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This is an incredibly magnificent place. Lots of trails, wildlife, and various terrains. Bring hiking boots as some areas are rocky. I loved that the rangers walk through the trails and check on people. Lots of inclines too so trekking poles are suggested, as needed. Weather can change so be prepared (backpack suggested). Have lots of water, electrolytes and snacks. We stopped at the Sunrise Visitor Center. We did the Fremont Lookout Trail (which was intense but doable). There is also the Wonderland Trail on the way back which adds 0.5 miles but takes you on a different viewpoint. Overall an A+ adventure with breathtaking sights and challenging exercise. Don't miss it!
There is so much serenity and quiet magic at Mt Rainier NP, that words are simply not enough to describe it all! Having arrived early in the morning through the Nisqually entrance, we immensely enjoyed visiting the following treasures with the Mt Rainier NP: Narada Falls, Reflection Lake, the Trail of Shadows and Paradise. The views were breathtaking! We had a wonderful time exploring the snow-covered mountain, the lake and the forest together! We even enjoyed a game of snowballs in Paradise during our visit in late May there!
Mount Rainier NPis such a gorgeous park. The drive up from Seattle was simple and didn't feel like the 2 plus hours. I was grateful for nearly perfect weather- even with the various microclimates throughout the park. I was prepared for the heavy humidity and the chilli weather. The park was "closed" due to the government shutdown and so we didn't have to pay the entrance fee which was nice. I do however feel bad for the park rangers and staff that were unable to work. We took the route of the Paradise route and stopped at the different viewpoints but there were a few closures. Reflection lake was beautiful but a bit crowded.
Very pretty everywhere you look, but Mt. Rainier itself is just breathtaking. Great hikes and great amenities too.
Hike through Mt Reinier meadows, immersed with lush trees, frosty streams, chipmunks running free, animals in their natural habitat. The summer snow met us at the start of the vertical climb, with just the right texture for snowy trek towards the summit. Perfect weather greeted us for the perfect birthday adventure, breathtaking views & amazing experience
Every year I pick one or two national parks that I have never been to for vacation. This year I decided to fly to Washington and travel to both Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. My Dad lived north of the Seattle area for many years, and I would travel to see him. I would always marvel at Mount Rainier when flying over it by plane or seeing it from afar while in Seattle. Its snow-capped peak and overall size are incredible sites to see. Mount Rainier is a 14,410-foot active volcano in Washington's Cascade Range. It is the tallest mountain in Washington State. My Dad never had any interest in seeing this mountain up close, so I made my own trip out here to visit the park and do some hiking. I also ran a 5K that was going on in nearby Ashford to add a little fun to my trip. President William McKinley signed a bill authorizing the creation of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899. It is the nation's fifth national park. There are many cities around Mount Rainier National Park that you can stay in. I stayed in Packwood, which is southeast of the park. I took an overnight flight to Seattle-Tacoma and drove straight to the park where I ended up sleeping in my rental truck for a few hours until the sun came up. Mount Rainier National Park now requires a timed entry reservation made in advance during peak hours. I had got there early enough to avoid having to wait in the timed entry line. I began my day hiking to base of Mount Rainier on the popular 5.5-mile Skyline Loop Trail. It was a beautiful trail full of wildflowers, waterfalls, snow and wildlife. Marmots were running around all over and providing all sorts of entertainment for us hikers. The Skyline Trail begins and ends next to the visitor center in Paradise. At the visitor center, you can grab a bite to eat and check out exhibits that provide some history and information about this beautiful park. I spent much of my time driving around Mount Rainier National Park and enjoying its breathtaking views. The park has four main entrances - Nisqually, Carbon River, White River/Sunrise and Stevens Canyon. I was able to check out several waterfalls while exploring the park. Narada Falls was probably my favorite. One beautiful place to check out is Reflection Lake where you can see a reflection of Mount Rainier in the lake. Longmire is another popular destination that has lodging, camping, food, a visitor center and is the location of the park's original National Park Service Administration Building (which is now an information center). Ohanapecosh is an area in the park that has many campsites. I did make time to drive to Sunrise to get a different view of Mount Rainier. Sunrise is the highest point in the park that is accessible by vehicle at an elevation of 6,400 feet. When I visit national parks, I try to do a hike each day while I am in the park. There are 168 trails in Mount Rainier National Park. So I had to be selective in how many I could do because of time. After hiking the Skyline Loop Trail, I ended up doing some shorter day hikes like the Twin Firs Loop Trail and Bench & Snow Lakes Trail. I also did some hiking in the Sunrise area. There are so many trails to choose from at various lengths and difficulty. There is no Wi-Fi in Mount Rainier National Park. So I had to rely mostly on paper maps to get around. But if you do need Wi-Fi, you can stop at any of the three visitor centers in the park to connect. There are also park rangers on hand who are very helpful and will answer any questions that you may have. You will find restrooms, merchandise and food options at the visitor centers. I am so glad that I finally made my way to this beautiful national park to see this incredible mountain. Hiking the Skyline Trail and seeing some of the waterfalls were the highlights for me on this trip. Flying to Washington to spend some time in Mount Rainier National Park is an experience that I won't forget. I look forward to a return visit someday.
Since moving to WA I have discovered the amazing trails in Mt. Rainer. It's truly a magical place. The trails are definitely challenging and I highly recommend plenty of water. And bring your mosquito repellent in case the trail is a bit busy with these pesky bugs. Sunscreen, water and snacks and enjoy nature. An America The Beautiful Pass works for this hike as we were parked literally right outside the park boundary bit the hike took us inside the park. A day pass for parking inside the boundary is recommended. Get out there!! SYOY!
We drove down to Mount Rainer National Park from Seattle. It was a nice drive once you get out of Seattle as the traffic is bad. They don't have anywhere to expand the highways and one of the three lanes is a HOV lane. Once we got close the scenery drastically changed to heavily wooded. The roads and drive were nice. Once we got up to the info area and scenic viewing the sights were breathless. Several opportunities to walk up some of the trails but we passed and hung around the center getting a bite to eat and a drink. Was a great place to relax, take in the sights and get some great pics. The snow covered peaks are just awesome. Weather was great.
Arrived midday mid-June and boy was parking PACKED! Wish they built a much larger parking lot. Beware getting a warning ticket for parking on the side of the road, though many people do it. Even on a (foggy) cloudy day, there's a good chance you can still spot the legendary Mt Rainier (14,400 ft). Boy was there so much snow in June. Crampons aren't necessary, but you'll want to wear some form of waterproof shoes.
Great park! I just had one day so I chose sky line trail. Got at the park around 12noon. I would say 20 min to enter. If you want to go to paradise, just drive to the visitor center which is 20 miles away. Parking is very limited but I was lucky enough and found a spot very easily. The hike is hard but not impossible. Did in 2.5h 4 stars because signaling is not their strength and gift shop was way overpriced Also, staff at the restaurant were rude
What incredible people! I was so fortunate when I called the ranger station several times in preparation for my trip and was always given incredible help. Because of this, I was prepared when I came in for a Wonderland Trail walk-up permit. Shelly helped me by tediously organizing my campsites and helping with decisions about where to go, areas of potential danger, and tons of other advice. These rangers are true examples of the best America has to offer.
What an incredible experience visiting Mount Rainier National Park - I don't even know where to start... If you're able to, camp in the park. We camped for a couple nights at Ohanapecosh Campground, and it was wonderful. The forest is beautiful, peaceful, and calm. The perfect place to reset and enjoy nature. The Ohanapecosh visitor center is at the beginning of the campground - perfect for planning your day's adventures. Definitely incorporate Skyline Loop in Paradise into your trip - no way will you be disappointed. Here, we found the most picturesque views that were better than any postcard or picture you find online. Myrtle Falls is an easy hike and is absolutely gorgeous. Once you get to the top of Skyline Loop, you will get the most breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and its valley. Well-worth the effort of this 5.5 mile hike. The Paradise visitor center is going to be the biggest one with plenty of rangers, a good bookstore, and a small cafe. The Fremont Overlook Trail in Sunrise is going to be your other great bet. Definitely strenuous, but the magnificent views once you get to the top ... All you want to do is sit on a rock and enjoy. The Sunrise visitor center is smaller than Paradise, but still has wonderful rangers and a small bookstore. Plan ahead if you're visiting Sunrise - they do metered entrances so there's a set number of visitors. If they're at capacity, they wait for a car to leave before another car can enter. Reflection is a great, quick stop - especially when the weather is good. All the visitor centers have free WiFi - great for planning and plugging routes into maps as the cell service is (as expected) horrible. They also all have clean bathrooms - always a plus. You will definitely enjoy any time spent at Mt Rainier National Park. Explore and have fun!
Another fun visit to Rainier...once we got through the SW gate that is. Insanely busy to enter this past Saturday (Oct) morning. We waited an indecent amount of time, and the Paradise area trails and parking were nuts. But, a lovely fall weekend...should be expected. This visit we stayed at Cougar Rock Campground: partially open for FCFS this, the last weekend of the season. Clean, with a decent amount of privacy between sites. We took the Carter/Madcap Falls access trail from the campground to the falls. Beautiful and fun mushroom covered trail that was MUCH less busy than the Paradise trails. Loved. We also took the Lakes Loop Trail. Very busy area, although most people were simply parking for the pics and not on the trail. Fun trail, small elevation gains, so you get a nice workout...but stunning colors and amazing views from the overlook above the lakes. We also decided to join the masses at Paradise for the Glacier/Panorama Point trail. Packed with visitors all the way, but epic and colorful views throughout. A few cute critters along the way too. Paradise food court was still open this weekend. Nice to have a few options for quick bites after the hike. Fall on Rainier = stunning...stunning AND packed.
2 months ago
The most beautiful park. There was a lot of closures when I visited in 8/26, especially on the est side 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 read more
One of America's most majestic peaks, Mount Rainier towers over the Washington landscape like a beacon, 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. read more
1. This review is for Skyline Loop which was a ~5.7 miles round trip that took ~4 hours to complete. This was a strenuous, popular and crowded hike with stunning views from beginning to end in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Starting the loop counterclockwise; trail was paved at the beginning and end of the loop. Furthermore, trail was mostly a narrow rocky dirt path. Plenty of steep inclines and declines! Large parking area at the trailhead, however most were filled up by 7am. Additional parking on the side of Paradise Rd. Restroom available at the parking lot. Possibly the most crowded hike I have ever done thus far with most people doing the loop clockwise. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/wqZbrcfw_7Y 2. This review is for Bench & Snow Lakes Trail which was a ~2.3 miles round trip that took ~1 hour to complete. Located 12 minutes away from Skyline Loop, Bench & Snow Lakes Trail was a short hike with a stunning view of Snow Lake in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Trail was mostly a narrow dirt path with rocks and roots. Furthermore, there were a mix of inclines and declines with stairs. Small parking area at the trailhead. Additional parking on the side of Stevens Canyon Rd next to the parking lot. No restrooms at this location. For the purpose of the AllTrails route, there was a viewpoint with Mt Rainier and Bench Lake from the top with the option to detour to the bottom of Bench Lake. In addition, there was a sign for Snow Lake Camp (left) and Snow Lake (right), both will take you to the opposite sides of the lake. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/fOkP6l29UKE read more
This is an incredibly magnificent place. Lots of trails, wildlife, and various terrains. Bring hiking boots as some areas are rocky. I loved that the rangers walk through the trails and check on people. Lots of inclines too so trekking poles are suggested, as needed. Weather can change so be prepared (backpack suggested). Have lots of water, electrolytes and snacks. We stopped at the Sunrise Visitor Center. We did the Fremont Lookout Trail (which was intense but doable). There is also the Wonderland Trail on the way back which adds 0.5 miles but takes you on a different viewpoint. Overall an A+ adventure with breathtaking sights and challenging exercise. Don't miss it! read more
There is so much serenity and quiet magic at Mt Rainier NP, that words are simply not enough to describe it all! Having arrived early in the morning through the Nisqually entrance, we immensely enjoyed visiting the following treasures with the Mt Rainier NP: Narada Falls, Reflection Lake, the Trail of Shadows and Paradise. The views were breathtaking! We had a wonderful time exploring the snow-covered mountain, the lake and the forest together! We even enjoyed a game of snowballs in Paradise during our visit in late May there! read more
Mount Rainier NPis such a gorgeous park. The drive up from Seattle was simple and didn't feel like the 2 plus hours. I was grateful for nearly perfect weather- even with the various microclimates throughout the park. I was prepared for the heavy humidity and the chilli weather. The park was "closed" due to the government shutdown and so we didn't have to pay the entrance fee which was nice. I do however feel bad for the park rangers and staff that were unable to work. We took the route of the Paradise route and stopped at the different viewpoints but there were a few closures. Reflection lake was beautiful but a bit crowded. read more
2 months ago
Very pretty everywhere you look, but Mt. Rainier itself is just breathtaking. Great hikes and great amenities too. read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
Hike through Mt Reinier meadows, immersed with lush trees, frosty streams, chipmunks running free, animals in their natural habitat. The summer snow met us at the start of the vertical climb, with just the right texture for snowy trek towards the summit. Perfect weather greeted us for the perfect birthday adventure, breathtaking views & amazing experience read more
5 months ago
Every year I pick one or two national parks that I have never been to for vacation. This year I decided to fly to Washington and travel to both Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. My Dad lived north of the Seattle area for many years, and I would travel to see him. I would always marvel at Mount Rainier when flying over it by plane or seeing it from afar while in Seattle. Its snow-capped peak and overall size are incredible sites to see. Mount Rainier is a 14,410-foot active volcano in Washington's Cascade Range. It is the tallest mountain in Washington State. My Dad never had any interest in seeing this mountain up close, so I made my own trip out here to visit the park and do some hiking. I also ran a 5K that was going on in nearby Ashford to add a little fun to my trip. President William McKinley signed a bill authorizing the creation of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899. It is the nation's fifth national park. There are many cities around Mount Rainier National Park that you can stay in. I stayed in Packwood, which is southeast of the park. I took an overnight flight to Seattle-Tacoma and drove straight to the park where I ended up sleeping in my rental truck for a few hours until the sun came up. Mount Rainier National Park now requires a timed entry reservation made in advance during peak hours. I had got there early enough to avoid having to wait in the timed entry line. I began my day hiking to base of Mount Rainier on the popular 5.5-mile Skyline Loop Trail. It was a beautiful trail full of wildflowers, waterfalls, snow and wildlife. Marmots were running around all over and providing all sorts of entertainment for us hikers. The Skyline Trail begins and ends next to the visitor center in Paradise. At the visitor center, you can grab a bite to eat and check out exhibits that provide some history and information about this beautiful park. I spent much of my time driving around Mount Rainier National Park and enjoying its breathtaking views. The park has four main entrances - Nisqually, Carbon River, White River/Sunrise and Stevens Canyon. I was able to check out several waterfalls while exploring the park. Narada Falls was probably my favorite. One beautiful place to check out is Reflection Lake where you can see a reflection of Mount Rainier in the lake. Longmire is another popular destination that has lodging, camping, food, a visitor center and is the location of the park's original National Park Service Administration Building (which is now an information center). Ohanapecosh is an area in the park that has many campsites. I did make time to drive to Sunrise to get a different view of Mount Rainier. Sunrise is the highest point in the park that is accessible by vehicle at an elevation of 6,400 feet. When I visit national parks, I try to do a hike each day while I am in the park. There are 168 trails in Mount Rainier National Park. So I had to be selective in how many I could do because of time. After hiking the Skyline Loop Trail, I ended up doing some shorter day hikes like the Twin Firs Loop Trail and Bench & Snow Lakes Trail. I also did some hiking in the Sunrise area. There are so many trails to choose from at various lengths and difficulty. There is no Wi-Fi in Mount Rainier National Park. So I had to rely mostly on paper maps to get around. But if you do need Wi-Fi, you can stop at any of the three visitor centers in the park to connect. There are also park rangers on hand who are very helpful and will answer any questions that you may have. You will find restrooms, merchandise and food options at the visitor centers. I am so glad that I finally made my way to this beautiful national park to see this incredible mountain. Hiking the Skyline Trail and seeing some of the waterfalls were the highlights for me on this trip. Flying to Washington to spend some time in Mount Rainier National Park is an experience that I won't forget. I look forward to a return visit someday. read more
1 year ago
Since moving to WA I have discovered the amazing trails in Mt. Rainer. It's truly a magical place. The trails are definitely challenging and I highly recommend plenty of water. And bring your mosquito repellent in case the trail is a bit busy with these pesky bugs. Sunscreen, water and snacks and enjoy nature. An America The Beautiful Pass works for this hike as we were parked literally right outside the park boundary bit the hike took us inside the park. A day pass for parking inside the boundary is recommended. Get out there!! SYOY! read more
We drove down to Mount Rainer National Park from Seattle. It was a nice drive once you get out of Seattle as the traffic is bad. They don't have anywhere to expand the highways and one of the three lanes is a HOV lane. Once we got close the scenery drastically changed to heavily wooded. The roads and drive were nice. Once we got up to the info area and scenic viewing the sights were breathless. Several opportunities to walk up some of the trails but we passed and hung around the center getting a bite to eat and a drink. Was a great place to relax, take in the sights and get some great pics. The snow covered peaks are just awesome. Weather was great. read more
1 year ago
3 months ago
Arrived midday mid-June and boy was parking PACKED! Wish they built a much larger parking lot. Beware getting a warning ticket for parking on the side of the road, though many people do it. Even on a (foggy) cloudy day, there's a good chance you can still spot the legendary Mt Rainier (14,400 ft). Boy was there so much snow in June. Crampons aren't necessary, but you'll want to wear some form of waterproof shoes. read more
1 year ago
Great park! I just had one day so I chose sky line trail. Got at the park around 12noon. I would say 20 min to enter. If you want to go to paradise, just drive to the visitor center which is 20 miles away. Parking is very limited but I was lucky enough and found a spot very easily. The hike is hard but not impossible. Did in 2.5h 4 stars because signaling is not their strength and gift shop was way overpriced Also, staff at the restaurant were rude read more
1 year ago
What incredible people! I was so fortunate when I called the ranger station several times in preparation for my trip and was always given incredible help. Because of this, I was prepared when I came in for a Wonderland Trail walk-up permit. Shelly helped me by tediously organizing my campsites and helping with decisions about where to go, areas of potential danger, and tons of other advice. These rangers are true examples of the best America has to offer. read more
What an incredible experience visiting Mount Rainier National Park - I don't even know where to start... If you're able to, camp in the park. We camped for a couple nights at Ohanapecosh Campground, and it was wonderful. The forest is beautiful, peaceful, and calm. The perfect place to reset and enjoy nature. The Ohanapecosh visitor center is at the beginning of the campground - perfect for planning your day's adventures. Definitely incorporate Skyline Loop in Paradise into your trip - no way will you be disappointed. Here, we found the most picturesque views that were better than any postcard or picture you find online. Myrtle Falls is an easy hike and is absolutely gorgeous. Once you get to the top of Skyline Loop, you will get the most breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and its valley. Well-worth the effort of this 5.5 mile hike. The Paradise visitor center is going to be the biggest one with plenty of rangers, a good bookstore, and a small cafe. The Fremont Overlook Trail in Sunrise is going to be your other great bet. Definitely strenuous, but the magnificent views once you get to the top ... All you want to do is sit on a rock and enjoy. The Sunrise visitor center is smaller than Paradise, but still has wonderful rangers and a small bookstore. Plan ahead if you're visiting Sunrise - they do metered entrances so there's a set number of visitors. If they're at capacity, they wait for a car to leave before another car can enter. Reflection is a great, quick stop - especially when the weather is good. All the visitor centers have free WiFi - great for planning and plugging routes into maps as the cell service is (as expected) horrible. They also all have clean bathrooms - always a plus. You will definitely enjoy any time spent at Mt Rainier National Park. Explore and have fun! read more
Another fun visit to Rainier...once we got through the SW gate that is. Insanely busy to enter this past Saturday (Oct) morning. We waited an indecent amount of time, and the Paradise area trails and parking were nuts. But, a lovely fall weekend...should be expected. This visit we stayed at Cougar Rock Campground: partially open for FCFS this, the last weekend of the season. Clean, with a decent amount of privacy between sites. We took the Carter/Madcap Falls access trail from the campground to the falls. Beautiful and fun mushroom covered trail that was MUCH less busy than the Paradise trails. Loved. We also took the Lakes Loop Trail. Very busy area, although most people were simply parking for the pics and not on the trail. Fun trail, small elevation gains, so you get a nice workout...but stunning colors and amazing views from the overlook above the lakes. We also decided to join the masses at Paradise for the Glacier/Panorama Point trail. Packed with visitors all the way, but epic and colorful views throughout. A few cute critters along the way too. Paradise food court was still open this weekend. Nice to have a few options for quick bites after the hike. Fall on Rainier = stunning...stunning AND packed. read more
1 year ago
Iconic Mount Rainier National Park is a must visit in Washington State. This was my first time back in over 20 years and it's still beautiful as ever as I remembered it growing up here. You can easily spend days here climbing, hiking and camping. We were on a tight schedule on our most recent trip to the PNW so our time at Mt Rainier was rather short. Driving to the mountain took about an hour from Tacoma. There was a long line of cars as we approached the entrance but the park ranger let us skip to the front with our Military Annual Pass. Very thankful for that. We drove up to the South Slope of Paradise where we got to enjoy a little fun in the snow. And then made our way back down a bit to hike near the waterfall. Wish we could've camped out here but we really were on a tight schedule. But I will say this... our 2 hours here was a time well spent. We got to experience spring, summer, fall and winter all in one place on a Sunday afternoon. read more
quite a few trails that are good if you want a summit, a short hike, or a waterfall to appreciate. so well-rounded with the nature sights, but please do your research on where it is you want to go and what you want to see because there are different routes that you must take. especially with signal being so poor at some parts of Mount Rainier, let other people know your itinerary or go with others. there are cabins that you can reserve so you have to place after the fact, but I think that reservations could go as far out as one year, so research on that, too. Parking was a bit tough, but at least they give you an orange-slip citation (no charge yet!) here if it is your first offense. but, make efforts to find a parking spot in a safe and designated area! be careful when you drive and u will have fun here. too beautiful to not see while you are in Washington state read more
Mount Rainier National Park is the fourth national park in the United States, established in 1899 and encompassing 236,000 acres. It's about a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle and the picturesque mountain can often be spotted when flying from/to Seattle and from the city itself. There are three main areas of the park: Paradise, Longmire, and Sunrise. The majority of visitors go to Paradise which is where we went. We drove very early in the morning and it was pretty difficult driving in the darkness. I couldn't see much in front of me and Paradise Road was especially curvy for miles on end. After the long drive we ended up at Jackson Visitor Center. Many of the hiking trails start in this area so if you're visiting Paradise chances are you'll stop by here. Among the attractions here are Myrtle Falls, Skyline Trail, and Panorama Point. Along Paradise Road there are pull-off spots for other attractions like other hiking trails (Comet Falls & Van Trump Park Trail) and waterfalls (Christine Falls, Narada Falls) and viewpoints (Ricksecker Point). There's more to the park but the roads are closed during the winter so the best time to come here is during the summer when you can take full advantage of the park. If you have more time you can even visit the other areas of the park, but beware that they are pretty far from each other so it'll be a bit of a drive. Mount Rainier is one of the symbols of Washington and it's a beautiful one. read more
3 years ago
Walked about 14 miles and almost died but... was worth the hike! I don't recommend this in one day unless you've done this many miles before... We went to the Fremont trail (which was fairly easy) and had great views... but it was shorter than expected. So, we decided to do the burrows (difficult) 1 and 2. The burrows uphill was brutal... and to get to the second burrows, you pretty much climb down a mountain and climb up a mountain. We went in July, so there was some snow left at the top, but mostly fog at the top. Bring food, water, and good hiking gear! Sometimes, depending on the weather, it may rain so be prepared. read more
I literally can't get over it. The BEAUTY is so unparalleled here. It's so pronounced that it's not even funny. Mount Rainier is something straight out of a fairytale. Although I enjoyed exploring Washington's two other National Parks, Mount Rainier was easily my favorite one to visit. Where do I even being?! How about with that DRIVE! Woooow! The drive from Seattle to Mount Rainier's Glacier Basin is just magical! Waterfalls and tall trees all along the way. Zipping through the beautiful forest with peek-a-boo mountain views in between. Getting out of my car and taking a deep breathe and closing my eyes to hear nature. It was so beautiful. Fell in love instantly. The park (just like Washington's two other national parks) is huge! There are 4 main entrances into the park and I entered through the White River staging area. Not sure about the other entrances, but this part of the park was sparse and not crowded at ALL. It was actually a bit scary at first, but I did run into some people later while hiking. I decided to tackle the Glacier Basin Trail which was absolutely breathtaking through and through, but also very difficult. The hike is roughly 9 miles long and gains 2,000 feet of elevation. It's definitely a day hike but it took damn near all of the energy out of me. I was so exhausted after this hike, but ya girl loves a challenge so it was absolutely worth it. The Glacier Basin Trail is jaw dropping. It starts off on a mild incline through a lush forest that's filled with tall shady groves and an abundance of vibrant wildflowers. It later turns into a ridge trail that opens up to picturesque views of Mount Rainier and the White River. Through this trail, I was able to see flourishing waterfalls, snow capped mountains, stunning river views, a wealth of different vegetation, chipmonks, and other wildlife. It was so beautiful! I was even able to cross the White River which seemed a bit daunting but it was so fun to hear and see the river flowing underneath me. There was still lots of snow on the ground, but not to the point that you'd need crampons (this was during early summer). The short Emmons Moraine trail featured astounding views of the White River! It literally looked like an aqua lake from that high up. Mount Rainier is so gorgeous and can be seen all throughout the park. My favorite part was making it to the end of the trail (of course) and seeing how lovely Glacier Basin Camp was. Felt like I was just steps away from the mountains and the river. Just so green and so pretty. The kind of park that is so hard to leave no matter how tired you feel. And it was very sad when I left but my memories are still vivid. There's so much to explore in Mount Rainier and so much more for ME to explore here too. If you're in Seattle and have some time to explore this park, do it without hesitation. The experience will be more than memorable. read more
shoutout to my father who has influenced me about my love for national parks... i believe this was my 6th one and i'm so eager to go to more !! mt rainier is gorgeous around this time of year and i could not miss that... so many trails and lakes... the car ride could go on and on it's so deep into the mountains and woods; open 24/7 but be cautious! read more
3 years ago
This is one of my favorite national parks in the country along with Denali and Rocky Mountains. Mt. Rainier with its snow peaks and glaciers is astonishing - no matter where you look at it. The drive from Seattle isn't bad - just over 2 hours. You can see a lot even without hiking - just take local scenic roads and stop to enjoy the views. The park is well maintained and has lots of trails. You have to choices where to enter: Sunrise and Paradise. I've only tried Sunrise as it offers more challenging hikes and you can see the side of Mt. Rainier and glaciers from 8,000 ft if you go to Burroughs. What I heard about Paradise is that you'll be in valleys and meadows and it's more of a bottom to top view of the mountains. Either way - it's an epic park and you can't go wrong. There's a high chance you'll see pikas, chipmunks, and marmots along the trails. During peak season, the parking lot at Sunrise gets pretty busy and you may not get a spot to park, so plan ahead and come early. They don't seem to do timed entry, but it's always good to check the NPS website before heading to the park. This is an excellent park for outdoorsy folks and we can't wait to come back to explore it more. read more
Absolutely beautiful National Park!!! I went through the Nisqually Entrance Historic District, Eatonville, WA to get to Longmire first. It's a $30 entrance fee for a seven-day vehicle entrance. Then, I kept going towards Paradise. Before the bridge is the Christine Falls, where I made a stop. Later, there is a stop to see the mountain views. I kept going down the roads and somehow ended up at Narada Falls, when I thought I had missed that area already. Finally, went down a one-way road to do a loop downwards and ended up at Reflection Lake. There are many trails all around to hike. Just park in the parking lot. There are also plenty of rest stops if you need a break from the drive. read more
Another great National Park in the West. 1 of 3 in the state of Washington. I have now been here twice and it is still mesmerizing like the first time I came. It's a 50/50 to see the mountain, but the park itself has so many waterfalls if that's what you're into. The drive is easy and there are many visitor centers to stop into. read more
1 year ago
This is a nation forest that is a must bisit , such breath taking veiws of thr pacific northwest cascades no pictures does any justice for the raw beauty of mother nature here read more
5* views 1* visitor experience. Uncommunicated timed admission! Not enough to put info on the website! 1 The southwest entry Paradise needs timed reservation for admission from 7 to 3 in summer. OK But this is not communicated by road signs. 2 A road sign says Paradise Corridor needs reservations. That tells us nothing. Is that part of the park? The entrance? An optional part? 3 Too late to tell us anyway. As you well know, that sign is placed where there is no cell service to find more information. 4 After we waited 30 min in line, there was a sign Timed Reservations sold out. Maybe that should have been placed ten miles earlier? 5 They sent us round to the southeast entrance. 25 miles of bumpy road without cell service or paved turnouts. By now we had wasted several hours. 6 The SE entrance had a sign timed reservations required but only at the park entrance! Not adequate. Miles after Packwood, miles after the cell signal cuts out, you now tell me I need timed reservations? 7 We entered the southeastern entrance. Even Kknowing that there was no service, the ranger did not offer us a printed map. read more
2 years ago
Not really sure how you can give this park anything but five stars! It's an absolute beauty that is worth visiting any time of year except true winter (unless you want to snow shoe or ski). Longmire is open year round and has a few pretty hikes. Ohanapecosh on the east has beautiful forests and campgrounds. Sunrise offers gorgeous mornings and mountain views. Be sure to read up on and purchase any timed vehicle entry tickets needed before you visit Paradise or Sunrise! They're new in 2024 so even locals will need to adapt. Free Wi-Fi is available at each visitor center and in Longmire. Otherwise, on Verizon I got no data except in Paradise. Showers are unavailable anywhere in the park. read more
4 years ago
Mount Rainier National Park is a great National Park, with outstanding scenery. The park is well laid out, and has numerous trails. The trails at the park are well marked and easy to follow, and the few facilities in the park are well kept. The drive to the park is very scenic, with a great view of the falls driving into the park and a great view of Mount Rainier through most of the park. Visiting during the Fall Season is exceptional, due to all the colorful scenery. The initial trails park entrance are free and a great place to visit solo, or with family or friends. read more
3 years ago
Ya gotta go! I mean look at my pics and vids! It just doesn't do this place justice! Ya gotta go! read more
Gorgeous National Park. Be aware, during the winter, certain roads are closed. So if you're particularly interested in doing something be sure to check the website for road closures and open paths. If you're lucky, you'll get to see the magnificent peak of Mount Rainier in all its snowcapped glory. Don't miss this park if you're in the area. read more
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More info about Mount Rainier National Park
39000 State Rt 706 E
Ashford, WA 98304
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(360) 569-2211
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http://www.nps.gov/mora/
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Ask the Community - Mount Rainier National Park
This upcoming week it's supposed to be 70/80 and it's the middle of May, towards the end. Is this a good time to go? And would this be good for a day trip as well? I live an hour away, or would it be impossible to do only for a day?
I think your questions have lots of room for personal preference. Are you okay with being around a lot of people? Is there a specific section of the park you'd like to see/hike? Is this your first time there? I live in Seattle and have done the park…
Snow chain rentals?
Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford, WA. I actually think a few of the outfitters along with Whittaker rent chains in Ashford. I'd call first to make sure they have the right sized chains for your vehicle & make your reservation.
Review Highlights - Mount Rainier National Park
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