Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)

Mount Rainier National Park

An active volcanic snowcapped peak at 4,392 m, and America's fifth national park. The alpine meadow trails and glaciers of the Paradise area make it Seattle's classic day trip.

Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. It is covered by 25 glaciers, more than any other peak in the contiguous United States. On clear days, you can see it floating on the horizon from downtown Seattle. It became the fifth national park in the United States in 1899. The most popular area is Paradise on the south side, at about 1,646 m. It has the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center and the historic Paradise Inn. From here, the Skyline Trail is a loop of about 9 km with an elevation gain of about 520 m. At Panorama Point, you can get a close look at the Nisqually Glacier. From late July to August, wildflowers bloom across the meadows. Those with moderate fitness can try shorter trails such as the Nisqually Vista Trail. The Sunrise area on the northeast side is the highest point in the park reachable by car, at about 1,950 m, and it's open only in summer. Entrance fee is $30 per vehicle (valid for 7 days). The America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 and is valid at all national parks. Getting there: The drive from Seattle to Paradise takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Public transportation is inconvenient, so you can also join a day tour. Note: In recent summers, popular entrances have used timed-entry reservations, so check recreation.gov and the NPS website before you go. There is no cell signal on the mountain, so download offline maps in advance. From November to May, the road to Paradise requires tire chains. Weather changes quickly, so bring warm layers and sun protection.

Opening hours

Open year-round (Paradise winter road closes 17:00; Sunrise approx. July–September)

National park · Snow mountains · Wildflowers · Hiking

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby

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