Pacific Northwest / September 19, 2022

Your Guide to Mt. Rainier National Park

Visiting Mt. Rainier National Park can be overwhelming, so I want to break it down with a 3-day itinerary, my favorite hikes, lodging, and more.

Weather can change abruptly, so be prepared - check out my Hiking Checklist here

Summer through fall is the best time to visit, although it's guaranteed too busy. If you want to see the entire park, you will need about 2-3 days; if you plan ahead, you can stay inside the park at a reasonable price. Check out their lodging here, or scroll to see some of my recommendations. 

I often say July through October has the best weather; you will have snow-free trails filled with wildflowers and the snowmelt from the mountains, making waterfalls better than ever. 

The best days to avoid crowds would be midweek, aside from holidays such Fourth of July. If you choose to go on the weekends, go early; otherwise, you can expect long lines at the entrances, so try to get there before 10 am or after 2:30 pm can also help avoid delays during busy periods, or you'll spend half of your day in line. 

How To Get There

Mount Rainier National Park has 4 main entrances:

  • Nisqually (southwest)
  • Carbon River (northwest)
  • White River/Sunrise (northeast)
  • Stevens Canyon (southeast)

The Nisqually entrance is the easiest to get to from Seattle.

The park is split into 5 sections, Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River with the most common sections being Paradise and Sunrise.

  • Longmire – If you're looking for history and information about the wilderness throughout Mt. Rainier, you will want to visit the Longmire section
  • Paradise – Paradise offers several views of wildflower meadows and has the main park visitor center,
  • Ohanapecosh – You will find some of the oldest trees in the national park, as well as the Ohanapecosh Campground
  • Sunrise – You will get amazing views of wildflowers, and you can camp at White River Campground
  • Carbon River – Several popular trails, such as Tolmie Peak Trail and several campgrounds can be found in the Carbon River section.

I always recommend bringing your own food and water to the park; it's cheaper, and you can make the most of your visit by not having to worry about finding places to eat. And always bring more than you think you'll need; the drive home can get long, so bring snacks to help, especially if you bring the kids along.

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees to the park can vary depending on the time of year you're visiting (see a breakdown of the fees here). 

You can get in for 7 straight days for $30 if you buy a pass at the gate. You can also buy a Mount Rainier Annual Pass for $55 or get the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 and get into all national parks. Get more information on passes available, which pass you need, and discounts here.

If you plan on visiting national parks regularly, I suggest purchasing the America the Beautiful pass. It's only $80 and covers entrance fees to all national parks and national wildlife refuges.

America the Beautiful also offers discounts: 

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Must-See Spots

Enter through the Nisqually entrance, and drive up Paradise Valley Road; be sure to stop and see Christine Falls Bridge, Narada Falls, and Ricksecker Point on your way up to Paradise - you don't need to hike for any of these, and the views are breathtaking!

Or take a hike in Paradise; here are some of my favorite kid-friendly hikes:

  • Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls is an easy 1-mile hike, perfect for young kids to easily see a large waterfall.
  • Silver Falls Trail is an easy 3-mile loop that will take you past some beautiful falls. It takes about 1.5 hours.
  • Nisqually Vista is a quick 30-minute, 1-mile loop; if it's a clear day, you will get an amazing view of Mount Rainier on this trail.
  • Fremont Lookout is a 5.5-mile hike to a 2-story cabin that was used to keep an eye out for wildfires. 

3 Days in Mount Rainier National Park

Stay in the quiet town of Ashford or Packwood, they're surrounded by mountains and waterfalls with several campgrounds available. I suggest camping at the Cougar Rock Campground for the first night and White River Campground for the second.

Day 1: Start your day hiking Comet Falls Trail (waterfall views) or the Rampart Ridge Loop Trail (mountain views). After your hike, continue on to Paradise, stopping to experience Christine Falls Bridge, Narada Falls, and Ricksecker Point - these do not have any hiking, just a stop along the road or into a parking lot and you'll get an amazing view. You can also check out the museum at the visitor center if you're looking for more information about the park. 

Day 2: Pack for a picnic and start your day driving past Reflection Lakes while heading to hike the Bench and Snow Lake Trail; a 2.5-mile hike with amazing views of lakes, wildflowers, and only takes about an hour to finish. This is a great place to have lunch, there are several picnic tables near the parking lot. If you're still up for another hike, Tipsoo Lake Loop is a short, 1-mile hike around a lake, or check out Naches Peak Loop, a 3.5-mile hike with mountain and lake views.

Day 3: Spend your day in Sunrise exploring the wildflower meadows and views of Mount Rainier. Finish off your trip with Emmons Vista Nature Overlook 2; you will not find better views than this lookout. If you're still up for a hike, Sunrise Rim Trail is a 5.5-mile hike with views of Mt Rainier, the Northern Cascades, and the Tatoosh Range. If you want a shorter hike, Sourdough Ridge is a 3-mile hike with amazing mountain views and Frozen Lake at the end of the trail.

If you're heading back towards Seattle, exit the park via the northeast or southeast entries rather than driving back through Ashford, this will be faster. 

Check out which Hiking Pass you need here

Lodging

There are numerous lodging options inside and outside of Mount Rainier National Park. Inside the park, you have the choice of staying at:

There are also several overnight backcountry camping spots throughout the park, but they do require a wilderness permit. If you're looking to stay at one of the campgrounds, I recommend reserving a spot as soon as you know the dates you're staying, as many sites are first come, first served. Reserve your site at Recreation.gov. 

Keep in mind that there are no electrical, water, or grey water hookups in any of the park’s campgrounds.

If you're not able to find a spot inside the park, I suggest checking out Packwood or Ashford, these small towns are settled outside the park, amongst the mountain and a short drive from Mount Rainier National Park. Here are some great options you can check out:

  • Creekside Cabin - with up to 4 guests, this tiny home is extremely close to the Nisqually park entrance
  • Nelson Base Camp Log Cabin - allowing up to 4 guests, this family-run cabin has plenty outdoor space
  • Big Creek Cabin - meant for 2 guests, this cabin overlooks the river and has cozy loft bedrooms and beautiful views from the deck

Top 5 Hikes in Mount Rainier

Remember to always pack an extra jacket, comfortable hiking boots, snacks, and more water than you think; the weather is always unpredictable within this national park. 

MYRTLE FALLS: Myrtle Falls is a 1-mile hike near Paradise with a large waterfall at the end. The trail is paved most of the way, but it does get quite steep, be sure to wear proper footwear.

BENCH AND SNOW LAKES TRAIL: This moderate trail is 2.5-miles round trip, although you could make it shorter by turning around .75-mile in at Bench Lake. If you go 1/2 mile further, you'll find Snow Lake with stunning alpine lake views, wildflower meadows in the summer, and if it's clear, you'll get glimpses of Mount Rainier.

COMET FALLS TRAIL: A 3.8-mile round trip, you'll be walking along a whitewater creek with small waterfalls throughout the hike until you reach the 320-foot-high Comet Falls.

FREMONT LOOKOUT TRAIL: This is a must-do hike in Washington. 5.6-miles round trip, you will get stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades, but make sure you go on a clear day to be able to enjoy the endless views of the mountains.

BURROUGHS MOUNTAIN TRAIL: If you're up for a difficult hike, I recommend this 9-mile hike. You will hike right up to the northeastern face of Mount Rainier with views of Winthrop Glacier. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as mountain goats, small pika, and black bears.

Check out my favorite hikes in Washington here

Your Guide to Hiking Washington State

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Laura

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2 Comments

  1. Cameron

    This so super helpful! I can’t wait to plan my trip!

    13 . Oct . 2022
    • Laura

      I hope you have as much fun and I did, it’s amazing!

      13 . Oct . 2022

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