The beauty of Mount Rainier national park exceeds anything I had imagined. Every turn reveals a new, breathtaking view, making it a nature lover’s dream. The variety of landscapes and the tranquil atmosphere truly take your breath away.
I believe this is your first time planning trip to Mt. Rainier so here’s is everything you should know before visiting Mt. Rainier National Park.
The park is located in the South of Seattle and features plenty of pullouts and viewpoints. This place is nothing but sheer natural beauty spread vastly across 370 square miles! It surrounds Mount Rainier which is an active volcano and also the most glaciated peak of the United States.
You’ll come across pretty subalpine wildflower meadows that decorate the volcano in circles and it’s all beautifully visible from the top of several trails that you can take. The visitation is heavy in the summer as the park is prettiest then, so plan to reach before 10 am.
There are four entrances to the park and the experiences in these areas range from campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor centers to chic, homely hotels and restaurants.
1. Nisqually:(South-West Entrance): Paradise Visitor Center
Nisqually Entrance, Mt Rainier National Park
Address: Henry M Jackson Visitor Center, Paradise Vly Rd E, Ashford, WA 98304
This visitor center of the park truly justifies its name! You can either take Paradise Road or Stevens Canyon Road to get here. However, Nisqually Entrance on the southwest corner is the most popular among visitors.
Nisqually is also the only entrance that is open year-round to vehicles and provides easy access to Longmire, Narada Falls, Reflection Lakes and Paradise.
The Longmire Museum, the Wilderness Information Center and the National Park Inn are the star highlights of Longmire area! Some other popular roadside attractions include Christine Falls, Glacier Bridge and Ricksecker Point Road.
2. White River/Sunrise: (North-East Entrance): Sunrise Visitor Center
Drive up to the highest point at the park and enjoy breathtaking close-up views of the surrounding valleys. The views of Mount Rainier and other volcanoes in the Cascade Range absolutely make the visit all worth it!
You can find White River Campground and several trails near the entrance. This area is typically open early July to September.
3. Stevens Canyon: (South-East Entrance): Ohanapecosh Visitor Center
Within this park’s boundaries are the Grove of the Patriarchs, Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, and Ohanapecosh Campground.
This one’s a small but interesting visitor center. Check out the couple of exhibits and gift shop around here. Don’t forget to spot the lovely stream running by the side.
4. Carbon River: (North-West Entrance)
Although it is Mount Rainier’s smallest center, it does have a unique ecosystem to explore. You can also have the experience of bike and hike outings around here because the Carbon River Road is one of the rare places in the park to allow mountain bikes.
Mount Rainier National Park has such a plethora of beautiful sights, it is fair to spend at least three days exploring the place. You can reserve one day each for the most popular spots like Sunrise, Paradise, and Carbon River. Along with those, you can easily do a few hikes, or short drives as well on each day.
NOTE: One of the most popular choices for park entry is the single-vehicle fee, which offers unlimited access for one vehicle and its passengers for seven consecutive days. Another commonly chosen option is the annual pass, which provides year-round access.
The single-vehicle fee is $30, while the annual pass costs $55. For further details on other pass options, such as those for walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists, and more, visit the Mount Rainier National Park website.
Here are top things you should do in Mt. Rainier National Park
1. Hiking and soaking the natural beauty at Paradise
Paradise Inn – Mt. Rainier National Park Lodging
You’ll always cherish the memory of spending some joyful time in this area. The name does this place true honor. Start your day by walk into Paradise Visitor Center and then Paradise Inn.
Paradise – Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
It has a long list of hikes all of which are peculiarly beautiful– Alta Vista Trail, Nisqually Vista Trail, Skyline Trail to Panorama Point etc. If you’ve got only a short time in hand, then just explore the surrounding areas and soak in the nature at the vista points. You can also take up one of the aforementioned short trails.
2. The breathtaking views at Myrtle Falls
Myrtle Falls – Mt. Rainier National Park
There’s a lot more to this place than just skyline trails and hikes. So even if you are not planning to do skyline trail, no worries! There’s a very short hike near visitor center that leads you to outstanding views of Myrtle Falls and its lovely surrounding. You’ll definitely enjoy it!
3. Reflection Lake: Surreal Beauty!
Reflection Lake, Mt Rainier National Park, Packwood, WA
Located along Stevens Canyon Road, this lake is absolutely worthy of its name! The panoramic view of giant Mt Rainier reflecting in the lake is heavenly beautiful! Don’t get disappointed if you couldn’t able to catch the reflection because due to the wind and different time of the day, you might not able to see it.
I would suggest you to go for sunrise, high chances that you will see it! Nevertheless, the lake is adorned by delicate subalpine meadows which add on to the beauty. You can take 3.6 mi out & back trail from Reflection Lake to Narada Falls or vice versa.
4. Narada Falls
All the time that you spend at the stunning Narada Falls flies in a jiffy. This beautiful waterfall is located between paradise and longmire! You can also just drive down to the waterfalls if you don’t want to take the hike.
But if you are planning to take, you can park your car at ‘Paradise Visitor Centre’ and starts from there. It’s a 2.4 mile trail out and back. The best viewing is from below the road which can be reached by a short but slippery path.
5. Visit Sunrise Point – Enjoy the views from this scenic overlook
Sunrise point overlook mount rainier national park
Driving to the highest point of the park and seeing the spectacular views from the overlook is more exciting and adventurous than it sounds! There’s always a line-up of vehicles halting here; with travelers taking a gander at the splendid beauty of Mt rainier from this perspective.
If you love star gazing and night photography, visiting this point in the night would be a phenomenal experience for you!
7. Take a stroll at the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail
Grove of the Patriarchs Trail
This beautifully designed self-guided trail featuring 1000 years old red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees will leave you mesmerized. It’s about 1.1-mile out-and-back hike with a famous suspension bridge and a delving experience into the grandeur of woods.
8. Don’t miss the Tipsoo Lake because who doesn’t love magical sunsets!
Tipsoo Lake Loop, Washington
Simply majestic and magical! It gives probably the best perspective to look at Mt Rainier. Tipsoo Lake is a must-see, especially if you love breathtaking sunsets. Located in Mount Rainier National Park, this picturesque lake is surrounded by lush meadows and stunning mountain views.
Hike the Naches Peak Loop
9. Take a Gondola Ride to Crystal Mountain
Gondola Ride to Chrystal Mountains
Crystal Mountain is Washington’s largest ski and snowboard resort, known for its top-notch snow and diverse terrain. While it’s a popular winter destination, it’s also a great place to visit in the summer for its beauty and outdoor activities.
A gondola ride to Crystal Mountain offers unforgettable views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascades. A scenic 12-minute ride to the summit, taking you 2,400 vertical feet up with stunning views of Mount Rainier and surrounding landscapes. At the top, enjoy skiing, hiking, or simply soaking in the views.
Crystal Mountain North
You can hike 6.4 miles to the first viewpoint or take the gondola up and hike downhill for 6.0 to 6.7 miles. Dogs are welcome during summer but not allowed during the ski season. The gondola is located at Crystal Mountain Resort, 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd., Enumclaw, WA. Whether you’re there for skiing or sightseeing, it’s an easy and beautiful way to experience the mountain.
Summit House Restaurant at Crystal Mountain
After your adventure, head to the Summit House Restaurant for a meal with panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascades. Accessible via the Mt. Rainier Gondola, it’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy great food while soaking in the stunning summer scenery.
11. Horseback Ride in the Mountains
Horseback Riding at Crystal Mountain, Mt Rainier National Park
You can consider taking a horseback ride in mountains if you haven’t experienced it before. We had a great time riding and totally recommend it! It’s fun!
I’ve included the link where I booked my tour. The ride was amazing, taking us through the woods and up into the mountains. We ended up extending our trip by an extra two hours because we couldn’t get enough of the stunning views!
12. Scenic drive between ‘Paradise’ and ‘Sunrise’ – Cayuse Pass & Chinook Pass
The scenic drive from Paradise to Sunrise in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, takes you through Cayuse Pass and Chinook Pass, both located in the stunning Cascade Range. This drive offers incredible views of Mount Rainier, alpine meadows, lush forests, and expansive mountain vistas.
It’s a must-see for its diverse landscapes, including wildflower-filled meadows and opportunities for hiking, photography, and outdoor exploration. Whether you’re looking to enjoy nature or capture unforgettable moments, this drive is a top choice for visitors. Just be sure to check road conditions in winter, as snow can close the passes.
13. Hike Skyline Trail Loop & Panorama Point, Mount Rainier
Skyline Trail – Mount Rainier
If you have time and if you are hiking enthusiastic like me, I would suggest go for ‘Skyline Trail’ its totally worth it! Then spend some time checking out nearby highlights such as Narada Falls, Reflection Lake and Snow Lake.
14. Go for a sunset hike to Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout
The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is a moderate 5.6-6.0 mile round-trip hike in Mount Rainier National Park. It offers stunning views of Mount Rainier and wildlife, such as mountain goats.
The trail starts near the Sunrise Visitor Center at an elevation of 6,400 feet. It has an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet, reaching the lookout at 7,160 feet.
It typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. I would highly recommend do it for sunset and be prepared for changing weather.
Where to stay?
We stayed in Packwood Inn.
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