Mount Rainier National Park |
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55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304(360) 569-2211 |
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Featuring the park's namesake mountain, a dormant volcano that stands 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier National Park offers challenging mountain hiking and climbing opportunities along with rewarding views of the surrounding mountains and lowlands. Six different major areas offer entryways into the park's trails system: the Paradise area in the southwest and Sunrise area in the northeast are the most popular of these regions. Each offers different unique trails and sights, from waterfalls to glaciers to meadows frequented by elk. Explore the area's natural and human history at the various visitor centers in the park or at the Longmire Museum on the southwestern end of the park. Mountaineers often can be spotted attempting to ascend to the mountain's peak, but this activity should be left to only expert climbers: there is plenty to see without trying to get to the top of this stunning mountain. There are five campgrounds within the park, though each has its own reservation rules and seasons of activity so some advance research is necessary before packing up for an overnight stay. Visible from over a hundred miles away, the mountain is about 60 miles southeast of Tacoma in the Cascade Mountain range.
Open daily year round. Visitor center hours vary, check website for details.
Entry fee (7 day pass): Vehicles $15; Individuals $5.
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