Why should you visit Mount Rainier National Park?

Mount Rainier is one of the most iconic peaks in North America. Rising 14,410 feet above sea level, it can be seen for miles and often hovers like a sentinel over the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. As the one of the earliest national parks established in the U.S, Mount Rainier National Park offers hundreds of hiking trails and scenic drives.

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About Mount Rainer National Park
Activities In The National Park
Hiking On Mount Rainier
Wonderland Trail
Northwest Area Trails
Southwest Area Trails
Camping In The National Park
What makes Mt Rainier so special?
What is interesting about Mount Rainier?
Is it worth visiting Mount Rainier?
When should I visit Rainier?

Mount Rainier does not disappoint and is just as legendary as featured adventures and photos included here make it out to be.

Wildflowers: From avalanche lilies, western springbeauties, pink mountain heather, showy sedge, and yellow monkey flower, the wildflowers of Mount Rainier are just as spectacular and colorful as their names. Wildflower season varies based on location and weather. Learn more here.
Alpine Lakes: Mount Rainier National Park features a ton of lovely alpine lakes with crystals clear water and incredible scenery. They are a perfect place to relax on a warm day.
Glaciers: Let’s face it, there’s not many glaciers left, and those we have are disappearing fast. That makes the legendary glaciers of Mount Rainier all the more special and something everyone can see for themselves as soon as possible.
Waterfalls: After several years with less precipitation and snowpack than usual, Mount Rainier National Park’s rivers and streams are running at full tilt once again. All that water is best appreciated out in the wilderness near a waterfall, if you ask us.
Active Volcano: Mount Rainier is a stratovolcano that is part of the Cascade Mountain Range, which is part of the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire. At 500,000 years old, it’s a relatively young volcano compared to the other peaks that surround it, which have been around for at least 12 million years.
History: Like all national parks, Rainier has an incredible natural and cultural history. It was established in 1899 and was a favorite place of the legendary John Muir. Learn more here.
Paradise: The Paradise region of the park is located on the Southern Slopes of the volcano and one of the busiest and most iconic parts of the park.
Sunrise Point: Located in the Northeastern Corner of the park, this lookout is one of the best places to view the mountain in the morning, as the name suggests. It’s also the highest visitor’s center, sitting at 6,400 feet above sea level, and it sees less precipitation than most other areas of the park.
The Wonderland Trail: This 93-mile trail circumnavigates Mount Rainier and makes for a great multi-day trek or a day hike on specific sections. It takes you to waterfalls, scenic vistas, and offers a unparalleled glimpse of the national park.
Mountaineering: One of the most popular places to summit a 14er using traditional mountaineering equipment and skills, Mount Rainier is a mountaineer’s playground. About 50% of all climbers who attempt this feat make it to the summit.
Camp Muir: Named after the legendary national park's patriarch, this camp is the highest point you can go to on the mountain without a formal climbing permit. It’s located at just over 10,000 feet.
Grove of Patriarchs: This gentle, scenic 1.5-mile trail reveals the gentler side of Mount Rainier National Park compared to the grueling high elevation climbs. Cross a bridge over the Ohanapecosh River to a grove of some of the oldest trees in the Cascades.

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Its common knowledge that the Pacific Northwest is wet (very wet). Fittingly it is also home to Mount Rainer National Park that includes all of Mount Rainier - an imposing stratovolcano. It is a very old national park being only America's first national park having been established back in 1899. Remember to bring waterproof clothing if visiting this famously wet national park!

Mount Rainer is the highest mountain in the United States and is considered to be the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States. It is a truly beautiful marvel to behold.

About Mount Rainer National Park

Date: Established 1899
Size: 369 Square Miles or 957 Sq Km

Mount Rainier is a stunning mountain raising 14,411 feet or 4,392 meters above sea level and dominates the landscape around it. It is the highest point in the Cascade Range and is known for its waterfalls, subalpine meadows, old-growth forest, and picturesque valleys. Living up to its name, it is often shrouded by clouds that pour enormous amounts of snow and rain on the mountain perpetually feeding its many glaciers and waterfalls.

Not only is Mount Rainier a volcano, but it is also classified as an active volcano. It is also the most glaciated peak anywhere in the contiguous United States. See here for 10 active volcanos to visit around the world.

Carbon Glacier: The Largest Glacier by Volume In The Lower 48
Emmons Glacier: Largest Glacier By Area In The Lower 48

Mount Rainer is also considered to be one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes. It is believed that there is a high probability of an eruption in the near future. Should it erupt, the massive amount of glaciers crowning the mountain are likely to create massive lahars. If one wants to see active and unforgettable volcanic landscapes, then be sure to visit Hawaii.

Lahars: A Type of Violent Mudflow That Sweep Down A River Valley (For Mount Rainier Threaten The Entire Puyallup River Valley)

Activities In The National Park

There are many activities to enjoy in Mount Rainer National Park. Some are season dependant, while others can be enjoyed year-round.

Year-Round Activities include camping both inside and outside the park as well as wildlife watching. The summer is high season and is great for fishing, hiking high up the mountain, horseback riding, mountaineering (Mount Rainier is very popular for mountaineering), as well as seeing the beautiful alpine meadow wildflowers. In the winter one can enjoy many winter-based activities like cross-country skiing, skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and for those up to it, winter camping.

If visiting in the summer, consider these activities to get a stunning view of the mountain:

Hot Air Ballooning: Tours By Seattle Balloons, Shared Rides Start At $295.00 and Private Rides At $1,400. Offers Magical Views Of The Mountain
Scenic Gondola Rides: Take The Stunning Scenic Gondola Rides Up to The Summit of Crystal Mountain and Enjoy the Epic Sweeping Views of Mount Rainier

Hiking On Mount Rainier

Of course one of the main activities on the mountain is hiking. There are many trails to discover. One of the greatest trails here is the Wonderland Trail. It circumnavigates Mount Rainer offering many majestic views. Most people only hike short sections of it.

Permits: Permits Are Not Required For Day Hiking, But Camping Overnight Requires A Permit In The Wilderness Are

Wonderland Trail

Length: Approx. 93 Miles or 150 KM
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 22,000 Feet or 6,700 Meters
Built: In 1915
Average Time To Complete: 10 to 14 Days

There are scores of trails to pick from (they are not all like the Wonderland Trail) and they cater to everyone. Everyone from the most hardcore hikers to those looking for a leisurely stroll with the kids. Some of the trails by area include (all distances return journey):

Northwest Area Trails

Carbon Glacier Trail: 17 Miles
Green Lake Trail: 10.8 Miles
Golden Lakes Trail: 20.4 Miles
Northeast Area Trails:
Burroughs Mountian Trail: 7 Miles
Naches Peak Loop Trail: 3.5 Miles
Glacier Basin Trail: 7 Miles

Southwest Area Trails

Bench & Snow Lake Trail: 2.5 Miles
Comet Falls & Van Trump Park Trail: 3.8-5.8 Miles
Emerald Ridge Trail: 17.2 Miles
Southeast Area Trails:
Eastside Trail: 26.2 Miles
Shriner Peak Trail: 8 Miles
Silver Falls Trail: 3 Miles

For a full list of trails, the shelters or camping options on them, and the current status of these trails, check out the National Park Service website.

Cost Of Admission Per Vehicle: $30.00
Cost Of Admission Per Person: $15.00 Per Person (Hiking, Cycling, Etc.)

Camping In The National Park

Per Site: $20.00 Nightly Camping Fees
Group Sites: $60.00 Nightly Camping Fees (Accommodates 25 to 40 People)
Campgrounds: At Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, White River, Mowich Lake

To see more information about the campsites and the fees, times and availability, see here.

Next: Puget Sound Whale-Watching: When To Go, And Which Whales You'll See

What makes Mt Rainier so special?

The highest mountain in the northwestern Cascade Range, Mount Rainier has 25 named glaciers that adorn the mountain, the most of any mountain in the continental United States. Emmons Glacier covers the largest area of any glacier in the contiguous 48 states, stretching over 4 miles.

What is interesting about Mount Rainier?

Mount Rainier became a National Park in 1899 and is the United State's fifth National Park. The mountain is 14,410 feet tall. Mount Rainier is an active volcano that last erupted about 1,000 years ago. Mount Rainier has 25 major glaciers.

Is it worth visiting Mount Rainier?

Mount Rainier Is A Great Place For Hikers Of All Levels Driving through the park, you'll see plenty of pullouts and viewpoints, some of them with access to trails, all offering gorgeous views of the surroundings. Drive slowly and stop at as many as you can. Most of these viewpoints also double as trailheads.

When should I visit Rainier?

The summer and early fall is the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park. This is when all of the roads will be open and many hiking trails will be free of snow. During the summer months, the weather is also the warmest and driest of the year. The wildflowers typically bloom from mid-July through mid-August.