With the Northwest's singular natural icon as its centerpiece, the Mount Rainier
region is comprised of some 2,800 square miles including one of the nation's first
five national parks as well as portions of seven wilderness areas, three national
forest area and picturesque mountain hamlets. While sightseeing is spectacular,
the region also offers accommodations, restaurants, shops and boundless recreational
opportunities. Within the park, accommodations are available at Paradise Inn and
the National Park Inn. Visitor information facilities are available at the Henry
M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise and the Sunrise Visitor Center.
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1
Federation Forest State Park, Crystal Mountain, Sunrise Visitor Center, Summit House
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2
Mount Rainier National Park, Cayuse Pass, Chinook Pass, Ohanapecosh, Silver Falls,
Stevens Canyon Road to Paradise, Grove of the Patriarchs, Reflection Lake, Paradise
Inn, Wildflower meadows, Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, Scenic waterfalls,
Narada Falls, Longmire, National Park Inn
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3
Ashford, Whittaker Mountaineers, Ex-Nihilo Sculpture Park, Elbe, Mineral Lake, Mount
Rainier Scenic Railroad, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Pioneer Farm Museum &
Ohop Indian Village
Day 1: Seattle - Crystal Mountain
Three short interpretive loop trails with old growth Douglas firs, Sitka spruce,
western red cedars, interpretive center and gift shop.
Sunrise Visitor Center:
Located 60 miles northeast entrance of the Nisqually entrance to Mount Rainier National
Park, the center informs visitors about the natural history of Mount Rainier, including
the volcano's recent eruptive history, through exhibits, photographs, maps and colorful
computer-generated illustrations. At 6,400 feet, this is the closest you can drive
to the peak. Enjoy nice day hikes and marvelous photo-ops. Guided interpretive programs
are available. Open July to October.
Dinner:
Summit House, ride a chairlift to the top of the mountain for a
sunset view of Mount Rainier. Seasonal, reservation required.
Overnight:
On or near Crystal Mountain
Day 2: Crystal Mountain - Mount Rainier National Park
Explore the Northwest's most popular icon - Mount Rainier. Discover scenic day hikes, historic lodges, wildflowers and waterfalls, bird watching, snow play and more. Chat with the park rangers at Longmire, Paradise, Sunrise and Ohanapecosh visitor centers. Discover active adventures and family fun during the four seasons of Mount Rainier.
Cayuse Pass:
Connecting Chinook and White Pass, Cayuse Pass follows along the east side of Mount Rainier National Park. The long, winding road offers spectacular views and wildlife watching opportunities. It is one of the state's most scenic and beautiful drives. Closed due to snow usually from November to mid-May.
Chinook Pass:
Meadows along Chinook Pass are abundantly stunning, with wildflowers and nature that is virtually untouched. Chinook Pass is one of the most scenic in the country and has been designated as a National Scenic Byway, an All American Road and serves as an entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. Keep an ear out for elk bugling in the adjacent woods. Pass closed due to snow in the winter months.
Optional Side Trip:
Ohanapecosh and hike to Silver Falls. The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center features exhibits about local history, wildlife and the surrounding old-growth forests. Guided interpretive programs are available. The popular hike to Silver Falls follows a relatively level trail along the river. It leads visitors along the east side of the river 1.5 miles to the falls, crosses a bridge, then loops back to the Ohanapecosh Campground on the river's west side. Opportunities abound for enjoying the old-growth forest community and watching for wildlife. Trail is accessible May to October. Visitor center closes for the winter season.
Stevens Canyon Road to Paradise:
This fantastic drive to experience Mount Rainier's breathtaking beauty has many “day use” destinations along its route. Cross rivers and streams and see beautiful Reflection Lakes, Martha Falls, Lake Louise and Box Canyon – a canyon over 100 feet deep but only 13 feet wide.
For over 1,000 years, the trees of the small island in the Ohanapecosh River have been protected from fire, avalanche and flood allowing them to grow to their colossal size. People come from all over the world to experience walking through ancient forests of trees with 30-foot circumferences. The one-mile trail to Grove of the Patriarchs is flat and easily navigated.
Reflection Lake:
See Mount Rainier's stunning reflection in the waters of Reflection Lake. Its picture-perfect beauty makes it one of the most photographed areas of the park and you can get there by car.
Paradise Inn:
The historic Paradise Inn, a concessionaire-operated hotel, offers lodging, a dining room and a gift shop. The Paradise Inn is usually open from late May to early October and is closed in the winter.
Wildflower meadows:
July to September
The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center offers exhibits, films, guided ranger programs, a bookstore, snack bar and gift shop. Usually open daily from May to early October. From mid-October through April, it is usually open only on weekends and holidays.
Scenic waterfalls:
Narada Falls. Take a short 0.2-mile walk to these breathtaking 168-foot falls. This popular roadside attraction offers spectacular views. Christine Falls is located four miles east of Longmire. A short walk from the pullout offers a classic view of the falls below the rustic stone arched bridge.
Longmire:
Museum, Ranger Station, Trail of Shadows (nature trail)
Dinner and overnight:
The National Park Inn, a rustic year-round lodge, offers stunning views of Mount Rainier. The inn's cozy lounge features an oversized stone fireplace and the wooded surroundings are stunning with native flora and fauna. A vintage and picturesque 1911 log cabin near the Inn houses a general store. Guided tours are available seasonally on weekends and holidays.
Day 3: Mount Rainier National Park - Eatonville
Ashford:
Ashford is a good place to make your base camp for climbs to the top of Mount Rainier. The town is a picturesque mountain hamlet with art and pottery studios, eateries, shops and mountain outfitters.
Whittaker Mountaineers:
Talk and slide show on climbing legends and summit attempts. Pre-arrange, fee-based.
Ex-Nihilo Sculpture Park, Elbe:
This sculpture park is populated with creations made from welded metal. See choppers, guitar players, cowboys, trains, animals and more – all made from used metal. See a dinosaur with a jaw made from backhoe teeth and legs made from the drivelines of a van. May to October.
Options:
Scenic railroad tour or wildlife viewing park.
Home to world's smallest post office, beautiful views of Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad:
Experience a steam train ride on a vintage locomotive through the picturesque foothills of Mount Rainier. Be on the lookout – herds of majestic Roosevelt Elk are often seen grazing in nearby pastures along the route.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park:
At the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, naturalist-guided tram tours bring visitors face-to-face with free-roaming bison, mountain goats, caribou and more than 200 other native Northwest animals. See wolves, bears, cougars and eagles and explore the many nature trails at this 715-acre park. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more when reservations are made.
Optional:
Pioneer Farm Museum & Ohop Indian Village: Learn how the pioneers lived at the Pioneer Farm located just north of Eatonville. It is a hands-on homestead built in 1887 with many activities for adults and children. Tour guides are happy to tell the experiences of those who homesteaded in Washington. A variety of tour experiences are available.
