The most beautiful park. There was a lot of closures when I visited in 8/26, especially on the est…read moreside of park, so my access was limited. There are 4 main areas of the park: Longmire, Paradise, Stevens Canyon and Sunrise. Longmire: Very historical, with a walking Historical tour of the buildings, park inn, museum, old gas station, wilderness center and general store. Paradise: extremely busy! Get here before 7am or after 2pm to get a parking space. Includes an inn with gift shop, visitors center woth deli and store and ranger station. This is where the most popular Skyline Trail is located (5.5 miles, 1700ft elevation gain). Steven's Canyon/Ohanapecosh: campground, visitors center (both currently closed) Sunrise/White River: currently closed Even if you have mobility issues, there is plenty to see in this park. Along the southern border, there are 4-5 easy trails. A few are even paved and ADA accessible. There are several beautiful waterfalls and rivers to see just from the road pullouts too. 34/63

One of America's most majestic peaks, Mount Rainier towers over the Washington landscape like a…read morebeacon, easily visible on clear days from downtown Seattle, 70 miles to the north. Close up, the mountain's 14,000' peak often disappears behind treetops and fog, playing a game of hide and seek with visitors traversing the winding roads of its sprawling national park, craning their necks for a glimpse of the summit. But a visit to Mount Rainier National Park is like a game of chance. You can leave Seattle, as we did recently, under clear morning skies, with the mountain looming far in the distance, and then watch the clouds slowly close in as you near your destination. Weather conditions can make all the difference here, so make sure you pay close attention before setting out. Mid July through early September provide the best window to see the mountain in all its summertime glory -- come earlier in the year and you may find an environment decidedly less accommodating for the casual hiker. Rainier offers dozens of hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and scenic vistas, and the ideal visit requires multiple days to experience it all. If you're coming for a day trip from the Seattle area, arrive early to beat the traffic at the entrance and prioritize easily accessible spots like Narada Falls, Reflection Lake and Paradise Meadows, where parking spots quickly disappear by noon. We arrived at the South Entrance on a weekday around 9 a.m. and drove right up to the entrance gate, but the lines to enter during peak season, especially on weekends, can be notoriously long. A highly recommended stop is the Longmire Visitor Center, where the rangers will advise you on road and trail conditions and help you plan your day. The park's showstopper is the popular Skyline Trail, a moderately challenging 5.5-mile loop that climbs 1,500' from the parking lot at Paradise Meadows to the spectacular Panorama Point Overlook. In summer, the trail meanders through a breathtaking sea of wildflowers and offers views of glaciers and waterfalls as it works its way across Rainier's southern slope. But on our recent visit, in early June, we found out that a even a light rain can makes the park's spectacular Skyline Trail a dicey expedition. The cold drizzle we encountered at the trailhead quickly evolved into an icy mix of sleet and snow as our family neared Panorama Point, making the narrow trails dangerously slick. Despite coming equipped with winter jackets, warm gloves and sturdy hiking boots, the conditions forced us to retreat before reaching the trail's famous overlook, which was already shrouded in dense fog. Despite not being able to enjoy the views and scenery we had hoped for, our visit to Mount Rainier was an unforgettable experience -- a challenging but highly rewarding winter hike on snow-covered trails surrounded by glaciers, icy peaks, and furry marmots who bounded around us like giant squirrels posing for candid photos. It was also a reminder that any visit to a national park is subject to the grace of Mother Nature, and inspired us to plan a return trip to this spectacular place -- hopefully when we can see Rainier's summit against a blue Washington sky.

One of my favorite hikes in Mt Rainier. The hike is rough, but the end is 100% worth it…read more You'll access the Sourdough Ridge Trail about 600 feet from the visitor center, take it for about 1.1 miles, you'll hit Frozen Lake, and then it's another 1.3 miles up to the Overlook. You will get the most incredible views of Mt Rainier. The initial start of the Sourdough Trail is steep and strenuous, but give it about 0.2 miles - it's going to level out and be easy until you get to Frozen Lake. Don't hold your breath for Frozen Lake. We came in September - there was nothing frozen, no snow, and it was more like a small pond. Maybe it looks pretty in early spring when the park re-opens? Anywho, the trail is definitely strenuous. Pace yourself, take breaks if you need it, and drink lots of water (and make sure to BRING plenty of water). The overlook is incredible, and the views of Mt Rainier are breathtaking. The ranger station wasn't staffed while we were there, but you could climb up it for a better view. Otherwise, take a seat on a rock, eat some snacks, and enjoy! Overall, this hike will probably leave you feeling a bit wrecked, but it is well-worth all the effort.

Arrived 5:50am Saturday in mid September. It was also free national park day. The last hour or so…read moreto Sunrise Visitor Center (the trailhead) from Portland area is long and meandering and dark. I recommend downloading an offline map since there's no service. I wanted to get to the trailhead before sunrise. Once I got to Sunrise, the parking lot was 20-25% full and there were several parties starting their hike as well. I wish I brought a headlamp because it was pitch black. The bathrooms were open and the toilet flushed and the sinks had soap still. The trail is right behind the bathrooms. It took about an hour to get to the top. It's pretty rocky and most parts it's narrow so I would recommend hiking shoes. I was warming up because of the hike but at the lookout, it was so cold! Bring gloves, a hat and layers. The forecast said it would be cloudy. I checked Windy.com to see the cloud patterns before I left and there was an opening. I've been to Mt Rainier on a clear day but on a partially cloudy day it was just as nice.

Hey if anyone is looking for a real simple trail offering some pretty terrific views of Mt. Rainier…read morepeak...then I highly recommend coming here to Nisqually Vista Trail. It's located in the smaller parking lot area just a 1/2 mile from the main section of the Paradise area at Mt. Rainier. To explain again...when driving up the road towards the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center and all the primary trails at Mt. Rainier....you actually want to turn into the first parking lot you'll come upon. It's quite visible as you're driving and you make a left handed turn into the lot. Yes and remember, it's the lot 1/2 mile before the main exploring area of Paradise. When getting out of the car, Nisqually Vista Trail was so easy to find. I noticed the trailhead right away. This path was more of a walkway than anything else, going in a round trip loop for 1.1 miles. It can't get any more straightforward than that. And there was no elevation climb at all. The reason why I'm giving Nisqually Vista Trail 5 stars is because it deserves recognition for offering uninterrupted and statuesque views of Mt. Rainier and it's snow covered peak! I visited here back in the month of August and yeah there was still snow surrounding the top of Mt. Rainier...and I'd say about 1/2 - 3/4's of the way along Nisqually Trail...I stumbled upon multiple overlooks peering out into the distance of Mt. Rainier...in all it's glory! I thought to myself, why would this trail be so empty and quiet? I'm not sure why...though I guess...most tourists would prefer going to the big parking lot section at Paradise where you're offered numerous hiking trails including moderate and strenuous hikes to get real up close views of the mountain. But...sometimes closer is not always better. From the overlooks here....I had multiple moments to sit down on the wall's ledge and bask at how beautiful Mt. Rainier's iconic peak appeared in the background. And for coming to Nisqually in early afternoon, I had no issues with the sun. I think that's real reason why I'm writing about Nisqually Vista Trail. For an easy 1.1 mile loop...the appearance of Mt. Rainier was quite memorable. So...for those folks who may be interested in a path/trail perfect for families or anyone who'd rather not trek around the elevated trails in the Paradise section....I'd absolutely try and convince you to come here. My pictures were very memorable and I'm happy to be passing along this recommendation to everyone searching for the most efficient options on how to explore around Mt. Rainier National Park.

For a 1.2 mile this trail will surely be an ultimate favorite for families with strollers and…read moregrandparents who just wanna have an easy stroll yet still have that gorgeous view. Also a paved trail this one will made you stroll in loop at the same time do some photowalk. It is so gorgeous in here and as a bonus, you get to see part of Mt. Rainier in several viewpoints. The only cons in here is that there's a lot of bugs that flies around. And if you keep talking there's a possibility that they'll fly straight inside your mouth. These flies also keep coming to you as you stroll so if I were you, better carry some bug spray when you plan to hike here during summertime. PS: for those hardcore hikers, this might bored you. So skip this one or you can keep going to its connected trails available at Paradise Area located Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. Mahalo for reading and happy juandering fellow yeeps!

Visiting Paradise Glacier Trail at Mt Rainier National park during the snowy season was an…read moreexperience I will NEVER forget. If you're planning to go before the winter conditions become too severe DO plan ahead by ensuring you have tire chains (there is a $500 fine if you don't,) and arrive early enough to enjoy your visit as the entrance to paradise closes earlier because of inclement conditions. I'm looking forward to returning next summer for hikes; I highly recommend!!

Excellent food! My fiancé didn't agree with the authenticity…read moreof the food but it's the most delicious of Borsch I have had since moving to the USA 14 years ago! So proud of my Ukrainian brothers and sisters making a mark in the States with their menu

This is a nice 80 acre multipurpose park in Ashford that is located right off the main road. It has…read morean amphitheater, walking paths, restrooms and a playground. There are plenty of parking spaces to park at. I ran a 5K over the summer that began and ended at this park. It was well organized and the park provided enough room for all of us runners and for the tents that were set up for the event. The amphitheater was designed to be used for various festivals, concerts, movies and other events.

After leaving the Nisqually entrance to Mt. Rainier, we (two families with a total of 5 kids under…read morethe age of 6) happened to notice this park/playground just off the road. It is brand new, and is a wonderful playground. Lots of really neat features, along with drinking fountains and bathrooms and trails. One of the best playgrounds I've been to, and it was a great way for the kids to burn off some excitement before we finished the drive home.

The views are incredible and the staff at the gift shop were friendly and patient despite the long…read morelines. Unfortunately, this administration decided that funding the national parks was unimportant therefore there were minimal staff and maintenance. Fortunately, it appeared that most patrons were very respectful and mindful of the need to pick up after themselves.

When you go to Mount Rainier, this is one of the main stops you want to go to. This is the large…read morevisitor center in Paradise and is one of the most visited locations. If you want to let the kids out to stretch, use the bathroom and get a bite to eat, you can do it here. The parking lot will be full but if you keep circling around, you'll eventually find someone leaving. The chicken tacos with rice and beans were actually pretty good. Worth trying if you're needing a bite to eat. The top floor of the visitor center has a lot of different exhibits that tell about Mount Rainier and the wildlife in the area. Would recommend stopping if in the area.

I had my second very positive experience with RMI this past month. The biggest takeaway is that…read morethis is a service for people who are seriously prepared for an enormous mental and physical challenge - if you're looking for something wild to do without months of preparation, regardless of the trip you choose, you might feel a little put off with RMI. Rainier IS something you can do with no previous climbing experience, but that doesn't mean you can just show up the day-of and expect to be fine. "No experience needed" doesn't mean no training is required. They make it clear that you need to be in the best physical condition of your life to execute these trips. I am someone who wants to pursue mountaineering as a lifelong hobby but doesn't have a climbing community of my own to go with. As a result, finding a Rainier concessioner was a natural choice. And even though it's nerve-wracking to climb with a bunch of pro guides and strangers, I felt like I found the type of community I've been dreaming of! I'm a female climber and my first experience was less positive because I didn't feel very included as a woman, but this second trip was amazing. I think inclusivity can often depend on the attitudes of the guides. Shoutout to Dominic, Sam, Marissa, and Rylee for making sure I felt strong and capable. No notes. I had the BEST time with them! There are other Rainier vendors (or guide services for other mountains) that are known to be a bit more gentle and flexible in their approach and pacing of their trips. Consider those alternatives if you're not craving absolute grit. No judgement, it's a personal preference. All in all, putting on multi-day climbs with clients of all backgrounds and dangerous terrain is no small feat, but I believe RMI does an incredible job at this. For as long as I'm climbing and able, I will choose RMI again.

I've had much better guiding experiences elsewhere. I did not finish Ranier. Although I was working…read morehard aerobically, I turned around mostly due to anxiety. I did not feel safe with my guide Hannah. For example, I asked for 30 seconds to breathe and she denied it and we kept going. We were not in a dangerous area. So, I decided to turn around. After about a minute of waiting for another rope team to go down I felt ready to keep going. I was not gassed at all, but I did not safe continuing with a guide who completely stonewalled the requests of her clients. I am very frustrated because I did not give it my all. I had plenty of gas left in the tank unlike others who turned around and were stumbling down. I just felt so demoralized by the continued emphasis that it only gets harder and we cannot slow down or stop for even a second that I chose to turn back. I feel confident I could have summited with another guiding company. I have done enough mountains (10+ guided summits including 7k meters) to know that that the pace we were going did in fact have time for me to take a 30 second breath break. Another option could have been to start one hour earlier to go 10% slower on the route--other guided climbs I have done choose starting time based on client pace as well as conditions, rather than rigidly holding to pace policy. I feel like this is the cattle car company that just wants maximum throughput booking trips and rental gear, and if you're not completely on their pace there is no flexibility to even breathe for 30 seconds. I did not feel looked after as an individual, just as one more unit in their system. I have never before wanted a refund on a guided climb, even when I didn't summit before (food poisoning). This experience makes me wish for one for the first time ever. I had a much better experience with Alpine Ascents International a month ago on Mt. Baker. They set a pace appropriate for the group and had empathy and responsiveness when another two clients on a rope team near mine were struggling. I recommend looking at that company as an alternative as they have a concession on Ranier as well. Update to add: I spoke to an AAI guide at camp after coming down. They left an hour earlier than our team did and their climbers came down after ours. So presumably a more manageable rate.

Forget Paradise! THIS is the real alpine meadow you're looking for!…read more Seriously though, there's no one on this side of the park, and the views are incredible. The only downside is that this road has to melt out before you can get in here. It's definitely not open in the winter. There are wildflowers and marmots, and views of cracking glaciers. This is also where the approach to Observation Rock is.