Rising 14,410 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Mount Rainier can be seen from Seattle on a clear day, only a couple of hours away. With its cone-shaped peak, it is one of the most glaciated peaks in the contiguous U.S. and an active volcano. Additionally, it spawns five rivers. As one of the Top National Parks in Washington, there are lots of outdoor activities and a couple of historic lodges. Here are the top things to do in Mount Rainier National Park.
Top 14 Things to Do in Mount Rainer National Park
Learn about the Different Areas of the Park
Stop by a Visitor Center
Take a Scenic Drive
See Emmons Glacier
Visit Paradise
See a Waterfall
Take a Hike
Visit Sunrise
Find Wildflowers
Spot Wildlife
Bike the Westside Road
Earn a Ranger Badge
Picnic in the Park
Stay in one of Mount Rainier’s Lodges
Should You Visit Mount Rainier?
With its close proximity to Seattle, Mount Rainier is one of the top national parks to visit on the West Coast. During the summer, it offers spectacular mountain scenery, including waterfalls, wildflowers and glaciers. Visitors can enjoy the vistas and lookouts from their cars or get out and hike. National Park architecture fans will want to see Paradise Inn.
As a popular destination, the earlier you arrive, the better. Camping and lodging reservations need to be secured well in advance.
Top Areas in Mount Rainier
Longmire area and National Park Inn
Paradise area and Paradise Inn
Sunrise area
Ohanapecosh area–Construction in 2026
Carbon and Mowich areas–Currently Closed Due to Washed-Out Bridge
From Olympic to Lewis and Clark: Top 15 National Parks in Washington
Visitor Centers in Mount Rainier
Several visitor centers are located across the park. These are the places to grab maps or junior ranger booklets. Visitors also find restrooms and interpretive areas at each center. They can also learn about seasonal park ranger programming.
Longmire Museum
Located in the Longmire area of the park, this was the original park headquarters. Inside the original 1916 building, visitors will find displays exploring the early days of the park.
There is also a short interpretive movie. There is a bookstore in the Longmire Museum as well. It is open daily.
The larger Longmire Administration Building, completed in 1930, operates as the Longmire Wilderness Information Center. Climbers can obtain wilderness permits and hiking and backcountry camping information. It is open seasonally from late May until early October.
Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center
This is Mount Rainier’s main visitor center, located in the Paradise area. This area is open year-round, In summer, the wildflowers put on a show with the Tatoosh Range adding to the view.
Travelers will find general information, exhibits, the park film, guided ranger programs, a bookstore and a cafeteria.
During the winter season, this area gets 640 inches of snow, with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding popular. The road between Longmire and Paradise is plowed.
Paradise Wilderness Information Center | Guide House
During the summer climbing season, climbers need to head to the Guide House across from the Paradise Inn. There they will obtain climbing permits, along with hiking and backcountry camping information.
Open year-round, but weekends only in winter.
Sunrise Visitor Center
This is the highest point in the park that is accessible via a vehicle at 6,400 feet. This is a seasonal visitor center, only open from July to mid-September.
Located 60 miles northeast of the Nisqually Entrance, the Sunrise Visitor Center offers exhibits, guided interpretive programs, a bookstore and a picnic area. On a clear day, you can see Emmons Glacier.
Open from late June or early July and closes in late September to early October.
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center
Closed for construction.
Top Things to Do on San Juan Island
Stop In Longmire
Closest to the Nisqually Entrance on the western part of Mount Rainier, I recommend you stop in Longmire. It features a visitor center, an inn and a general store.
Part of a National Historic District, the Longmire area is the former headquarters of Mount Rainier National Park. It includes the Longmire Museum and the Longmire Bridge, made of logs. This area was designated in 1997.
A vintage gas station is used as a transportation exhibit. The National Park Inn is located in Longmire, and next to it is the Longmire General Store.
To take in the sites, the Longmire Historic District Walking Tour is 1.25 miles round-trip. There is camping and a picnic area located nearby.
Mount Rainier Scenic Drives
Driving through a national park site is the easiest way to see it. Most roads in the parks are scenic drives where slow driving is encouraged.
Most scenic drives offer many pull-outs for wildlife viewing or savoring the view. Be mindful of fellow park visitors and the possibility of wildlife near the roadway. Mount Rainier offers 117 miles of historic roads, some constructed as early as 1906
Road to Paradise
Also known as State Highway 706 within the park. From the entrance to Paradise, the road is 19 miles. The Nisqually entrance and the road are open year-round to Paradise. However, the road can close temporarily due to weather conditions.
Paradise Valley Road
A 2.2-mile one-way scenic route leaving Paradise connecting to Stevens Canyon Road. This road is seasonal.
Stevens Canyon Road
This 19-mile seasonal road connects the east and west sides. From Paradise, it continues to the eastern entrance at SR 123, Cayuse Pass. It includes a tunnel with a height limit of 12 feet.
Eastside Highway
Also known as SR123, this 13-mile-long road connects the park’s southeast entrance near Ohanapecosh to the Mather Memorial Parkway (SR410) at Cayuse Pass
Mather Memorial Parkway
Also known as SR410, this 11.6-mile road connects Chinook Pass and the northeast park boundary. It continues into National Forest land and is 60 miles in total.
Sunrise Road
Located on the northeast side of Mount Rainier, this 15-mile seasonal road opens for a few months each year, usually in July. This road is narrow and winding. RVs over 25 feet are not allowed past the White River Campground intersection.
Westside Road
Located on the West Side, not far from the Nisqually Entrance, this 12-mile road is a favorite with cyclists. The first 3 miles are paved, and the next 9 miles are gravel.
Cayuse Pass
This seasonal road connects Chinook Entrance Arch and Cayuse Pass on the east side of the park.
Carbon River Road—Closed due to washout. No public access, including pedestrians.
Top Things to Do in Olympic National Park
Drive up to Paradise
Located on the south side of the park, the Paradise area features the Jackson Visitor Center, the historic Paradise Inn, subalpine meadows with summertime wildflowers and epic mountain views. Open year-round, this area offers hiking, mountain climbing, and winter recreation.
When in Paradise, head to the visitor center for the park film. There are also interpretive displays, different from the other visitor centers.
As always, this is the best place for restrooms, water bottle fillers, maps and advice. Ranger programs depart from the visitor center as well.
Next, head to the landmark Paradise Inn, the historic lodge. Open from mid-May to early October, it anchors the Paradise Historic District, and the building opened in 1917. It is a National Historic Landmark and is considered one of the Great Inns of the West.
Inside, daytrippers will find a dining room, a large lobby with lots of seating, and a gift shop. During my trip to Mount Rainier, we bought snacks and enjoyed the historic architecture and the fire in the stone fireplace.
Hiking is another top thing to do at Paradise. There are several hikes with Mount Rainier in the background, like the Skyline Trail.
The 5.5-mile (8.8 km) loop trail climbs from the main visitor area up through subalpine meadows. During my visit, I hiked until I was tired, then I returned.
3 Day Itinerary for Olympic National Park
Waterfalls in Mount Rainier
With its snowpack and mountainous terrain, waterfalls are frequent in the late spring and summer seasons. There are dozens of waterfalls, some rushing from spring to fall, others only visible for a few weeks each year.
For those travelers who want to see a waterfall without an extended hike, Christine Falls or Narada Falls. Christine Falls is a 60-foot plunging waterfall framed by a historic arched bridge over Van Trump Creek in the Longmire area.
Narada Falls is a 168-foot falls over an andesite lava flow to the valley floor below. It is on the road 9 miles from Longmire and 3 miles below Paradise. and
In Paradise, a .4-mile family-friendly trail from Paradise on the Edith Creek Trail will take you to Myrtle Falls. It’s a 60-foot waterfall with Mount Rainier in the background.
Top Lewis and Clark Sites in the PNW
Hiking in Mount Rainier
There are over 260 miles of hiking trails in Mount Rainier National Park. When selecting a trail, it is important to consider the elevation change.
It is important to pack enough water for everyone on your hike, plus snacks if you are hiking for more than an hour. The NPS offers some suggested trails for families.
Mount Rainier includes wilderness areas, so obtaining a Wilderness Permit is important. It is also in bear country, so hikers are advised to take appropriate precautions.
Trail of the Shadows—A 0.7 mi/1.1 km loop trail in the Longmire Historic District, across from the National Park Inn. It features a cabin and a creek.
Twin Firs Loop Trail—A 0.4 mi/0.6 km loop trail travels through an old-growth forest. Located about 2 miles west of Longmire.
Nisqually Vista Trail—A 1.2 mi/1.9 km loop trail is a longer trail that families can try, including those with hiking strollers. Along the route, hikers can see the Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier. Located on the Western edge of the lower Paradise parking lot.
Myrtle Falls Trail—A 1 mile/1.6 km round trip trail with a 100 feet elevation gain to Myrtle Falls.
Emmons Vista—A 0.4-mile trail to the Emmons Vista Overlooks in the Sunrise Area.
Sunrise Nature Trail—A 1.5 mi/2.4 km trail features a 370-foot elevation gain.
Tipsoo Lake—A 0.5 mile/ 0.8 km round-trip trail to see Tipsoo Lake on the eastern side of the park.
Silver Forest Trail—A 1.6 mi/2.5 km round-trip for views of the Emmons Glacier and White River Valley.
Visit Sunrise
On the northeastern side of the park, Sunrise is the second most-visited area in the park. This scenic area offers the highest point in Mount Rainier that you can drive, at 6,400 feet elevation.
There are several areas to explore in Sunrise, like Sunrise Point, which offers views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and the Emmons Glacier. The seasonal Sunrise Visitor Center (open from early July to early September) offers maps, interpretive areas and a picnic area. The Sunrise Day Lodge offers food service and a gift shop, both part of the National Historic Landmark District.
The White River Patrol Cabin was constructed in the 1920s. The Columnar Lava formed columns when cooling on the left-hand side of the road from the White River Campground to Sunrise Point.
Yakima Park offers subalpine wildflower meadows in the summer. They start blooming in mid-July and are covered by the first of August. Asters, Lupine and Pestemon are all popular.
The Sunrise area is located 60 miles northeast of the Nisqually Entrance and 14 miles northwest of the Sunrise/White River turnoff on State Route 410. This is a seasonal road and requires vehicle permits to enter.
Ohanapecosh Area
The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and the Ohanapecosh Campground are closed for 2025. Visitors will still find hiking in the area; however, the services are limited for this season.
Top National Park trails in the US
Wildlife Viewing
Find lots of animals within the park though dawn and dusk are the best wildlife viewing times. The Park Rangers can also point out areas that offer the best chance to see wildlife.
American marten
Black Bear
Black Tailed Deer
Bobcat
Cascade Red Fox
Elk
Fisher
Moose
Mountain Goat
Pika
Wolverine
Be Bear Aware
The National Park Service recommends the following guidelines to reduce encounters.
Make noise when hiking, kids are good at this.
Be aware of the possibility of bears at streams.
Store food when not eating or preparing in the bear-proof storage lockers.
Keep 100 years between you and bears.
Put all trash in a bear-resistant trash container.
Biking in Mount Rainier
Bicycles are allowed on park roads and they are not permitted on any hiking trails. Unfortunately, there are not any mountain biking trails within the park.
The best place to ride in Mount Rainier is Westside Road, one mile from the Nisqually Entrance. This route is open to vehicles for the first three miles, the next 9 miles is open to hiking and biking.
Kids and Pets at Mount Rainier
Traveling with your kids or pets is part of the fun. Mount Rainier makes a great trip with lots of activities and things to see.
There are special activities for kids. As for pets, Mount Rainier is a haven for wildlife, so care must be taken when traveling with your pets in the park.
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about National Parks. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges that the park rangers present them with after they complete their booklets.
At a visitor center, kids can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet with fun activities. There are additional resources for exploring the area, like a Bird Bingo and Plant Scientist. There is a Mount Rainier Junior Scientist badge that focuses on volcanoes.
Citizen Ranger Quest
The Citizen Ranger Quest is designed for older children (12 and up) and adults. I did one during my visit in the Longmire area.
Visitors will find quests in that area and Paradise, Sunrise, Ohanapecosh and general Mount Rainier quests. Finish one and get a badge; if you finish four quests, you get a cool patch.
Pets in Mount Rainier
Some National Parks offer a BARK ranger badge for traveling pets. However, due to the rugged nature, including lots of wildlife, Mount Rainier is not the best park for pets.
Many of Mount Rainier’s wildlife are predators. Coyotes, wolves and bears consider pets a food source. Because of this, pets are not allowed on any trails or in the backcountry.
Pets are allowed in developed areas, like vehicular roads, parking areas, and campgrounds, as long as they are with people. They must be leashed at all times and not left unattended inside the park. It is for their safety, and more information can be found on the Pets page of the Mount Rainier National Park website.
Where to Picnic in Mount Rainier
With limited food service in a National Park, pack a picnic for your stay. There are several picnic areas within the park. Some of the picnic areas include a restroom.
Box Canyon (restrooms in the area)
Cougar Rock Picnic Area
Paradise Picnic Area
Sunrise Picnic Area
White River Picnic Area
Longmire Community Building Viewpoint
Narada Falls
Ohanapecosh Picnic Area—Closed for Construction
Where to Stay in Mount Rainier
This park offers historic lodges within the park. The lodges at lower elevations are open year-round, and others are seasonal.
National Park lodges also offer dining. They are often hubs of activity within the park, and day trippers visit the lodges as well.
National Park Inn
Located in Longmire, the 1911 building houses 25 cozy, non-smoking guestrooms. It’s got a shingle exterior and features a front porch with seating and views of the mountains.
Options include rooms with attached bathrooms or two-room options.
Other rooms share a bath with two private showers and separate men’s and women’s restrooms located in the hallway.
There is dining on-site, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also afternoon tea served in the library with a fireplace.
During my visit to Mount Rainier, I stayed at the National Park Inn with my kids. The area also includes a general store.
Located at 47009 Paradise Valley Rd E, Ashford. It is open year-round. Reservations required.
Paradise Inn
Anchoring the Paradise Historic District, this building opened in 1917. It is a National Historic Landmark and is considered one of the Great Inns of the West.
Using local materials, the Paradise Inn features cedar shingles, native rock and weathered timbers with a silver patina. Its steep-pitched green roof and bracing structure help Paradise Inn hold its snow load each winter.
Inside, exposed cedar beams draw guests’ eyes throughout the Great Hall. Dormer windows let in the sun, and bays feature cozy seating nooks. Two 4-by-6-foot fireplaces are located on either end of the room.
Many of the furnishings were crafted by artisan Hans Fraenke, including a 14-foot Grandfather clock and two tables weighing 1,500 pounds. President Harry Truman played on the inn’s piano in 1945. Other furniture came from Old Hickory Company.
There is a wrap-around mezzanine level. From here, guests can see the hand-painted lampshades featuring wildflowers. In the evening, a musician plays the piano.
The inn features 121 rooms, divided between the main building and the annex. The original rooms feature two twin beds or a full. Each shares a bathroom located in the hall.
The annex rooms offer either a queen, a double or two twin beds. There is a two-room annex room with one double and two twin beds. There’s also a room with a sitting room.
The Paradise Inn Dining Room serves a breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner. There is no cell service at Paradise Inn
Located at 52807 Paradise Valley Rd E, Ashford. Open seasonally from mid-May through September. Reservations required.
Camping in Mount Rainier
Camping in Mount Rainier is seasonal, and for 2025, one of the main campgrounds will be closed for construction.
Cougar Rock Campground
Late May to Late September
Reservations Recommended
179 sites, RV limit 35 feet, trailer 27 feet
Potable water with flush toilets
White River Campground
Late June to Late September
First-come, first-served
88 sites, RV limit 27 feet, trailer 18 feet
Potable water with flush toilets
Ohanapecosh Campground
Closed for 2025
Where’s Mount Rainier National Park
Located southeast of Seattle, use State Routes 706, 123 and 165. Mount Rainier is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though it has seasonal closures due to snow. Use an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or purchase a 7-day pass for $30 per vehicle. Mount Rainier requires timed entry reservations for the Sunrise Corridor only. These reservations are $2 in addition to the standard 7-day pass.
Comments are closed.