Mount Rainier National Park is home to the iconic 14,410-foot active volcano, Mount Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. The park boasts five major river headwaters, vibrant subalpine wildflower meadows, ancient forests, diverse wildlife, and a range of recreational opportunities for all seasons. Discover how to plan your visit, explore scenic highlights, enjoy outdoor adventures, and learn about the park’s unique flora, fauna, and geology.
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.
Overview and Planning
Mount Rainier National Park offers visitors adventure, exploration, learning, and natural beauty year-round. Some roadways and facilities are seasonal, so planning ahead is essential.
Park Overview and Basic Info
Mount Rainier National Park preserves the volcanic peak and its vast surrounding ecosystems. The park is centered around the active volcano, extensive glacial systems, and lush forests. Visitors can hike, camp, photograph scenery, and experience wilderness adventure.
Key Planning Resources
- Plan Your Visit: Find current alerts, directions, maps, and major site information.
- Operating Hours & Seasons: Learn which visitor centers, roads, and campgrounds are open during your visit.
- Road Status: Check real-time road conditions, including winter closures to Paradise and other areas.
- Fees, Passes, & Permits: Information on park entrance fees, camping fees, climbing permits, and wilderness permits.
- Current Conditions & Alerts: Stay informed about trail closures, weather advisories, wildfire updates, and other park alerts.
- Directions: Driving directions to all five main park entrances from nearby cities and highways.
- Avoid Summer Congestion: Tips for avoiding traffic delays and full parking lots during busy summer weekends.
- Mount Rainier Webcams: View live webcam footage from Paradise, Sunrise, Longmire, and other key locations.
- Weather: Check the latest weather forecasts for the mountain and park regions.
- Mount Rainier Virtual Tour: Explore scenic highlights and interpretive stops online, from home or on the go.
Visitor Centers and Access Points
Mount Rainier National Park has five main entrances, each with unique features, trailheads, and visitor centers.
- Paradise (South Entrance): The most visited area, featuring the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center, stunning flower-filled meadows, and access to iconic trails like Skyline Trail.
- Sunrise (Northeast Entrance): The highest point accessible by vehicle, offering panoramic views, alpine trails, and the Sunrise Visitor Center.
- Longmire (Southwest Entrance): Home to the National Park Inn, Longmire Museum, and scenic trails through old-growth forest.
- Grove of the Patriarchs (Southeast Entrance): Gateway to the Ohanapecosh area and the famous Grove of the Patriarchs trail.
- Carbon River (Northwest Entrance): Known for its wild, remote beauty, old-growth forests, and lush river valleys.
Each entrance offers different seasonal accessibility. For example, Sunrise and Paradise roads close in winter due to snow. A timed entry reservation will be required for the Sunrise corridor in summer 2025.
Camping and Lodging
Mount Rainier offers several camping and lodging options to experience its wilderness and scenic beauty.
- Campgrounds: Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River are the main campgrounds, open seasonally with fees. Reservations are recommended.
- Wilderness Camping: A backcountry permit is required for camping at remote sites in the wilderness. Apply for permits in advance.
- Lodging: The National Park Inn at Longmire provides historic lodging, and Paradise has a seasonal inn and tent cabins (reservations required).
Trails and Hiking
The park offers hundreds of miles of trails, from easy nature walks to challenging high-elevation hikes.
- Park trail maps and descriptions of trails: Detailed trail guides for all skill levels.
- Popular trails include:
- Skyline Trail (Paradise): Offers iconic views of the mountain, glaciers, and wildflower meadows.
- Grove of the Patriarchs Trail: A short hike through ancient giant trees along the river.
- Burroughs Mountain Trail: High altitude views of the glacier-capped summit and volcanic landscape.
- Snow Lake Trail (Sunrise): Stunning alpine lake views and wildflowers.
- Wilderness Hiking, Camping, & Climbing: Permits and information for backcountry exploration and mountaineering.
- Seasonal trail conditions and snow safety tips (April-June) are available to help prepare for spring snowfields.
Scenic Highlights and Experiences
Paradise
Paradise is world-famous for its breathtaking views, vibrant wildflower meadows, and access to alpine scenery.
- The Paradise Jackson Visitor Center offers exhibits, a park store, and ranger programs.
- Trails like the Skyline Trail provide glacier views and access to places like Panorama Point and Myrtle Falls.
- In winter, Paradise is a hub for snowshoeing and winter exploration.
Sunrise
The Sunrise area offers the highest vehicle access in the park, with stunning 360-degree views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks.
- The Sunrise Visitor Center features exhibits on the park’s geology and ecology.
- Popular trails include the Sunrise Nature Trail, Frozen Lake Trail, and Snow Lake Trail.
- Views from Sourdough Ridge are legendary for photography and sunrise vistas.
Longmire
Longmire is a peaceful area known for its historic buildings, including the National Park Inn and Longmire Museum.
- The Trail of the Shadows is a popular interpretive trail highlighting forest and river ecology.
- Longer hikes like the Michelin Falls Trail explore old-growth forests and scenic waterfalls.
Ohanapecosh
This area features lush rainforest, the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, and access to stunning waterfalls and river valleys.
- The Grove of the Patriarchs trail showcases ancient, giant cedar and fir trees.
- Silver Falls Trail leads to beautiful falls pouring over volcanic cliffs.
Carbon River
A remote and wild section, Carbon River features old-growth forests, river valleys, and rarely crowded trails.
- The Carbon River Trail leads to Big Helens Mountain and pristine wilderness areas.
- Flooding can impact road and trail access in this region.
Park Management and Safety
Mount Rainier National Park is actively managed to protect its unique volcanic landscape, glaciers, wildlife, and ecosystems.
- Mount Rainier Pledge: Visitors are encouraged to help protect the park’s resources and follow Leave No Trace principles.
- Keep Wildlife Wild: Do not feed wildlife. Maintain safe distances to protect animals and visitors.
- Meadow Preservation: Stay on designated trails to protect fragile subalpine meadows and wildflowers.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on trails and have limited areas where they can be on leashes.
- Spring Hiking Safety (April-June): Tips for hiking safely on snow-covered trails and avoiding hazards.
- Firearms, drones, fishing, and other regulations are detailed in the park compendium for visitor safety and resource protection.
- Ranger teams provide safety information, permit management, and emergency response throughout the park.
Flora, Fauna, and Geology
Mount Rainier’s ecosystems range from lowland forests to glacial summit, supporting diverse plant and animal life.
- The park is home to glaciers, including the largest collection in the lower 48 states, feeding five major rivers.
- Subalpine meadows burst into color each summer with wildflowers including lupine, paintbrush, and avalanche lilies.
- Ancient forests of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar cloak the lower slopes.
- Wildlife includes black bears, mountain goats, marmots, deer, and numerous bird species.
- The volcanic history shapes the terrain, with lava flows, glacial valleys, and geothermal features throughout the park.
- Glaciers: Learn about the park’s dynamic glacier systems and their ecological impact.
- Ranger programs and interpretive signs at Paradise, Sunrise, and other locations explain the park’s geology and ecological wonders.
Additional Resources
- Mount Rainier National Park - nps.gov: Official National Park Service site for the park.
- Mount Rainier Brochure and Maps: Downloadable maps of the park, campgrounds, and trail systems.
- Mount Rainier Newspaper: Monthly calendar of ranger programs, events, and activities.
- Discover Your Northwest Bookstore: Purchase maps, guides, and souvenirs for your Mount Rainier adventure.
- Mount Rainier Webcams: Check live views from key park locations.
- Wilderness Trip Planner: Plan your backcountry trip and obtain necessary permits.
- Mount Rainier Valor Memorial: Memorial honoring those who sacrificed to save others in the park.
- Social Media: Follow Mount Rainier on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and stunning photos.
Mount Rainier National Park offers a spectacular blend of volcanic grandeur, wildflower beauty, ancient forests, and wilderness adventure. Whether you visit for a day or explore deep into the backcountry, the park promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.
Links
Hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Last updated: Sat Jun 7, 2025
