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Mt Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) in Washington state, USA is known for its iconic glacier-capped Mt Rainier. Mt Rainier also known as Tahoma/Tacoma is a large active stratovolcano and is the tallest mountain range in the Cascade Range. The park mesmerizes with its beautiful landscape, breathtaking views of valleys, scenic lakes, waterfalls, wildflowers, as well as marked hiking trails. Really a Paradise!!!

These photos are from a day trip to Mt Rainier National park in late August 2013.

Quick Facts and Tips

• Best Time to Visit
  • Summer Months: July to August when wildflowers blooming
  • Spring and Fall Months: Pleasant, but most park roads will be closed
• Fly into
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington, USA.
• Clothing
  • Comfortable pants, hiking shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, Capri, sweatshirts, comfortable walking/hiking shoes, and rain gears. It will be cooler in Spring and Fall, so dress in layers
• How Many Days
  • Main Attractions: 1-2 days
  • Hiking/Camping: 3-5 Days
• What to expect
  • The iconic glacier-capped Mt Rainier, Mountain Ridges, Glacier, Wildflower, Waterfalls, Green Valleys, Clear Lakes, Wildlife
• Be sure to check the Park Website for alters on road closure and current trail conditions.
• Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle or from $15 to $25 per person/motorcycle, good for seven days.
• Try to be there early in the morning for best lighting and more elbow room so that you can cover most of the park’s attractions.
• Start early in the morning as the parking lots fill up quickly by late morning during summer in Paradise and Sunrise area.
• Stay on marked trails and use only open trails to preserve the meadows ecosystem.
• Take food and water so you can spend the day touring with the few restaurants within the park.
• Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
• There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards
• Places to Visit
  • Longmire Area (Christine Falls, Glacier Bridge, Ricksecker Point, Narada Falls)
  • Paradise Area (Myrte Falls, Skyline Trail, Alta Vista Trail, Nisqually Trail, Reflection Lake, Inspiration Point)
  • Sunrise Area (Tipsoo Lake, Sunrise Point, Sunrise)
• Best things to do
  • Longmire Area – Scenic Drives & Waterfalls: The Longmire area is rich in history and surrounded by lush forest, making it a great starting point for your journey.
    • Driving east along Paradise Valley Road opens up stunning views of the Nisqually Valley, with several must-see stops along the way.
    • One of the first highlights is Christine Falls, located about 4 miles from Longmire. A short walk from the pullout leads you to a charming 69-foot waterfall framed by a rustic stone bridge, one of the most photographed spots in the park. Parking is limited, so be sure to use designated areas only.
    • About a mile further, you’ll reach Glacier Bridge. From here, you’ll get breathtaking views of the Nisqually Glacier and the Nisqually River. For safety, avoid stopping on the bridge, park before or after and walk carefully while watching traffic.
    • Continuing on, take a right onto the seasonal road leading to Ricksecker Point. This one-way drive (open in summer) offers sweeping views of Mount Rainier, the valley below, and the rugged Tatoosh Range.
    • A bit further east, you’ll find the stunning Narada Falls. This powerful 159-foot waterfall can be viewed from the parking area, or you can take a short but steep trail down for a closer look. Picnic tables nearby make it a great spot to relax and take in the scenery.
  • Paradise Area – Meadows, Trails & Iconic Views : This place is a paradise with spectacular views of Mt Rainier, colorful wildflowers, beautiful valleys, and waterfalls. The Paradise area offers many easy and great trails with stunning views.
    • One of the easiest and most rewarding hikes here leads to Myrtle Falls. This short trail offers a picture-perfect view of the waterfall with Mount Rainier towering in the background—an absolute must-see.
    • The Nisqually Vista Trail, which starts right from the Paradise area. This easy loop gives you incredible views of the Nisqually Glacier and the surrounding valley, and it’s great for all skill levels.
    • The Alta Vista Trail is a slightly more uphill hike, but the views from the top are totally worth it, you’ll get wide, open views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding meadows.
    • Paradise also features a network of interconnected trails, allowing you to customize your hike based on your time and energy. Whether you choose a short walk or a longer trek, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery at every turn.
    • For a relaxing drive, take Paradise Valley Road from the Paradise parking area to Steven Canyon Road. This 2-mile one-way route winds through scenic meadows alongside the Paradise River, with a few designated spots to pull over and enjoy the views. Be cautious when parking, as space is limited.
  • Stevens Canyon Road – Scenic Drive & Iconic Stops: Driving along Stevens Canyon Road is one of the best ways to enjoy the park without much hiking. The road is full of beautiful viewpoints and easy stops along the way.
    • About 3 miles south of Paradise, you’ll reach Inspiration Point. This spot offers amazing views of Mount Rainier and the nearby Tatoosh Range.
    • Just one mile further is Reflection Lake, one of the most photographed places in the park. On a calm, clear day, you can see a perfect reflection of Mount Rainier in the water. It’s an easy stop, just a short walk from the parking area, but spaces fill up quickly, especially at sunrise.
  • Sunrise Area – Lakes, Views & Easy Walks: The Sunrise area is the highest point you can reach by car in the park, and the views here are absolutely worth the drive.
    • On your way via Sunrise Park Road, make a stop at Tipsoo Lake. It’s an easy, peaceful walk around a small alpine lake, surrounded by wildflowers in summer.
    • Another great stop is Sunrise Point. From here, you’ll get wide-open views of: Sunrise Lake, The Cascade Range, And Mount Rainier.
    • At the end of the road, the main Sunrise area offers stunning panoramic views of valleys, mountains, and even other volcanoes in the Cascades on a clear day.
• Popular and easy hikes
  • Myrtle Falls Viewpoint via Skyline Trail
  • Alta Vista Trial
  • Nisqually Vista Trail
  • Tipsoo Lake Trail
  • Sunrise Nature Trail
• Nearby Attractions
  • North Cascade National Park – U.S. National Park Service
  • Mt Rainier National Park – U.S. National Park Service
  • Olympic National Park – U.S. National Park Service
  • Snoqualmie Falls – Visitor Info & Park Details
  • Seattle Space Needle – Tickets, Hours & Visitor Info
  • The Museum of Flight
  • Skagit Valley Tulip Festival – Visitor Info & Bloom Details
  • Mt Baker Wilderness Area