My first time exploring Mount Rainier’s iconic Paradise meadows was at golden hour. Hiking down from Panorama Point, I was still stunned by the views of Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount St Helens. That evening I fell in love with the Mountain and its rolling, subalpine landscape filled with creeks, wildflowers, glacier views, and…
Dreaming of seeing the wildflower meadows at Mount Rainier—but worried you’ll miss peak bloom or waste precious time on the road? Planning how many days to spend, which entrance to use, and where to focus your time can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been. As a Washington local who explores the park in every…
The best places to stay near Mount Rainier save you hours of driving and give you more time at Paradise or Sunrise, the two most popular areas. I’ve stayed in six places in Ashford, three in Packwood, and at the National Park Inn inside the park. Staying at the inn meant skipping lines at the…
If you’ve read mixed National Park Inn reviews and don’t know whether to book—same. I usually stay in Ashford or Packwood to visit Rainier, but I booked a room at the inn and our experience was excellent. Dining options are limited, and the rooms don’t have refrigerators or microwaves, but that’s the tradeoff for experiencing…
Planning your first trip to Mount Rainier National Park and unsure which town makes the best home base? With visitor areas spread hours apart and no through-road across the park, it’s tough to know which towns save you the most time—and which to skip if all options are available. I stay in Ashford and Packwood…
Looking for things to do at Mount Rainier in one day? I planned a mid-July day trip to the park’s Paradise area to share my favorite place with my family. After exploring, most headed home, but my mom and I stayed the night in Ashford. The next morning, we drove nearly two hours to reach…
Planning to hike the Skyline Loop Trail at Mount Rainier National Park? I’ve hiked this trail in spring, summer, and fall, and its panoramic mountain views make it Washington’s best day hike—and my personal favorite. I’ll never forget my first glimpse of the Tatoosh Mountains across the meadows. That was the moment I fell in…
Looking for things to do in Mount Rainier National Park? I’ve experienced more mountain magic here than anywhere else, but one moment I’ll never forget is seeing my mom double-fist pump with joy after we finished the easy Sunrise Nature Trail. In just 1.5 miles, with Rainier commanding our view, we hiked through stunning subalpine…
Wondering how to avoid crowds at Mount Rainier National Park? I wake up early, caffeinate, and get to the Nisqually or White River Entrance before 7am. When the timed entry reservation system was piloted, I expected to encounter long lines of early arrivals without reservations, but I never did. Things have changed as the word…
Wondering the best time to go to Mount Rainier to catch the national park at its most stunning? Every summer, my greatest ambition is to catch wildflowers at peak bloom — a worthwhile pursuit to see the “most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens,” as famed naturalist John Muir once said. While the time…