Mount Rainier National Park
Discover Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a national park located in the state of Washington, some 54 miles (87 km) south-east of Seattle. Established in 1899 and 368 miles² (235,625 acres or 954 km²) in size, the National Park is centered on the spectacular cone of Mount Rainier, a massive active stratovolcano 14,410 ft (4,390 m) high. The indigenous people who lived in the region had many names for the mountain dominating the skyline. The words used by Lushootseed and Cowlitz speakers are commonly anglicized as Tahoma, "snow-covered mountain". Archaeological evidence exists of seasonal camps in the subalpine meadows flanking the mountain.
What to Experience in Mount Rainier National Park
Taste of Mount Rainier National Park...
Dining options within the park are limited to cafeterias attached to visitor centers, and restaurants attached to the two inns. There are also a few options just outside the park in Ashford, the only town with services within 20 minutes of a park entrance, and in Greenwater, the nearest town to the eastern entrances. Drink and nightlife options are limited within the park. Water is available at all visitor centers, and beverages may be available for purchase from some of the gift shops. There are two inns in the park. Reservations are recommended. There are also many inns, cabins and vacation rentals near the southwest main park entrance along WA-706 in the town of Ashford, and along WA-410 near Greenwater and Crystal Mountain. There are five developed campgrounds located within the park. Reservations are strongly recommended during the summer. Although older signs and maps may still list a sixth campground, Sunshine Point, it was destroyed in 2006 by flooding. There is one established public shelter on Mt. Rainier, located at Camp Muir, 10,080' up the south side of the mountain. It is very crowded in summer and commonly used as a high camp by climbers on the mountain's most popular route. Camp Muir also has a ranger hut, a hut for commercially guided parties, and two outhouses. Reservations for overnight stays are taken by the park administration. Permits are required for overnight camps established above 10,000' elsewhere in the park.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Mount Rainier National Park into what it is today.
The indigenous people who lived in the region had many names for the mountain dominating the skyline. The words used by Lushootseed and Cowlitz speakers are commonly anglicized as Tahoma, "snow-covered mountain". Archaeological evidence exists of seasonal camps in the subalpine meadows flanking the mountain. The park was established as America's fifth national park in 1899 (following Yellowstone in 1872 and Yosemite, Sequoia, and General Grant National Parks in 1890). The founding of Mount Rainier National Park was led by local groups, including mountaineering clubs, newspaper editors, businessmen's associations, and University of Washington faculty, and by scientists throughout the country, primarily geologists. It was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1997 as a showcase for the "NPS Rustic" style architecture of the 1920s and 1930s. Mount Rainier, at 14,410 feet, is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range, and in the entire contiguous U.S. The mountain stands nearly three miles higher than the lowlands to the west and one and one-half miles higher than the adjacent mountains. Mount Rainier is a decade volcano, considered quite dangerous because it is close to Seattle and Tacoma, and encased in over 35 sq mi (91 km) of snow and ice, enough to cause massive flooding and dangerous lahars if there were a large eruption. It last erupted approximately 150 years ago....
Climate
Weather patterns at Mount Rainier are strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, elevation, and latitude. The climate is generally cool and rainy, with summer highs in the 60s and 70s (°F). While July and August are the sunniest months of the year, rain is possible any day, and is likely in spring, fall, and winter. The mountain is known for creating its own weather. The summit is often capped with a lenticular cloud, formed when moist air pushes up against a large obstruction. Because the high altitudes interact with higher layers of air, conditions can be unpredictable even when it is nice in the lowlands. Mount Rainier is one of the snowiest places on Earth. From November to late May, expect to find 10 to 20 feet of snow on the ground. Approximately 630 in (16,000 mm) of snow falls in an average winter at Paradise - in the winter of 1971-72, Paradise established a world record with 1122 inches of snow! The Nisqually Entrance and the facilities at Longmire are open daily year-round.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe Nisqually Entrance and the facilities at Longmire are open daily year-round. For the rest of the park, access is limited outside of summer. The Northwest Entrances on WA-165 are closed permanently. The Fairfax Bridge, 3 mi (4.8 km) past Wilkeson and Carbonado and before Carbon River Ranger Station and Mowich Lake, is permanently closed due to structural deterioration. See the WSDOT announcement for more details. These entrances have minimal facilities and are mostly used for hiking access. Tourists from afar usually land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), 84 miles and about two hours driving northwest of the park. Parking at Sunrise and Paradise can be problematic during summer weekends, and in all areas of the park around summer holidays, so if possible try to visit mid-week. To get to Paradise by car, take I-5 south to Tacoma and follow Tacoma directions. It takes about 2½ hours to get to Paradise from Seattle....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Most visitors explore the area by car, utilizing the parks 147 miles of roads that travel to each of the park's five main areas: Parking can be difficult or impossible to find on sunny summer weekends at Paradise, Sunrise, Grove of the Patriarchs, and at trailheads between Longmire and Paradise. Try to visit these areas on weekdays, arrive early in the day, and carpool to the park. Parking is not permitted along road edges. Park roads are winding and road shoulders are narrow. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph in most areas. Allow plenty of travel time during your visit. Most of the park can only be seen from the extensive network of 240 miles of maintained trails. These are some of the most popular and rewarding trails in the Pacific Northwest. Just past the Nisqually Entrance, the Westside Road was a failed attempt to fully circle the mountain with paved roads.
Where to Stay
There are two inns in the park. Reservations are recommended. There are also many inns, cabins and vacation rentals near the southwest main park entrance along WA-706 in the town of Ashford, and along WA-410 near Greenwater and Crystal Mountain. There are five developed campgrounds located within the park. Reservations are strongly recommended during the summer. Although older signs and maps may still list a sixth campground, Sunshine Point, it was destroyed in 2006 by flooding. There is one established public shelter on Mt. Rainier, located at Camp Muir, 10,080' up the south side of the mountain. It is very crowded in summer and commonly used as a high camp by climbers on the mountain's most popular route. Camp Muir also has a ranger hut, a hut for commercially guided parties, and two outhouses. Reservations for overnight stays are taken by the park administration. Permits are required for overnight camps established above 10,000' elsewhere in the park.
Money & Budget
There are no gas stations within the park. Gift shops can be found at Sunrise, Paradise Inn, Jackson Visitor Center and Longmire. Dining options within the park are limited to cafeterias attached to visitor centers, and restaurants attached to the two inns. There are also a few options just outside the park in Ashford, the only town with services within 20 minutes of a park entrance, and in Greenwater, the nearest town to the eastern entrances. Drink and nightlife options are limited within the park. Water is available at all visitor centers, and beverages may be available for purchase from some of the gift shops. There are two inns in the park. Reservations are recommended.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Weather in the park can change quickly, so visitors should always bring raingear, a jacket, sunscreen and plenty of water when enjoying the park. The park is an active geologic area, and while the chances of a surprise eruption are low, rockfalls, floods and mudslides are unpredictable and visitors should take care when hiking in valleys and along streams. If a rumbling sound is heard while hiking, or if the water level begins to rise, find higher ground immediately. Wildlife is generally not dangerous, but common sense should always be used. Give animals their space - keep at least one hundred yards from bears, but also remember that elk and other animals can be just as dangerous. A general rule of thumb is that if an animal is reacting to your presence, you are too close. Never feed any wildlife - it is bad for the animal, and will make that animal more aggressive towards humans.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Mount Rainier National Park
Mountain Landscape
View of Mount Rainier on Tolmie Peak Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier on a bright, blue sky, summer day in Mount Rainier National Park located in Washington State. This photo was taken near Naches Loop Trail and Tipsoo lake on the eastern end of the national park.
green grass field
Something from high up...
a view of a snow covered mountain from a stone wall
Mount Ranier 2018
a mountain range with trees
green trees
Mt Rainier from the Silver Forest trail, Sunrise Visitor Center
Mountain Landscape
View of Mount Rainier on Tolmie Peak Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier on a bright, blue sky, summer day in Mount Rainier National Park located in Washington State. This photo was taken near Naches Loop Trail and Tipsoo lake on the eastern end of the national park.