Mount Rainier National Park
The most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, rising 14,411 feet above wildflower-carpeted alpine meadows.
Quick Info
Highlights
- Wildflower meadows at Paradise with the mountain towering above
- Sunrise visitor center for the closest drive-up views of the summit
- Hiking the Skyline Trail loop at Paradise through alpine meadows
- Climbing to Camp Muir at 10,188 feet for summit attempts
- Grove of the Patriarchs walk among 1,000-year-old trees
- Reflection Lakes mirroring Mount Rainier on calm mornings
Park Map
Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest
Top Trails
Featured trailheads in Mount Rainier National Park
Skyline Trail
StrenuousSunrise Rim Trail
ModerateGrove of the Patriarchs
EasyComet Falls Trail
StrenuousTolmie Peak Trail
ModerateAbout Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park centers on the massive stratovolcano that dominates the Pacific Northwest skyline, carrying 25 major glaciers containing over one cubic mile of ice. The park's 236,381 acres range from old-growth forest to subalpine meadows that explode with wildflowers each summer, to the permanent snowfields and crevassed glaciers above. Paradise, on the mountain's south side, holds the record for the most snowfall measured in a single season in the United States at 93.5 feet.
Mount Rainier National Park Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay
Plan your trip to Mount Rainier National Park. Top hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for Washington.
12 min readWeather Overview
Average monthly temperatures
Explore More
Where to Stay
View all hotelsParadise Inn
$$A 1916 rustic alpine lodge at 5,400 feet on the south side of Mount Rainier, featuring exposed timber construction, a massive stone fireplace, and direct access to the Paradise meadows and trail system.
National Park Inn
$$A cozy year-round inn at the Longmire historic district within the park, offering simple but comfortable rooms with a front porch overlooking Mount Rainier. The park's only lodging open in winter.
Alexander's Lodge
$A charming 1912 bed-and-breakfast lodge at the Nisqually entrance to Mount Rainier, offering individually decorated rooms and a hearty breakfast. One of the oldest operating lodges in the region.
Compare Mount Rainier National Park
See how Mount Rainier National Park stacks up against other national parks
Mount Rainier National Park vs Olympic National Park
Choose Olympic for ecosystem diversity including temperate rainforests and wild coastline. Choose Mount Rainier for wildflower meadows, glaciers, and the awe of a 14,411-foot volcano.
See full comparisonMount Rainier National Park vs Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Choose Sequoia and Kings Canyon for the world's largest trees and deep wilderness solitude. Choose Mount Rainier for volcanic grandeur, wildflower meadows, and challenging mountain trails.
See full comparisonMount Rainier National Park vs Crater Lake National Park
Choose Crater Lake for America's deepest, bluest lake and a more relaxed visit. Choose Mount Rainier for volcanic grandeur, wildflower meadows, and more extensive hiking opportunities.
See full comparisonMount Rainier National Park vs Lassen Volcanic National Park
Choose Lassen Volcanic for volcanic variety, hydrothermal features, and uncrowded trails. Choose Mount Rainier for a singular dramatic peak, wildflower meadows, and more established trail systems.
See full comparisonMore Pacific Parks
Other national parks in the Pacific region
Yosemite National Park
California
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
California
Olympic National Park
Washington
Channel Islands National Park
California
Crater Lake National Park
Oregon
Death Valley National Park
California