General information about the National Park
As its name suggests, the national park protects the area around the Cascade Volcano, Mount Rainier. The highest volcano in the range is located about 87 miles southeast of Seattle and offers plenty of recreational opportunities.
Current 2024: As of this year, permits are required to enter the national park during the summer. Between May 24 and September 2 for the Paradise Corridor and from July 3 to September 2 for the Sunrise Corridor. The exact details regarding the permits can be found on the official webpage Permits can be obtained via the website recration.gov.
Number of visitors
In 2022, Mt.Rainier NP ranked 16th in the visitor statistics of the most visited national parks.
Best time to visit: In the summer months you have the best weather, but this is also when it is most crowded.
Our visits:
So far 2 visits: June 2011, July 2015
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 30$/car and max. 15 passengers valid for 7 days
- Covered by the Anual Pass*
- Open 24h all year round. Depending on snow conditions, some parts of the park are closed in winter.
*The Anual Pass is so to speak the "flat rate" for all Parks managed by the National Park Service. The pass costs a one-time fee of $80 and can be purchased at the entrance to each National Park, National Monument, etc. The pass is valid for 13 months.
Paradise
On our first visit in June 2011, Paradise (Visitor Center) looked like this....
Paradise Inn
Description: After the demand for overnight stays around Mount Rainier increased more and more, the construction of a hotel was started in 1916. Already in 1917, the hotel was opened with 37 rooms. The design of the woodwork and furniture in the public areas was created by the German carpenter Hans Frahnke and has remained almost unchanged throughout time. After the hotel was expanded over the years, it now has more than 100 rooms.
We stayed at Paradise Inn for 2 nights each in June 2011 and July 2015.
Our rating: Paradise Inn has charm and charisma. The location alone is priceless. The cozy lobby with sofas, the piano player, etc. provide a homey setting for a nice stay. The room itself is getting old a bit. The bathroom is relatively old, but everything is very clean. The restaurant is ok, but nothing more. If you just look at the location and the atmosphere, this is just great. However, when it comes to comfort and food, you have to make a few deductions. If you consider the really sporty price, everyone must decide for themselves whether it is worth it.
On our first visit in June 2011, Paradise looked like this....
On our first visit in June 2011, Paradise looked like this....
Nisqually Vista Trail
Description: Normally there is still plenty of snow at Mt. Rainer in June, and 2011 was no exception. You couldn't hike any trails in Paradise unless you had snowshoes. The Nisqually Vista Trail runs west of the Visitor Center in Paradise and is entirely over thick snow. The hike requires some adjustment, but it's a lot of fun.
Trail length: 1.8mi roundtrip
Altitude difference: 164ft
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Difficulty level: moderate - Basically, the trail is not difficult, however, hiking with snowshoes is somewhat exhausting.
Our rating: A cool adventure, when do you have the opportunity to go for a hike with snowshoes next to a huge volcano. Even with snow you can have a lot of fun here. Absolute recommendation.
Skyline Trail
Description: The trail starts at the parking lot of the Visitor Center in Paradise. It winds past beautiful flowering meadows further and further up towards Panorama Point. Here at about 7218ft we have reached the highest point of our hike. After that we have to cross a snow field. Here it is steep and a little caution is required. Once you have mastered this little difficulty, you go back down. On the way back we take the Golden Gate Trail, which again leads through beautiful flower meadows. Once you have reached Myrtle Falls, you are almost there and shortly after you are back at the parking lot.
Trail length: 5.2mi roundtrip
Altitude difference: 1998ft
Time needed: 4-5 hours
Difficulty level: strenuous - The trail is well developed, however, because of the elevation and the altitude meters you have to overcome relatively strenuous. In addition, you have to cross a steep snowfield that may require a little courage.
Our rating: This is one of the most amazing hikes we've ever done in the US. Great weather, beautiful blooming meadows, breathtaking views of four volcanoes in the Cascade Range. Everything about this hike was just right. Ok, it was exhausting, but it was worth every drop of sweat. One more thing should be said. 2015 was an extremely snowless winter. Normally, it doesn't look like that here at the beginning of July. The spring bloom usually starts in August. Therefore, we were also very lucky to enjoy all this here in this form.
Reflection Lake
Description: Reflection Lake is probably one of the most photographed spots in the park. When there is no wind, photographers gather here for sunrise and sunset. You can also walk around the lake on a 2.75mi long circular trail.
Our rating: Since you just have to get out of the car for the great view here, no one should miss it. Even without a reflection, you have beautiful views of Mt. Rainer here.
Longmire
Narada und Christine Falls
Description: The two waterfalls are located directly on the road between Paradise and Longmire. To both waterfalls you have to hike a short distance downhill. But both trails are well maintained and easy to hike.
Our rating: If you are here in the park, you should not miss these easily accessible locations. We liked them very much. Both waterfalls were accessible in June 2011 as well as in July 2015.
Rampart Ridge Trail
Description: The loop of Rampart Ridge and Wonderland Trail starts and ends in Longmire. It is steep and sometimes requires a good sense of orientation, because the trail was not always easy to find. The trail is mostly through forest, but also offers beautiful views of the mountains around quite frequently.
Trail length: 5.69mi roundtrip
Altitude difference: 1339ft
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Difficulty level: moderate - The trail is steep in parts and not always easy to find.
Our rating: The trail leads through quite a nice forest, but is long and strenuous. There are some nice views of the mountains though. This is a nice alternative for hiking in the winter when everything else is under a thick blanket of snow. However, if all the trails are open, there are certainly nicer trails to walk at Mt. Rainier. We were out here in June 2011.
Carter Falls
Description: Carter Falls is reached by following the Wonderland Trail east from Longmire. The trail is steep in places and difficult to find. If the Nisqually River has too much water, a crossing may not be possible.
Trail length: 5.56mi roundtrip
Altitude difference: 820ft
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Difficulty level: moderate to strenuous - The trail is steep in parts, strenuous and not always easy to find.
Our rating: A very beautiful but strenuous trail with great views of Mount Rainier. If you are not afraid of a little effort, we can recommend this trail. We hiked the trail in June 2011.
Ohanapecosh
Box Canyon
Description: Box Canyon is a slot canyon just off the main road through Mount Rainier National Park. It offers a nice stop to stretch your legs.
Our rating: In clear sunny weather Box Canyon is difficult to photograph, because then you usually see nothing but a huge black crevice in the rock. But if the sky is cloudy, like in June 2011, you can look down to the river. A nice stop.
Silver Falls Loop Trail
Description: This relatively level trail essentially follows the Ohanapecosh River to Silver Falls and back. During our visit in June 2011, we still connected the trail with the Grove of the Partiarchs Trail. The trail is mostly through the forest. But almost all the time you have the beautiful, in spring raging river in front of your eyes. This offers again and again beautiful photo opportunities.
Trail length: 6.9mi roundtrip
Altitude difference: 492ft
Time needed: 4-5 hours
Difficulty level: easy to moderate - The trail is well maintained and easy to walk. The altitude difference is spread over a long distance, so the trail is not very strenuous. Because of the distance, it may not be easy for everyone.
Our rating: Very nice trail along the Ohanapecosh River. Since the trail is not difficult to hike, it is suitable for everyone. If you only want to go to Silver Falls, the Loop Trail is 3 miles long. We can recommend this trail. We were here in June 2011.
Grove of the Patriarchs
Description: In this grove on the Ohanapecosh River you can experience an ancient forest of cedars and firs. A circular trail of about 1.24mi leads between the huge and old trees. The trail is well maintained and easy to hike.
Our rating: A short beautiful, and shady trail. Not super spectacular but well worth seeing. We like forests that are preserved in their originality and where not everything is lined up. We were here both in June 2011 and July 2015.
Tipsoo Lake
Description: A tiny little lake whose shores are dotted with countless colorful wildflowers.
Our rating: A ranger in Sunrise had given us the hint when we asked about wildflowers. The lake is not very spectacular and we probably would not have paid much attention to it, but with the many wildflowers it was just great to hike around the lake in the sunshine.
Sunrise
Sunrise
Description: Sunrise is located on the eastern side of Mount Rainier. It is the highest point (6397ft) that can be reached by car in Mount Rainier NP. Because of the altitude the road is only open in summer. There is also a visitor center and numerous hiking trails here.
Our rating: We were happy to have the opportunity to drive up here in June 2015. With the greatest weather, it was a really beautiful experience. There were also countless wildflowers here, which created colorful splashes of color on the landscape. Anyone who is here at Mount Rainier at the right time of year should not miss a ride up here.
An important and always very fun part are the animals that you can observe in their natural habitat, especially in the national parks. Here at Mount Rainier NP we were able to spot the animals shown below.
