Your Ultimate Guide to Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is nestled in the heart of Washington State and boasts pristine wilderness full of glacier-capped peaks, wildflower meadows, and ancient forests. The center of the park is dominated by the 14,410-foot Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano and the tallest peak in the lower 48. If you are a hiker, nature lover, photographer, or adventure seeker, this park is for you!
We have visited this park over 10 times in every season so we are confident when we say, all of the best advice for a successful trip to Mount Rainier National Park will be in this article!
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit?
While the park is open year-round, the best time to visit is late July through early October. For peak wildflower season, visit in August and for peak fall colors, visit in early October.
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Park Rules
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.
You will need an America the Beautiful Pass ($80 per year) or a specific Mount Rainier parks pass to visit. You can alternatively pay for a day pass at the park entrances. If you frequently visit national parks in the U.S. each year, we recommend the America the Beautiful Pass.
In 2025, Mount Rainier is implementing a timed entry permit system for the SUNRISE corridor only (White River Entrance).
You will need a timed entry permit from July 11th-September 1st (7am to 5pm daily) AND September 2nd-end of season (7am to 5pm, weekend and holidays only). Permits are per vehicle, they are $2, and can be purchased here.
Where exactly is this national park?
Mount Rainier is located in Washington State. To get here, you can fly to either Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon. It is about a 2-3 hour drive to the park from these major cities.
Best Places to Stay
Since Mount Rainier National Park is large, with four entrances into the park, it can be hard to choose where to stay. Below we have included the best places to stay near each of the entrances which will coincide with the hiking guides below.
White River Entrance: The accommodations here are mostly Airbnb’s besides Crystal Mountain Resort.
Steven’s Canyon Entrance: Packwood is the best basecamp for this entrance. We love Packwood Hotel and Packwood Lodge and Cabins. There are plenty of Airbnb’s nearby too.
Nisqually Entrance: Ashford is the closest town to this entrance. Nisqually Lodge and Mountain Meadows Inn are great options as well as many Airbnb’s.
Carbon River Entrance: As of 5/2025 - this entrance is CLOSED INDEFINITELY. This is due to a bridge that needs repair, there is no date for reopening at this time. (huge bummer!!!)
For camping: Cougar Rock (near Paradise) and White River (near Sunrise) are popular campgrounds, typically open from late spring through early fall. Reservations recommended.
Where would we recommend staying?
We always stay in Ashford or Packwood. These towns have the most accommodation options and it is very easy to day trip to all of the entrances from these towns.
The Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
This park has over 260 miles of maintained trails so choosing a hike can be overwhelming! Below, we have listed the best hikes, organized by park entrance, to make planning a breeze for you.
For more detailed hiking guides, you can check out some of our other articles here:
72 Hours in Mount Rainier National Park
Hikes Near the White River Entrance:
This entrance takes you to the Sunrise area of the park. Our favorite hike here is Fremont Lookout (pictured). Some other notable hikes are:
Hikes Near the Steven’s Canyon Entrance:
This area of the park has many shorter trails, great for families or those who cannot complete strenuous hikes. Our favorite hikes include:
Hikes Near the Nisqually Entrance:
This is the most popular entrance to the park as it takes you to the stunning Paradise area. If you choose one place to hike while visiting Rainier, this needs to be it!
Our favorite hikes include:
Hikes Near the Carbon River Entrance:
This entrance is currently CLOSED but we wanted to share our favorite hikes here for when it reopens.
Tolmie Peak (pictured)
Other Notable Places to See in the Park:
Paradise Visitor Center: Great exhibits, ranger talks, and panoramic views.
Sunrise Point: At 6,400 feet, it’s the highest point accessible by car in the park, with epic sunrises and vistas.
Christine Falls & Narada Falls: Beautiful roadside waterfalls.
Reflection Lakes: Famous for mirror-like views of Rainier—ideal at sunrise or early morning.
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad (Elbe): Offers a historical steam train ride with views and educational exhibits (seasonal).
How to Pack for 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)
Final Thoughts..
No matter how to choose to experience Mount Rainier National Park, we know it will leave you in awe and make you want to come back again and again. So what are you waiting for?! Grab your hiking boots & a friend and start planning your trip to this national park today!
Resources:
If you are planning to travel to Mount Rainier, we always suggest consulting the national park website for up to date closures and park news.
For current road conditions, click here.
For park webcams, click here.
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