Mount Rainier National Park

State: Washington. Type: national park in Pierce and Lewis counties, near Tacoma. Established March 2, 1899 — the first national park created from a national forest (the former Mount Rainier Forest Reserve). Park size: 236,381 acres. Mount Rainier itself stands 14,410 feet, the highest point in the Cascade Range. 2024 visitation: 1,620,006 people, about 70% arriving July through September.

Mount Rainier National Park protects the volcano of the same name, an ice-clad peak that rises to 14,410 feet and is the highest point in the Cascade Range, along with the old-growth forests, subalpine meadows and river valleys that surround it. Established March 2, 1899, it holds the distinction of being the first U.S. national park carved out of a national forest, evolving from the former Mount Rainier Forest Reserve. More than 25 glaciers descend the mountain's flanks, covering over 35 square miles of ice and snow, feeding rivers that carve the park's deep valleys. The park's three main developed areas, Longmire, Paradise (at 5,400 feet) and Sunrise (at 6,400 feet, the highest point reachable by vehicle), each offer a different vantage on the peak and its surrounding wildflower meadows. Paradise is also famous for extreme snowfall, having set a world seasonal snowfall record of 93.5 feet during the winter of 1971-72. The 93-mile Wonderland Trail circles the entire mountain, drawing serious long-distance hikers, while shorter trails from Paradise and Sunrise make the park's high country accessible to casual day visitors as well.

Mount Rainier National Park sits in Pierce and Lewis counties in west-central Washington State, roughly 60 to 90 minutes' drive southeast of Tacoma and about two to two and a half hours from Seattle. The main visitor entrance, Nisqually, is reached via State Route 706 near the community of Ashford; the park's mailing address is 55210 238th Avenue East, Ashford, WA 98304.

The park's climate varies sharply with elevation, from milder, wetter lowland forest around Longmire to alpine conditions at Paradise and above. Paradise is famous for extremely heavy winter snowfall, having recorded a world-record 93.5 feet of snow in the 1971-72 season, and many of the park's high-elevation roads and facilities close seasonally due to snow. Summers are mild and are the main window for road access, wildflower blooms and hiking.

Most visitors come in the peak summer months of July through September, when roughly 70 percent of the park's annual 1.6 million visitors arrive and when Paradise and Sunrise's roads, trails and wildflower meadows are most accessible. Because many roads and facilities close seasonally due to heavy snow, visitors planning a trip outside summer should check current road status before arriving.

Mount Rainier National Park was established on March 2, 1899, making it the fifth U.S. national park and the first ever created from a national forest, evolving out of the former Mount Rainier Forest Reserve. The mountain itself, a stratovolcano and the highest peak in the Cascade Range at 14,410 feet, has long been sacred to area Indigenous peoples and became a focus of early American mountaineering and conservation interest in the late 19th century. Since its founding, the park has developed visitor infrastructure at Longmire, Paradise and Sunrise, and the 93-mile Wonderland Trail, encircling the mountain, has become one of the best-known long-distance hikes in the Cascades.

Hiking is the park's central activity, ranging from short interpretive walks near Paradise and Sunrise to the multi-day, 93-mile Wonderland Trail that circles the entire mountain. Wildflower viewing in Paradise's subalpine meadows is a major summer draw. Visitors also explore Longmire's historic buildings and museum, drive to Sunrise, the highest point reachable by vehicle at 6,400 feet, and, for experienced mountaineers, attempt summit climbs of Mount Rainier itself under a climbing permit.

Paradise, at 5,400 feet, is the park's most-visited developed area, known for its visitor center, subalpine meadows and mountain views. Sunrise, at 6,400 feet, is the highest point in the park reachable by car and offers a different set of views and trails. Longmire, the park's historic administrative and lodging hub, retains early 20th-century buildings and a museum. More than 25 glaciers, covering over 35 square miles, are visible from various points throughout the park.

Mount Rainier National Park is roughly 60-90 minutes' drive from Tacoma and about two to two and a half hours from Seattle via State Route 706 to the Nisqually Entrance near Ashford, WA. There is no public transit directly serving the park, so a personal or rental vehicle is the primary way to reach it; GPS navigation to the Nisqually Entrance should use 39000 State Route 706 E, Ashford, WA 98304.

Many of the park's facilities and roads are open seasonally and close in winter due to snow; visitors should check the park's official road status page before planning a trip, particularly outside the summer season.

As of research, standard entrance passes were $30 for a private vehicle (unlimited entry for seven consecutive days), $25 for a motorcycle (up to two motorcycles, four passengers, seven days), and $15 for an individual arriving on foot or by bicycle (age 16 and up, seven days). The park operates a cashless entrance station system, accepting cards and digital payment; camping fees and backcountry wilderness or climbing permits are additional and priced separately.

A single day is enough to see one developed area, such as Paradise or Sunrise, and a short trail, but two to three days allow time to visit multiple areas of the park given the driving distances between them.

Longmire, within the park, has historic lodging, and the town of Ashford just outside the Nisqually Entrance offers additional lodges, cabins and small motels close to the main entrance. The park's three developed campgrounds provide car camping options inside the park boundary, alongside backcountry wilderness camping under permit.

Limited dining is available inside the park at developed areas such as Paradise and Longmire; the small gateway community of Ashford, just outside the Nisqually Entrance, has additional casual restaurants and general stores for visitors staying nearby.

Seattle and Tacoma, both within about one and a half to two and a half hours' drive, offer additional sightseeing before or after a park visit. The wider Cascade Range and other nearby national forest land offer further hiking opportunities outside the park boundary.

There is no scheduled public transit directly serving the park; the nearest major airports are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and smaller regional airports, from which visitors typically rent a car for the drive to the Nisqually Entrance.

Mountain weather can change rapidly at elevation, so check current conditions and road status before heading to Paradise or Sunrise, especially outside summer. Wildlife, including bears, is present in the park, so store food properly and keep a safe distance. Climbers attempting the summit need a wilderness/climbing permit and should be prepared for glacier travel above 10,000 feet. For any emergency, dial 911.

Layered clothing is essential given the sharp temperature swings between the lowland entrance and high-elevation areas like Paradise and Sunrise, along with sturdy hiking footwear. Sun protection is important at altitude even on cool days, and a paper map or downloaded offline map is useful since cell service is limited throughout much of the park.

Checking the park's official road status page before departure is important, since seasonal closures affect access to Paradise and Sunrise for much of the year. Arriving early in the day during summer helps avoid parking congestion at popular areas like Paradise. Because the park is large and its main areas are spread apart by significant driving time, plan an itinerary around just one or two developed areas per day.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's main information line, per its official visitor information, is 360-569-2211.

Mount Rainier National Park (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/mora

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.