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    Mount Rainier National Park

    4.8 (306 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Sandy B.

    This is an incredibly magnificent place. Lots of trails, wildlife, and various terrains. Bring hiking boots as some areas are rocky. I loved that the rangers walk through the trails and check on people. Lots of inclines too so trekking poles are suggested, as needed. Weather can change so be prepared (backpack suggested). Have lots of water, electrolytes and snacks. We stopped at the Sunrise Visitor Center. We did the Fremont Lookout Trail (which was intense but doable). There is also the Wonderland Trail on the way back which adds 0.5 miles but takes you on a different viewpoint. Overall an A+ adventure with breathtaking sights and challenging exercise. Don't miss it!

    Wyatt S.

    Very pretty everywhere you look, but Mt. Rainier itself is just breathtaking. Great hikes and great amenities too.

    Enjoying Each Momen T.

    Hike through Mt Reinier meadows, immersed with lush trees, frosty streams, chipmunks running free, animals in their natural habitat. The summer snow met us at the start of the vertical climb, with just the right texture for snowy trek towards the summit. Perfect weather greeted us for the perfect birthday adventure, breathtaking views & amazing experience

    Sa'Rah H.

    Mount Rainier NPis such a gorgeous park. The drive up from Seattle was simple and didn't feel like the 2 plus hours. I was grateful for nearly perfect weather- even with the various microclimates throughout the park. I was prepared for the heavy humidity and the chilli weather. The park was "closed" due to the government shutdown and so we didn't have to pay the entrance fee which was nice. I do however feel bad for the park rangers and staff that were unable to work. We took the route of the Paradise route and stopped at the different viewpoints but there were a few closures. Reflection lake was beautiful but a bit crowded.

    Nisqually River
    Travis T.

    Every year I pick one or two national parks that I have never been to for vacation. This year I decided to fly to Washington and travel to both Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. My Dad lived north of the Seattle area for many years, and I would travel to see him. I would always marvel at Mount Rainier when flying over it by plane or seeing it from afar while in Seattle. Its snow-capped peak and overall size are incredible sites to see. Mount Rainier is a 14,410-foot active volcano in Washington's Cascade Range. It is the tallest mountain in Washington State. My Dad never had any interest in seeing this mountain up close, so I made my own trip out here to visit the park and do some hiking. I also ran a 5K that was going on in nearby Ashford to add a little fun to my trip. President William McKinley signed a bill authorizing the creation of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899. It is the nation's fifth national park. There are many cities around Mount Rainier National Park that you can stay in. I stayed in Packwood, which is southeast of the park. I took an overnight flight to Seattle-Tacoma and drove straight to the park where I ended up sleeping in my rental truck for a few hours until the sun came up. Mount Rainier National Park now requires a timed entry reservation made in advance during peak hours. I had got there early enough to avoid having to wait in the timed entry line. I began my day hiking to base of Mount Rainier on the popular 5.5-mile Skyline Loop Trail. It was a beautiful trail full of wildflowers, waterfalls, snow and wildlife. Marmots were running around all over and providing all sorts of entertainment for us hikers. The Skyline Trail begins and ends next to the visitor center in Paradise. At the visitor center, you can grab a bite to eat and check out exhibits that provide some history and information about this beautiful park. I spent much of my time driving around Mount Rainier National Park and enjoying its breathtaking views. The park has four main entrances - Nisqually, Carbon River, White River/Sunrise and Stevens Canyon. I was able to check out several waterfalls while exploring the park. Narada Falls was probably my favorite. One beautiful place to check out is Reflection Lake where you can see a reflection of Mount Rainier in the lake. Longmire is another popular destination that has lodging, camping, food, a visitor center and is the location of the park's original National Park Service Administration Building (which is now an information center). Ohanapecosh is an area in the park that has many campsites. I did make time to drive to Sunrise to get a different view of Mount Rainier. Sunrise is the highest point in the park that is accessible by vehicle at an elevation of 6,400 feet. When I visit national parks, I try to do a hike each day while I am in the park. There are 168 trails in Mount Rainier National Park. So I had to be selective in how many I could do because of time. After hiking the Skyline Loop Trail, I ended up doing some shorter day hikes like the Twin Firs Loop Trail and Bench & Snow Lakes Trail. I also did some hiking in the Sunrise area. There are so many trails to choose from at various lengths and difficulty. There is no Wi-Fi in Mount Rainier National Park. So I had to rely mostly on paper maps to get around. But if you do need Wi-Fi, you can stop at any of the three visitor centers in the park to connect. There are also park rangers on hand who are very helpful and will answer any questions that you may have. You will find restrooms, merchandise and food options at the visitor centers. I am so glad that I finally made my way to this beautiful national park to see this incredible mountain. Hiking the Skyline Trail and seeing some of the waterfalls were the highlights for me on this trip. Flying to Washington to spend some time in Mount Rainier National Park is an experience that I won't forget. I look forward to a return visit someday.

    A beautiful lake!
    Kathryn Y.

    Since moving to WA I have discovered the amazing trails in Mt. Rainer. It's truly a magical place. The trails are definitely challenging and I highly recommend plenty of water. And bring your mosquito repellent in case the trail is a bit busy with these pesky bugs. Sunscreen, water and snacks and enjoy nature. An America The Beautiful Pass works for this hike as we were parked literally right outside the park boundary bit the hike took us inside the park. A day pass for parking inside the boundary is recommended. Get out there!! SYOY!

    Mt. Rainer
    PJ M.

    We drove down to Mount Rainer National Park from Seattle. It was a nice drive once you get out of Seattle as the traffic is bad. They don't have anywhere to expand the highways and one of the three lanes is a HOV lane. Once we got close the scenery drastically changed to heavily wooded. The roads and drive were nice. Once we got up to the info area and scenic viewing the sights were breathless. Several opportunities to walk up some of the trails but we passed and hung around the center getting a bite to eat and a drink. Was a great place to relax, take in the sights and get some great pics. The snow covered peaks are just awesome. Weather was great.

    A warning ticket for parking on the side of the road, though many ppl do it.
    Quinn N.

    Arrived midday mid-June and boy was parking PACKED! Wish they built a much larger parking lot. Beware getting a warning ticket for parking on the side of the road, though many people do it. Even on a (foggy) cloudy day, there's a good chance you can still spot the legendary Mt Rainier (14,400 ft). Boy was there so much snow in June. Crampons aren't necessary, but you'll want to wear some form of waterproof shoes.

    MemysefandI ..

    Great park! I just had one day so I chose sky line trail. Got at the park around 12noon. I would say 20 min to enter. If you want to go to paradise, just drive to the visitor center which is 20 miles away. Parking is very limited but I was lucky enough and found a spot very easily. The hike is hard but not impossible. Did in 2.5h 4 stars because signaling is not their strength and gift shop was way overpriced Also, staff at the restaurant were rude

    Shelly and another Ranger wishing me luck
    Christy K.

    What incredible people! I was so fortunate when I called the ranger station several times in preparation for my trip and was always given incredible help. Because of this, I was prepared when I came in for a Wonderland Trail walk-up permit. Shelly helped me by tediously organizing my campsites and helping with decisions about where to go, areas of potential danger, and tons of other advice. These rangers are true examples of the best America has to offer.

    Mount Rainier - Panorama Point trail
    Kim R.

    Another fun visit to Rainier...once we got through the SW gate that is. Insanely busy to enter this past Saturday (Oct) morning. We waited an indecent amount of time, and the Paradise area trails and parking were nuts. But, a lovely fall weekend...should be expected. This visit we stayed at Cougar Rock Campground: partially open for FCFS this, the last weekend of the season. Clean, with a decent amount of privacy between sites. We took the Carter/Madcap Falls access trail from the campground to the falls. Beautiful and fun mushroom covered trail that was MUCH less busy than the Paradise trails. Loved. We also took the Lakes Loop Trail. Very busy area, although most people were simply parking for the pics and not on the trail. Fun trail, small elevation gains, so you get a nice workout...but stunning colors and amazing views from the overlook above the lakes. We also decided to join the masses at Paradise for the Glacier/Panorama Point trail. Packed with visitors all the way, but epic and colorful views throughout. A few cute critters along the way too. Paradise food court was still open this weekend. Nice to have a few options for quick bites after the hike. Fall on Rainier = stunning...stunning AND packed.

    Ohanapecosh River
    Alyssa A.

    What an incredible experience visiting Mount Rainier National Park - I don't even know where to start... If you're able to, camp in the park. We camped for a couple nights at Ohanapecosh Campground, and it was wonderful. The forest is beautiful, peaceful, and calm. The perfect place to reset and enjoy nature. The Ohanapecosh visitor center is at the beginning of the campground - perfect for planning your day's adventures. Definitely incorporate Skyline Loop in Paradise into your trip - no way will you be disappointed. Here, we found the most picturesque views that were better than any postcard or picture you find online. Myrtle Falls is an easy hike and is absolutely gorgeous. Once you get to the top of Skyline Loop, you will get the most breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and its valley. Well-worth the effort of this 5.5 mile hike. The Paradise visitor center is going to be the biggest one with plenty of rangers, a good bookstore, and a small cafe. The Fremont Overlook Trail in Sunrise is going to be your other great bet. Definitely strenuous, but the magnificent views once you get to the top ... All you want to do is sit on a rock and enjoy. The Sunrise visitor center is smaller than Paradise, but still has wonderful rangers and a small bookstore. Plan ahead if you're visiting Sunrise - they do metered entrances so there's a set number of visitors. If they're at capacity, they wait for a car to leave before another car can enter. Reflection is a great, quick stop - especially when the weather is good. All the visitor centers have free WiFi - great for planning and plugging routes into maps as the cell service is (as expected) horrible. They also all have clean bathrooms - always a plus. You will definitely enjoy any time spent at Mt Rainier National Park. Explore and have fun!

    Lowella G.

    Iconic Mount Rainier National Park is a must visit in Washington State. This was my first time back in over 20 years and it's still beautiful as ever as I remembered it growing up here. You can easily spend days here climbing, hiking and camping. We were on a tight schedule on our most recent trip to the PNW so our time at Mt Rainier was rather short. Driving to the mountain took about an hour from Tacoma. There was a long line of cars as we approached the entrance but the park ranger let us skip to the front with our Military Annual Pass. Very thankful for that. We drove up to the South Slope of Paradise where we got to enjoy a little fun in the snow. And then made our way back down a bit to hike near the waterfall. Wish we could've camped out here but we really were on a tight schedule. But I will say this... our 2 hours here was a time well spent. We got to experience spring, summer, fall and winter all in one place on a Sunday afternoon.

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    Ask the Community - Mount Rainier National Park

    This upcoming week it's supposed to be 70/80 and it's the middle of May, towards the end. Is this a good time to go? And would this be good for a day trip as well? I live an hour away, or would it be impossible to do only for a day?

    I think your questions have lots of room for personal preference. Are you okay with being around a lot of people? Is there a specific section of the park you'd like to see/hike? Is this your first time there? I live in Seattle and have done the park… 

    Snow chain rentals?

    Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford, WA. I actually think a few of the outfitters along with Whittaker rent chains in Ashford. I'd call first to make sure they have the right sized chains for your vehicle & make your reservation.

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    Review Highlights - Mount Rainier National Park

    One beautiful place to check out is Reflection Lake where you can see a reflection of Mount Rainier in the lake.

    Mentioned in 25 reviews

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    Mount Fremont Lookout Trail - Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

    4.8(5 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    One of my favorite hikes in Mt Rainier. The hike is rough, but the end is 100% worth it…read more You'll access the Sourdough Ridge Trail about 600 feet from the visitor center, take it for about 1.1 miles, you'll hit Frozen Lake, and then it's another 1.3 miles up to the Overlook. You will get the most incredible views of Mt Rainier. The initial start of the Sourdough Trail is steep and strenuous, but give it about 0.2 miles - it's going to level out and be easy until you get to Frozen Lake. Don't hold your breath for Frozen Lake. We came in September - there was nothing frozen, no snow, and it was more like a small pond. Maybe it looks pretty in early spring when the park re-opens? Anywho, the trail is definitely strenuous. Pace yourself, take breaks if you need it, and drink lots of water (and make sure to BRING plenty of water). The overlook is incredible, and the views of Mt Rainier are breathtaking. The ranger station wasn't staffed while we were there, but you could climb up it for a better view. Otherwise, take a seat on a rock, eat some snacks, and enjoy! Overall, this hike will probably leave you feeling a bit wrecked, but it is well-worth all the effort.

    Arrived 5:50am Saturday in mid September. It was also free national park day. The last hour or so…read moreto Sunrise Visitor Center (the trailhead) from Portland area is long and meandering and dark. I recommend downloading an offline map since there's no service. I wanted to get to the trailhead before sunrise. Once I got to Sunrise, the parking lot was 20-25% full and there were several parties starting their hike as well. I wish I brought a headlamp because it was pitch black. The bathrooms were open and the toilet flushed and the sinks had soap still. The trail is right behind the bathrooms. It took about an hour to get to the top. It's pretty rocky and most parts it's narrow so I would recommend hiking shoes. I was warming up because of the hike but at the lookout, it was so cold! Bring gloves, a hat and layers. The forecast said it would be cloudy. I checked Windy.com to see the cloud patterns before I left and there was an opening. I've been to Mt Rainier on a clear day but on a partially cloudy day it was just as nice.

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    Mount Fremont Lookout Trail - Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Mount Fremont Lookout Trail - Chipmunk Visitor

    Chipmunk Visitor

    Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

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    Reflection Lakes Loop Hike - Great reflection of mt Reinier

    Reflection Lakes Loop Hike

    4.7(9 reviews)
    9.2 mi

    This is a great hike for photographers if you want to get both a nice view of Mount Rainier and of…read moreits reflection in the lake. The best time to come here is on a clear day and when the water is calm. You get stunning views of the alpine lakes and of the mountain peaks in the background. I made two stops here during my trip because the wind had caused ripples on the water and I wasn't able to get a clear shot with my camera. The reflection was much more clearer the second stop. Reflection Lakes is located off of Stevens Canyon Road just south of Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park. After parking, head down to the lake to find the hiking trail. The parking lot can fill up during the busier part of the day. The Lakes Trail is a three mile loop trail that goes around the lake and starts from either end of the parking lot. Wildflowers border the lakes in summer which adds some nice color to your photographs. The park asks that you stay on the trail to protect the meadow around the lake. Pinnacle Peak Trail is another popular trail that starts south of the Reflection Lakes parking lot. I really enjoyed making a stop here. It is one of the best places to get an iconic picture of Mount Rainier. There is no swimming, fishing, or boating in Reflection Lakes. But nearby Louise Lake allows wading and fishing. You can only visit Reflection Lakes in the summer as Stevens Canyon Road closes up during the winter season.

    Made a quick stop here to see the reflection of Mt Rainier…read more Heard it's supposed to be beautiful at sunrise, but it was rainy during our visit so we forewent the early morning visit. Came around 9am-ish on a cloudy day and were able to see a decent reflection - can only imagine how beautiful it would be on a nice, sunny day. We did a bit of the walk around the lakes, and while the walk was nice, the best views come from the overlooks where you park. Definitely worth a quick stop while driving by. If the weather is good, consider sunrise - you might be in for a wonderful surprise.

    Photos
    Reflection Lakes Loop Hike - 9/21/24

    9/21/24

    Reflection Lakes Loop Hike
    Reflection Lakes Loop Hike - 9/21/24

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    9/21/24

    Melmont Ghost Town - Recked car

    Melmont Ghost Town

    4.5(4 reviews)
    20.7 mi

    The best kept secret in pierce county. Finding parking will be difficult on a nice day. We parked…read morenear the bridge but others will park near Fairfax trail. It is about A 2 to 5 mile loop. So if you were to do a round-trip it could be up to 4 to 10. Well you walk around you'll see beautiful foliage, rivers, trees, and scary abandoned ghost town relics of buildings. There are some who criticize this nonexistent town but if you have some patience you will see a lot of the structures. Or even the foundations of them. It is very dog friendly. However there is no water for them so please bring your own. The ground is not very smooth so be careful of their paws. There are no garbage cans so pack it out. There are many locals hiking and walking. They are very friendly.

    The bestie and I decided to take a hike with my two dogs. This place popped up on a search. We're…read morein no way professional hikers and this hike made us both nervous a few times. We drove over a one lane bridge and then parked on the side where we saw other cars. Once we got out the car we couldn't tell where the actual hike started. Then we see a small sign that says it's north over the bridge. The one lane bridge? Yes. Yes this bridge. So off we go to walk across this high bridge with two dogs, also my youngest dog is a nut ball. Cars are driving past us but they're going slowly and we're staying all the way to the side. Once you cross the bridge there's a metal guardrail that you cross over. Then the trippy part starts. The actual hike is starts below the bridge. There's these crazy stones that I know they want to say are rock stairs but they are not. They are instead pieces of Earth that love to trip me. There is a metal guardrail to grab onto for balance and honestly there was a time when it held my entire body weight. And we have dogs on a leash to take down with us! What an adventure! I go down and have to convince the bestie to follow. She's convinced this is a bad idea now lol. It's not though, we toggle down and come to a nice hiking trail. We took a left and hiked for four miles before we turned around. I believe there's a town to hike to but we never found it. Sometimes the trail was too narrow and to high for my tastes but courage prevailed! It was all so beautiful! The trees, the water, the sky. I would go again...

    Photos
    Melmont Ghost Town - Old building

    Old building

    Melmont Ghost Town - River

    River

    Melmont Ghost Town - River down below

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    River down below

    Alder Lake Park - A friendly deer grazing at one of the camp sites.

    Alder Lake Park

    3.8(31 reviews)
    18.2 mi

    Nice little stop over on the way to Mt Rainier or if you are exploring the area…read more We went on a weekday in the fall so parking was plentiful and it was very quiet. The weather was also clear enough to see the lake, with a dock to walk around and stretch our legs. I didn't see much else to do aside from exploring the lake and whatever other water activities are involved like fishing, kayaking, etc. The restrooms are actual flush toilets with soap and water, and they were pretty clean aside from the hard water stains on the toilet bowl that is inevitable with park bathrooms. Still a better option that pit toilets. Fun Fact: The code name for Intel's 12th gen desktop processors was based on this lake.

    There are two elements for me when it came to camping. One is the campground facility itself, the…read moresecond one is the campers demography, or mainly the neighbors. For the campground facility I'd say this park checked all the boxes for me. There's natural water body, clean toilet (even with shower, although I didn't use it), and I got to see deers! There's also a convenient store right outside the campground. What I hate was my neighbor. To be specific, the group of people check in later on the 5th of July at the campsites of 66 and 65. I've never seen campers this obnoxious in my life. Not only they arrived late and make a scene, they also kept their boring unseasoned music all the way til almost 1am! Like what kind of etiquette was that? Who raise those people? And they also had kids too. Yeah so besides these annoying neighbor I actually find this campground quite nice.

    Photos
    Alder Lake Park - Eating outside so enjoyable, park well maintained and overseen constantly, no riff raff or noise.

    Eating outside so enjoyable, park well maintained and overseen constantly, no riff raff or noise.

    Alder Lake Park - Enjoying family time!

    Enjoying family time!

    Alder Lake Park - Our campsite 205

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    Our campsite 205

    Skyline Loop - Posing for a photo

    Skyline Loop

    4.8(43 reviews)
    9.3 mi

    We parked at Henry M.Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. In the…read moreoverflow lot designated for people that plan to spend more than 2 hours. This place gets very crowded so parking is challenging. We checked out inside and got a map of all the hikes. There are bathrooms inside. We picked Skyline Loop because it was the hardest and were told it had breathtaking views. The trails head is marked with all the different trails with arrows guided for visitors. It starts off with an asphalt path but turns into gravel, rocks/steps. I recommend bringing walking sticks for balance. Please listen to the 10 essentials that they recommend. PROTECT THE MEADOWS! Stay on trails. Do not pick flowers. Leave No Trace of your visit. Pets are NOT allowed on trails. Do not feed or approach wildlife. Use a topographic map. Permit required for Wilderness camping. And PLEASE BRING WATER! Carry the "10 Essentials" A topographic map and compass, extra food, extra clothing/rain gear, emergency shelter, first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight and spare batteries, extra water, sunglasses and sunscreen, repair kit/tools, and waterproof matches-for emergency use only (fires are not allowed in the backcountry.) This is all from the flyer we picked up at the visitor center. This trail is difficult! It's all uphill (like a 10 -15 incline on treadmill) it's down hill on the way down. Spectacular views throughout the hike. Lots of wildlife! Highly recommend! I can't wait to go back to try all the other trails.

    1Billion/10 recommend! I'd love to lie and tell everyone this place sucks so no one will come here…read moreanymore and it wouldn't be so crowded. But this is probably on ny top 3 and im not sure it will fall off anytime soon. We visited on a holiday weekend, yes it was busy, yes driving up to paradise was insane, yes the parking was full but we made it up there found parking and decided to do Skyline since we only had time for a few that day. We started on steep side. The beginning is alllll incline and then you think you're done it's all incline again. I did see some older people and kids on the trail but not sure how far they went up because that steep incline plus the elevation is no joke. The views at the top are aaaaaamazing, unreal, beautiful, hard to describe if you've never been. The whole hike is beautiful so much to look at and wildlife is everywhere. Will definitely be back soon!

    Photos
    Skyline Loop
    Skyline Loop
    Skyline Loop - Marmot

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    Marmot

    Mount Rainier National Park - parks - Updated August 2026

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