24 Hours in Mount Rainier National Park
“You cannot see Mount Rainier National Park in 24 hours…” is what you might be thinking… and while we agree, not everyone has the luxury or availability to visit one place for multiple days.
So here’s a 24-hour itinerary to help you experience the best of Mount Rainier National Park, including scenic stops, popular hikes, dining options, and accommodation recommendations. If you don’t have multiple days to explore this park or if you are passing through during a Washington road trip, this itinerary is perfect for a quick getaway while packing in all the highlights!
For more information on park logistics, best times to visit, pro tips, and more - check out this extensive guide:
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Trip Highlights:
-Hiking the iconic Skyline Trail
-Visiting scenic viewpoints like Reflection Lake, Myrtle Falls, and Narada Falls
-Exploring the town of Packwood
Morning – Arriving & Exploring the Paradise Area
6:00 AM – Arrive at Mount Rainier National Park
Start Point: Nisqually Entrance, the most popular entrance for visitors.
You will want an early start for a few reasons. One, to maximize your 24 hours and two, to hit the trail before the crowds. Skyline Loop is the most popular hike in the park so you will want to start your hike as early as you can.
NO TIMED ENTRY PERMITS are needed to visit the Paradise area of the park. However, visit the park website before your visit to ensure this has not changed.
7:00 AM – Hike Skyline Trail (Paradise Area)
Distance: 5.6 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2–3 hours
Highlights: Start your adventure with one of the most iconic trails in the park, Skyline Loop. This hike offers panoramic views of Mount Rainier, Emmons Glacier, and the surrounding alpine meadows. It is especially stunning during August when the wildflowers are in full bloom. At the end of the hike if you are going clockwise, you will find Myrtle Falls - the iconic waterfall with Mount Rainier in the background.
PRO TIP:
Hike Skyline loop CLOCKWISE for the best views. The ascent will be steeper but trust us, the views of the mountain are way better.
Late Morning – Scenic Stops & Photo Ops
10:00 AM – Reflection Lakes
Duration: 20–30 minutes
Highlights: Take a short detour to Reflection Lakes for stunning views of Mount Rainier mirrored in the water. You can typically park right in front of the lake. There is also a short trail here around the lake if you would like to do more hiking.
11:00 AM – Narada Falls
Duration: 20 minutes
Highlights: On your way back to the Nisqually Entrance, stop at this roadside waterfall. There are a few picnic tables here if you packed a lunch.
Lunch – Dining Options in Ashford
12:00 PM – Lunch in Ashford or Boxed Lunch
Option 1: Basecamp Bar and Grill
If you’re craving a sit-down meal, Basecamp offers beer, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, soups, and seasonal specials served on their large outdoor patio. It’s the perfect place to refuel after your hike.
Option 2: Picnic/Pack a Lunch
Pack a lunch to eat after your hike somewhere in the park before driving to our afternoon destinations.
From left to right: Silver Falls, Tipsoo Lake, Steven’s Canyon Entrance
Afternoon – Explore the East Side of the Park
1:00 PM – Visit Silver Falls
Distance: 0.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes
Highlights: After lunch, head over to Silver Falls. This quick trail will take you through a beautiful old growth forest to a fairytale-like waterfall.
2:30 PM – Visit Tipsoo Lake
Distance: 0.7 mile loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes
Highlights: Next, head over to Tipsoo Lake. This beautiful lake sits nestled in a meadow with Mount Rainier in the background. You can see the lake from the parking area but we really suggest walking down to it to complete this short loop.
Late Afternoon – Check into your Hotel
4:00 PM – Hotel Check in
Option 1: Packwood Hotel
Packwood Hotel is a charming, rustic hotel located in Packwood, Washington. We love this hotel because it is super affordable and within walking distance to the shops and eateries in town.
Option 2: Packwood Lodge and Cabins
If you are looking for a more secluded stay where you have your own cabin, check out this accomidation.
Evening – Dinner
5:30 PM – Packwood Brewing Co.
Location: Packwood
Highlights: After freshening up, head to Packwood Brewing Co. for some craft beer and Mexican food. This spot frequently has live music and seasonally, has an ice cream truck out front. There is ample seating both inside and outside. Dogs and kiddos are welcome.
Sunset at Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park
Optional: Sunset Hike
8:00 PM – Sunset Hike
If you have the energy for it, sunset at Mount Rainier is beautiful! There are a few places to catch last light in the park and we have listed them below.
Option 1: Pinnacle Peak
This does require a drive back into the park but this sunset hike will not disappoint! Pinnacle Peak is a quick 3-mile round trip trail but it is steep, at 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Our pro tip is to hike up to the saddle, just a mile in, and watch sunset from there.
Option 2: Tipsoo Lake
For a no hike sunset view, return to Tipsoo Lake to watch the golden colors dance on the water.
Skyline Loop, Mount Rainier National Park
Final Thoughts:
This 24-hour itinerary barley scratches the surface of what Mount Rainier National Park offers. However, it is a fantastic place to start if you are visiting the park for a day or if you are looking for inspiration when planning a multi-day trip.
If you are visiting the park for more than one day, check out our other Mount Rainier Guides:
How to Pack for a Trip to Mount Rainier National Park
The weather in the park and near the mountain can be drastically different than the weather in town. This is because at places like Paradise, you are 5,400 feet above sea level which is almost 4,000 feet higher than the closest town!
Weather can change quickly at these higher elevations so we recommend always packing the following items with you on your hikes at Mount Rainier National Park:
Waterproof rain shell (pro tip: wear a bright shell, pink or yellow, to stand out in photos)
Other hiking gear you may need includes:
Microspikes (if you visit in the spring or late fall)
Headlamp (for sunrise or sunset hikes)
Bug spray (if you visit in the summer)
Hiking Rules & Other Tips
There are no dogs allowed on the trails in Mount Rainier National Park to protect the wildlife.
Do not feed or approach animals no matter how cute they look (we know it’s hard).
Leave no trace - pack out everything you bring with you. The idea is you should leave each place you visit exactly as you found it.
Make sure to pack enough water for the hikes you choose. It is recommended every person carries 1 liter for every 5 miles they plan to hike.
Download the trails you want to hike BEFORE heading into the park as service can be very spotty. We use AllTrails to download offline maps of our hikes.
Try to hike with the 10 Essentials for safety, especially when hiking in unpredictable mountain climates like Mount Rainier.
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