Mount Rainier National Park

How to Get to Mount Rainier National Park:

Mount Rainier National Park is located in west-central Washington about 50 miles southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Year-round access is via SR 706 to the Nisqually entrance in the SW corner of the park. Limited winter access is available via Hwy. 123 in the SE corner of the park. The Carbon River/Mowich Lake area (NW corner) is accessed via SR 165 through Wilkeson. Summer access is available via Hwy. 410 on the north and east sides of the park.

Recommended Scenic Routes Near Mount Rainier National Park:

If you are planning a trip to Mount Rainier National Park, there are two scenic byways you might be interested in taking. The 85-mile Chinook Scenic Byway works its way through scenic Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and is the most accessible road for viewing 14,410-foot Mount Rainier. Situated along the byway, Skookum Flats is one of the best bicycle trails in the country. To reach the byway from Seattle, take I-5 to Highway 18 in Federal Way. Go east to the intersection with route 164 and proceed southeast to Enumclaw. From the eastern side, the route is reached by traveling to Yakima on Interstate 82. Another byway you might want to explore is Mountains to Sound Greenway, a 101-mile route on I-90 from Seattle to Thorp. It features features varied terrain, including the lush green forests and marine climate of Puget Sound, rural valleys, and a dramatic mountain landscape. The byway passes through the towns of Easton, North Bend, and Issaquah.

Park Size:

235,625 acres.

Description:

This greatest single-peak glacial system in the United States radiates from the summit and slopes of Mount Rainier, an ancient volcano. The 14,410' mountain is surrounded by lush old growth forests, subalpine meadows, and a National Historic Landmark District that showcases the log and boulder buildings typical of the "NPS Rustic" style architecture of the 1920s and 1930s.

Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park:

The park offers excellent opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, nature photography, and cross-country skiing. Most roads are open from late May to early October, and all provide spectacular views and access to a variety of hiking trails and other sites. There are 147 miles of roads and 240 miles of maintained trails in the park. The five areas which serve as bases for exploration in the park include:

- Longmire (southwest corner)
- Paradise (south side)
- Ohanapecosh (southeast corner)
- Sunrise/White River (east side)
- Carbon River/Mowich Lake (northwest corner).

A good place to begin your visit is by stopping at one of the many visitor centers or wilderness information centers located throughout the park.

Lodging and Camping

There are two lodges inside Mount Rainier National Park. The National Park Inn (open year round) is located in the Longmire Historic District in the SW corner of the park at an elevation of 2,700 feet. It features 25 guest rooms, a full service restaurant, gift shop, and post office. The historic Paradise Inn (open from mid-May to mid-October) is located in Paradise at an elevation of 5,400 feet and includes 117 guest rooms, a full service restaurant, snack bar, lounge, gift shop, post office. Call 360-569-2275 for further information or to make reservations at either inn.

Accommodations are also available in communities outside of the park. Resort-style accommodations, country inns, private cabins, and RV campgrounds can be found in the Nisqually River Valley, near the southwest corner of the park in the communities of Ashford, Elbe, Alder and Mineral. For further information contact the Mount Rainier Visitors Association online or by calling 1-877-617-9950.

Cougar Rock & Ohanapecosh campgrounds take reservations up to five months in advance. Contact the National Park Reservation Service online or call 1-800-365-2267 to book reservations. Other campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-served basis, including Ipsut Creek (open year-round depending on snow and road conditions), Mowich Lake (July - mid-October), Sunshine Point (open year round), and White River (late June - mid-September). Large group camping (12+ people) is available at Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and Ipsut Creek campgrounds.

Operating Hours:

Mount Rainier National Park is open all year, but access is limited in winter. Facilities at Longmire are open daily year-round. Facilities at Paradise and Ohanapecosh are open daily from late-May to mid-October. Facilities at Sunrise are open July to early-October. In winter, access is by the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park only. The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is open weekends and holidays in winter.

History:

Established on March 2, 1899. Wilderness designated on November 16, 1988.

Contact the Park:

Mount Rainier National Park
Tahoma Woods, Star Route
P.O. Box 6
Ashford, WA 98304
360-569-2211