Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is an outstanding park to visit, whether you are an avid hiker, a family on a road trip through the USA, or someone who simply enjoys exploring the natural wonders of this beautiful country.
Mount Rainier is a glacier-capped, active volcano that can be seen for hundreds of miles away. Old growth forests cover the slopes of this mountain and during the summer months, the park is blanketed with wildflowers…an amazing sight to see in July and August.
If you like hiking, this is one of the best national parks in the USA to explore on foot. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails circumnavigate this mighty mountain and lead to the summit of Mount Rainier. You can also drive to some phenomenal viewpoints of Mount Rainer, so if you aren’t a big hiker, not to worry. It’s easy to get unforgettable views of Mount Rainier as you drive through the park.
In this guide, we hope to share with you the beauty and majesty of Mount Rainier National Park and provide the information you need to plan your visit.
Mount Rainier National Park Stats
Founded: March 2, 1899
Annual Visitors: 1.7 million in 2023, making it the 18th most visited national park that year
Size: 240,000 acres
Location: Washington
Cool Fact: Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in Washington state
Top Experiences in Mount Rainier
14 Amazing Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
With its old growth forests and network of hiking trails, this is an outdoor paradise for many travelers. In this post, we cover the best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park.
Spend some time in Paradise. Paradise truly lives up to its name. It’s one of the most spectacular areas of the park to visit, with numerous hiking trails that lead higher onto Mount Rainier. For the best experience, hike the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point, or take your pick from other shorter trails, such as the Nisqually Vista Trail or Alta Vista Trail.
Go hiking. One of the best ways to experience Mount Rainier National Park is from a hiking trail, of which there are many. Trails range from short, quick, easy strolls to multi-day treks.
Photograph Myrtle Falls. Located in Paradise, this is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park. It’s easy to get to and fun to photograph.
Visit Reflection Lake. On a clear, windless day, it is possible to capture the reflection of Mount Rainier in Reflection Lake. It’s also a great spot for a family photo.
Go hiking in Sunrise. Sunrise is the highest you can get by car in the park. At an elevation of 6,400 feet, not only do you have fantastic views of Mount Rainier, but you can also look out over the Cascade Range. There are a handful of hikes that start in Sunrise, ranging from short, easy strolls to challenging day hikes.
Walk the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail. This easy, 1.5-mile walking trail takes you past some of the largest and oldest trees in Mount Rainier National Park. These ancient Douglas firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks are enormous.
View Mount Rainier from a scenic overlook. As you drive through the park, there are several places to capture an awesome view of Mount Rainier. Sunrise Point, Ricksecker Point, and along Stevens Canyon Road near the Snow and Bench Lakes trailhead are our favorite viewpoints.
Ride the Mount Rainier Gondola to Crystal Mountain. For jaw-dropping views of Mount Rainier with very little effort, ride the gondola to Crystal Mountain. At the Summit House Restaurant, you can have lunch or dinner with an incredible view of Mount Rainier.
Hike the Wonderland Trail. The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile trail that makes a loop around Mount Rainier. On average, it takes between 9 and 13 days to hike the entire loop.
Visit Narada Falls. This lovely waterfall is located between Paradise and Longmire on Paradise Valley Road. To view Narada Falls, it is a short but steep walk to the viewpoint (0.2 miles round trip).
ULTIMATE ADVENTURE
For the ultimate adventure in Mount Rainier in National Park, hike to the summit of Mount Rainier. On average, it takes 2 to 3 days to summit Mount Rainier. You will need a climbing permit and you should have experience mountaineering and hiking glaciated peaks before doing this climb. Many people do this with an experienced guiding company.
Did You Know?
At 14,411 feet (4,392 meters), Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain in Washington state and the Cascade Range.
Mount Rainier is also the heaviest glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. 26 glaciers sit on Mount Rainier and these glaciers are sources of the Carbon, Mowich, Puyallup, Nisqually, and Cowlitz Rivers.
Mount Rainier is an active volcano. In fact, due to its high probability of eruption in the near future, it is considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.
Best Hikes in Mount Rainier
15 Epic Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
One of the best ways to experience Mount Rainier National Park is from a hiking trail, of which there are many. Some of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park are short and sweet, offering jaw-dropping views with very little effort. But for those who crave more adventure or want to journey deep into the park, there are plenty of options.
Exactly How to Hike Skyline Trail Loop & Panorama Point, Mount Rainier
For jaw-dropping views of Mount Rainier National Park, it’s hard to beat the Skyline Trail Loop. The entire hike is a beauty. Starting in Paradise, you will hike past lovely Myrtle Falls, through pine forests, and then ascend the slopes to the base of Mount Rainier. From Panorama Point, enjoy spectacular views over the park, […]
How to Hike the Silver Falls Loop Trail, Mount Rainier National Park
The Silver Falls Loop Trail is a wonderful short hike in Mount Rainier National Park. What it lacks in views of Mount Rainier it makes up for in its easy walkability and breathtaking views of Silver Falls. This short, easy trail is perfect for all ages and ability levels. Less than 4 miles in length, […]
Tolmie Peak Lookout Hike | Mount Rainier National Park
This fun hike takes you through dense forests and past several alpine lakes before delivering you to the Tolmie Peak Lookout, for a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier. This hike is located in the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, and due to its more remote location, gets less visitors than many other places […]
Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap Hike | Mount Rainier National Park
In Mount Rainier National Park, hiking the Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap is on the longer and more difficult side, but it has a little bit of everything…old growth forests, fields of wildflowers, views of Mount Rainier, the chance to spot wildlife, high alpine views, and panoramic views out to Mount Adams. I wouldn’t classify […]
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail Guide | Mount Rainier National Park
The Mount Fremont Fire Lookout hike was our introduction to Mount Rainier National Park and what a great first impression!! Without spending much effort, you get awesome views of Mount Rainier for most of the hike, not to mention stunning views over the Sunrise side of the park. If you are looking for a hike […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in Mount Rainier?
With one day, you can visit one area of the park. I recommend choosing between Paradise and Sunrise. Which one you choose will depend on where you are coming from and where you are going. Personally, I don’t think that one is better than the other. You have lots of hiking options and spectacular views from both places.
Two days in Mount Rainier gives you enough time to visit Sunrise and Paradise.
Beyond two days, each additional day allows you to visit another area of the park, tackle a big hike, drive the scenic drives, and visit the lakes and waterfalls.
The Perfect Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary
We recommend spending at least three days in Mount Rainier National Park (one day for Sunrise, one day for Paradise, and the third day to go hiking or visit another section of the park). Extra days gives you more time for hiking, for exploring quiet corners of the park, and gives you some contingency time just in case you get bad weather. Learn how to plan your time in our Mount Rainier Itinerary.
Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park
The summer and early fall are the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park. This is when all of the roads will be open and many hiking trails will be free of snow. During the summer months, the weather is also the warmest and driest of the year.
The wildflowers typically bloom from mid-July through mid-August. If you want to see Mount Rainier during the peak blooming season, plan your visit for early August.
In the spring and fall, the weather is damp and chilly. During the winter months, massive amounts of snow can fall in the park. It is not unusual for Paradise to get over 50 feet of snow each winter.
In early fall, several main roads close in the park and don’t reopen to mid to late spring, cutting off access to some of the best places to visit in Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in July, August, and September.
15 Best National Parks to Visit in July 2024 (USA)
Which are the best national parks to visit in July? In this guide, we list 15 great parks to visit in the USA. Go hiking in Mount Rainier and Glacier National Parks, go whale watching in the Channel Islands, and venture into Alaska for some amazing adventures. About this National Park Series This article is […]
15 Best National Parks to Visit in August 2024 (USA)
Planning a trip to the US national parks in August and don’t know which ones to visit? August is a busy time to visit the national parks, but crowd levels aren’t quite at their peak (that typically happens in July for many parks). In this guide, we list some popular summertime parks to visit plus […]
12 Best National Parks to Visit in September 2024 (USA)
September is one of the best months of the year to visit the national parks. The weather is fantastic across much of the USA, the busy summer season is coming to an end, and, in some parks, you can see the first of the fall colors. In this guide, we list 12 of the best […]
Timed Entry Permit
US National Parks that Require Reservations – 2024 Guide
Mount Rainier National Park requires timed entry reservations during peak season. Learn more about how to get a reservation in our guide to the best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park. We also cover these timed entry reservations, plus the other US National Parks that require an advance reservation of some sort, in our guide to National Parks that Require Advance Reservations.
Washington Road Trip Idea
Washington National Parks: Travel Guide & Itinerary
There are three Washington national parks: Olympic, Mount Rainier, and the North Cascades. This guide gives an overview for each of the parks and an itinerary to link them together into a 7 to 14 day road trip (the detailed itinerary is listed next).
Washington Road Trip Itinerary: 7 to 14 Days in the National Parks
This Washington itinerary is geared to visiting the three national parks in Washington state: Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades. But you also have enough time to visit Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town, go wine tasting at Lake Chelan, visit Mount Baker, and go on a day hike in the Enchantments.
Mount Rainier National Park Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2024 (+ Printable Checklist)
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