Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
Mount Rainier National Park is located in Washington State, about a two-hour drive southeast of Seattle. Mount Rainier is a very high active volcano (about 4,400 meters) that stands out prominently in the Seattle skyline. In addition to its beautiful and snowy peak, it is surrounded by forests, rivers, valleys, waterfalls, and many hiking trails that make visiting the site a wonderful experience for nature lovers, showcasing its full glory and power.
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For a trip to this reserve, it is advisable to find a hotel close to the mountain to reduce travel times to the mountain and its attractions. The town of Packwood, located south of the reserve, is an excellent starting point. Keep in mind that the residential areas close to the mountain are small and do not have many restaurants, shops, etc. There is even no cell phone reception at all on the mountain and in its immediate vicinity. You can communicate abroad in hotels where there is usually internet. To enter the park from the south, drive north from Packwood on Highway 12 and then on Highway 123 to the park's visitor center at Ohanapecosh. Here you can get maps with recommendations for hiking trails, viewpoints, and more.
♦ Recommended hotels near Mount Rainier:
For those arriving at the reserve from the southern entrance, in the town of Packwood
A 3-star hotel, includes breakfast, rooms for 2-4 guests, free internet and parking.
For those arriving at the reserve from the western entrance in the town of Ashford
Rooms for 2-8 guests, suitable for families. Includes breakfast, free internet and parking, self-service laundry for a fee.
Forest walking trail – Grove of The Patriarchs
About two kilometers north of the visitor center. This is an easy hiking trail, about half an hour's walk, through an ancient rainforest with giant trees, about two kilometers long.
The trail partly runs next to a stream, and you even cross the stream via a suspension rope bridge over it.
Canyon trail – Box Canyon
Further along the road to the Paradise visitor center near the mountain, you reach a short circular trail, 800 meters long, which crosses two bridges—one for pedestrians and one for cars—over a deep and narrow canyon about 65 meters high, carved by the strong water currents of the river.
Hiking trails in the Paradise area
The Paradise area is the heart of the park, and as such, it features a large visitor center with various displays, a film about Mount Rainier, and of course, advice and guidance for travelers in the area. A variety of hiking trails of different lengths and difficulty levels start from the visitor center. Since the area remains snowy even in summer, you should check at the visitor center which trails are open and the difficulty level of each trail.
Everyone chooses a trail according to their physical ability, available time, and desire. Below are short trips in the area where you can see the best of it.
Myrtle Falls
A short distance from the visitor center, about 400 meters, an easy walking trail leads to Myrtle Falls. This is a small but photogenic waterfall because when you view it, you can see the snowy peak of Mount Rainier above it.
Walking trail – Nisqually Vista Trail
A mostly circular trail about two kilometers long with a moderate ascent of about 60 meters. Less than an hour's walk. The trail passes through snowy areas, some even on the path (depending on the season, ask at the visitor center). Along the trail, you can view the glaciers on the mountain, waterfalls, and the blooming flora in the area. Recommended.
Narada Falls
At the beginning of the descent from the Paradise site towards Longmire, there is a viewpoint for Narada Falls. The falls are close to the parking lot; you can view them from right above the parking area, but it is highly recommended to descend for about five minutes on a slightly steep trail to see the falls in full glory from below. On a sunny day, you can also see a beautiful rainbow because there is a lot of spray at the bottom of the waterfall.
In the northern part of the national park, there is another popular area to visit: the "Sunrise" area, which also has a large visitor center and a variety of hiking trails. Since the landscapes and views are similar to the Paradise area, it is recommended to visit this area only if you have an additional day for a trip to the park.