[2024 Pierce County Attraction] Travel Guide for Mount Rainier National Park (Updated Sep)
No.7 of Best Things to Do in Washington
National Parks
Address:
Washington, United States
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 days
Phone:
+1 360-569-2211
Mount Rainier National Park
Looking for a great view in Washington? I would highly recommend Mount Rainier National Park.
Setting the backdrop for the bustling city below, Mount Rainier sits imposingly on the horizon. It calls to all those seeking the challenge of the climb, the solitude of the woods, the escape from streets and roads. One of the most visited national parks, Mount Rainier is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range.
#CampingGlamping
Nicenicee
Rainier Mountain
Mount Rainier, often referred to simply as Rainier, is an iconic stratovolcano in Washington State, part of the Cascade Range. It features a prominent snow-capped peak, extensive glaciers, and diverse ecosystems. The mountain is surrounded by Mount Rainier National Park, which offers numerous recreational activities, including hiking, climbing, and wildlife viewing. Rainier is also considered a potential volcanic threat due to its active status and proximity to populated areas.
Mount Rainier is a prominent stratovolcano located in Washington State, rising to 14,411 feet. It's the highest peak in the Cascade Range and is known for its stunning glaciers and diverse ecosystems.
alfarezel
4-Day Road Trip Through Oregon & Washington State 🚗✨
Day 1: Begin your adventure in Portland, Oregon 🌲. Explore the quirky city with its famous food trucks, coffee spots, and Powell’s City of Books 📚. In the afternoon, take a scenic drive along the Columbia River Gorge to visit the stunning Multnomah Falls.
Day 2: Head north toward Mount Rainier National Park 🏔️. Stop in the charming town of Packwood for a cozy lunch and enjoy the mountain-town vibe. Then, spend the afternoon hiking around Mount Rainier, taking in the breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and wildflower meadows. End your day in Packwood, a perfect base for exploring the area.
Day 3: Continue your journey to Seattle 🌆. Visit the Space Needle for sweeping views of the city and beyond. Stroll through Pike Place Market 🐟 and check out the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. End the evening with a ferry ride to watch the sunset over the skyline.
Day 4: Wrap up your road trip by visiting Olympic National Park 🌲. Hike through the mossy rainforests and enjoy the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast. On your way back to Portland, stop for one last scenic moment before ending your adventure.
This road trip offers the perfect balance of city excitement and stunning natural landscapes! 🌿
#usatrip #OregonRoadTrip #WashingtonAdventures #MountRainier #PackwoodVibes #PacificNorthwest #ExplorePNW #TravelUSA #NatureAndCity
Pierre-Louis
👣 Visit Mt Rainier National Park
#gohiking
Mount Rainier is an iconic volcano in Washington State that is the tallest peak in the Cascade Range. It's surrounded by snowy glaciers and alpine meadows, a great place to visit for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. There are several hiking trails here that offer breathtaking views of wildflower-strewn slopes and icy peaks. During the winter, locals come here to skii and snowboard. It's a majestic natural wonder filled with diverse ecosystems.
Melanie.
Alice in Wonderland enjoyed the autumn scenery at Mount Rainier
On Saturday, 9.30, we went to Mt Rainier and only walked 1.5 miles, but the scenery before us was so captivating that we simply couldn't bear to turn back! It felt like we had fallen into a fairy tale book.
Unfortunately, we started off in the wrong place because our navigation was incorrect. Sisters, if you're going, make sure not to navigate directly to 'Rainier' or 'visitor center', as they won't let you in!! We got to the entrance and the ticket seller told us to go to the other side of the mountain, 'Paradise'. We were completely confused, and it took another hour to get there! Luckily, we set off quite early that day.
After parking the car and grabbing a quick bite, we started our hike up the mountain. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, and the first part of the skyline trail was very easy to walk, even with a stroller, making it elderly and child friendly. After Myrtle Falls, the trail becomes a bit more difficult.
I must say, it's best to go up the mountain early. When we were heading back, fog had already set in on the mountain, and it was just after 2 PM. The temperature had also dropped quickly, and we couldn't see much of the scenery anymore
MADDISON BELL
Had a very nice experience seeing Mt Rainier upclose...
Ivy Kathrine
Beyond Boundaries: Capturing Dreams at @WSeattle
Life's challenges met with a simple remedy—a journey to the realms of dreams. Behind the wheel, on the edge of the earth, where reality and fantasy converge. A moment captured through the lens of a @wseattle film camera—a portal to dreams realized. 🚗🌆
In Washington, nature's purity feels untouched by human hands, as if these lands have never borne witness to human footfalls. Thoughts of embarking on a real hiking adventure next summer take root—a journey of tents, where even the edibles become experiences for once-in-a-lifetime consumption.
Have you ever delved into the world of hiking? Share your tales of nature's embrace!
Maria Ponomaryova
Photogenic Companionship: A Pawsitively Adorable Co-star
Meet my four-legged co-star—a pose-perfect model who outshines even me! A fur-clad virtuoso in the art of posing, a loyal companion that adds a touch of whimsy to every frame.
Maria Ponomaryova
Reynier Mountain Travelogue
I am delighted to share with you my travelogue of Mount Rainier National Park. Located in the eastern part of Washington state in the United States, Mount Rainier National Park boasts spectacular mountains, waterfalls, and lakes, making it an ideal place for hiking and camping.
When I arrived at the park, I was immediately attracted by the magnificent scenery inside. I first went to the visitor center to learn some information about the park's history and attractions. Then I went to Lake Hoi, one of the most famous attractions in the park. I rented a small boat and roamed on the lake. The lake water is clear and the surrounding scenery is very beautiful.
Next, I went to the valley, which is a protected mountain valley with spectacular mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife. I walked along the trail all the way to the viewpoint of Plistec Point, which overlooks the valley and Mount Rainier. I was amazed by the stunning scenery. The flowers and plants in the valley also surprised me because they were so beautiful.
That night, I camped at a campsite in the park. It was my first time camping, but I really enjoyed the experience. At night, I saw a lot of stars, which was a beauty that couldn't be experienced in the city. The next morning, I hiked near the campsite and saw some wildlife, including deer and squirrels. This made me very excited.
Before I left the park, I also went to the top of Mount Rainier. Although it was a challenging hike, I think it was a very worthwhile experience. The view of the entire park from the summit was spectacular, and you could see the beautiful scenery of the entire state of Washington.
Overall, my trip to Mount Rainier National Park was unforgettable. I loved the natural beauty, wildlife, and camping experience in the park. I highly recommend anyone to come here and experience this beautiful place.
WanderlustPassports*999
🏔️Mount Rainier National Park | Accidentally stumbled into Heidi's garden
Mount Rainier National Park
📍Detailed address:
Rainier National Park is located 2-3 hours southeast of downtown Seattle, depending on which entrance you take. We traveled from nearby Oregon.
🚗Transportation guide:
▪️Public transportation to enter the park is limited, so I suggest driving or renting a car. The best route to visit Mount Rainier is to be able to tour the park along wildflower meadows, towering trees, and mountain scenery.
▪️The closest airport to the park is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
🗓Best time to visit:
Although some areas of the park are officially open all year round, summer and autumn are the best times to visit so far. Especially from July to October, the weather is good, there is no snow on the road, and you can also see wildflowers.
🏔Park entrance
▪️There are four main entrances to Mount Rainier National Park: Nisqually (southwest), Carbon River (northwest), White River/Sunrise (northeast), and Stevens Canyon (southeast).
▪️The Nisqually entrance is probably the most popular choice, as it allows vehicle access year-round, is close to the state's main highways, and provides access to Longmire and Paradise.
⚠️Please note that many park roads are closed in winter.
🏔The park has five main sections:
Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River/Mowich. I want to say that the most developed and famous parts of the park are Paradise and Sunrise.
▪️Longmire - Historic district of the park, providing access to the Wilderness Information Center, museum, and National Park Inn.
▪️Heaven - known for its wildflower meadows, main park visitor center, winter activities, ranger station, guides, and Heaven Lodge.
▪️Ohanapecosh - Experience the ancient forest of the park, and visit the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and Ohanapecosh Campground.
▪️Sunrise - a popular spot for wildflowers, grasslands, and mountain views. You can visit the Sunrise Visitor Center, Sunrise Day Lodge, and White River Campground.
▪️Carbon River/Mowich - known for its beautiful trails and camping, including Mowich Lake Campground and Tolmie Peak Trail.
🏨Where to stay?
Within and outside of Mount Rainier National Park, there are many lodging options available.
In the park, you can choose to stay at the National Park Inn (Longmire) and Paradise Inn, or at one of the three main campgrounds (Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River).
Outside the park: Ashford and Parkwood:
▪️Creekside Cabin is a classic and comfortable small house that can accommodate up to 4 people, located near the entrance of Nisqually Park.
▪️The Nelson Basecamp Cabin is a family-run cabin filled with personal mementos from mountain trips and ample outdoor space.
▪️Overlooking the river from the Big Creek Cabin, with a comfortable loft bedroom and beautiful views from the deck.
🏔Recommended scenic spots
▪️Explore paradise, witness wildflowers and grasslands, the historic Paradise Inn, and visit the museum upstairs at the Jackson Visitor Center in Paradise.
▪️When driving up from the southwest entrance, stop at the Christine Falls and Narada Falls. They both have short walking distances, but the scenery is stunning!
▪️Admire the mountain scenery from Reflection Lake (named for the beautiful reflection of Mount Rainier you saw on still days).
▪️The scenery along the road between heaven and sunrise is beautiful. Detour to Tipsoo Lake to see the blooming wildflowers, the picnic area of nature, and the view of Mount Rainier.
▪️Drive to the highest point of the park to watch the sunrise. You can also overlook the views of Mount Rainier, Emmons Glacier, and Mount Adams.
▪️Explore the historic district of Longmire, including the Longmire Museum and National Park Inn.
Penelope.Rivera@73
Unspoken Elegance: A Visual Treat Left to Your Imagination
A gift for your feed, a tale left untold. Let your imagination weave the story behind this image's magic. Enigmatic beauty that sparks wonder. 📸✨