Mt. Rainier National Park

Area guide · Updated 2026, written by locals who play here year-round

At 14,410 feet, Mt Rainier is the tallest peak in the Cascades and the most glaciated mountain in the contiguous US. The park draws over 1.6 million visitors a year, and for good reason; the combination of old-growth forest, subalpine meadows, and glacier views is genuinely extraordinary. If you’ve been to Yosemite, Zion, Glacier or North Cascades National Park, you’ll find Rainier to be considered among them as one of the best parks in the world. 

From Greenwater, you have easy access to two very different sides of the park.

Sunrise (White River entrance, closest to us)

Sunrise sits at 6,400 feet, making it the highest point in the park accessible by car. The views from here are among the best in the park: Rainier filling the sky and the Emmons Glacier (the largest glacier in the lower 48) draped down the northeast flank. It's less crowded than Paradise and tends to have clearer skies in the morning.

Top trails from Sunrise:

• Sourdough Ridge Trail (easy, 1.5 miles) — the fastest payoff for the least effort in the park

• Burroughs Mountain Trail (moderate, 5 miles) — above treeline the whole way, jaw-dropping views

• Mount Fremont Lookout (moderate, 5.6 miles) — historic fire lookout with 360-degree views

Sunrise is open late June through early October, weather permitting. It closes earlier than Paradise each fall.

Paradise

Paradise on the south side of the mountain is the most visited area in the park and for good reason; the wildflower meadows in late July and August are among the most spectacular in North America. It's about an hour from Greenwater via Cayuse Pass (Highway 123), which is itself a beautiful drive.

Top trails from Paradise:

• Skyline Trail (moderate, 5.5 miles loop) — the classic Paradise experience, with views of the Nisqually Glacier

• Alta Vista Trail (easy, 1.7 miles) — great for families, wildflowers everywhere in season

• Camp Muir (strenuous, 9 miles round trip) — the base camp for summit climbers; don't attempt without ice axe and experience

2026 reservation update

Mt Rainier will not be implementing a timed entry reservation system for 2026, which is a change from last year. That said, summer weekends are extremely busy. Arriving before 9am at either Sunrise or Paradise makes a significant difference in parking and trail crowding.

The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, or free with an America the Beautiful pass ($80/year, covers all national parks).

Staying nearby

We have two family-friendly cabins along Highway 410, each a short drive from both Crystal Mountain and the Sunrise entrance to Mt Rainier. See our cabins →