On a clear day, Mount Rainier’s faint, snow-capped profile can be spotted from Seattle, just under two hours away by car, and is also easily accessible from Tacoma and Portland as well (all are under 200 miles away). Mount Rainier National Park, the fifth oldest park in the USA, is rich in stunning landscapes, outdoor activities and 9,000 years of human history.
1. Take a Hike: More than 260 miles of hiking trails traverse Mount Rainier National Park, weaving through forests and fields, and passing by lakes, streams and glaciers. From nature trails suited for families to backcountry and more intense routes, you’re sure to find a few that that suit your interests and skill levels.
2. Visit Paradise (Area) with a Park Ranger: Park ranger-led programs are offered throughout the park all year, but are more prevalent late-June through Labor Day. Programs focus on geology, wildlife, ecology, mountaineering and park history, and vary by day. In the winter, guided snowshoe walks in the Paradise Area offer a different perspective.
3. Get Enveloped by Wildflowers: Wildflower season (mid-July through mid-August) is magical at Mount Rainier National Park, and you’ll feel like you’re in paradise when surrounded by the vibrant blooms. In fact, you are: One of the best spots in the park to see wildflowers is in the Paradise Area.
4. Get On Your Bike and Ride: If you’d rather see the temperate rainforest on two wheels than two feet, take your bike along the Carbon River Road, one of the only places within the park where mountain bikes are welcome. The five-mile road is level, making for an easy ride through this incredible ecosystem.
5. Explore a Rainforest: Of the 236,000 acres that comprise Mount Rainier National Park, approximately 58% is forested, and the types of forests vary, including an inland temperate rainforest in the Carbon River area of the park. Between 70 and 90 inches of rain fall within the forest, resulting in long-hanging moss, ferns as far as the eye can see and towering Douglas firs overhead. You’re sure to feel like you’re in a fairy tale within the forest.
6. Get Face-to-Face with the Mountains: For some amazing mountain views, take some time to traverse the four-mile, family-friendly Sourdough Ridge Trail in the Sunrise Area of the park. In addition to stunning views, you may also spot wildflowers and cute little marmots along the way.
7. Chase Waterfalls: There are plenty of waterfalls to seek out when visiting Mount Rainier National Park, but one to add to your list is Silver Falls. The waterfall is fairly-easily accessible via the three-mile loop Silver Falls Trail, which meanders through old-growth forest, in which you may spot woodpeckers, deer and other wildlife, as well as fly fishermen casting their lines along the Ohanapecosh River.
Location: Mount Rainier National Park
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I love hiking and bike riding, so this park sounds like a great place for me! The photos are stunning!
ReplyDeletexx Mollie
I have always wanted to visit Seattle. This seems like a great way to explore Mt. Rainer. Thanks for sharing the deets. :)
ReplyDeleteVery cool, didn't realize it was a rainforest, you think of those only being in tropical areas!! I hope to make it out to PNW sometime soon with my kids!!
ReplyDeleteBike riding is one of my favorite activities and I would LOVE to do it there!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to check it out one day! It looks so beautiful there! Look at that view!
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What a beautiful place to visit! I need to get back up there.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Cathy
Beautiful photos! Adding this to my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I've never been but these photos are stunning! It looks like a gorgeous spot to visit and enjoy all the natural beauty.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely gorgeous place to visit! Looks like a place I would love to be right now with perfect weather!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place to visit. I would love to see the waterfalls and the wildflowers...sounds like heaven.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely stunning pictures! I am from the Northwest...Portland, OR! Love your pics.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are absolutely amazing! Looks like the most beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteGreta
Mount Rainier looks gorgeous! I'd love to get in on the wildflower action!! I love the photo of you jumping off that ledge...so fun!
ReplyDeleteMt. Rainer is my fav.. I need to go back soon. Once the smoke clears up. Its one of my favorite places and I dont live to far away from it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I need to go there ASAP! How were your accommodations? Did you camp? Are there hotels around too?
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about going to Mount Rainier before, it looks beautiful th
ReplyDeleteThis looks incredible - that waterfall picture is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love Mt. Rainier! I will need to check out the wildflowers next time we visit.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at bike ride. It's one of my favourite things to do and the view in those pictures are just stunning!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a beautiful place to visit. I think it's great that you break down things people can do there. I hate going camping and then leaving only to find out later there was some really cool thing I didn't see or do cause I didn't know about it.
ReplyDeleteThis looks beautiful and waterfalls are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, we would love to visit Mt Rainier and go for a hike and chase a few waterfalls!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! And it looks so peaceful!
ReplyDeleteThat looks absolutely incredible! Waterfalls are my favorite things!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Waterfall and forest looks so stunning!
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Such a beautiful place! I'd love to get lost in hiking and chasing waterfalls in Mount Rainier
ReplyDeleteThe scenery looks amazing! I would defo like to take a trip there!
ReplyDeleteHiking in such a wonderful natural decor must be so relaxing! What a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of an outdoors gal, but with a view like that, it'd be so worth it to take a look around!
ReplyDeleteThe place looks amazing, I love hiking and would love to visit there. The waterfall look so relaxing.
ReplyDeleteWow Mount Rainier looks incredible Tanvi. I bet it was so relaxing to explore and see everything it has to offer. I hope you had the best time.
ReplyDeleteMount Rainier is absolutely gorgeous. These photos are awesome. Certainly many great choices of things to do. Thanks for the tips
ReplyDeleteI haven't been here before but would love to visit! The waterfalls look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend has been wanting to go to my rainier, it's a but of a drive but hopefully we get to do it before fall finally kicks in. Thanks for sharing, your photos look amazing.
ReplyDeletexx, Des | https://www.itsbetterinheels.com
Never been to Mount Rainier. Looks like a great place to visit and like your outfits for the day.
ReplyDeleteAnna