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

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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

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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

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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

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I've visited Mt Rainier National park several times thru the years. You can literally see the mountain from the military base! Great place to hike and just get out and walk, get some fresh air. Seattle is a busy place with lots of traffic. I would recommend going early, alot of people trying to escape the city traffic. The mtn had was snow covered when we visited the park. Parking is limited in some areas. Its truly a magical place. read more

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

Mount Rainier National Park - A warning ticket for parking on the side of the road, though many ppl do it. - Parks Near Me - Ashford, Washington

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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

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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

Mount Rainier National Park - Shelly and another Ranger wishing me luck - Parks Near Me - Ashford, Washington

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

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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

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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

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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

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Truly a beautiful park. It's so well kept and the views are just majestic. There are so many people that visit this park that parking is a bit of an issue but we were still able to find a good spot. read more

Sunrise area - lack of interesting trails unless the flowers are all blooming. Paradise - better place to visit, even flowers are not blooming, you still get the waterfalls view. read more

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Washington state is one of my most favorite places to live. Just outside of Seattle lies Mount Rainier National park. I've been here in all four seasons, and each one is stunning in its own right. A great escape from the bustling City life, experience Alpine lakes, wildlife and nature at its best. 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Mount Rainier National Park - Entrance - Parks Near Me - Ashford, Washington

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

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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

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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

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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

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Mount Rainier offers various things to do for hikers and climbers, and for wildflower viewers; there are ranger-led programs that include guided walks, talks, and campfire activities. There are five developed areas in the park - Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River & Mowich - each area offers different levels of development in regards to campground, picnic areas, hotels, restaurants, and visitor centers. I was lucky to see some marmots playing in the snow and singing stealer's jays! I can see how this place is a favorite for hikers, especially in the spring or the fall; when we went, there was still some snow, and some roads were closed due to flooding. +go during the spring/fall +check the NPS site for any road closures read more

Ya gotta go! I mean look at my pics and vids! It just doesn't do this place justice! Ya gotta go! read more

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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

Mount Rainier National Park - 06.11.22 - Mt. Rainier - Parks Near Me - Ashford, Washington

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My family and I just returned from an amazing three-day vacation at Mount Rainier National Park, I highly suggest it! The minute that we arrived, we were sold on the beauty of nature in this park. We spent our days hiking trails with amazing views, scenic waterfalls, and some wildlife. It really caters to everybody, young or old and fit or unfit. We were traveling with children, so we were glad to find that we wouldn't miss visiting all the main sights due to the miles of walking. Many of the attractions were stroller friendly although we never had to use ours. The park has many different trails at various levels, and so it is an ideal spot for families. It will be beneficial to many travelers with children or elderly family members, as the park boasts numerous amenities at which to pull over, take in jaw-dropping views such as Reflection Lakes, and enjoy short, easy hikes like the half-mile trail to Myrtle Falls. Numerous overlooks simply guarantee that everybody can see the beauty of the park, even without much hiking. A key tip: make your plan in advance about your route, as most of the park has no cell service. When you finally get to Paradise, you'll find a big visitor center there; it has bathrooms, food, rangers, and cell service. Do not panic; just follow the signs! Mount Rainier National Park is a must-see for anybody who loves nature. Whether you are planning a family trip or looking for some solo adventure to take on some tougher hikes, this park has it all. Our national parks are treasures, and Mount Rainier is a great one in which to start your explorations. read more

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This is justtttttt an amazing place. Though it was annoying with the long wait times to get in , it is WORTH the wait .. the view is just magnificent... it's almost like a dream ! God gift to human beings . One of the best places that I have ever seen in my life . There are few trails and depending on how much you can walk , take those trails . When we went , it was too crowded . Went late summer and there were beautiful wild flowers . Just loved them . We walked for few mins to view the rainier and then walked towards myrtle falls view and back to visitor center . It was just a breathtaking adventure ... loved it to the max . A must visit place for anyone who visits WA .. read more

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Mount Rainier National Park is a truly beautiful place to immerse yourself in nature. I have visited a few times now with my family to go hiking and there are so many trails available to choose from. I would recommend heading out early before 9 am to avoid traffic, long lines to enter and full parking lots. Do your research also to make sure you know which entrances are open/closed, the weather conditions, etc. Overall this is an amazing place to visit and spend the day, but be sure to come prepared for whatever you plan to partake in! read more

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My second visit to MRNP, we visited the west side for one night. We stayed in the Ohanapecosh area, and unfortunately didn't realize until we got there that there is no view of Mount Rainier from that area (there are pull outs to view en route and if the weather is behaving, you can see it far, far away). We hiked the 7 miles round trip from the campground via the Silver Falls trail to the Grove of the Patriarchs. There's a really long suspension bridge that's always cool to check out. On my first trip, we went to reflection lake on the east side. That is a must! Go early on a clear morning to get the best mirror images of Mount Rainier. We had read on a FB group that Ohanapecosh campground (specifically C&D loops) was THE place to stay. I changed my reservation around three times to score a spot in C, but unless you're by the river, there's not much difference from the other loops. The entire campground is surrounded by tall trees! The sites themselves range from very spacious to tiny. If you are in a RV/trailer, plan on generator time because it's so shady here! Next time we're going to head to the east side to get our fill of the main attraction! read more

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This is a pretty stellar place to be! With the new reservation system in place, it doesn't get over crowded. The pictures don't this place any justice, I highly recommend going out to see for yourself. read more

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Where do you even begin with a place like this? I have seen some things in my day. Been some beautiful places. But Mount Rainier ranks darn near the top of the most incredible and beautiful spots I've ever been. The namesake will take your breath away the first time you see it. We approached from the east and kept having a few peeks of the peak as we got closer, but after we summited the saddle and dropped in, it was a whole other level. The snow in the saddle in late June was still mighty impressive and even though it was a light snow year, there were still roads closed. We starred descending again and saw the deep blue pools of recently melted snow, and that bright turquoise blue water that's indicative of glacial melt. Unreal. The other part about being so early in the season while snow is still melting off, is that you have an incredible amount of waterfalls, from wispy little things on the side of the road, to major named falls, to far-off cascades down the hillside. We saw dozens. Hundreds, probably. There are four main areas of the park, where you find amenities and parking and destinations. Sunrise in the northeast (one of the roads that was still closed), Ohanapecosh in the southeast, Paradise Inn in the middle where the highest elevation and treks to the peak begin, and Longmire in the southwest. We visited all but Sunrise. Paradise was open, but all the trails were still under many many feet of snow. We did a little hiking around Ohanapecosh, specifically on the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail and the Silver Falls Trail. Both neat in their own way, but Patriarchs is very crowded, though good for little ones (if they can stomach the suspension bridge... if not, just get there and turn around). Silver Falls is gorgeous. We spent a good chunk of day two on the Longmire side and did the Rampart Ridge Trail. It's low enough in elevation that it was long free of snow, and the views were nice, but it's steep and hot. We finished and enjoyed ice cream at the lodge. There's so much to this park. We drove a lot. We stopped a lot. We took a lot of photos. We could scarcely believe the beauty. We camped just outside the park. We packed meals and ate on the trail and napped on the picnic tables and played games and enjoyed being out of the heat. I'll be back. The Wonderland Trail circumnavigates the entire mountain and it is on my life list of hikes to do. Whether it's that, or a family camp, I'll be back to see more of this amazing place. read more

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Too much fog, they should really do something about that. Was hoping to see a mountain on my mountain expedition guess not. wish I could give zero stars. read more

* Summer Flashback * Whether you're there to hike, snap photos, or simply to just enjoy the scenery, Mount Rainier is one of the top sites in Washington State. I don't consider myself much of a hiker, but upon arriving, I found myself eager to trek through as many trails as possible in one day. Regardless of when you visit, I recommend coming early to ensure parking and avoid the crowds. We drove into the Paradise area on a Thursday morning in August and still found parking in the main lot around 10:30A, but I'd suggest arriving even earlier during the weekends. (Quick note that you can purchase a single-vehicle pass for $30, which is valid for seven consecutive days.) After stopping by the park rangers' station for a couple maps, we followed the main pathways to the right which guided us to beautiful Myrtle Falls, followed by the popular Skyline Trail. It's an uphill trek up a set of sandy steps, but the trail is a relatively gradual climb with a pleasant view of the fields below. Once we reached some grassy areas of level ground, we came across a large patch of snow. We stopped here for a snack and even met a couple friendly marmots who were getting a drink of water from the nearby creek. The Skyline Trail continues even further, but we turned back to venture into the other areas of Paradise. We wandered off to the Nisqually and Waterfall trails on the left side of the park, which were semi-connected. The pathways for these are paved and well-defined, bordered by lush foliage and a variety of wildflowers with colors ranging from purple to yellow to pink. We only spotted one small waterfall / stream along the Waterfall trail, but nonetheless enjoyed our stroll. On a Thursday, the paths weren't too crowded either. While we encountered others on the trail, we still had plenty of space to ourselves. There is no doubt why they refer to this area of Mount Rainier as Paradise. It's so beautiful and I felt rejuvenated after a full day of connecting with nature. Even the 20 minute (or so) drive through the forest up to Paradise is like no other and something to enjoy. Next time, I'd love to head into the Sunrise region of the park... there is so much more exploring to do! read more

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Trueeeee beauty right here! We went a few years ago when visiting a family friend in Washington. We were able to see Mount Rainier in the distance during the entire trip and were so excited to finally get to go explore it. We drove out and didn't get there until almost sunset. While that's clearly not ideal, we found that it had taken us much longer to get there, wind our way up the mountain, and decide where to hike. We found a few amazing, short trails that people had recommended and loved feeling the cool mountain air as we hiked amongst great waterfall views. We drove out of the park as the sun was setting and it was truly gorgeous and memorable. We wanted to be out of the park by dark, as it gets REALLY DARK there. Such a fun trip and I can't wait to go back and stay longer. read more

I loveeeeee Rainier/Tahoma so much! Lots of driving within the park, lots of trails, and beautiful sights no matter the season. And the park is well maintained, too! I've gotten to experience it in the fall and summer seasons so far, and I've had completely different itineraries for both- so much to do and see, and I've only scratched the surface! This is a must for anyone visiting WA; even locals venture out to the park time and time again. 10/10! read more

#THANKYOUTHURSDAY Is it weird to write a Thank You Thursday review for a National Park? Maybe. But here I am, doing it anyways. It's been yeeeeears since I've been to MRNP. It was back when I really couldn't care less about some trees and mountains. Fast forward to now, I'm a pretty regular hiker and love all things outdoors, so this trip was such a treat. We hiked the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail, which is accessible at the same trailhead as Sunrise. Get here EARLY. Seriously, no excuses. When we were leaving the park at 11:30 or so, there was literally a mile long (maybe longer) line to get into the park and people were parked, outside of their cars, waiting. I dunno about you but I'd rather take the 4 am alarm than go through that! On top of that, the earlier you go, the less people which makes it much easier to social distance. Also worth noting: you need to buy a day pass ($30) if you don't have an annual pass ($55), and the trailhead has restrooms and basic service - so you're not completely isolated without it in case something happens with your car or any other issue arises. The trail we did was spectacular. Seriously just SO beautiful. At a little over 5 miles RT and 1100 feet of elevation gain, it's definitely doable for newer and veteran hikers alike. There were even people who brought their kiddos. AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG. IT IS NOT ALLOWED. We saw one couple carrying their little Pomeranian down on the trail... There's one rule. DON'T BRING YOUR DOG. I digress. Not only are the views on this hike otherworldly, but we saw a good deal of wildlife which was really fun! Quite a few deer, a few marmots (much bigger in person than I expected), an absolutely gorgeous fox, chipmunks, and more! It was really cool to see. They're pretty used to humans so they were just going on about their life as we passed by on the trail. The view from Mount Fremont Fire Lookout is absolutely insane. Being THAT CLOSE to Mt. Rainier was amazing. I can't recommend it enough. But I can recommend bug spray - the mosquitos up there are like a different breed. I had some MONSTER bites! Absolutely stunning morning that I'll never forget. I can't recommend coming here enough. Even if you're not a hiker, it's worth it for the one time to get the experience. Thank you, MRNP, for breathtaking beauty and an experience I'll always remember! read more

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