
Article Overview: Epic Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park
Use all of the adjectives you want, none of them can possibly evoke the right emotions one feels when first gazing upon Mount Rainier in the early morning from the Paradise area of the national park. This is just one of the many incredible things to do at Mount Rainier, America’s most beautiful national park.
I realize this is a bold claim but I dare anyone who’s hiked through Mount Rainier’s epic wildflower meadows in peak bloom to argue the point.
John Muir once referred to Mount Rainier as:
“The most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings”
The phrase has been immortalized by the National Park Service on the steps leading to the gardens in the paradise section of the park he was referring to.
Read on to learn everything you need to know to plan a trip full of the best things to do at Mount Rainier National Park.

Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
Table of Contents: Things to Do In Mount Rainier National Park
Table of Contents: Things to Do In Mount Rainier National Park
- Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park Fun Facts
- Mount Rainier National Park Map & Regions to Visit
- Top 20 Best Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park
- Top 15 Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park
- Top 10 Best Things to Do at Mount Rainier
- Top 5 Things to Do at Mount Rainier
- 3 Day Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary
- Map of Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
- Summary of Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park Fun Facts
How tall is Mount Rainier?
At 14,417 feet tall, Mount Rainier is the tallest of the Cascade Mountains, the 5th tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, and has the 3rd greatest prominence of any mountain in the United States.
First ascent of Mount Rainier
The first ascent of Mount Rainier was completed on August 17, 1870 by Philemon Beecher Van Trump and Hazard Stevens. Many of the parks features have been named for them.
Is Mount Rainier a Volcano?
Something most folks don’t know is that Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano despite not having a recent major eruption like Mount St Helens.
Is Mt Rainier Dangerous?
Mount Rainier is considered one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes. Volcanologists from the US Geological Survey estimate that about 80,000 people live within Mount Rainier’s hazard zones. Scientists say that it’s even possible that the volcano could erupt suddenly with little to no prior warning.
Mount Rainier Eruptions
The last time Mount Rainier erupted was in 1894.
What is Mount Rainier’s Native Name?
Mount Rainier’s longest serving and native name is Tahoma. With the recent slate of peaks being renamed to their native names (like Denali), it seems like this is another great candidate for renaming.
How many glaciers are on Mount Rainer?
There are 25 major glaciers on Mount Rainier. Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous US.
For more amazing mount rainier facts check out our full article:
Things to Know Before Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
Entrance Fees
$15 per vehicle OR if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months I suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be found at the entrance gates to most national parks). This pass gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee.
Sunscreen
Use it. Lots of it. Especially this one which I never leave the house without because it plays nice with our dear friend, earth 🙂
Gas
Fuel up fully before you get into the park. Drive times are longer than you might assume because there are no through roads. Drive times from popular destinations can be 3+ hours apart. More on drive times below.
Cell Service
Cell Service is spotty in the park but there is some sporadically at Paradise as well as some at Sunrise.
Guide Book
The Best Guide Book for Mount Rainier National Park is this one which we’ve marked up and highlighted quite a bit.
Map
The Best Map: I like this map best for Mount Rainier National Park.
Water
Drink it. Lots of it. Don’t forget it in the car.
Best Time to Visit Mt Rainier National Park
The Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park is during the Summer when temperatures are warm, and the wildflower meadows are exploding with kaleidoscopic colors. For peak wildflower viewing I recommend the first couple of weeks in August.
Restaurants & Food Options at Mount Rainier
Food options are limited in the Mount Rainier area with a general store being available at the Paradise Inn with basic snacks, a general store and restaurant at Longmire, a basic store at Sunrise with basic groceries, and not much else to speak of. I highly recommend packing way more snacks & water than you think you’ll need (and packing out your trash).
Maps of the National Parks
National Parks Checklist Map: This beautiful National Parks Checklist Map can be ordered to your house.
Framed National Parks Map: We’re a sucker for maps, this framed national parks map is the best.
Where to Stay at Mt Rainier
Visiting Mount Rainier National Park? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our favorite hotel in Mount Rainier in Summer & our favorite hotel during the rest of the year.
I’ve also listed where to stay in the few towns near Mount Rainier with accommodations: Enumclaw (epic views of Rainier), Packwood, & Ashford.
There are also two lodges located within the park itself: The National Park Inn (Longmire) & the famous Paradise Inn (Paradise).
Mount Rainier National Park Map & Regions to Visit
Mount Rainier National Park has five distinct regions you should be aware of while planning your trip. Despite being relatively close to each other on the map, drive times between each of these regions can be significant.
The reason? There’s no road across the top of the mountain meaning you’ve got to drive around it which can take a long time.

Download this printable Mount Rainier National Park Map: JPG | PDF
The 5 Regions of Mount Rainier National Park
- Mowich Lake / Carbon River (Northwest)
- Longmire (Southwest)
- Paradise (South)
- Ohanepecosh (Southeast)
- Sunrise/White River (Northeast)
Drive Times Between Popular Areas at Mount Rainier
- Sunrise to Mowich Lake – 2.5 hours
- Paradise to Sunrise – 1.5 hours
- Paradise to Tipsoo Lake – 1 hour
- Tipsoo Lake to Sunrise – 45 minutes
- Longmire to Paradise – 20 minutes
- Longmire to Mowich Lake – 2.5 hours
Top 20 Best Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park
20. Explore the White River Area
Location: Sunrise/White River, Mount Rainier
One of the more unsung places to explore and things to do in Mount Rainier is the White River area. Most folks fly by White River on their way up to see the more famous Sunrise section of the park. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds at Rainier then this is a great spot.
The Glacier Basin Trail and Emmons Morraine Trail are two really excellent hikes that give you a unique perspective of the mountain. I once hiked the Emmons Morraine Trail around midnight with headlamps to see watch the stars and see the flashlights of the climbers ascending the mountain at night.


19. Go Wildflower Peeping
Location: Paradise, Mount Rainier
One of the absolute best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park (if you’re visiting during the right season) is going wildflower peeping on trails throughout the park.
Mount Rainier is known the world over as one of the best places on the planet to see wildflowers. I was convinced that the photos I had seen prior to visiting for myself must be a case of severe photoshopping and that my own expectations would get wrecked by reality. Not so.
Seeing the wildflowers at Mount Rainier is a national parks bucket list activity (maybe we’ll write an article on those…).
Where to see wildflowers at Mount Rainier
The best place to see wildflowers at Mount Rainier National Park is in the Paradise region. I highly recommend the Skyline Trail and Alta Vista Trail as the best trails in Mount Rainier to see wildflowers.
Two more great places to see wildflowers at Mount Rainier are on the way up to Pinnacle Peak & Van Trump Park.
For folks visiting the Mowich Lake region of Mt Rainier, Spray Park is a great trail for wildflowers (beware the black bears).




18. See Sunbeam Falls
Location: Paradise, Mount Rainier
Located just off of Stevens Canyon Road near to Reflection Lakes, Sunbeam Falls falls into the overlooked category of things to do at Mount Rainier National Park. I must admit that I drove and walked right by these falls a few times before taking notice of them.
Anyone who plans to visit Reflection Lakes (which should be everyone) should add these beautiful and easy to access falls to their list.
From the Reflection Lakes parking area drive a few hundred feet down the road toward the east side of the park until you reach the pullouts for Lake Louise. From here you can’t miss the falls.

17. Visit Narada Falls
Location: Paradise
If you’re into waterfalls then add visiting Narada Falls to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier. Narada Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls at Mount Rainier at 188 feet and the most popular at the park.
It’s also one of the easiest access with the first viewpoint being located just off the main park road and the better viewpoint situated at the end of a short 1.8 mile round trip trail.
In the winter hikers can snowshoe to the partially white, frozen falls while in Summer hikers can easily stroll to the lush green falls.

16. Check Out Longmire
Location: Longmire, Mount Rainier
Depending on which entrance you come into the park from, Longmire is likely one of the first areas you’ll come across. At least it is for us routinely driving up from Portland, Oregon.
Longmire has a great museum (the Longmire Museum) to check out for folks interested in learning some Mount Rainier history.
As a lower elevation zone Douglast Fir, Western Hemlock, and Western Redcedar dominate the landscape along with heavy mosses which differs greatly from what you’ll find at the higher elevations at Mount Rainier.
There’s also a folksy hotel located at Longmire – the National Park Inn.
I highly recommend the Trail of the Shadows which is less crowded than many of the things to do in Mount Rainier and even features a cool (but not literally) bubbling, thermal pool.

Top 15 Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park
15. Stargazing
As a photographer who loves the night sky, my favorite place in the United States to snap some astrophotography shots is Mount Rainier National Park. For starters, the sky is really dark at Mount Rainier (not quite dark enough for an International Dark Sky designation) but still quite dark.
Beyond that, the foreground of the mountain really makes for some epic and otherworldly photos. For astrophotographers I highly recommend visiting the Sunrise area in the summer when the milky way aligns perfectly with Mount Rainier making it appear as though the volcano is erupting galactic beauty.
The National Park Service hosts some great summer stargazing programs as well that are worth checking out especially for kids.
One last recommendations for stargazing at Mount Rainier is visiting during the annual Perseid Meteor shower. I have done this myself and witnessed some truly epic green and blue meteors cascading over Rainier.





14. Hike to the Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout
Location: Mowich Lake / Carbon River
I can still feel the itch from the savaging I took from mosquito bites while hiking the Tolmie Peak Trail trail in July. Despite the bites (over 200 through my long-sleeve shirt), the trail was still almost worth it!
The views looking toward Mount Rainier from Tolmie Peak from the top on a clear day are absolutely epic. We visited on a somewhat cloudy day but still got great views.
The hike is about 5.5 miles round trip with 1100 feet elevation gain and takes about 3 hours to complete.
Mosquito Pro Tip: If you see bear grass blooming – the white, puffy, Dr. Seuss-looking plants – then mosquitoes are hatching and likely at their worst of the season.
Note: The Mowich Lake Road which leads to the Tolmie Peak Trailhead is miles of gravel that is passable with 2WD (did it in my prius).


13. Camping at Mount Rainier
Locations: White River, Ohanepecosh, Paradise, Mowich Lake
Mount Rainier has four front country campgrounds with 459 individual campsites. Sounds like a lot, right? Not so much.
Mount Rainier received 1,670,073 visitors in 2021 – and while not everyone was looking for a campground that’s still a lot of competition for camping in the park.
Mount Rainier Campgrounds
- Cougar Rock Campground (Paradise) – 179 sites reservable
- Ohanepecosh Campground (Ohanepecosh) – 179 sites
- White River Campground (Sunrise / White River) – 88 sites
- Mowich Lake Campground (Carbon River / Mowich Lake) – 13 primitive walk-in tent sites
There’s also a host of backcountry camping opportunities at Mount Rainier. For more information on backcountry camping check out the NPS Rainier page.

12. Hike the Epic Wonderland Trail
Location: All around the park
At 93 miles long and encircling the entire mountain, the Wonderland Trail is Mount Rainier’s most epic (and difficult) hike. Hiking the Wonderland Trail takes a lot of preparation and planning but is a bucket list hike for folks around the world.
Those interested will need to first obtain a wilderness permit in person from the National Park Service prior to starting the hike. Hiking the entire Wonderland Trail typically takes folks between 5-8 days.

11. Sourdough Ridge Trail
Location: Sunrise, Mount Rainier
The first time I saw a photo of the Sourdough Ridge Trail it was actually a screensaver for my TV. After visiting Mount Rainier and hiking this trail it finally all clicked why this looked so familiar.
Needless to say, the views from Sourdough Ridge are some of the best in Mount Rainier National Park and are pretty easy to get to if you don’t mind a little bit of quick elevation. For reference, my 60+ year old parents were able to make it to this viewpoint in the photo below within roughly 25 minutes from the parking lot.
I’d definitely add this to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier especially if you’re planning on visiting the Sunrise area of the park (which you should!).

Top 10 Best Things to Do at Mount Rainier
10. Wildlife Viewing
One of the most fun things to do at Mount Rainier National Park is spotting and watching the park’s active wildlife. There’s a surprising amount of active critters in the park including some really iconic mammals.
My personal favorite animals to watch at Mount Rainier are the ever busy hoary marmots, shy black bears, iconic mountain goats, regal elk, and shy black bears.
Other popular and interesting animals you can spot at Mount Rainier include:
- Pacific Fisher (wow!)
- American Marten
- Black-Tailed Deer
- Coyote
- Cascade Red Fox
- Bobcat
- Mountain Lion
- Eagles, Hawks, & Owls
- so many more


9. Visit Tipsoo Lake
I’d argue that the view from the road above Tipsoo Lake is one of the best in Mount Rainier. While I’d say Tipsoo Lake is not in the “must-see” category of things to do at Mount Rainier, it’s among the first add-ons if you’ve got extra time.
If you’re driving from Paradise to Sunrise or vice versa, Tipsoo is a quick 25 minute detour (each way) along the route.
Tipsoo Lake is a great place for herpetologists as it is one of the most reliable frog and tadpole spotting sites in Mount Rainier. If you’re looking for picnic areas, Tipsoo Lake has a great one making it a nice lunch spot in the park.
For folks visiting Tipsoo Lake, I recommend the short loop hike around the lake itself (more of a pond), as well as the Naches Peak Loop Trail which gives even better views of Mount Rainier (some of the best).



8. Stroll through the Grove of the Patriarchs
Location: Ohanepecosh
If you’re looking for an easy, kid-friendly activity, add Grove of the Patriarchs to your list of things to do at Mount Rainier. At 1.5 miles long, practically no elevation gain, and full of fun boardwalks and enormous trees, Grove of the Patriarchs is a wonderful stroll in the park for folks of all ages.
In this magical grove you’ll find massive, hundreds of years old, Douglas-fir, silver fir, hemlock, and Western red cedars. The temperature in the grove is typically many degrees warmer than what you’ll find in the higher elevation sections of Mount Rainer.
Note: As of the writing of this article the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail is currently closed due to damage done to the suspension bridge during a recent flooding event. Check the Rainier NPS website for updates.

7. Admire Christine Falls
Location: Paradise
Waterfall fans will enjoy one of the more picturesque man made things to do at Mount Rainier – admiring Christine Falls. The falls themselves have several drops and have been beautifully framed by the historic Christine Falls Bridge.
Christine Falls is the most easily accessed waterfall at Mount Rainier, located just off the road with a convenient viewing platform situated just steps from the parking lot.
Visitors can access the falls during any time of year that the Paradise Road is open (which it typically is is unless there’s a major weather event).

6. Hike to Van Trump Park
Location: Paradise
As far as things to do in Mount Rainier National Park go, I’d say Van Trump Park falls squarely into the hidden gems category. From Van Trump Park you feel like you can practically reach out and touch the peak of Mount Rainier.
Van Trump Park is named for Philemon Beecher Van Trump, who, along with Hazard Stevens and the help of a native guide Sluiskin (they named a falls in Paradise after him “Sluiskin Falls”), made the first successful recorded ascent of Mt Rainier.
“When we reached the summit of the peak we got out our flags and flung them to the breeze giving three cheers for our triumph and weak cheers they seemed for me that lonely height there was nothing to echo or prolong the sound.”
Philemon Beecher Van Trump
The feeling of that crisp alpine air and sprawling beautiful wildflower meadows is a magnificent sight to behold. Along our way up to Van Trump Park the last time we encountered a mountain goat from a distance who was very curious about our activities in his turf.
An added bonus to getting here is the hike up takes you past Comet Falls, the largest waterfall in Mount Rainier at an impressive 380 feet tall. Plus there are far less people on this trail than most of the trails at Mount Rainier (once you get past Comet Falls which most hikers use as their turn around point). Hiking to Comet Falls is a great Mount Rainier activity with kids as the falls emit quite a bit of Spray that makes for an interactive adventure.
The hike to Van Trump Park is just under 6 miles round trip to the end of the maintained trail but we kept going a ways past there on our hike, allured by the serene alpine beauty. The elevation gain is a bit steep at 2000 feet but the views are definitely worth it.


Top 5 Things to Do at Mount Rainier
5. Admire Reflection Lakes
Location: Paradise
One of the most popular things to do in Mount Rainier is visiting the park’s most popular lakes (especially for photographers), Reflection Lakes. These lakes are a collection of approximately three bodies of water including one larger pond-sized pool, one hot-tub sized pool, and one coy pond sized pool.
The main pond, or lake, is really spectacular on a calm, clear day providing mirror like reflections from which it gets its name.
Reflection Lakes is also among the most easily accessed points on our list of things to do in Mount Rainier being within a stones throw of Stevens Canyon Road, just past the main Paradise area.



4. Catch a Sunrise at Sunrise
Location: Sunrise
I’ll start this one off by saying I’m one of those people who enjoys a good sunrise better than a good sunset. It almost goes without saying that the best place in Mount Rainier National Park to catch a sunrise is from the aptly named “Sunrise” region of the park.
The reason for this is two-fold starting with the fact that Sunrise is the eastern side of Mount Rainier where the sun first illuminates the mountain. Also, Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by your car at Mount Rainier National Park at 6,400 feet elevation giving you unparalleled access to epic views.
Seeing the sunrise from Sunrise in person is nothing short of mesmerizing and a must addition to your list of thigns to do in Mount Rainier if you’re visiting in the summer.
At first the mountain begins to glow with a faint reddish-orange hue before the magic really starts to happen. The next phase is the first true red gracing the top of the mountain and then sweeping down eventually turning the mountain a brighter orange before full illumination.



3. Trek to the Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout
Location: Sunrise
Hiking the Mt. Fremont Trail is one of my absolute favorite things to do at Mount Rainier providing some of the most spectacular views in the park. The trail seems like something out of Lord of the Rings with sweeping views practically the entire way not just of the mountain itself but breathtaking alpine scenery.
Along the way, hikers are treated to views of Frozen Lake which typically still has some ice left in it regardless of the time of year one hikes. Mountain goats are commonly sighted along the Mt Fremont Lookout Trail so keep your eyes peeled.
Another great Mount Rainier activity from here is stargazing. I watched the Perseid meteor shower from Mt. Fremont Lookout once and it was spectacular.
The Mt Fremont Trail starts at the Sunrise parking lot and is just under 6 miles round trip with roughly 1200 feet of elevation gain.






2. Soak it all in from Pinnacle Peak
Location: Paradise
I have to say, hiking up to Pinnacle Peak is one of the more unexpectedly incredible things to do in Mount Rainier National Park. In the summer this trail is chocked full of Lupine along with a variety of other wildflowers and always provides some of the most epic, panoramic views of Mount Rainier in the park.
From the top of the trail you’ll be able to see Mount Rainier in all its glory and the Paradise area to the north, and Mt Adams in the distance to the south.
I’ve seen playful marmots every time I’ve hiked this trail. At just 2.5 miles long with 1000 feet of elevation gain, Pinnacle Peak has some of the biggest bang for your buck of any of the things to do at Rainier.




1. Visit Paradise
Location: Paradise
The aptly named Paradise region of Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Visiting Paradise should be on every national park-goers bucket list of things to do at Mount Rainier, especially in the Summer during wildflower season.
These “most luxuriant” of alpine gardens as John Muir described them, explode with color during mid-summer each year. For peak wildflowers, I recommend visiting Mount Rainier’s Paradise region in late July and early August.
There are several great trails located in Paradise. The best of these is the popular Skyline Trail which, while steep, is mostly paved and stunningly beautiful. Visit early in the morning at sunrise for the most magical views and none of the crowds.
At 5.4 miles round trip with 1,700 feet of elevation gain you’ll definitely “feel the burn” on the way up but this is the must-hike trail in Mount Rainier.
Another excellent trail for wildflowers is the Alta Vista Trail which connects with the Skyline Trail at Paradise. The trail is a short 1.8 mile loop with 600 feet of elevation gain. I recommend hiking the Skyline Trail up as you’ll be rewarded to beautiful views of Rainier and the Alta Vista Trail down as you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Tatoosh Range.
If you’re looking for another bucket list thing to do at Mount Rainier, add staying at the Paradise Inn to your list which is located at the top of the Paradise Road. Rates typically hover around the $230 range.




3 Day Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Longmire
Morning:
- Arrive at Mount Rainier National Park.
- Start your journey at Longmire, a historic district that was the original headquarters of Mount Rainier National Park. Visit the Longmire Museum, which is one of the park’s visitor centers.
Afternoon:
- Explore the Trail of the Shadows, an easy 0.7-mile nature loop trail starting near the National Park Inn at Longmire. It offers information on the area’s history and nature.
- Have lunch at the National Park Inn Dining Room.
Evening:
- Depending on your energy levels, you could take another short trail in the Longmire area, such as Rampart Ridge Trail.
- Return to your accommodation and prepare your gear for the next day’s hike.
Night:
- Enjoy a calm evening in your accommodation. If you’re camping, prepare a campfire dinner and do some stargazing if the sky is clear.
Day 2: Skyline Trail & Reflection Lake
Morning:
- Wake up early and prepare for the Skyline Trail hike.
- Start your hike at Paradise, a visitor center area known for its wildflower meadows.
- The Skyline Trail is a 5.5-mile loop trail that offers stunning views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding peaks.
Afternoon:
- Continue on the Skyline Trail. The trail may take between 4-6 hours depending on your pace and how often you stop for breaks or to enjoy the view.
- After the hike, take a well-deserved rest and have lunch.
Evening:
- Visit Reflection Lake, which is famous for its stunning views of Mount Rainier reflecting on the water. This is especially beautiful in the evening light.
- Enjoy some leisurely time around the lake.
Night:
- Return to your accommodation.
- Spend the evening relaxing and sharing stories of the day’s adventure.
Day 3: Sunrise, Mt. Fremont Lookout, & Pinnacle Peak
Morning:
- Wake up early to drive to the Sunrise area of the park.
- Visit the Sunrise Visitor Center and take a short stroll around the Sunrise Rim Trail for panoramic views of the park.
- Start your hike to Mount Fremont Lookout, a 5.6-mile round trip trail that provides breathtaking views of the mountain and its surroundings.
Afternoon:
- After returning from the lookout, have lunch at the Sunrise Day Lodge.
- In the afternoon, embark on the Pinnacle Peak Trail, a moderately challenging trail that offers more stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range.
Evening:
- After your hike, return to your accommodation and take a well-deserved rest.
- If energy permits, explore some of the shorter, less strenuous trails in the area, or enjoy a peaceful evening at your campsite or lodging.
Night:
- Pack your belongings and prepare for your departure the next day.
- Spend your last night in the park reflecting on the adventure and planning for your next journey.
Map of Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park
Two lodges are located in Mount Rainier National Park:
- Paradise Inn (Paradise)
- National Park Inn (Longmire)
There are also great hotels located just outside Mount Rainier National Park at the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort Complex (I put my parents up here last year and they loved it) and beyond – see these accommodations:

There are also four campgrounds at Mount Rainier with 459 individual campsites:
- Cougar Rock Campground (Paradise) – 179 sites reservable
- Ohanepecosh Campground (Ohanepecosh) – 179 sites
- White River Campground (Sunrise / White River) – 88 sites
- Mowich Lake Campground (Carbon River / Mowich Lake) – 13 primitive walk-in tent sites
About My Travels to Mount Rainier National Park
I first visited Mount Rainier National Park back when I was fresh out of college and was totally taken aback by its epic grandeur. Looking at that unfathomably massive peak up close was mesmerizing. I compare it to gazing upon the Grand Canyon – one can look for hours and still not fathom the size and scale of the scene before them.
Ever since that first trip I’ve returned dozens of times hiking most of the trails in the park, trying all of the things to do in Mt Rainier. I’ve visited Mount Rainier in every season and while they all have their beauty nothing compares to the summer wildflower season.
FAQ – Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
The best time of year to visit Mount Rainier National Park is the last week of July and first two weeks of August when the wildflowers are at peak bloom.
The best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park are visiting Paradise, hiking up Pinnacle Peak, hiking to the Mt Fremont Fire Lookout, and catching a sunrise at Sunrise.
Summary of Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
- Visit Paradise
- Pinnacle Peak
- Fremont Lookout
- Sunrise at Sunrise
- Reflecton Lakes
- Van Trump Park
- Christine Falls
- Grove of the Patriarchs
- Tipsoo Lake
- Wildlife Viewing
- Sourdough Ridge Trail
- Wonderland Trail
- Camping
- Tolmie Peak Lookout
- Stargazing
- Longmire
- Narada Falls
- Sunbeam Falls
- Paradise Inn
- White River
About the Folks Behind More Than Just Parks
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
If you’d like to follow along our journey we’d be delighted to have you!

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Thanks for the tips. Would love to learn about your camera and equipment. 🙂