Very beautiful visitor center. It reopened in 2025 after being closed for renovations and I have to…read moresay, the architecture is GORGEOUS with vaulted ceilings and large windows to let in the surroundings. There's wood paneling which helps you feel immersed into nature. There's an informational desk about the area, helpful for visitors newish to the area or those with questions. The gift shop is also accessible with the usual offerings of post cards, tchotchkes, and such. Do note that the restrooms are accessible outdoors at the side of the building. There's a pay area part of the center which is $5/18+, $2.50/7-17, free for 6 years old or younger, and family $15 for 2 adults and children 7-17 years old. They also honor veteran's disabled pass, WA state disabled pass, and senior limited income pass. It's definitely worth the admission, since there's a lot of exhibits explaining the geology of the area, the flora and fauna, the native peoples, and the later commercial and recreational uses of the area. There's even a place where you can walk into a huge mock up of Mt St Helens! Very fun. They have a short film playing about the eruption too. I didn't get to explore much outside as it was super rainy, but I saw a boardwalk trail out in the back. I did not see Mt St Helens due to the weather, but I'll be back when the weather is nicer!

Surprisingly complex and very informative. The variety of exhibits is great. And the native…read morenarratives put the mountain's significance into perspective. Easy access from I-5. Take the time to stop

First and best place to stop along the way to Mt St Helens. Helicopter ride (2 person minimum)…read morestarting at $270 and a good restaurant are two things the other stops further up won't have.

The views are incredible and the staff at the gift shop were friendly and patient despite the long…read morelines. Unfortunately, this administration decided that funding the national parks was unimportant therefore there were minimal staff and maintenance. Fortunately, it appeared that most patrons were very respectful and mindful of the need to pick up after themselves.

When you go to Mount Rainier, this is one of the main stops you want to go to. This is the large…read morevisitor center in Paradise and is one of the most visited locations. If you want to let the kids out to stretch, use the bathroom and get a bite to eat, you can do it here. The parking lot will be full but if you keep circling around, you'll eventually find someone leaving. The chicken tacos with rice and beans were actually pretty good. Worth trying if you're needing a bite to eat. The top floor of the visitor center has a lot of different exhibits that tell about Mount Rainier and the wildlife in the area. Would recommend stopping if in the area.

We absolutely loved the visitor center! Set against a beautiful snow-covered landscape, the center…read moreis a must-visit. The building itself is gorgeous, featuring soaring ceilings and stunning wooden beams. Our picky eater couldn't get enough of the cafeteria's mac-and-cheese, and the surrounding views were completely breathtaking. The Jr. Ranger program was fantastic--it was easy, quick, and the park rangers were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. We also loved the gift shop and had a wonderful time!

Lovely visitor center. Fairly small but has a dining area and a designated gift shop. Park rangers…read morewere super friendly, as always, and passionately shared everything to know about the park.

I've visited Portland several times since 1990, however, this was my first visit to the Portland…read moreVisitor Center (7/9/26). I happened to stop by Nuvrei next door and decided to check this out afterwards. The gentleman at the front counter was very upbeat, welcoming, and said that all the media available were free. I was amazed at the variety and breadth of information available for Portland and other regions in the state of Oregon. Maps, flyers, public transportation info, booklets, magazines, periodicals, and stickers - wow! It was great to pick up a variety of updated, current reference materials. Stuff that was souvenir quality, but packed with actual useful information. Highly recommended!

The place to start your trip! The new digs of the Visitor's Center are top notch, and have plenty…read moreof brochures, helpful guides, and amazing staff that can point you in the right direction and offer personalized recommendations. They are super close to Nuvrei bakery and Powell's - ideal spots to hit right after or beforehand of your Portland adventure. They keep all items fresh and upto date so this is a great PDX resource. Go visit!

Just what I needed....a vista of Mount Saint Helen's, a restroom, a free movie of the 1980…read moreexplosion, and a gift shop with Big Foot t-shirts. What else is needed!? Located about 10-15 miles before Cascade Lake (the end of the road), this rest stop is a 'must stop!' I took some beautiful pics to mark this sunshiny day. There are plenty of parking stalls, accessible bathrooms, and the gift shop sells snacks, too! The next time you head out to the mountain, stop here and take a load off!

This is a great spot to learn at. No Charge and willing docents that want to share their knowledge…read more And a short video included.

There is so much serenity and quiet magic at Mt Rainier NP, that words are simply not enough to…read moredescribe it all! Having arrived early in the morning through the Nisqually entrance, we immensely enjoyed visiting the following treasures with the Mt Rainier NP: Narada Falls, Reflection Lake, the Trail of Shadows and Paradise. The views were breathtaking! We had a wonderful time exploring the snow-covered mountain, the lake and the forest together! We even enjoyed a game of snowballs in Paradise during our visit in late May there!

One of the most beautiful parks I've been to. Mt. Rainier truly is such a massive presence. As you…read moredrive up, it's shocking how large it is. Being able to explore the mountain and see how it affects all the areas around it is humbling.

Unfortunately, we arrived at this site after dark and left before dawn (therefore no photos), but…read morethe campsite was very easy to find and access even after hours. I would have liked to stay here for more than a few hours as the views of Mt. St Helens in nearby. Another thing to note about this campsite is that is is under a tall tree canopy. It is really cool to wander the paths between campsites and look up at the massive trees. It was a pretty unique place to stay. PRO TIP: Although the showers are clean (and warm), they DO REQUIRE tokens. be sure to get some before you get naked (like I did)..

Great campground that is close to the Visitor Center. Clean bathrooms, nice playground, plenty of…read moreshade, trees to hang hammocks, trails for walking, nice large campsites. Our only complaint was that the sites near the road are very very noisy. We assumed the traffic would cease at a certain point but it seemed like it was pretty steady all night long.

One of the best visitor information centers we've been in. In my career I supervised a visitor…read moreinformation center and taught customer service so I'm pretty well-versed. First off, well-signed and easy to find from both directions. Second, easy to read large map of the region out by the front door showing the towns and parks (with simple graphics showing amenities at each park). It's nice that you can get info even after hours. Inside you'll find plenty of brochures for the region to help plan your trip. Finally, but in my opinion, most importantly, they have a wonderful young woman inside who really knows her job. She greeted us warmly when we walked in and came out from behind her desk to help us. She knew every brochure they had and was able to answer our questions. If I were still in this line of work, I'd hire her in a heartbeat. She makes this place what it is!