Mount Rainier National Park offers some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country, from wildflower meadows carpeting the slopes of a 14,411-foot volcano to old-growth forests draped in moss. I’ve been exploring Rainier for over a decade, hiking every major trail across its different regions, and I keep coming back. Here’s what most visitors get wrong: they only visit Paradise and miss the entire Sunrise side, which I’d argue has the better views.
Mount Rainier National Park at a Glance
- Advanced reservations are required to visit the park.
- Cell Service is spotty in the park so bring a guidebook (here’s my favorite Mount Rainier Guidebook and map).
- Here’s my favorite hotel for Mount Rainier.
- Fill up on gas before you get to the park. Drive times between popular destinations can be 3+ hours.
- Wear an eco-friendly sunscreen like this one. The high elevation means you can get sunburned easily, even on a cloudy day.
About the Folks Behind More Than Just Parks
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks. We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation. If you’d like to follow along our journey we’d be delighted to have you!
Table of Contents: Things to Do In Mount Rainier National Park
Table of Contents: Mount Rainier Activities
- Quick Things to Know Before Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
- About the Folks Behind More Than Just Parks
- The Best Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park
- 1. Hike Skyline Trail
- 2. Soak in the Views from Pinnacle Peak
- 3. Trek to the Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout
- 4. Catch a Sunrise at Sunrise
- 5. Admire Reflection Lakes
- 6. Hike to Van Trump Park
- 7. Admire Christine Falls
- 8. Stroll through the Grove of the Patriarchs
- 9. Visit Tipsoo Lake
- 10. Wildlife Viewing
- 11. Hike the Sourdough Ridge Trail
- 12. Hike the Epic Wonderland Trail
- 13. Camping at Cougar Rock
- 14. Hike to the Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout
- 15. Stargazing
- 16. Explore Longmire
- 17. Visit Narada Falls
- 18. See Sunbeam Falls
- 19. Go Wildflower Peeping
- 20. Explore the White River Area
- Why Trust Me About the Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park?
- Mount Rainier National Park Map & Regions to Visit
- Summary of Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
- Map of Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
Visiting Mount Rainier? Here’s my favorite hotel in the park. Booked up? Here’s some great options in nearby towns: Enumclaw (epic views of Rainier), Packwood, & Ashford.
1. Hike Skyline Trail
Location: Paradise
The aptly named Paradise region of Mount Rainier is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Visiting Paradise should be on every national park-goers bucket list of things to do at Mount Rainier, especially in the summer during wildflower season. These “most luxuriant” of alpine gardens as John Muir described them, explode with color in late July and early August.
There are several great trails located in Paradise. The best of these is the popular Skyline Trail which, while steep, is mostly paved and stunningly beautiful. Visit early in the morning at sunrise for the most magical views and none of the crowds. At 5.4 miles round trip with 1,700 feet of elevation gain you’ll definitely “feel the burn” on the way up but this is the must-hike trail in Mount Rainier.
Another excellent trail here is the Alta Vista Trail which connects with the Skyline Trail. The trail is a short 1.8 mile loop with 600 feet of elevation gain. I recommend hiking the Skyline Trail on the way up as you’ll be rewarded to beautiful views of Mount Rainier itself and the Alta Vista Trail down as you’ll get stunning views of the Tatoosh Range.
If you’re looking for another bucket list thing to do at Mount Rainier, add staying at the Paradise Inn to your list which is located at the top of the Paradise Road. Rates typically hover around the $230 range.
2. Soak in the Views from Pinnacle Peak
Location: Paradise
I have to say, hiking up to Pinnacle Peak is one of the more unexpectedly incredible things to do in Mount Rainier National Park. In the summer this trail is chocked full of lupine along with a variety of other wildflowers and always provides some of the most epic, panoramic views of Mount Rainier.
From the top of the trail you’ll be able to see Mount Rainier in all its glory, the Paradise area to the north, and Mt Adams in the distance to the south.
I’ve seen playful marmots every time I’ve hiked this trail. At just 2.5 miles long with 1000 feet of elevation gain, Pinnacle Peak has some of the biggest bang for your buck of any of the things to do at Rainier.
Related: best West Coast national parks
3. Trek to the Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout
Location: Sunrise
Hiking the Mt. Fremont Trail is personally one of my absolute favorite things to do at Mount Rainier providing some of the most spectacular views in the park. The trail seems like something straight out of Lord of the Rings with sweeping views practically the entire way, not just of the mountain itself, but alpine scenery.
Along the way, hikers are treated to views of Frozen Lake which often still has some ice left floating within it regardless of the time of year. Mountain goats are commonly sighted along the Mt Fremont Lookout Trail so keep your eyes peeled.
Another great Mount Rainier activity from the Fremont Trail is stargazing. I’ve watched the Perseid meteor shower from here and it was spectacular. The Mt Fremont Trail starts at the Sunrise parking lot and is just under 6 miles round trip with roughly 1200 feet of elevation gain.
4. Catch a Sunrise at Sunrise
Location: Sunrise
I’m one of those people who enjoys a good sunrise more than a good sunset. While it might seem obvious it’s worth calling out that the best place in Mount Rainier National Park to catch a sunrise is from the aptly named “Sunrise” region of the park.
The reason for this is two-fold starting with the fact that Sunrise is on the eastern side of Mount Rainier where the sun first illuminates the mountain. Also, at 6,400 feet elevation, Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by your car at Mount Rainier National Park.
Seeing the sunrise from Sunrise in person is nothing short of mesmerizing and a great addition to your list of things to do in Mount Rainier if you’re visiting in the summer.
At first, the mountain begins to glow with a faint reddish-orange hue before the magic really kicks in. The next phase is the first true red gracing the top of the mountain and then sweeping down eventually turning the mountain a brighter orange before full illumination.
5. Admire Reflection Lakes
Location: Paradise
One of the most popular things to do in Mount Rainier for first-time visitors (especially for photographers) is seeing Reflection Lakes. These lakes are a collection of approximately three bodies of water including one larger pond-sized pool, one hot-tub sized pool, and one coy pond sized pool.
The main lake is really spectacular on a calm, clear day providing mirror reflections of the surrounding forest and mountain.
Related: best Mt Rainier hikes
Reflection Lakes is also among the most easily accessed things to do in Mount Rainier located right off Stevens Canyon Road, just past the main Paradise area.
6. Hike to Van Trump Park
Location: Paradise
As far as adventurous things to do in Mount Rainier National Park go, I’d say Van Trump Park falls squarely into thea lesser-known spot category. From Van Trump Park you feel like you can practically reach out and touch the peak of Mount Rainier.
Van Trump Park is named for Philemon Beecher Van Trump, who, along with Hazard Stevens and the help of a native guide Sluiskin (they named a falls in Paradise after him “Sluiskin Falls”), made the first successful recorded ascent of Mt Rainier.
“When we reached the summit of the peak we got out our flags and flung them to the breeze giving three cheers for our triumph and weak cheers they seemed for me that lonely height there was nothing to echo or prolong the sound.”
Philemon Beecher Van Trump
The smell of that crisp alpine air and sight of the sprawling beautiful wildflower meadows is something to behold. The last time I made my way up to Van Trump Park we encountered a mountain goat from a distance who was very curious about our activities in his turf.
An added bonus of hiking to Van Trump Park is that the hike up takes you past Comet Falls, the largest waterfall in Mount Rainier at an impressive 380 feet tall. Plus, there are far less people on this trail than most of the trails at Mount Rainier (once you get past Comet Falls which most hikers use as their turn around point). Hiking to Comet Falls is a great Mount Rainier activity with kids as the falls emit quite a bit of spray that makes for an interactive adventure.
The hike to Van Trump Park is right around 7 miles round trip to the end of the maintained trail but we kept going a ways past that on our hike, allured by the serene alpine beauty. The elevation gain is a bit steep at 2000 feet but the views are definitely worth it.
7. Admire Christine Falls
Location: Paradise
Waterfall fans will enjoy one of the more picturesque, man made things to do at Mount Rainier – admiring Christine Falls. Framed by the historic Christine Falls Bridge, Christine Falls is the most easily accessed waterfall at Mount Rainier, located just off the road with a convenient viewing platform situated just steps from the parking lot.
Visitors can access the falls during any time of year that the Paradise Road is open (which it typically is is unless there’s a major weather event).
8. Stroll through the Grove of the Patriarchs
Location: Ohanepecosh
Related: complete national parks list
If you’re looking for an easy, kid-friendly activity, add Grove of the Patriarchs to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier. At 1.5 miles long with practically no elevation gain, full of fun boardwalks and enormous trees, Grove of the Patriarchs is a wonderful stroll in the park for folks of all ages.
In this magical grove you’ll find massive, hundreds of years old Douglas-fir, silver fir, hemlock, and Western red cedars. The temperature in the grove is typically many degrees warmer than what you’ll find in the higher elevation sections of Mount Rainer which can be nice on cooler days.
9. Visit Tipsoo Lake
The view of the mountain from the road above Tipsoo Lake is one of the best in Mount Rainier. While I’d say Tipsoo Lake is not in the “must-see” category of things to do at Mount Rainier, it’s among the first add-ons if you’ve got extra time. If you’re driving from Paradise to Sunrise or vice versa, Tipsoo is a 25 minute detour (each way) along the route.
Tipsoo Lake is a great place for budding herpetologists as it’s one of the most reliable frog and tadpole spotting sites in Mount Rainier. If you’re looking for picnic areas, Tipsoo has a great one making it a nice lunch spot in the park.
If you’re stopping by, I recommend the short loop hike around the lake itself (more of a pond), as well as the Naches Peak Loop Trail which gives even better views of Mount Rainier (some of the best).
10. Wildlife Viewing
One of the most fun things to do at Mount Rainier National Park is spotting and watching the park’s active wildlife. There’s a surprising amount of active critters in the park including some really iconic mammals. My personal favorite animals to watch at Mount Rainier are the ever busy hoary marmots, iconic mountain goats, regal elk, and shy black bears.
Other popular and interesting animals you can spot at Mount Rainier include:
- Pacific Fisher (wow!)
- American Marten
- Black-Tailed Deer
- Coyote
- Cascade Red Fox
- Bobcat
- Mountain Lion
- Eagles, Hawks, & Owls
- so many more
11. Hike the Sourdough Ridge Trail
Location: Sunrise
The first time I saw a photo of the Sourdough Ridge Trail it was actually a screensaver for my TV. After visiting Mount Rainier and hiking this trail it finally all clicked why this looked so familiar. Needless to say, the views from Sourdough Ridge are some of the best in Mount Rainier National Park and are pretty easy to get to if you don’t mind a bit of quick elevation.
For reference, my 60+ year old parents were able to make it to this viewpoint in the photo below within roughly 25 minutes from the parking lot. I’d definitely add this to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier especially if you’re planning on visiting the Sunrise area of the park (which you should!).
12. Hike the Epic Wonderland Trail
Location: All around the park
At 93 miles long and encircling the entire mountain, the Wonderland Trail is Mount Rainier’s most epic (and difficult) hike. Hiking the Wonderland Trail takes a lot of preparation and planning but it’s a must-visit hike for folks from all over the world.
Related: things to do in North Cascades
Those interested will need to first obtain a wilderness permit in person from the National Park Service prior to starting the hike. Hiking the entire Wonderland Trail typically takes folks between 5-8 days and is one of the most adventurous things to do at Mount Rainier.
13. Camping at Cougar Rock
Locations: White River, Ohanepecosh, Paradise, Mowich Lake, Cougar Rock
Mount Rainier has four front country campgrounds with 459 individual campsites. Sounds like a lot, right? Not so much. Mount Rainier received nearly 2 million visitors last year – and while not everyone was looking for a campground that’s still a lot of competition for camping in the park.
Of these campgrounds, my personal favorite is Cougar Rock which is located in the Paradise region of the park. Here you’ll find all the basics – pit toilets, fire pits, picnic tables. I especially enjoy it because it’s the best jumping off point to all the popular Paradise activities and has plenty of privacy. If you enjoy camping then add Cougar Rock to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier Campgrounds
- Cougar Rock Campground (Paradise) – 179 sites reservable
- Ohanepecosh Campground (Ohanepecosh) – 179 sites
- White River Campground (Sunrise / White River) – 88 sites
- Mowich Lake Campground (Carbon River / Mowich Lake) – 13 primitive walk-in tent sites
There’s also a host of backcountry camping opportunities at Mount Rainier. For more information on backcountry camping check out the NPS Rainier page.
14. Hike to the Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout
Location: Mowich Lake / Carbon River
I can still feel the itch from the brutal ravaging I took from mosquitoes while hiking the Tolmie Peak Trail trail in July. Despite the bites (over 200 through my long-sleeve shirt), the trail was still almost worth it! The views looking toward Mount Rainier from Tolmie Peak from the top on a clear day are absolutely epic. We visited on a somewhat cloudy day but still got great views. The hike is about 5.5 miles round trip with 1100 feet elevation gain and takes about 3 hours to complete. Add Tolmie Peak to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier if you love a good hike (and don’t mind a few mosquitoes!).
Mosquito Pro Tip: If you see bear grass blooming – the white, puffy, Dr. Seuss-looking plants – then mosquitoes are hatching and likely at their worst of the season.
Note: The Mowich Lake Road which leads to the Tolmie Peak Trailhead is many miles of gravel that is passable with 2WD (did it in my prius) but closes seasonally for the winter.
15. Stargazing
As a photographer who loves the night sky, one of my absolute favorite things to do at Mount Rainier National Park involves stargazing. The sky is really dark at Mount Rainier (not quite dark enough for an International Dark Sky designation, thanks Seattle) but still quite dark.
Beyond that, the foreground of the mountain makes for some epic and otherworldly photos. For astrophotographers, I highly recommend visiting the Sunrise area in the summer when the milky way aligns perfectly with Mount Rainier (typically July & August) making it appear as though the volcano is erupting galactic beauty.
The National Park Service hosts some great summer stargazing programs that are worth checking out especially for kids. Visiting during the annual Perseid Meteor shower is a special kind of amazing if you can swing it with some truly wild green and blue meteors cascading over the park that illuminate the mountain.
Related: best hiking apps
16. Explore Longmire
Location: Longmire
Depending on which entrance you come into the park from, Longmire is likely one of the first areas you’ll come across. At least it is for me routinely driving up from Portland, Oregon. Longmire has a great museum (the Longmire Museum) to check out for folks interested in learning some Mount Rainier history.
As a lower elevation zone, Douglast Fir, Western Hemlock, and Western Redcedar dominate the landscape along with heavy mosses which differs greatly from what you’ll find at the higher elevations at Mount Rainier.
There’s also a folksy hotel located at Longmire – the National Park Inn. I highly recommend the Trail of the Shadows which is less crowded than many of the things to do in Mount Rainier and even features a hot, bubbling, thermal pool.
17. Visit Narada Falls
Location: Paradise
If you’re into waterfalls then visiting Narada Falls is an easy addition to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier. Cascading 188 feet, Narada Falls is one of the tallest and most popular waterfalls at Mount Rainier.
It’s also one of the easiest access with the first viewpoint being located just off the main park road and the second (better) viewpoint situated at the end of a short 1.8 mile round trip trail. In the winter hikers can snowshoe to the white, partially frozen falls while in summer hikers can easily stroll to the lush green falls.
18. See Sunbeam Falls
Location: Paradise
Located just off of Stevens Canyon Road near to Reflection Lakes, Sunbeam Falls falls into the overlooked category of things to do at Mount Rainier National Park. I must admit that I drove and walked right by these falls a few times before taking notice of them. Anyone who plans to visit Reflection Lakes (which should be everyone) should add these beautiful and easy to access falls to their list.
From the Reflection Lakes parking area, walk or drive a few hundred feet down the road toward the east side of the park until you reach the pullouts for Lake Louise and you can’t miss them.
19. Go Wildflower Peeping
Location: Paradise
One of the absolute best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park (if you’re visiting during the right season) is going wildflower peeping on trails throughout the park.
Related: Mount Rainier facts
Mount Rainier is known the world over as one of the best places on the planet to see wildflowers. I was convinced that the photos I had seen prior to visiting for myself must be a case of severe photoshopping and that my own expectations would get wrecked by reality. Not so.
Where to see wildflowers at Mount Rainier
The best place to see wildflowers at Mount Rainier National Park is in the Paradise region. I highly recommend the Skyline Trail and Alta Vista Trail. Two more great places to see wildflowers are on the way up to Pinnacle Peak & Van Trump Park. For folks visiting the Mowich Lake region of Mt Rainier, Spray Park is a great trail for wildflowers (watch out for black bears).
20. Explore the White River Area
Location: Sunrise/White River
One of the more unsung things to do in Mount Rainier is exploring the White River area. Most folks fly by White River on their way up to see the more famous Sunrise section of the park. This is a great spot if you’re looking to avoid the crowds at Rainier.
The Glacier Basin Trail and Emmons Morraine Trail are two really excellent hikes here that give you a unique perspective of the mountain. I once hiked the Emmons Morraine Trail around midnight with headlamps to watch the stars and see the flashlights of the climbers ascending the mountain at night (so cool!).
Why Trust Me About the Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park?
I first visited Mount Rainier National Park back when I was fresh out of college and was totally taken aback by its epic grandeur. Looking at that unfathomably massive peak up close was mesmerizing. I compare it to gazing upon the Grand Canyon – one can look for hours and still not fathom the size and scale of the scene before them.
Ever since that first trip I’ve returned dozens of times (no joke), hiking nearly all of the trails and trying all the different possible activities. I’ve visited Mount Rainier in every season and while they all have their beauty nothing compares to the summer wildflower season (more on that below).
FAQ – Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
The best time of year to visit Mount Rainier National Park is the last week of July and first two weeks of August when the wildflowers are at peak bloom.
The best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park are visiting Paradise, hiking the Skyline trail, hiking up Pinnacle Peak, hiking to the Mt Fremont Fire Lookout, and catching a sunrise at Sunrise.
Mount Rainier National Park Map & Regions to Visit
Mount Rainier National Park has five distinct regions you should be aware of while planning your trip. Despite being relatively close to each other on the map, drive times between each of these regions can be significant.
The reason? There’s no road across the top of the mountain, meaning you’ve got to drive around it, which can take a long time.
Download this printable Mount Rainier National Park Map: JPG | PDF
The 5 Regions of Mount Rainier National Park
- Mowich Lake / Carbon River (Northwest)
- Longmire (Southwest)
- Paradise (South)
- Ohanepecosh (Southeast)
- Sunrise/White River (Northeast)
Drive Times Between Popular Areas at Mount Rainier
- Sunrise to Mowich Lake – 2.5 hours
- Paradise to Sunrise – 1.5 hours
- Paradise to Tipsoo Lake – 1 hour
- Tipsoo Lake to Sunrise – 45 minutes
- Longmire to Paradise – 20 minutes
- Longmire to Mowich Lake – 2.5 hours
Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park
Two lodges are located in Mount Rainier National Park:
- Paradise Inn (Paradise)
- National Park Inn (Longmire)
Here’s some great options in nearby towns: Enumclaw (epic views of Rainier), Packwood, & Ashford.
There are also four campgrounds at Mount Rainier with 459 individual campsites:
- Cougar Rock Campground (Paradise) – 179 sites reservable
- Ohanepecosh Campground (Ohanepecosh) – 179 sites
- White River Campground (Sunrise / White River) – 88 sites
- Mowich Lake Campground (Carbon River / Mowich Lake) – 13 primitive walk-in tent sites
- Visit Paradise
- Pinnacle Peak
- Fremont Lookout
- Sunrise at Sunrise
- Reflecton Lakes
- Van Trump Park
- Christine Falls
- Grove of the Patriarchs
- Tipsoo Lake
- Wildlife Viewing
- Sourdough Ridge Trail
- Wonderland Trail
- Camping
- Tolmie Peak Lookout
- Stargazing
- Longmire
- Narada Falls
- Sunbeam Falls
- Paradise Inn
- White River
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More Helpful Mount Rainier Articles
- Best Hikes at Mount Rainier: 20 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park
- Skyline Trail: Hiking the Epic Skyline Trail at Mt Rainier
- Visiting Paradise Mount Rainier: 15 Reasons Paradise Mt Rainier is the Most Beautiful Place in America
- Mount Rainier Facts: 15 Amazing Mount Rainier Facts (Interesting Trivia + Quick Facts)
- Reservations: All the National Parks That Require Reservations (Updated List + Guide)
Explore Other Washington National Parks
- Washington National Parks: Washington’s National Parks Ranked Best in the World
- Things to Do North Cascades: 20 Amazing Things to Do at North Cascades National Park
- Best Hikes North Cascades: 15 Epic Hikes in North Cascades National Park
- Things to Do Crater Lake: 20 Amazing Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park
- Things to Do Olympic National Park: 20 Best Things to Do at Olympic National Park
- Olympic NP Guide: Guide to Olympic National Park
- Best Hikes Olympic NP: 9 Epic Olympic National Park Hikes
Paradise or Sunrise — which side of Rainier do you prefer? This is one of the great debates among Rainier regulars and I’d love to hear where you land. Drop your favorite Mount Rainier activity in the comments below, and save this guide for your next trip to the park.
Hit Paradise before 9 AM or after 4 PM. Parking at Paradise fills completely on summer weekends by mid-morning. If the lot is full, rangers turn cars away. Early arrivals get both parking and the best light on the wildflower meadows.
Do not skip Sunrise. Most first-timers only visit Paradise, but Sunrise sits at 6,400 feet (the highest point you can drive to) and has better long-distance views, more rugged hiking, and far fewer people. The Burroughs Mountain Trail from Sunrise gives you the best close-up view of Rainier’s glaciers in the entire park.
Weather changes violently here. Rainier creates its own weather system. It can be sunny in Seattle and sleeting at Paradise. Pack layers for every visit, even in August. Check the NPS road status page the morning of your visit.
The nearest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), about 65 miles northwest of the Nisqually Entrance. Drive time is approximately 2 hours (add 30 to 45 minutes if leaving during Friday rush). Route: I-5 South to WA-512 East to WA-7 South to WA-706 East into the Nisqually Entrance.
Entrance Fees and Passes
A 7-day vehicle pass costs $30. Walk-in or bicycle entry is $15 per person, and motorcycles pay $25. The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers entry. The park is cashless at entrance stations, accepting only credit and debit cards.
Thanks for the tips. Would love to learn about your camera and equipment. 🙂
Hi Debbie!
Thanks so much. Here’s a link to our camera kit – https://morethanjustparks.com/outdoor-photography-camera-kit/
Best,
Will