Mount Rainier National Park Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Mount Rainier dominates the skyline of the Pacific Northwest, a massive stratovolcano rising 14,411 feet above sea level and visible from over 100 miles away on clear days. The mountain is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, with 25 named glaciers and over 35 square miles of permanent snow and ice. The national park surrounding it, established in 1899 as the country's fifth national park, protects 236,381 acres of old-growth forests, wildflower meadows, and alpine wilderness.

What makes Mount Rainier extraordinary is not just its sheer size but the dramatic vertical relief it presents. From the Nisqually Entrance at 2,003 feet to the Columbia Crest summit at 14,411 feet, the mountain rises over 12,000 feet in a distance of just 13 miles. This compression of elevation creates a remarkable sequence of ecosystems: towering Douglas fir and western red cedar forests give way to subalpine meadows exploding with wildflowers, which yield in turn to barren rock, glacial ice, and permanent snow. On a summer day, you can stand in a meadow of lupine and paintbrush and watch avalanches cascade down the mountain's upper flanks.

Best Hikes

Skyline Trail at Paradise - The park's most popular hike, a strenuous 5.5-mile loop with 1,700 feet of elevation gain starting from the Paradise Visitor Center at 5,400 feet. The trail climbs through wildflower meadows to Panorama Point at 6,800 feet, offering close-up views of the Nisqually Glacier and sweeping panoramas of the Tatoosh Range. In peak wildflower season from late July through mid-August, this is one of the most beautiful hikes in America.

Wonderland Trail - The legendary 93-mile circumnavigation of Mount Rainier with approximately 22,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain. Most thru-hikers complete it in 8 to 14 days. The trail passes through virtually every ecosystem in the park, crossing alpine passes, fording rivers, and traversing glacial moraines. Permits are required and allocated through a competitive lottery and first-come, first-served walk-up system.

Burroughs Mountain Trail - A strenuous 7.5-mile round trip from Sunrise with 1,800 feet of elevation gain to Second Burroughs at 7,400 feet. This trail ventures into true alpine tundra, the only place in Washington where this ecosystem exists. Views of the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous US, are staggering. Third Burroughs adds another 1.5 miles and 400 feet but is often snow-covered into August.

Grove of the Patriarchs - An easy 1.5-mile loop near the Stevens Canyon Entrance that crosses a suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River to an island of ancient trees. Western red cedars, Douglas firs, and western hemlocks over 1,000 years old tower overhead, some exceeding 25 feet in circumference.

Tolmie Peak Lookout - A moderate 6.5-mile round trip with 1,010 feet of elevation gain in the park's northwest corner. The trail skirts Eunice Lake before climbing to a historic fire lookout at 5,939 feet. The reflection of Mount Rainier in Eunice Lake is one of the most photographed scenes in the park.

Comet Falls Trail - A moderate to strenuous 3.8-mile round trip with 900 feet of elevation gain to one of the tallest accessible waterfalls in the park. Comet Falls plunges 320 feet in a spectacular display, especially during snowmelt in June and July. The trail continues above the falls to Van Trump Park, a stunning wildflower meadow beneath the mountain's south face.

When to Visit

Mid-July to Mid-August (Peak Wildflower Season) - This is the sweet spot for most visitors. Wildflower meadows at Paradise and Sunrise are in full bloom, all roads and visitor centers are open, and weather is at its most favorable. Expect crowds, especially on weekends. Temperatures at Paradise hover in the 60s during the day.

Late August to September (Late Summer) - Wildflowers fade but crowds thin, huckleberries ripen, and the weather remains generally stable. The Wonderland Trail is at optimal conditions. Fall colors begin to appear among the vine maples and huckleberry bushes by late September.

October to November (Autumn) - Paradise Road remains open but snow can arrive any time. The first dustings of snow on the peak create dramatic photography conditions. Many facilities close by mid-October. Stevens Canyon Road and Sunrise Road close for the season.

December to May (Winter/Spring) - The road to Paradise remains open year-round on weekends and holidays, weather permitting, and the area receives an average of 640 inches of snowfall annually, making it one of the snowiest places on Earth. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular activities. Paradise Inn closes for winter. The road to Sunrise typically opens in late June or early July.

Where to Stay

Paradise Inn - A historic 1916 lodge at 5,400 feet with stunning mountain views and a grand lobby with exposed timber beams. Open seasonally from late May through early October. Rooms are basic but the location is unbeatable. Check on Hotels.com

National Park Inn - Located at Longmire at 2,761 feet, this smaller lodge operates year-round and serves as the park's winter headquarters. A cozy base for exploring the lower-elevation trails and the Longmire area. Check on Hotels.com

Stormking Spa & Cabins - A charming retreat near the park's southwest entrance in Ashford, featuring private hot tubs, wood-fired saunas, and cozy cabins. A perfect option for those who want comfort near the park. Check on Hotels.com

Camping - The park has four drive-in campgrounds. Cougar Rock near Paradise is the most popular with 173 sites and accepts reservations. Ohanapecosh in the southeast corner offers 188 sites among old-growth trees. White River near Sunrise and Mowich Lake are first-come, first-served. Backcountry camping along the Wonderland Trail and throughout the wilderness requires permits.

Getting There

By Air - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is approximately 70 miles northwest of the Nisqually Entrance, about a 2-hour drive via I-5 and Highway 706. Portland International Airport (PDX) is roughly 150 miles to the south.

By Car - The Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner is the park's most used and only year-round entrance, accessed via Highway 706 from Ashford. The Stevens Canyon Entrance on the southeast side is reached via Highway 123. The White River Entrance on the northeast provides access to Sunrise via Highway 410. The Carbon River Entrance in the northwest leads to the park's only inland temperate rainforest.

No Public Transit - There is no public transportation to the park. A personal vehicle is required. Roads within the park are two-lane and winding, so allow extra travel time.

Essential Tips

• Weather changes rapidly on the mountain. Even on sunny summer days, conditions at Paradise can shift to fog, rain, or snow within hours. Bring warm layers and rain gear on every hike.
• Paradise parking fills early. On summer weekends, the parking lots at Paradise can fill by 10 AM. Arrive early or visit on weekdays. The park has implemented a timed entry reservation system for Paradise during peak periods.
• Stay on trails in meadow areas. Subalpine meadows are extremely fragile and take decades to recover from foot traffic. Stay on designated paths even when shortcuts are tempting.
• Glacier travel requires technical skills. Climbing above the snowline requires crampons, ice axes, ropes, and glacier travel experience. Register at a ranger station before any summit attempt or glacier crossing.
• No gas, food, or supplies are available in the park beyond the lodges. Fill up and stock up in Ashford, Packwood, or Enumclaw before entering.
• Check road status. Road closures are common due to snow, flooding, or rockfall. Call the park information line or check the website before your visit, especially in spring and fall.
• Entry fee is $30 per vehicle, valid for seven days.

Nearby Attractions

Crystal Mountain Resort - Washington's largest ski area, located just northeast of the park off Highway 410. In summer, the Mount Rainier Gondola operates for sightseers, rising to 6,872 feet with panoramic views of the mountain from the Summit House restaurant.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Surrounding much of the park's southern boundary, this national forest offers additional hiking, camping, and access to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, where the 1980 eruption reshaped the landscape.

Packwood and Ashford - These small gateway communities offer restaurants, supplies, and lodging. Ashford's Whittaker's Motel and Historic Bunkhouse was founded by Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest.

Nisqually River - The glacial river flowing from the Nisqually Glacier offers scenic viewing points within the park and whitewater rafting opportunities downstream outside park boundaries.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park - Located in Eatonville between Seattle and the park, this 725-acre wildlife park features free-roaming herds of bison, elk, moose, and mountain goats in a natural setting, observed from a narrated tram tour.