Planning on visiting Mount Rainier National Park? You’re in the right place. We love Mount Rainier National Park, and make AT LEAST one (usually more) trip every summer from our home down in Portland up to the park.
Growing up in Seattle, Matt and his family judged the weather – at least partly – by whether “The Mountain” was visible (and that’s still true today).
That `Mountain` refers to Mount Rainier of course, which towers over 14,000 feet above the surrounding land, much of which lies at or near sea level.
That juxtaposition makes it one of the most visually striking peaks that we’ve ever seen.
From the lush wildflower meadows in the early summer, to the waterfalls in Paradise and the breathtaking views at Sunrise, we believe a trip to Mount Rainier National Park should be on every Pacific Northwest resident’s list of places to experience.
However, all the reasons we love the park have caused visit numbers to explode over the past several years, and there are a few significant logistics you need to know as you plan your trip (which we’ll cover below).
In this guide, we’re going to do our best to cover everything we think you need to know to plan a trip to Mount Rainier National Park.
- Logistical aspects like how to consider the different regions of the park, when visitation is recommended (its importance!), how many days to allocate in the park (depending on sights of interest!), and how to access each region of the park.
- The Timed Entry Permits for the Paradise and Sunrise Corridors, which are NEW for 2024.
- Our most enjoyed activities and sights (like hikes), and how to structure them into an organized plan that makes logical sense.
Throughout the guide, we’ll share our favorite discoveries and experiences in Mount Rainier National Park from our many journeys there to help you plan your unforgettable trip.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
Where is Mount Rainier National Park?
Mount Rainier, an active volcanic peak located in the Cascade Mountain Range, is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire situated southeast of Seattle, Washington`s most populous city.
Soaring 14,411 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier is the highest summit in the state of Washington and the most glacier-coated peak in the continental United States.
One of our favorite things about Mount Rainier is that the entire area surrounding it is at roughly sea level, which makes the towering peak seem that much more impressive (for reference, the 14ers in the Rockies are surrounded by land that’s at about 5,000 feet above sea level, give or take).
As the most topographically prominent mountain, Rainier’s snow-capped peak—located about 60 miles southeast of Seattle—can be seen from lakes, city skylines, and highways across western Washington.
Typically in Seattle, a “good weather” day was evaluated based on whether or not the Mountain was at least partially visible, being a key feature of the Seattle skyline as seen from our favorite viewpoint in Seattle, Kerry Park.
A Crash Course in Mount Rainier National Park’s Geography
Mount Rainier National Park is a sizable park, covering 369 square miles and surrounding the glaciated peak on all sides.
However, there are only four main parts of the park that are accessible without a long, multi-night backpacking trip.
Some very good dining establishments and locations near Copper Mountain to enjoy food include:
- Paradise – Best for first-time visitors: Paradise is the most visited area, located on the southern flank of the Mountain, and home to some excellent daily hikes at Mount Rainier. It’s where you’ll find the best cascading water hikes at Mount Rainier, along with endless meadows bursting with wildflowers in the summer months.
- Sunrise –Finest for hikes providing breathtaking Rainier views: Sunrise, found on the east side of the park, has an expansive system of hiking trails winding through the rugged yet astounding wilderness. It is also home to the highest point in Mount Rainier National Park that can be reached by vehicle. This is likely the portion of the park providing the ideal collection of epic, lengthy hikes to undertake.
- Ohanapecosh – Most suitable for family trips: This section of the park is located in the southeastern corner, near the Stevens Canyon entrance. There are a couple hiking routes well-suited for families in the vicinity, a spacious campground (typically the least crowded in the park), and a good central position between Paradise and Sunrise. However, the landscape is dominated by old-growth forest, so expansive views of Mount Rainier are limited.
- Mowich Lake – Best for peace and quiet: Situated on the northwestern side of the Mountain, Mowich Lake is the most serene area of Mount Rainier National Park. It receives significantly less tourists compared to Paradise and Sunrise due to the long bumpy gravel road requiring a high-clearance vehicle. However, the quiet environment makes the difficult drive worthwhile, with two excellent hikes in the vicinity.
Another thing to note here is that access routes to some sections of the park – specifically Sunrise and Mowich Lake – close for winter, remaining shut until June (and sometimes July – it depends on the weather conditions).
More details on that in the upcoming “best time to visit” section.
Here’s a map to help visualize how those regions fit together.
How Many Days Should You Spend at Mount Rainier?
The number of days required at Mount Rainier depends greatly on numerous factors, such as season, willingness to drive, and ambition for hiking.
At a high overview, we consider 3 days to be the right amount of time to experience both Paradise AND Sunrise (alongside a brief stop at Ohanapecosh in between, which is all you truly require).
Remaining in the location for three consecutive calendar periods will allow visitors to undertake a prolonged hiking excursion at both Paradise and Sunrise sites, view the seasonal waterfalls, dedicate evenings appreciating the dusk views over lakeside reflections ideally including Rainier majestic profile, and additional activities.
If you have one or two days, we’d focus on EITHER Paradise or Sunrise.
And for a first trip to the park, we`d select Paradise as your initial experience featuring our favorite hike in the area, a collection of amazing waterfalls, a couple beautiful lakes, and nice wildflower displays in early summer.
If you want to tackle one (or both) of the trails near Mowich Lake, add another day for each hike.”
That means, to see the full park and circle the mountain, doing a counterclockwise route from Mowich Lake to Paradise to Sunrise (or the reverse), you`ll need a minimum of four or five days.
Additional details on organizing your allocated time are provided below in the “itineraries” section.
The Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park
This is perhaps the question we receive most frequently about our guides covering Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Mount Baker.
And it`s because our definition of “summer” as residents of the Pacific Northwest appears to be somewhat different than the definition in other parts of the country and world.
This is especially true when discussing hiking in the Cascades, which Rainier sits centrally in the midst of.
There are two factors to keep in mind when discussing when to visit Mount Rainier: trail conditions and road conditions.
Here’s something important to note about the Cascades: snow usually lingers in the Cascades well into June, and often into July. The higher the elevation, the longer snow tends to linger.
As a result, if you visit during the last week of June, which is technically summer and seems like a perfectly reasonable time to visit, you’re going to find most of the higher elevation trails in the park (meaning most of our favorite trails) still covered with snow.
A few years ago, we hiked the Skyline Trail with my mother for her birthday – which falls in late July – and encountered SIGNIFICANT snowfall still on the trail (we also came across the same at Sunrise later in that trip).
You’re also likely to find that the roads to Mowich Lake and Sunrise are still closed to vehicles at this time. Those roads usually open in either late June or early July, depending on the year and weather conditions in winter and spring.
Vehicle access to Paradise through Longmire is available year-round, though closures may occur during periods of heavy snowfall.
You can (and should) check the status of the roads in the park on the National Park Service site before you leave for your trip.
Another source we frequently employ to check trail conditions is the Washington Trails Association, whose recent trail reports are invaluable in comprehending what you’re getting yourself into so you can be prepared ahead of time (e.g. whether there’s snow, the condition of the road to the trailhead, etc).
All that being said, in general, the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park in terms of both trail and road conditions will be from late July through the middle of October.
The summer months – late July and August – bring the finest weather (warm days and nights, lower precipitation) along with incredible displays of wildflowers across the meadows found throughout the park.
Generally, the final week of July and first week of August have presented the most advantageous conditions for encountering wildflowers at Rainier, but it entirely relies on the particular year.
However, those months are also the two most popular months for visitors, which means the crowds are going to be a little more intense and you’ll likely encounter more competition for parking spots, campgrounds, and entry permits.
September and October bring weather conditions that are somewhat harder to predict – cooler temperatures, shorter days, and a higher likelihood of precipitation – but fewer visitors (especially midweek).
Starting in the last week of September, autumn colours like yellow, orange, and red begin lighting up the same meadows and hillsides.
The color show brought on by falling leaves continues through mid-October, when the initial notable snowfall for the season normally occurs and marks the end of the hiking period.
Generally, our preferred timeframe to visit the park is in mid-September, when things are a little less crowded because schoolchildren have returned to their classrooms.
Getting to Mount Rainier National Park
To arrive at Mount Rainier National Park, the principal necessity is procuring a motor vehicle. No public transportation choices are on offer.
Because the areas in the park are so distinct regarding place, and accordingly travel time, we’re going to divide them here.
Getting to Paradise (The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center)
Paradise is on the southern side of Rainier, and it is the most popular part of the park.
- From Seattle: Approximately two hours and forty-five minutes // 107 miles
- From Tacoma: Around 2 hours // Approx. 77 miles
- From Portland: Around 3 hours // 152 miles
Getting to Sunrise (The Sunrise Visitor Center)
The Sunrise Visitor Center is situated on Rainier`s eastern slopes, representing the highest point within the park that can be accessed by motor vehicle.
- From Seattle: 2 hours and 15 minutes // 96 miles
- From Tacoma: Around 2 hours // Approx. 82 miles
- From Portland: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes traveling 184 miles
Getting to Ohanapecosh (The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center)
Ohanapecosh is an old growth forest nestled away on the southeastern side of Mount Rainier, near the town of Packwood.
- From Seattle: 2 hours and 20 minutes // 97 miles
- From Tacoma: Around 2 hours // Approx. 83 miles
- From Portland: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes // Around 152 miles
Getting to Mowich Lake
While Mowich Lake appears to be the portion of the park closest to Seattle due to its northwestern location near the mountain, the long rough gravel road rendering travel notably more time-consuming than anticipated.
- From Seattle: 2 hours and 30 minutes // 72 miles
- From Tacoma: Around 2 hours // Approx. 48 miles
- From Portland: Roughly 4 hours // 185 miles
Where to Fly Into to Visit Mount Rainier
If you’re traveling from outside the state, there are two viable airports near Mount Rainier National Park.
The top choice concerning both flight availability and distance from the Mountain is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), commonly called “Seatac” by Seattle locals.
Arriving at Seatac Airport will place you slightly over two and a half hours (107 miles) from the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, the hub for all things at Paradise, and around the same distance to the Sunrise Visitor Center on the opposite side of the park.
Your other option is Portland International Airport (PDX), which is our home airport and is our favorite airport located in the United States.
It’s much less congested than Seatac airport (we strongly dislike flying out of Seatac due to lengthy security lines, even with Pre-Check), but it has a significantly smaller selection of flights – particularly direct flights – and is slightly more distant from the park.
From PDX, it’s going to be approximately three hours to Paradise, and can be almost four hours to Sunrise.
As mentioned, it`s slightly further away, but it`s worth checking prices for both locations.
Timed Entry Reservations Are Required in 2024 (Paradise and Sunrise)
In 2024, you must make an entry reservation for Paradise and Sunrise.
This piece of information in the logistics section is extremely important, as it describes a new system for 2024 and how many individuals could miss it and be turned away at the entrance checkpoints.
Between May 24 and Sept 2, 2024, entry to the Paradise Corridor requires a timed-entry reservation.
This covers the road amongst the Nisqually Entrance, up to the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, and down to the Stevens Canyon Entrance nearby Ohanapecosh.
Between July 4 through September 2, making a timed entry reservation to enter the Sunrise Corridor is required.
This is the road between the White River Entrance, up to the Sunrise Visitor Center.
These permits exclusively apply if you enter the park between 7am and 3pm, meaning that if you enter before 7am or after 3pm, a permit is not necessary (another reason for an early beginning!).
It’s also worth noting that reserving accommodation at Cougar Rock Campground (Paradise), the Paradise Inn, or National Park Inn could replace needing a timed entry permit for accessing the Paradise Corridor area.
Securing a first-come, first-served site at White River Campground near Sunrise can alternatively replace a timed entry permit for Sunrise.
However, it is also worthwhile noting that a camping or lodging reservation in Paradise does not guarantee access to the Sunrise Corridor, and vice versa.
Permits are made available 90 days ahead in batches.
Below are the 2024 release dates for Paradise Corridor Timed Entry Permits:
- February 21, 2024: Reservations available for May 24 – June 30, 2024
- April 1, 2024: Reservations available from July 1 to July 31, 2024
- May 1, 2024: Reservations available for August 1 – September 2, 2024
Here are the release dates for 2024 for the Sunrise Corridor Timed Entry Permits:
- April 1, 2024: Reservations available from July 4 to July 31, 2024
- May 1, 2024: Reservations available for August 1 – September 2, 2024
It is certainly worthwhile to carefully examine the page detailing timed entry reservations AS WELL AS the frequently asked questions page about timed entry to gather all pertinent facts that may be needed.
Implications of Timed Entry Permits for Your Trip
From my own experience on a two year road trip across the western United States a few years ago, I also witnessed this timed entry reservation process used at multiple national parks.
During that period, we visited every national park west of the Rockies, and saw multiple parks attempting their best to deal with increased attendance numbers.
It`s a complicated scenario, as on one hand, the record number of visits are exerting a huge strain on park amenities and ecosystems.
On the other hand, we want to make our national parks accessible (and we want that access to be equitable) because seeing the national parks in person motivates everyone to unite to protect them!
Nevertheless, putting aside all that, the primary implication that we observed in places such as Rocky Mountain National Park and Glacier National Park is that the timed entry permits will force many people to enter the park preceding that 7am window initiates.
The parking lots in Rocky Mountain National Park and Glacier National Park reached full capacity by around 6am as people rushed to enter the park before the permits became necessary.
We expect a similar scenario may occur in this situation as well.
Keep that consideration in mind as you plan your own visit, since parking at Sunrise and Paradise is limited as is.
Where to Stay at Mount Rainier
Because the park is fairly widespread and extensive, encircling the Mountain, it really matters where you stay, and this section is intended to assist you in deciding the best home base (or home bases) for exploring the park.
For a taste of why it matters, it takes a full three hours (if not more due to traffic) to drive from Mowich Lake to the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, and about the same to the Sunrise Visitor Center.
Our high level recommendation here is to divide up your nights in the park so that you’re staying in each region that you’re visiting in order to maximize your time and minimize time driving back and forth.
For example, if you’re doing both Paradise and Sunrise over three days, spend your first two nights at Paradise, and then spend your last night near Sunrise.
It’s worth bringing up initially that if you wish to spend all of your nights in one place, Packwood is the best location to do that. It’s about an hour from both Paradise and Sunrise, and it’s also the most well-equipped town near the park.
An overview of the best places to stay in the park and surrounding area is presented below.
For additional tips on places to rest near Mount Rainier National Park, explore our guide to lodging options near Mount Rainier.
Campgrounds Inside Mount Rainier National Park
There are four primary campgrounds inside the park and conveniently, there is one campground in each of the park’s four areas.
However, the unfortunate news here is that they are all very competitive (especially the three that can be reserved in advance), and the policies for when they go on sale are complex and continually changing.
For an easier climbing route to a lovely blue-green alpine lake, tackle the Blue Lake Trail, which also makes our list of the best hiking routes in the state.
Cougar Rock Campground(Paradise): Situated on the southwestern side of Mount Rainier just 10 miles from the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, Cougar Rock is a prime location for exploring the Paradise area of the Park, and has 173 sites (including some group sites) with drinking water, flush toilets, and tree-covered campsites. We’ve stayed here a couple of times, and it’s by far the best place to remain for Paradise.
- Reservations for Cougar Rock are released in phases. From May 24, 2024 to June 23, 2024 AND September 7, 2024 – October 10, 2024, it`s first-come, first-served. During peak season (June 24 to September 6), reservations are released rolling either 6 months or 7 days in advance, providing multiple chances to secure a site.
White River Campground (Sunrise): Located 12 miles from the Sunrise Visitor Center, White River Campground has 88 individual sites all providing access to flush toilets and drinkable water, though no group sites. Due to the elevation, the season is slightly shorter—late June through September. We`ve camped here too, and it offers a superb base for the Sunrise section of the park (we`d argue the BEST base, as it`s closest to all the trailheads).
- Reservations for White River are solely available on a first-come, first-served basis.You need to arrive early in the day (we’d get here around 8am for the best chance), and midweek is going to give you the highest probability of securing a site. There is no guarantee, and the campground is usually full for summer weekends by Thursday night.
Ohanapecosh Campground (Ohanapecosh): An alternative significant campground with 179 places, all with drinkable water and flush lavatories and a few group spots interspersed. It’s tucked into an old growth woodland, and is the best spot in relation to access to BOTH Sunrise and Paradise (though it is 45-60 minutes to either one), so if you want to stay in one place for your whole trip to the park, this is your best choice.
- Reservations at Ohanapecosh are released in multiple phases. It’s first-come, first-served from May 24, 2024 to June 23, 2024 AND September 07, 2024 – October 10, 2024. During peak season (June 24 through September 6th), reservations are released on a rolling basis – either 6 months or 7 days in advance – which gives you multiple chances to secure a site.
Mowich Lake Campground (Mowich Lake): A small, secluded campground with just 13 walk-in tent sites and vault toilets but no running water, this is arguably the best location to stay close to both Spray Park and Tolmie Peak trailheads. Situated right on Mowich Lake, it also offers a nice spot to unwind after hiking. While limited in services, it compensates through proximity to those two trails.
- Reservations for Mowich Lake are strictly first come, first served.It’s less frequented than other campgrounds in the park, but that doesn’t signify one should arrive at 5pm on a summer Saturday expecting to get a spot.
Hotels and Lodges Inside the Park
There are two national park lodges inside the park, and both are near Paradise.
The initial option is the Paradise Inn, which is a historic lodge situated directly at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. It’s highly rustic and charming, and it’s worth exploring even if you’re not staying here to admire the architecture.
Like most lodges inside national parks, the Inn probably requires a little revitalization, you basically have to eat at the onsite restaurant (or bring food that doesn’t need to be cooked OR refrigerated), and you’re going to pay a premium for the location.
While it may be worthwhile for the location alone for one night or special occasion, the rustic charm is pleasant too!
Another suitable option is the National Park Inn, located within Longmire near the Nisqually entrance.
It`s a 25 minute motorized journey up to the visitor center and main trailheads at Paradise, but it has undergone renovation more recently (though truthfully it leaves something to be desired).
There are only 25 rooms here, and rooms either have one queen or double or two twin beds (there are also some two-room options). Some rooms have shared bathroom facilities, which make them a little cheaper.
Staying Outside the Park
If camping isn`t your choice and you don`t want to pay a premium to lodge at one of the national park inns inside the park, you have a few options.
Near Paradise, the best place to stay outside the park is going to be in the small town of Ashford, which is just outside of the Nisqually Entrance.
There are a few hotels in town, along with a grocery store and some cafés. Additionally, many cabins situated among the trees near Ashford would be our preference if we weren’t camping.
Regrettably, the options near Sunrise are woefully limited at best if camping is not an option.
If camping is something you wish to do, we enjoy Silver Springs Campground, which is just outside the park entrance along Highway 410.
For example, in Sicily, you’ll find a lot of fresh seafood because the island is perpetually near the coast. In Tuscany, popular ingredients include olives, wild boar, and sheep cheese (pecorino) since those are readily available local items.
Packwood, located outside the Ohanapecosh entrance of the park to the south, is the community best suited to meet all needs near the park. It also rests equally between Paradise and Sunrise at roughly 45-60 minutes driving to each, making it optimal for a full trip within the area.
A couple hotels are in town, along with a grocery store, a quality coffee establishment, a few eateries, and a brewery.
Similar to Ashford, there are also a number of rental properties in the surrounding woods of Packwood that would make for a great place to stay to explore the park and come back to a relaxing, private space at the end of a long day.
We have also stayed at La Wis Wis Campground just outside Packwood, and would advise it if you can’t secure a site at any of the campgrounds in the park. It’s right outside the park entrance, and is reservable six months in advance.
What to Do at Mount Rainier (the Highlights)
Here are the highlights that we think you should prioritize while you’re in Mount Rainier National Park.
The Skyline Trail. The finest hike in the park based on our view, and among the top 3 of our favorite hikes in Washington State. Excellent wildflowers, spectacular scenery of Rainier’s face, and sweeping panoramas overlooking the Tatoosh Range, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams to the south. All compressed into one moderate six mile experience! It’s also one of the most popular hikes in the state, so arrive early and get on the trail as soon as possible to avoid wading through hordes of hikers.
The waterfalls at Paradise. There are four notable waterfalls at Paradise, and three of them are basically right along the roadway. Starting from the Nisqually entrance heading uphill, you’ll pass the trailhead for Comet Falls first, which is the most impressive but requires a moderate six mile hike to reach. Next is Christine Falls, framed by a nice stone arch. Then comesNarada Falls, which is a pull off along the road and a brief walk down to the viewpoint. And last isMyrtle Falls, which you’ll see along the Skyline Trail (and it’s our favorite of the four thanks to Rainier’s glaciated peak in the background).
The Flowery Meadows. In early summer – consider the final week of July and the initial week of August – the flowery meadows at Rainier are…something special. Interesting fact: we named our dog, Lupine, several years before getting her while standing in a lupine-covered meadow at Rainier! Our favorite spots to see flowers are the Lakes Loop at Paradise, Berkeley Park at Sunrise, and everywhere around Sourdough Ridge at Sunrise.
Reflection Lakes. The prime spot at Paradise for sunrise or sunset viewing, in our opinion. Just off the road, the small lake offers a lovely view of Rainier`s peak perfectly mirrored in the water (provided it`s a clear day, which is relatively rare here).
The hiking opportunities at Sunrise. While Skyline is our single favorite hike in the park, Sunrise has the best collection of trails that all depart from the same location. The Burroughs Mountain Trail,Mount Fremont Lookout, and Berkeley Park all follow the spectacular Sourdough Ridge Trail for a few miles before diverging to their own unique viewpoints (up close views of Rainier, sweeping perspectives from a historic fire lookout, and incredible wildflower meadows in the early summer).
Tipsoo Lake and the Naches Peak Loop (Sunrise). One of our favorite cost-effective hikes in the state – the Naches Peak Loop – begins at Tipsoo Lake and creates a pleasant little route with excellent views of Rainier through the latter half of the loop (if traveling clockwise, as recommended). Tipsoo Lake is also a great location for sunrises (the sun comes up over your shoulder, illuminating Rainier’s peak) and a somewhat less suitable location for sunsets, because you’re facing directly at the sun.
Mowich Lake and Spray Park / Tolmie Peak.Letting a one-hour drive on an unpaved bumpy road dissuade you would be a mistake. If escaping the crowds descending on Paradise and Sunrise is what you seek, this part of the park offers a great alternative. And two of the finest trails in Mount Rainier National Park – Spray Park and Tolmie Peak – begin from the shores of Mowich Lake!
In the next section, we’ll cover how to structure the itinerary cohesively.
Planning Your Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary
In this section, let`s discuss combining it all and planning your itinerary for visiting Mount Rainier National Park.
As mentioned in the “How Much Time” section above, three days was thought to be the ideal amount of time to experience both Paradise AND Sunrise along with a brief stop at Ohanapecosh between them, which was all that was really needed.
If dedicating a single day or two, focus efforts on one section of the park (we’d choose Paradise for the diversity of activities and sights, but reasonable arguments can also be made for Sunrise).
While cramming all four regions into just five days will necessarily involve some hurried moments, it does enable glimpses of the entire park.
The following are some itinerary ideas for spending one, two, three, and five or more days in the park.
One Day (Paradise)
With one day at Paradise, we’d start your day with an early morning hike on the Skyline Trail, which is both our favorite hike in the entire park. Don’t miss Myrtle Falls along the trail!
It will take you the better part of a morning. Afterwards, pop into the Paradise Inn to check it out, and then hop in the car and drive over to Reflection Lakes for your lunch break.
Following lunch (if you’re up for it), tackle the relatively short hike to Bench and Snow Lakes, which is another of our favorites. We appreciate a good hike with a lake that has a reflection of Mount Rainier!
From there, head back down the road towards the Nisqually Entrance and stop at both the highlighted Narada Falls and Christine Falls along the route.
If you plan to stay until sunset, head back up to Reflection Lakes, our favorite locale for observing sunset in this area of the park.
Two Days (Paradise)
With two days at Paradise, spend your first morning hiking Skyline Trail exactly as described above, then head to Ohanapecosh in the afternoon to view Silver Falls and Grove of the Patriarchs, finishing with a sunset at Reflection Lakes.
On the second day of your trip, I recommend beginning your exploration of the natural wonders at Paradise with the breathtaking Comet Falls Trail, followed by visits to the stunning Christine Falls and Narada Falls on your way up to enjoy a relaxing afternoon stroll along the serene Bench and Snow Lakes.
Catch the afternoon light on Rainier by walking the short, paved loop called Nisqually Vista Loop to finish it all off.
One Day (Sunrise)
If you’re spending one day at Sunrise, you’re going to want to head straight to the Sunrise Visitor Center to get an early start on your major hike of the day.
There are three excellent hiking routes accessible from here, and which you opt for depends on your ability and preference for natural scenery.
Choose from the Burroughs Mountain trail (difficult, with an intimate views of Rainier), the Mount Fremont Lookout (moderate, with sweeping views from a historic fire lookout tower), or the Berkeley Park Trail (moderate, great wildflower meadows early in the summer).
Upon completing your hike, savor your lunch at the Sunrise Visitor Center and then take a brief stroll out to Shadow Lake, which guides you through some stunning wildflower fields with some glimpses of Rainier and the White River Valley.
Spend your day at Tipsoo Lake, one of our favorite spots in the park for photography (particularly here on Google Maps with views of the lake and Rainier in the background).
Two Days (Sunrise)
At Sunrise, it’s truly all about the hiking.
Should you opt to lengthen your stay by another day, retrace the itinerary defined above for day one.
On your second day, add another hike (either one of the ones you didn’t do above, or the equally epic Summerland Trail) in the morning, and an afternoon trip over to Ohanapecosh to see Silver Falls and the Grove of the Patriarchs.
Three Days (Paradise, Ohanapecosh, & Sunrise)
If three consecutive days are allotted to explore the southeast and eastern portions of the park – Paradise, Ohanapecosh, and Sunrise – here is a proposed schedule.
You are able to invert this itinerary to start with Sunrise and finish with Paradise if that arrangement works better for you.
Begin by following our proposed one day itinerary above for your first day in the city.
That means an early hike on the Skyline Trail, followed by a trip to Reflection Lakes and Bench and Snow Lakes (and back to Reflection Lakes for sunset, if you’d like) before heading back to your hotel or campground.
On your second day, begin your morning with a hike to the prominent waterfall known as Comet Falls, followed by trips to the scenic Christine Falls and Narada Falls en route to Ohanapecosh, where you’ll stop for lunch and a brief forested stroll to view the cascading waters of Silver Falls and the monumental trees of the Grove of the Patriarchs.
End your second day at Tipsoo Lake, where you can hike the easy (but extremely worthwhile) Naches Peak Loop and watch the sunset over the lake.
On your final day, follow our “One Day – Sunrise” itinerary above by heading to the Sunrise Visitor Center early, tackling a hike along the way, taking in the foliage and views at Shadow Lake.
While not necessary, visiting: Save Naches Peak and Tipsoo for your third night and head up to Sunrise to do the Mount Fremont Lookout at sunset to close out your second day.
Five Days (All Regions)
With Five Days, we’d essentially follow each of the two day itineraries above (two nights at Paradise, two nights at Sunrise) and use your fifth day to add a trip to Mowich Lake to hike either Tolmie Peak (better views) or Spray Park (longer, but better meadows).
You can either stay overnight at the primitive campground at Mowich Lake, or relax at the lake post-hike before making the long drive around the mountain to Paradise to set yourself up for a good early morning start on your next day.
You could also do Lake Mowich as your last stop at Mount Rainier, which would place you in a good position to return to the airport or Seattle.
Our Mount Rainier National Park Visitor Guide, Mapped
More on Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
