Best time to visit mt rainier reddit The weather at Mt Rainier that week went from 9 degrees and projected foot+ of snow to clear skies and temps in 50s I think. The hikes to bridal falls and wallace falls aren’t too hard/long and have great payoffs. Olympic peninsula, Hoh Rainforest and the Tree of Life. Baker course only three days before my first attempt unguided up Rainier. Olympic and North Cascades have plenty of opportunity for human powered boating (kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding). From local news and events to breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities, this community is a hub for British Columbians and anyone interested in the region. Which would you suggest is the best and why. Once on the mountain, you're looking at other mountains :-) Unless I'm hiking, I've never been a fan of being a tourist up at one of the visitor centers. If you go to Mt. Washington is the absolute best. I share your frustration and disappointment. We spent the first day at Longmire and the second day at Mt Rainier. Washingtonian here. Your welcome. 5 million people visit Mount Rainier for its wildflowers, wildlife, and exceptional mountain views of the highest peak in Washington. Rainier and maaaaybe a visit to Mt. Rainier (preferably snowshoes but Paradise at Mt. Helens depending on time. May is not in-season for Rainier yet. Will there still be Wildflowers at mount rainier in early September? Im planning a vacation with my family to washington once i get off my job/internship at the end of august around labor day. Like others have said, olympic is a bit a far, but if you have time, i’d go to lake crescent and maybe do mount storm king. Winter is an amazing time to visit the national park, but it can be unforgiving for the unprepared. We live on the East Coast, but spent a couple weeks driving to the West Coast and back. Rainier (snowshoes or spikes) Hex Mtn Snowshoe Olympic National Park is a must visit in April. My favorite trail out of both parks was pinnacle peak trail in Rainier. Be warned: have some recovery time from Mt. To give a bit of backstory: I was told by several coworkers and friends that Mount Rainier was the highlight of their time in Seattle. I'd really appreciate any recommendations from your personal experience. Rainier doing this, although the whole park is beautiful summer-fall. It actually may be too much time, IE my ideal time line would be day 1- climb to muir: leave the car around 9-10 am, arrive at muir at around 3pm. I’d keep checking in on them via alltrails comments but I think your best bet would be to find a hike in the cascades. We had time for a single day side trip to Mount Rainier, which we used to hike the Skyline Trail loop. Once you get closer to the mountain, the trail splits, and there's a couple of choices; it's easy to just wait until you get to a choice and then pick the direction that looks prettier at the time. Rainier for people who aren’t hikers hi everyone! i’m planning on going to Mt Rainier National Park and I had a couple questions! Just to preface, I’m not a super experienced hiker and i’m skeptical about completing the entire Skyline Loop Trail as it’s very long and i’ve heard people say it is difficult. Yes I know I'm dumb trying to do this last minute. Of these my personal favorite is the Paradise side of Mt. Which town would have some sort of food options, maybe coffee for the mornings, and/or be easier to travel through with the unpredictable Thank you! We have some decent boots. Nov 17, 2023 · This 2 and 3 day Mount Rainier National Park itinerary will cover the best month to visit Mount Rainier, how to navigate the park, and the best things to do in each section of the park! Over 1. 3K votes, 48 comments. This is a land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the thousands, and of canyons and granite cliffs. Mount Rainier National Park has some of the best viewpoints, trails, and waterfalls, making you quickly fall in love with the area. One full day minimum at Mt Rainier, one full day minimum at Crater Lake, and three full days at Olympic. Olympic, like other people have said, require an extended time or more hiking to see everything. Little rain, still warm, but not blistering hot August weather. When is the best time to visit Washington National Parks? Perhaps the best tip, if you're traveling in busy months, is to visit on weekdays rather than weekends. I think we will be pushing more the first few days to see as much stuff in ONP and are tying to keep our Both the beaches, forests, and mountains are well worth dedicating significant time to in Olympic, a sample itinerary might include a hike to Cape Alava at Ozette, a visit to the Hoh rainforest, a stop at Lake Crescent (not officially in the park but oh so beautiful) and a trip up to Hurricane Ridge. May 8, 2025 · Winter (December to February) Winter is the quietest season at Mt. If you want an easy trip and a great view, see if yo have a sunny day and go to the Crystal Mountain ski resort. This period is the only window of time when the park is fully accessible. She only has time to choose one park to go to. The south spur route up Mt Adams avoids the glaciers and is just a snow climb all the way to the summit. Mar 20, 2025 · The best time and place to see wildflowers in Mount Rainier is the last week of July and the first week of August, anywhere on or near the Skyline Trail Loop. I get in late on a Tuesday and the concert is on the following Friday, so I have about 2 days and some changes to check out a park, but I don't know which one I should do. It is has an awesome summit, rather like a castle turret, and easy to climb, with a sort of ramp to the summit. It's a dream when this Calif. June you should be able to do some of it. I think you're underestimating how fast these guy move. Upon further research, I’m finding that in early April there still way too much snow to do the hike, and most of the park might still even be closed. Snow has usually melted from the trails and lakes, the landscape is lush, wildflowers are in bloom, and the weather is reliably good. Asking for a friend who is going up to visit. Apr 9, 2025 · Mid-July to early August is the best time to see wildflowers at Mount Rainier. Rainier is not like Zion. Rainier at the end of October. For the best chance to see peak blooms, visit in late July. I had a similar experience the last time I was at Mount Rainier NP. Sure, it was not anything crazy, but I could not imagine going there earlier in the year like March and it not be a ton of snow at Mt Rainier. Rainier, you can either camp in the Cougar Rock campground (if you're lucky enough to reserve a spot) or cabin/motel in the nearby towns like Ashford and Elbe. Odds are good you'll get great weather, honestly; you just want a little insurance that isn't too bulky to carry around. Jul 24, 2023 · The absolute best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park is during the summer and early fall months, when the park is most accessible and most colorful! During this peak season, picture-perfect roads and numerous hiking trails free of snow await you. Mount Rainier National Park was established in 1899, making it one of the oldest national parks in the US. So that's a good one to put on your list. It got quite a few nice trails (from 2 to 12 miles) and it’s relatively easy to get to (you will probably need to take a passengers/cars ferry to get there if you are coming from Seattle, but the trip will be quite enjoyable by itself). I'm aware that tire chains are required to have and there are rentals at Whittaker's Mountaineering. Day 2: start climbing early, 12am-1am- summit around 8 am. But the mountain will be all snow, probably a 10ft wall of snow at the parking lot at that time. For what it is worth, I visited all 3 in late July this past year. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Thank you in advance for any recs!! Also we will be using AllTrails to find hiking trails but feel free to share any favorites, especially the ones with a nice view. . Crowds are usually pretty bad at Mt Rainier. ★ When is the best time to avoid crowds at Despite its size, you can visit Mount Rainier National Park in a single day. Take the gondola up. Bring a large-tired wagon for water, beer and supplies. Rainier costs $30 for a private vehicle that covers 7 day. I wouldn't worry about goretex—the packable nylon ones from REI or Columbia (or even Amazon) are perfect. Absolutely mind blowing. Shockingly, there was still several stretches of snow on the Skyline trail in Mt Rainier, still melting away in the 85 degree heat. What suggestions do you have for hikes/drives/Scenic areas/food? 3 days is more than enough time to climb Rainier. Late July would be the best combo of nice weather and lower risk of forest fires. No views of Mt Rainier from camp site but short walks to see that view. Brief History of Mount Rainier National Park The HOH Rain forest is unlike any place on the planet! Literally! When the last ice age covered everything in North America, the sheer size of the Mountain refused to let the glaciers cover the HOH, and so… you have a forest that has elements that are older by about 100,000 years than anything else on our continent! Mar 20, 2025 · The best time and place to see wildflowers in Mount Rainier is the last week of July and the first week of August, anywhere on or near the Skyline Trail Loop. Btw, Mt. It was great! Had sun for Port Angeles/Sul Duc/Lake Crescent and Forks/Hoh. If you go on a weekday, it won't be very crowded. Also, I’m having a hard time picking trails in Olympic and Rainier—there are so many on AllTrails, and I can't narrow it down. From my experience, this is usually when the weather is the best and you’re more likely to have clear views of Mount Rainier. Picking the right time to visit Mount Rainier is crucial. Enjoy! If both sides are open you can drive from one side to the other it’s great! There’s short hikes in between like silver falls and the suspension bridge next to it! Tons of view points. Apr 5, 2025 · Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park. Helens. org, you can search the trip reports by date and location, so for example you can see all trip reports for the second half of October last year, at mount rainier. This is coming from someone who’s never been to any of the 3 but hoping to visit all 3 next week (spending 1 night in Forks). The temperatures during this period are usually around 20°F to 40°F (-7°C to 4°C), making it ideal for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other winter activities. Walking around the lake is more of a stroll than a hike. The wife and I are celebrating our 20th by spending 5 nights next week in Packwood and doing some hiking and driving around Mt. The Emmons route smoked me. Give my best to Mt. Not only will you get a spot, you'll also be much more alone on the trail. It's gorgeous in the rain, clouds or sun: Per the parks website: "May 24 through September 2 timed entry reservations are required to enter the Paradise Corridor on the south side of the park from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. I agree it's necessary. The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. I love hiking and want ideally want to close to Mt Rainier to do the skyline trail hike. Roads will be clear, and if the weather is good, it can be spectacular. That's why I'm planning on a week long visit to just Mt. Generally the Venn diagram of people who can do Rainier in a day safely and people who get a guide for Rainier are two separate circles, and the guiding services don't want to encourage people to take the risk of a 1 day climb/lie about their experience and screw over everybody. Our plan is first 4 nights in ONP and then on the 4th day drive from ONP (Forks) to a cabin near Mt Rainier for 4 nights. Trails at Paradise or Sunrise can get a bit crowded in the afternoon. Add Mt Baker as well, even though technically not a NP. In particular, the North Cascades and around Mt Rainier? I know the area around Paradise at Mt Rainier has mostly melted in the last few days. It was worth it. At Paradise, the parking lot usually fills by late morning, so arrive early around 7 AM. Spending a few nights in the Mt Rainier area in July and trying to figure out the best place to stay. Is Ashford the best option? Packwood? Any hotels that good, or is AirBNb the best option? Hello, We’re planning a PNW road trip for late July and would like to visit some scenic hiking spots around the Seattle area. Rainier April 21-24. Come to Washington state on the 4th of July next year, and climb Mt Adams (12,276'). 321K subscribers in the SeattleWA community. And in a double recent hikes in the Central Cascades (Hwy 2 and Snoqualmie Pass) we found snow at 4,500-5,000 ft elevations and juust blooming wildflowers. You can also use any of the annual passes like the America the Beautiful Pass to get in. Welcome to r/Tacoma, The Subreddit of Destiny. I’d recommend doing Olympic National Park and Mt. High hut has a fantastic view of rainier. If I was going to pick one park it would be Olympic though, splitting time between the west and east side. We have an inexpensive flight deal from delta for flights to Seattle around April 19th and we were thinking of taking advantage of it to go see Mt Olympic National park. Best case scenario, you're just carrying something extra heavy because of the extra zippers and fabric. Mount Rainier has 2 main areas - Paradise and Sunrise, but they are only a couple hours apart so you can use one base more easily. And he's the same dude that beat world speed mountaineer Ueli Steck's time on Rainier. You need to reserve a parking spot at the main lodge though. Mid-July to mid-August is generally the best time of year to visit Mount Rainier. Mar 31, 2025 · Wrap-Up: Best Time to Avoid Crowds Mt Rainier If you’re visiting in summer, know that encountering some crowds is inevitable, especially around Paradise during the day. For all that is good in the Pacific Northwest. Wildflowers are in full bloom, making the park look like something out of a storybook. Worst case scenario, you can't remove the insulation on the inside and you're overheating the whole way because you're stuck wearing midweight insulation under your shell the whole time. Paradise side of rainier is a great choice for October. Sealy The Nuns Veil Mt. I'm staying in Packwood, and I'll concentrate mostly on Paradise with a little time at Sunrise and Mowich Lake. During winter, only the Longmire/Paradise entrance to the park is open. Yes, wildfires have been more common but just check for any closers beforehand and hope it's not bad air quality while you're out there. We are trying to decide on a place to stay between a few cabins in Ashford and Packwood. Call the ranger station they get back to you within 48 hours. Only about 30 minute walk in. A few friends and I are staying in Packwood July 12 - 15th to hike in Mt Rainier. I haven’t made the drive yet because the best part of going up there is to stop and enjoy the viewpoints and landmarks along the way. Don't get anything that has a built in jacket. A lot of MRNP's visitors are local, and it's seen as one of the go-to places in the area, so there's a lot of disappointment from the loc We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. It takes 2-1/2 hours to climb from the Lunch Counter to the false summit at 11,000', and on your return, it only takes 10-15 minutes to nonstop glissade the entire 2,500'!!! I climb Mt Adams just for that Aug 3, 2022 · 💵 Mt. Columbia River Gorge is absolutely stunning at that time of year, by the way. And it is home to Mount Rainier, the iconic 14,410-foot volcano. Winter is fun, too, but some trails might be inaccessible depending on conditions. I know Paradise entrance is closer to Ashford which is open year round. Apr 9, 2025 · Early mornings are the best time to visit to see Rainier lit up with a pretty crimson pink and catch the mountain’s reflection in the water if it’s calm. Oct 15, 2023 · Paradise is lovely to visit at any time of the year, but my personal favorite time to visit Paradise is in the late summer or early fall. Rainier roads have sharp turns and some areas are steep. Drury Scenic Parkway in Redwood National and State Parks — each first Saturday of the month between October and May — vehicular traffic is blocked from these 10 glorious miles Very wise. You need only 15 – 20 minutes here. Hello everyone, my wife and I are planning a trip in October to Mount Rainier. Reply reply Jul 23, 2022 · Mount Rainier National Park has four main entrances: Nisqually (southwest), Carbon River (northwest), White River/Sunrise (northeast), and Stevens Canyon (southeast). I highly don't recommend doing it without winter tires at the minimum. Rainier will allow you to do some easy hikes with amazing views of the mountain. 5 years ago I visited Mt. I've been very reclusive & overwhelmed over the last few months, and this Seattle trip is my first travel in years -- so I committed to visiting the mountain & surrounding park in order to push myself outside my Better to be too early than too late. My flight won’t get me into Seattle until about 10:45 local, which puts me at the park probably a little after lunchtime. Rainier has shorter trails that are microspikes friendly) Skyline Lake near Steven's Pass (microspikes) Snow Bowl Hut at Mt. The hike was fun and the views were spectacular. Stopped at random scenic points on the drive. Thanks for all the help! We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. We went to Seattle last year in mid June and there was still 11ft of snow on Mt Rainier and we didn’t get to see the park in all its glory. St. Some spend all day talking about how gritty it is, others simply think this is where trucks were invented, but Tacoma is a beautiful city filled with art, food, beer, music, nature and people. That trip is the main reason I decided to move to Washington state. The Nisqually entrance (via SR 706) is probably the most popular given its year-round access for vehicle traffic, proximity to the state’s main highways, and access to Longmire and Paradise. Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance (~273mi/440km) trail in the United States. This is when all of the roads will be open and many hiking trails will be free of snow. But you can't beat the location for access to the mountain. I've hiked the most popular hikes in the most popular parks (Zion, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountain, Rocky Mountain, etc. r/Mount_Rainier: All about Mount Rainier :Pics, Videos, News, Memories, etc. I’d definitely recommend Olympic national park or Mount Rainier, both have tons of hiking and are absolutely beautiful. It's on a ridge, so really there's just the two hikes: towards the mountain, or away from the mountain. Assuming I’m online right at 7pm when they become available, should I be able to get one? Paradise visitors center will be open on the weekends in October. Baker or recent exercise and Go light. Next day while hiking to Hole in the Wall and tide pools it was cloudy/foggy at the beach about only about a mile inland if that. Next August I plan on flying into Seattle, departing from Portland, and originally I was just going to do Mt Rainier, Olympic, scenic drive along Oregon coast, and Crater Lake over the course of 10 or 11 days. Day 2: Sunrise region of Mt Rainier: Mt Fremont Lookout, First and Second Burroughs, Sunrise Rim Trail. Personally you’d probably have an easier time at Paradise then Sunrise although that’s going to be a longer drive. 40 votes, 23 comments. You need at least 3 days for ONP from Seattle if you’re planning on stopping at the beaches, the Hoh Rainforest, & Lake Crescent. With much of the park getting heavy snowfall, the window to see the park without snow on the ground is incredibly narrow. Paradise and if you like hiking, the Skyline trail. It is a FUN mountain, because of the great glissade. You just need to see it. Also, if you go to wta. I was in good but not excellent shape (8:45 mile run). Rainier is a glaciated volcano, it is the highest peak in the Cascade range, standing at about 14410 feet. The park entrance is at a lower elevation and will probably have little to no snow. Vernon area for the annual tulip festival. Amazing view of Mt Rainier, and there's a restaurant right there. I took a rushed crevasse rescue course/ successful Summit of Mt. Looking into poles as it was recommended by others as well. The main campgrounds are all booked up, and while there are a couple hundred first come first serve campsites, we won't make it to there until about 2:30pm so there's no way in the world we will get Assuming you are looking for day hikes, try Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park. That said, I have a toddler and live in closer proximity to the mountain then Seattle is. r/BritishColumbia is dedicated to all things related to the Canadian province of British Columbia, situated on the stunning West Coast. But keep Mt Adams in mind. Like a magical fairyland. You need crampons and and ice axe. The road to Paradise is open year round. Rainier/Olympic but I hear that in early May it’s still covered in snow and I want to go somewheres a bit warmer where there’s not as many restrictions cause of the snow but still be a nice mountainous park. Also, let others know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Is this correct? :/ can anyone recommend ang other beautiful mt rainier treks to do in April then? Thank you! Despite its size, you can visit Mount Rainier National Park in a single day. This time I wanted to share a bit of it with others! [OC - Youtube link in comments] Autumn is an amazing time to visit Mountain Rainier National Park, which is awash in the season's colors starting in late September. I have read July and August give the best chance for a summit but have also read that the best weeks have been moving up in the season also. It is, however, insensitive to those around them. Bring plenty of warm clothes, boots, and other equipment to keep you safe in the Mount Rainier wilderness. Posted by u/One_Designer_3102 - 2,186 votes and 61 comments White River is the only one in the park with FCFS sites. Mar 26, 2024 · The best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park is during the summer months. Rainier. Here are some of the areas we recommend making time to see: Paradise: Arguably the most iconic area, Paradise offers stunning views of the mountain, the Nisqually Glacier, and a web of easy-to-moderate hiking trails like Skyline Trail and Myrtle Falls. Mt. Come over to WA state and visit Mt Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic NPs. ) in pretty much complete serenity by beating everyone else to the trailhead. I must admit that crystal mountain's gondola has a STUNNING view of Rainier if there are any mobility issues with your parents. Stunning views of the 3 days is more than enough time to climb Rainier. The route to the summit doesn't cross any glaciers. Half of the posts about mt rainier NP I see are along these lines. Rainier is largely alpine and will get you to a glacier with stunning mountain vistas. Is that still a good time to visit Mt rainier and olympic np? Ugh. Hang out get some sleep. Day 3: Paradise region of Mt Rainier: Skyline Loop Trail, Bench + Snow Lake Trail. One of the somewhat unique aspects about Mt. During the summer months, the weather is also the warmest and driest of the year. If you're up for it, you can hike to Camp Muir, but that is an all day event. I would highly recommend splitting between Olympic and Mount Rainier if you only have that amount of time. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border as it crosses Vermont's highest peaks. 1. Mt Rainier and Olympic are both great. You might also consider avoiding the Sunrise and Paradise areas altogether, heading instead to the more remote sections of the park, such as the Carbon River area in the northwest section, or the Denman Falls/Gobblers Knob area in the southwest. I really want to get to the top but weather turned me around both times. I was thinking Mt. The weather is perfect for exploring the hiking trails, camping, and any outdoor activity you could imagine. Day 4: Longmire region of Mt Rainier in the morning then drove to Port Angeles. I recommend visiting from mid-July to mid-September. But with these strategies—and the ten extra tips in my free guide covering timing, accommodations, destination choices, and packing—you’ll be well-prepared to make the Mar 18, 2021 · When is the Best Time to Visit the Park? The summer and early fall are the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park. Destination Whitehorse- A short film I shot from my recent visit. I've been to Olympic and had an excellent time and would like to try something new. It is a bit lower than Mt Rainier (14,410'), but right across the valley. We are going the first weekend of august to mount rainier and trying to figure out tent camping. Hi! We’re headed to Mt. I have tried two unsuccessful guided attempts the past few years to summit Rainier and am looking to try again. Thanks to Mount Rainier’s high elevation, winter lasts a long time. Snow lingers in the forests at Rainier a lot longer than in the meadows too, so chances are you're not going to find a snow free hike at Rainier that's more than a couple miles in length (basically just the low elevation trails). 29 June arrival to Seattle, 2 h drive to Mt Rainier 30 June: Mt Rainier Paradise Area (need to choose trails) Apr 9, 2025 · Early mornings are the best time to visit to see Rainier lit up with a pretty crimson pink and catch the mountain’s reflection in the water if it’s calm. The meadows around Paradise and Sunrise offer stunning displays of wildflowers like avalanche lilies and pink mountain heather without requiring strenuous hikes. Mt Rainier will be an all day car trip. . First night in forks we got to enjoy sunset at Rialto. Rainier—it's my favorite place on earth and I hope you have a fantastic time there. I anticipate only being able to spend 5 days around Seattle and am trying to figure out how to best divide our time between the surrounding national parks - rainier, cascades and Olympic. Rainier, head to Crystal Mountain and take the gondola up. r/SeattleWA is the active Reddit community for Seattle, Washington and the… However, with guides, Mt Baker is a great first mountain. Want to try to hit each of the areas of the park if possible, so I want somewhere to stay that is a relatively short drive to the park. I’d change your plans and do some island driving and hiking instead like Whidbey Island/Deception Pass. Oct 27, 2023 · Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most beautiful Washington national parks and will take your breath away with its stunning views. national park road closes to cars — On Hike and Bike Day, cars are canceled on the Newton B. Autumn does bring cooler temperatures—expect low 50s during the day and upper 30s at night—and October can be rainy. The best time of day to view the wildflowers is between 9 am to 2 pm because the sun makes the colors pop and encourages flowers like lupines and paintbrush to open fully. I'm going to Seattle in late April for a concert and I wanted to spend some time at a park. If you’re a first time visitor to the park this southwest area is where you should go. But maybe something like Shriner Peak would be clear enough to get at least part way up to where there are some views. Paradise and Sunrise are great places to visit. Barth So I'm visiting Seattle this weekend (February 21-25) and was planning on doing a day trip to Mt. There are plenty of hikes you can do that are in the park but not at high elevation. Really won't know until a week or two before you're going so probably best to keep your plans and just start watching the weather come late August. I love the scenery up north and keep coming back to visit. Or hwy 20 in north cascades. Contrary to the other posters here… you won’t need snowshoes by this time of year, just some decent boots if you want to head up the slope to paradise point. Rainier, with cold weather and limited access to trails and roads. I found out that I’ll have to book some of our timed entry slots the night before, as most of the 90 day advanced tickets have sold out. Mt Shasta in California is 14,163, just shy of Mt Rainier, and physically much easier. Got room at National Park Inn last minute. September is a great time for WA/OR. Some facts about Mount Rainier National Park. There will still be 15+ feet of snow at Paradise (Skyline Trail), and Chinook Pass probably won't be open on Highway 410, which means no access to the Sunrise Road for the Emmons Moraine Trail (and even if Chinook is open, the Sunrise Road won't be) and no access to Tipsoo Lake (which will also be buried Mount Rainier visit on a time crunch: Sunrise or Paradise I’m going to try to get out to the park on a Tuesday in July, since I have an extra travel day for work. Thanks for the webcam tip. Cell signals can be spotty in some areas of the park and the last thing you want on your last days here is to do something risky. Allows some time for training (assuming we go with a local guide) Includes glacier traverse or other snow and ice challenges Looking at guiding options on South Island, I've been getting the following recommendations: Mt. It’s a great all day way to pack in lots of rainier in a little time. Panoramic views of Mt Rainier (close up) and Mt hood, Mt Adams, Mt st helens to the south. But I definitely try to get to busy spots Rainier and North Cascades are both fairly easy day trips. We will be renting a car and drive from Tacoma airport. Plenty to see in those to parks and much less driving than trying to go all the way up to North Cascades. I'll be there soon. Mt Rainier NP is much larger than the mountain. Lot's of people without reservations will be doing the same thing, and you may end up in traffic slowing you down to the point that you don't get in before 7 and get turned away. Apr 25, 2024 · The best time to visit Mount Rainier is during late summer, from mid-July to September. Yeah, you're gonna need to re-evaluate your plans. Last summer I did a lone two-week road-trip from Santa Barbara to Seattle and while I visited many amazing places along the way, I was mesmerized by the beautiful Mt. If you're going soon and you don't have lodging reservations already, good luck. PThe Paradise Lodge is located right at Paradise, and is really basic with an overpriced crappy restaurant. Rainier and North Cascades (I didn't make it there last time). Ive even found better hiking spots in MT. Much like the city, this forum is a dusty old jewel of Puget Sound. Sunrise is closed. The road into the park is generally maintained, but it is still icy and snow covered, so I suggest getting a vehicle with 4 wheel drive and snow tires or chains should be an option. 🎟 Visitors will need to get timed entry permits to visit the Paradise area from 7 am-3 pm in June! My spouse and I took a cross-country road trip recently. AAI doesn't do private Rainier trips so you're left with RMI or IMG. Just did this as a 10 day trip last year (with two full days of driving to Washington and back) and it really wasn’t enough time. I'm a pretty fit dude (half dozen ultras, lots of heavy carries of snowboard, heavy bags, etc) and I'd be absolutely turning it to the max (probably unsafe) to double Alex King's Mt hood time(<2 hours). Just crazy to see this volcanic monument. The Olympics have a lot more wilderness/back country camping available while I find Rainier has more enjoyable day trip hikes. I can somewhat understand the loud voices and yelling (although that drives me nuts when out in nature) as people are enjoying the moment. Rainier is its proximity to a few million people in the Puget Sound region and Yakima, compared to other parks like Arches and Glacier NP, which are several hours from big population centers. You can also visit Mt. Then another 1-2 to get to the top. As others have said, going before 7 am is going to be your best option but I would recommend going before 6:30 am. If you can't find a site there, your best bets will be to try one The Dalles, Silver Springs, La Wis Wis, or Lodgepole outside of the park; they all fill up more slowly than the three big ones in the park. The best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park is July through August, when wildflowers transform the park's subalpine meadows and the dry, warm weather provides optimal hiking conditions. All have gorgeous wildflowers in mid summer (peaking late July and early August). The main risk is smoke from forest fires at that time though, but the weather should be nice. Most people go toward the mountain. Earnslaw Mt. Jan 6, 2022 · Mt Rainier and North Cascades have incredible fall colors. Rainier on Saturday. descend to muir, then descend to the car. The nice thing about taking in Mt Rainier's majesty is that the scenic viewpoints/outlooks along the way are (in my opinion) a better way to take in the mountain. Thanks for all the help! Mt Rainier and Olympic are both great. REI also offers guided snowshoeing trips if you want to be part of a group. 155K subscribers in the Washington community. I'll be getting a rental car. It's so worth the visit if you've never been, have a great trip! Of course ill have a trip itinerary, with major things planned, some day or weekend hikes, but Ill drive-tour the area and figure out what all the best spots and things to do on a return trip. 2-3 hours to drive there. Hello, I’m currently planning a trip to a National Park from May 6th - May 15th and i’m trying to decide where I should go. 29 June arrival to Seattle, 2 h drive to Mt Rainier 30 June: Mt Rainier Paradise Area (need to choose trails) We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Ohanapecosh (SW of both) is also a good destination if you're into old-growth forests. There are multiple areas to visit, each with substantial facilities. It's more like Glacier NP, I'd say. There will be snow at the Paradise parking lot - probably 15 feet of snow making walls around the parking lot. However, Rainier is closer to loads of great hiking in the surrounding forest and I find myself near Rainier much more often than Olympic because the hikes tend to be less muddy. Nov 28, 2022 · The Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park: A Complete Guide. Next time if you are afraid of hiking in the snow ask about the best times of year to hike around mt rainier snow free instead of asking if the tallest volcano in the cascades will have snow on it. You can see Mt Rainier from the summit of Mt Adams. Panorama Point at Mt. Perhaps the best tip, if you're traveling in busy months, is to visit on weekdays rather than weekends. Don’t go to Rainier in late April… you probably won’t even be able to see the mountain due to cloudy or rainy weather. So, what is the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park? Like most destinations in the mountains, Mount Rainier is a fairly seasonal destination in Washington State, though it can be visited year-round as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into. Apr 9, 2025 · Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier. It's a smaller park and I find it generally harder to get away from people. Does anyone here knows best place to lodge/stay?. There’s other stuff you can do at lower elevations. jrqquebofwemufznnctcyyqajcsdkdbxdzmqxsarqldwwt