The Ultimate Guide 3 Days in Mount Rainier National Park
Are you planning a road trip to Washington and looking to explore 3 days in Mount Rainier National Park?
During our 10-day road trip in Washington this summer, we had an amazing time exploring 3 days in Mount Rainier National Park. This National Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with its stunning alpine scenery, beautiful wildflower meadows, and breathtaking hikes.
I’ve put together a detailed guide that covers all the awesome things to see and do in the park. With this 3-day itinerary for Mount Rainier National Park, you’ll have everything you need to make the most of your trip!
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About Rainier National Park
Nestled in the picturesque Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Mount Rainier National Park is a breathtaking natural wonder. Established in 1899, it proudly holds the distinction of being the fifth oldest national park in the USA. Conveniently located just 60 miles southeast of Seattle and approximately 140 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon, the park offers a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
Park Sections & Entrances
The park is divided into several areas and entrances:
- Paradise: Famous for its stunning wildflower meadows and breathtaking views of the mountain. This area can be accessed by Nisqually Entrance (Ashford) & Stevens Canyon Entrance.
- Sunrise: The highest point accessible by car, offering incredible panoramic vistas. This area can be accessed by White River Entrance.
- Longmire: Known for its historic district and the Longmire Museum. This area can be accessed by Nisqually Entrance (Ashford)
- Ohanapecosh: Popular for ancient forests and the serene Grove of the Patriarchs. There is no particular entrance.
- Carbon River: The least visited place compared to other regions. This area can be accessed by the White River Entrance.
Timed Entry Reservation
Currently, in Summer, you need a timed entry reservation to visit certain parts of Mount Rainier National Park. As of 2024, if you visit the Paradise and Sunrise sections of the park, you must make reservations between May/July and September to enter from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. The cost of the reservation is $2 per vehicle. If you do not have a reservation, you can enter the area before 7:00 am or after 3:00 pm. This reservation is in addition to the National Park Entrance Fee.
Park Facilities
You may not find a gas station inside the park, but you will find places to stay, campgrounds, and eateries in Longmire, Paradise, and Sunrise areas. For other facilities and budget hotels, you have to drive to the nearest town of Ashford and Packwood.
How to visit Mount Rainier National Park
To explore Mount Rainier National Park, the best way is to rent a car and drive to the area. We rented our car from Seattle Airport and drove to Mount Rainer National Park as part of our 10-day Washington Road Trip.
The closest major airports are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Seattle, WA, and Portland International Airport in Portland, OR. You can take a flight to either of these airports and rent a car from there based on your itinerary.
If you love camping, the other option would be to rent a Campervan. It is our dream to road trip in the USA with a Campervan, definitely gonna plan in our future travels.
If you have only one day to explore Mount Rainier National Park and you’re coming from Seattle, consider booking an organized day tour. This way, you won’t have to stress about renting a car and driving or figuring out where to go. The tour guides will ensure you see some of the best sights in an organized manner.
Best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park
The best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park is during the late summer months (mid-July to mid-September) when the weather is more predictable, roads are open and the wildflowers are in full bloom.
Where to stay in Mt Rainier National Park
Ashford & Packwood would be the best places to stay for exploring the Mount Rainer National Park. There are plenty of campgrounds available (Inside and Outside the Mount Rainier National Park), which I would suggest booking in advance as it fills up quickly.
Essential things to pack for Mount Rainier National Park
- Refillable Water Bottle: Always bring a bottle on your adventures to stay hydrated and carry enough water for your hikes.
- Sunscreen: It’s essential to carry sunscreen on a hike, on a sunny day at the park, especially in Summer. Trust me!
- Sunglasses: Make sure to pack sunglasses for sunny days.
- Headlamp: This is a must-have in case you get lost or end up hiking after sunset. We used it on our way back from the Mt. Fremont hike after sunset.
- Hiking Boots/Shoes: Avoid hurting your toes by wearing hiking boots or shoes. (For men & women)
- Hiking Socks: Wear the correct socks to prevent blisters. (For men & women)
- Hiking Pants: Comfortable and durable pants are essential for hiking trails with twists and turns, to ensure you can move freely. (For men & women)
- Hiking Shirts: Wear breathable clothing, as cotton shirts absorb sweat while hiking. (For men & women)
- Jacket: Remember to bring a jacket, as it can get pretty chilly throughout the year.
- Rain Jacket: Carry a rain jacket in case it starts pouring, which is always a possibility!
- Day Backpack: To carry all the hiking essentials, you may need a good day backpack.
- Camera Gear: Don’t forget to carry your camera or phone to capture all the memories you are going to create.
- Tripod: Bring a tripod to help you get the perfect photo in case there are no people around to assist you.
- Bug spray: You should bring bug spray for safety as you will be in the forest.
- Food & Snacks: You should always carry a snack pack on longer hikes .
3 days in Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary
We usually travel in a fast pace ticking off places one after the other. If you prefer to travel in a more relaxed way, you may need to adjust the itinerary accordingly. Alternatively, you can choose to remove some places from the list and save them for a future trip.
With that said, here is the 3-day in Mount Rainier National Park itinerary that covers all the amazing things to see and do in the park.
Day 1 – Paradise Area
Spend your first day in the Paradise area, and trust me! it truly lives up to its name. First stop: the Paradise Visitor Center to grab some maps and get the lowdown on the best trails. The ranger suggested doing the Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls, Alta Vista Trail & Nisqually Vista Trail. Let me tell you, the views were jaw-dropping!
Our initial plan was to do the Skyline loop, but it was closed for some parts because of the snow. We visited during the 4th of July, and the roads to Paradise had just opened that week. If you are looking to do the Skyline trail loop, I would suggest planning your trip to Mount Rainier National Park after mid-July.
Next, we made a quick stop at Christine Falls Bridge, a beautiful roadside waterfall. Then, we took a short detour to Ricksecker Point and enjoyed the gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier. After that, we pulled over to Narada Falls, where we saw a beautiful rainbow over the waterfalls. At sunset, we pulled over at Reflection Lake where Mt. Rainier’s peak reflected perfectly in the water – a photo op not to be missed.
As mentioned above, visitors to the Paradise section of the park will be required to make reservations between May and September to enter from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm (as of 2024). The cost of the reservation is $2 per vehicle. If you do not have a reservation, you can enter the area before 7:00 am or after 3:00 pm. This reservation is in addition to the National Park Entrance Fee.
If you have more time I would suggest including Comet Falls Trail and Pinnacle Peak Trail in your itinerary.
Hotel for the night – Ashford
Day 2 – Sunrise Area
Start by driving to the Sunrise area, which is the highest point in the park accessible by car. Before entering the Sunrise area, make a detour at Tipsoo Lake and take the easy trail around the lake for a stunning view. I recommend visiting during sunrise for the best scenery.
After that, head to the Emmons Moraine trail near White River Campground. This trail will lead you to a beautiful blue lake with a mountain view. Bring lunch and take your time to enjoy the views.
Then, drive to the Sunrise visitor center, take a break, and then go for another spectacular hike in the area – the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail. This trail offers stunning scenery without an overly strenuous climb. The path winds through wildflower meadows and rugged terrain, providing breathtaking views at every turn.
As we hiked, we couldn’t help but stop frequently to take in the panoramic vistas of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding peaks. The final stretch to Fremont Lookout is a bit of a climb, but after reaching the lookout and seeing 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, it took our breath away. Take your time, snap photos, and simply enjoy the incredible views.
The sunset from here is breathtaking – I definitely recommend doing this hike during sunset hours. Also, don’t forget to bring a headlamp if you’re planning to stay until after dark.
After we headed back to the parking area of Sunrise Visitor Center, it was already dark, and it was time for stargazing. The Sunrise area offers some of the best stargazing opportunities. I highly recommend staying after sunset and enjoying the sky full of stars. Bring your camera, tripod, picnic blanket, and snacks.
Hotel for two nights – Packwood
Day 3 – Ohanapecosh and Carbon River (if it is open).
Start your final day late, as you would have stayed up late stargazing the night before. On the last day in Mount Rainier National Park, visit the Ohanapecosh area. Here, hike the Silver Falls trail, a 3-mile loop starting from the campground day parking lot. Another option would be to hike from a roadside parking area on State Route 123, from where the hike is just a 1.6-mile round-trip.
Next head to the Carbon River side of the national park which is 2 hours 30 minutes drive from Ohanapecosh. One of the well-known hikes in the Carbon River region is the Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout, a 7.5-mile round-trip hike.
If you have extra days and looking for things to do in Washington, here are a few suggestions:
Best hikes to do in Mount Rainier National Park
Paradise Area
- Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls – 1 mile roundtrip – Easy hike
- Skyline Trail to Panorama point – 5.4 mile loop – Hard
- Alta vista trail – 1.8 mile round trip – easy
- Nisqually vista loop – 1.2 mile loop – easy
- Bench and Snow Lakes – 2.5 mile round trip – easy
- Comet Falls – 3.8 mile round trip
- Pinnacle Peak Trail – 2.9 mile round trip – hard
Sunrise area
- Emmons Moraine trail – 4.2 mile round trip – east (situated near white river campground)
- Mount Fremont lookout trail – 5.6 mile round trip – moderate (to hard)
- Silver forest trail – 2 mile round trip (stop at Emmons vista overlook)
Carbon River area
- Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout – 5.6 mile round trip
Ohanapecosh area
- Silver fall loop – 3 mile roundtrip
FAQs
How far is Mt Rainier National Park from Seattle?
- Sunrise area: around 95 miles from Seattle, 2 – 2.30 hours depending on traffic
- Paradise area: around 110 miles from Seattle, 2-3 hours depending on traffic
How many days are required to visit Mt Rainier National Park?
It depends! If you’re not into hiking and just want to enjoy the beautiful spots, I’d recommend 1 to 2 days. But if you’re a casual hiker like us, I’d suggest 3 to 4 days, depending on how many hikes you want to do. If you have one day to explore, I would suggest taking a day tour from Seattle.
Final thoughts
Spending three days in Mount Rainier National Park feels like stepping into another world—a world where towering peaks, lush meadows, and sparkling lakes become your everyday backdrop. Whether you’re hiking through the beautiful trails, admiring the stunning vistas, or simply soaking in the peaceful ambiance, Mount Rainier offers an abundance of enchanting experiences.
I hope this guide inspires you to pack your bags and explore this incredible national park for yourself.
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