of Seattle and Portland with their international airports.
Because of its variation, there is something to do for everyone: there are a lot of hikes, interesting visitor centers, and beautiful viewpoints and waterfalls.
Planning Your Visit to Mt Rainier National Park
Best Time to Visit Mt Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is open the entire year, 24 hours a day. Most people visit the park in summer, making it the busiest period. Most visitor and information centers are open from mid-May/late-June until mid-October. In winter, the park is only accessible by car from the Nisqually entrance. All information on road access and opening hours can be found here.
But when is the best period to visit? Every season has its beauty but as mentioned before, most people will visit in the summer because there is a higher chance of nice weather. This means there is a good chance of seeing the volcano in all its glory.
For the best conditions and temperatures, you can best visit between July and October. There is a chance of wildflowers or fall colors and the trails are snow-free. We visited the park in September and had a great day where we could see the mountain but also a very rainy and misty day where we didn’t see anything.
If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to visit the park on a weekday and outside bus holidays like the 4th of July. If you do visit the park during busy periods: you can try to come before 10 am or after 2.30 pm to avoid the heavy crowds.
How to get to Mt Rainier National Park?
Mount Rainier National Park is about 1.5 hour drive from Seattle and 2 hours from Portland. Both cities have an airport with great connections for domestic and international flights. You can find the best deals on Skyscanner or Momondo.
In Seattle or Portland, you need to rent a car to get to the National Park as there is no public transport. We rented a car through AutoEurope. For us, a small car was perfect. A nice thing is that in the state of Washington, your partner can also drive the car without extra costs.
A good thing to know is that there are no gas stations in Mount Rainier National Park itself. Depending on where you stay, you will have to fill up your tank at the gas stations there. There are some EV charging stations in the park (at Longmire all year and at Paradise only during the summer season), so you could also rent an electric car.
Between May, 24th and September 2nd, a timed entry reservation is needed for the Paradise and Sunrise sections between 7 am and 3 pm. You can find all the information here.
There are 4 entrances to Mount Rainier National Park:
- Nisqually entrance (southwest): the most popular one because of the easy access to the Paradise area of the Park
- Carbon River entrance (northwest): closer to Seattle and Tacoma
- White River and Sunrise (northeast)
- Stevens Canyon (southeast)
And there are 5 main sections:
- Longmire: the historic district of the park. There is a wilderness information center, a museum and the National Park Inn
- Paradise: the main park visitor center, ranger station, the Paradise Inn and a guide house. This part is also accessible in winter for winter activities
- Ohanapecosh: a visitor center, the Ohanapecosh campground and the park’s old-growth forest
- Sunrise: best view of the volcano, Sunrise Visitor Center, White River Campground and Sunrise Day Lodge
- Carbon River/Mowich: beautiful trails and camping
Park passes and entrance fees
You have to buy a pass to enter Mount Rainier National Park. The price is $30 for a car or $25 for a motorcycle. If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot, the price is $15.
If you are planning on visiting multiple national parks, it can be a good idea to buy an annual pass: the “America the Beautiful” pass. This costs $80 and can be used at all national parks and national wildlife refuges. More information about the fees & passes can be found here.
There are also entrance-free days; on these days you can visit the National Parks for free. These dates are Martin Luther King Jr Day, the first day of National Park Week, Juneteenth, The Great American Outdoors Act, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.
Where to stay
Inside the park there are some lodges; you can stay at the National Park Inn (Longmire area) (Expedia/Trip.com) and the Paradise Inn (Paradise area) (Expedia/Trip.com), or one of the major campgrounds (Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River).
You can also stay in one of the nearby towns such as Ashford or Packwood. In Ashford, Nisqually Lodge (Expedia/Booking), Alexander’s Lodge (Expedia/Booking), and Paradise Village Hotel (Expedia/Trip.com) all have great reviews.
In Packwood, there are Cowlitz River Lodge (Expedia/Booking), Crest Trail Lodge (Expedia/Booking), and Packwood Lodge (Expedia/Booking).
Where to eat in/near Mt Rainier National Park
There are 2 restaurants in the park but also 2 snack bars, a café,, and a small general store. At Longmire, you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the National Park Inn which is open year-round. At the nearby Longmire National Store, you can find a limited offer of groceries, camping supplies, and souvenirs. The restaurant of the Paradise Inn served breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. At the café, you can buy hot drinks and quick food items. Both are open from May to early October. In the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, there is a deli. The Sunrise Day Lodge also has a snack bar (open from July through September).
There are various places with picnic areas inside the park. Remember to always pack up your garbage when you are done!
We packed lunch and had dinner in Ashford. Due to the number of people staying there, there are limited restaurants, so be prepared to wait or make reservations ahead. We visited in September, and even then, it was very busy. And as in North Cascades National Park, restaurants close early (for our liking) – at around 8 pm. Coppercreek Inn is a typical diner while at Wildberry Restaurant they serve Nepalese food. At the latter, the food is delicious but the service is not that friendly. Trying a blackberry pie is a must in both restaurants
Best Things to Do in Mt Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park has a lot of things to offer. The best thing you could do when you arrive is go to a ranger station to ask about the weather conditions for the next days and the best hikes/things to do on what days. If you want to do hikes with a nice view of the mountain, a clear day would be perfect. If it’s rainy and/or misty, you can explore the forests.
Also, a fun thing to do is visit one of the visitor centers. Here you learn more about the park and the volcano and there are ranger talks. These ranger talks are on various topics like volcanic activities, wildlife, …. The perfect thing to do on a rainy moment.
Mt Rainier Hikes: Best trails for all skill levels
There are so many beautiful hikes at Mount Rainier National Park that there is something for everyone. We downloaded the maps of all the trails onto our mobile phones before hiking. Cell service is not always good at most of the trailheads, but GPS still works. Also, take a power bank with you, so you have enough battery. I used the Outdooractive app, but you could also use Alltrails
Skyline Loop to Panorama Point
Distance: 9.3k (5.8miles) roundtrip (loop)
Elevation gain: 542m (1778ft)
Difficulty: hard
Trail Guide: Alltrails
This is a very popular hike that starts and ends in Paradise near the visitor center. If you want to do this hike between May 24th and September 2nd, you will need a timed entry permit. You better come early as parking space is limited.
This is a loop, so you can hike the Skyline Trail in both directions. We did the hike in a clockwise direction making the beginning a short and steep hike up to Panorama Point (with the first part of the trail being paved). The entire time, you will have Mount Rainier in front of you (if there are no clouds). If you are lucky, you can see Mt Hood, Mt Saint Helens, and Mt Adams when you are at Panorama Point. The perfect place to have a rest and have a small snack. At the end of the loop, you will also see Myrtle Falls.
Trail of shadows
Distance: 1.1k (0.7miles) roundtrip (loop)
Elevation gain: 12m (39ft)
Difficulty: easy
Trail Guide: Alltrails
Very short hike in Longmire. This is an easy hike that will take about 15min to complete. You learn more about the history of the park through different signs.
Silver Falls
Distance: 4.7k (2.7miles) roundtrip (loop)
Elevation gain: 159m (600ft)
Difficulty: easy
Trail Guide: Alltrails
Easy trail that follows the Ohanapecosh River up to Silver Falls. A perfect hike to do with kids.
Twin Fur
Distance: 0.6k (0.4miles) roundtrip (loop)
Elevation gain: 26m (85ft)
Difficulty: easy
Trail Guide: Alltrails
Easy trail that goes between huge trees. A perfect and short hike for families.
The last day was very rainy and misty, so we couldn’t do the Mount Fremont trail. Here are some other trails that we had on our list:
- Mount Fremont Trail (9.2k/5.7miles – 338m/1110ft elevation gain): difficult hike
- Naches Peak Loop (5.6k/3.5 miles – 201m/659ft elevation gain): moderate/difficult hike
- Bench&snow Lake (3.5k/2.2 miles – 139m/456ft elevation gain): moderate/difficult hike
- Comet Falls (5.6k/3.5 miles – 392m/1286ft elevation gain): difficult hike
Viewpoints and waterfalls
When you drive between Paradise and Sunrise, there are some viewpoints with stunning views over the valley that are worth a stop.
If you like waterfalls, there are plenty in Mt Rainier National Park. My favorite was Christine Falls: a 60ft waterfall framed by a historic arched bridge. It is located approximately halfway between the Nisqually Entrance and Paradise. You can park the car at the small pullout.
Another one is Narada Falls, a 168ft high waterfall with a very steep drop. It is the largest waterfall accessible by car in the park and is very impressive. A parking area and a trail are going to the lower viewpoint.
Another stop that you have to make is Reflections Lakes which is along Stevens Canyon Road. It’s only open during the summer season (late June – September). The lakes thank their names to the reflection of Mount Rainier (if you are lucky).
If you are in Longmire, you can also discover the historic district. Longmire became the park headquarters when it was established in 1899.
2-day itinerary to visit Mount Rainier National Park
Day 0: if you arrive early, you can go to the ranger station to learn more about the weather conditions and which hikes you can do (if you are planning on doing hikes). If you are in the Longmire area, you can combine it with a short stroll along the Trail of Shadows.
Day 1: Do either Skyline Loop or Mount Fremont trail if the weather is nice. Afterwards, you can visit Reflections Lakes, Narada Falls, and Christine Falls
Day 2: We did part of Grove of the Patriarchs, Silver Falls, and Twin Firs trail. We visited a visitor center and listened to a ranger talk about the volcano.
Insider tips for a great visit
Safety and leave no trace principles
North Cascades National Park is a haven of untouched natural beauty. The mountain creates an awe-inspiring backdrop but can also bring rapidly changing weather conditions. Before going on hikes, always check the weather forecast to stay prepared.
When enjoying a snack during your hike or using one of the park’s picnic benches, always pack out your trash. Remember: Take only memories, leave only footprints.
Some safety tips:
- Drive cautiously: the roads can be busy with both animals and people. Always maintain a safe speed to ensure you can stop quickly if needed. When it is misty going up the mountain, drive slowely!
- Dress appropriately: layer your clothing and wear sturdy footwear suitable for hiking. Pack an extra layer to prepare for the most extreme conditions you might encounter.
- Stay on the trails: protect both yourself and the environment by following marked paths.
- Be prepared for limited cell service: many areas lack mobile coverage. Download hiking maps and Google Maps in advance, and bring a power bank for additional safety.
- Traveling solo? Inform friends or family of your travel plans to ensure someone knows your whereabouts
Must-have gear for your Mt Rainier hikes
Good hiking shoes are a must when you go hiking, together with some hiking poles if you should need them. And you should always carry the 10 essentials (especially on longer hikes and/or less popular hikes):
- Navigation: map, compass and GPS
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat
- Insulation: jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, and thermal underwear
- Illumination: flashlight, lantern, headlamp (and extra batteries)
- First-aid kit
- Fire: matches, lighters, fire starters
- Repair kit: duct tape and a multi-tool
- Nutrition: food (preferably no-cook items with good nutritional value like trail mix and granola bars)
- Hydration: water and water treatment supplies
- Emergency shelter: tent, tarp, emergency space blanket
Wildlife safety measures
Because of the huge variation in elevation, you can find a wide variety of wildlife at Mount Rainier National Park. Deer, squirrels, jays, and ravens are the animals that you will encounter during your visit. Black bears and mountain lions are also present in the park, but it is not likely that you will see them. But if you do: always keep a distance of at least 50 yards (45 m) between you and the animal. We were lucky to see some marmots during our Skyline loop hike.
Is Mount Rainier National Park worth a visit?
Absolutely! Mount Rainier National Park offers an unforgettable blend of amazing peaks, vibrant wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, and pristine wilderness. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking some beautiful nature, this park has something for everyone. The stunning landscapes and unique experiences make it a destination that should be on every nature lover’s bucket list.
Book your plane ticket to Seattle or Portland
Book your activities in Seattle
Book your car to explore Mount Rainier National Park
Book accommodations near Mount Rainier National Park
Maybe these articles are also interesting?
Exploring North Cascades National Park
1 day in Seattle
One week in New York City
48h in Athens
What to do in Paris
Some of these links are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, Travel Eat Enjoy Repeat will earn a small commission. This will cost you nothing extra.
I’d love to try the skyline/panorama trail, it looks stunning from your photos.
I love posts like this! Mount Rainer is on my short list to visit and I am saving this post for a future visit..and I love All Trails for trail advice too!
Helpful guide! The last time I was in WA there were terrible fires that prevented me from seeing a few of the NPs like Rainier. Could only see the mountain from a distance.
Mount Ranier is so high on my list, I just cannot wait to visit! This is the first time I’ve read logistics about the trip and you made it very easy to understand. Thanks!
Christine Falls looks straight out of a storybook! So pretty. Rainer park looks like a great spot to visit in the summer.