Mount Rainier National Park
Been Here Life List

Picture of Mount Rainier National Park

Washington State is crammed with vertical topography, but when locals mention "The Mountain," there's no mistaking which peak they're referring to. At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is without peer in this part of the world. It towers 8,000 feet above surrounding Cascades peaks, and is such a behemoth that it creates its own weather. Read More »

Mount Rainier National Park Highlights

The 93-mile Wonderland Trail encircling Mt. Rainier is a strenuous backpacking expedition with lots of elevation gain and loss. It goes through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and subalpine areas. See a map of Mount Rainier National Park.
Tipsoo Lake is a great place to wander amongst subalpine flower fields and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Rainier. Late summer and fall means a delicious surplus of huckleberries. Half of the hike is on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
September and early October are generally excellent times for cyclists to visit Mount Rainier. There are usually fewer vehicles on the roads during these months, and fall colors enhance the scenery.
Mount Rainier, the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, offers an exciting challenge to mountaineers. Each year thousands of people successfully climb this 14,410-foot active volcano.
Mount Rainier is one of the snowiest places on earth. Take a guided snowshoe walk with a park ranger and discover how the plants and animals of Mount Rainier adapt to the world-record snowfalls. Snowshoe walks begin in mid-December and run through April. Between mid-December and early January, walks are offered daily.
Learn more about Mount Rainier National Park at our sister site GORP.com.

By Travel Expert: Karen Kefauver