When is the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park?

If you want fewer people, go in June, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and February the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Mount Rainier National Park?

$30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.

What are some things to do in Mount Rainier National Park?

The National Park Service lists 46 things to do in Mount Rainier National Park, including Explore Tipsoo Lake, Visit the Valor Memorial at Longmire, Photograph Wildflowers in the Subalpine Meadows, Kid-Friendly Hikes at Mount Rainier, Complete a Mount Rainier Junior Ranger Booklet. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.

When did Mount Rainier National Park become a national park?

Mount Rainier National Park was established as a national park on March 2, 1899.

What is the closest national park to Mount Rainier?

Olympic National Park, about 113 miles away in a straight line (roughly 3 hours' drive, estimated).

Washington · Est. 1899

Mount Rainier National Park

Last verified October 1, 2026$30 / vehicle

Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits. — nps.gov

A fan-shaped waterfall cascades over lava cliffs with a rainbow in its mist. — Photo: NPS Photo / E. Brouwer

State: Washington
Established: March 2, 1899
Size: 236,382 acres
2025 visits: 1,635,342
Busiest-park rank: #20 of 63
Entrance: $30 / vehicle

Best time to visit

When is Mount Rainier quiet?

Mount Rainier is busiest in July and quietest in February. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, June is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 1,635,342 recreation visits, the #20 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Mount Rainier open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA

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Quietest: FebruaryBusiest: July

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Mount Rainier

Private vehicle$30

Motorcycle$25

Per person (on foot / bike)$15

Mount Rainier annual pass$55

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.

Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Mount Rainier National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Mount Rainier

The National Park Service lists 46 things to do in Mount Rainier National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.

All activities →

Explore Tipsoo Lake0-4 Hours · Summer
Interested in exploring Tipsoo Lake but don't know what to do? This list should help you find the right activity.
Visit the Valor Memorial at Longmire5-10 Minutes · All year
Visit the Valor Memorial at Longmire to honor the Mount Rainier National Park Rangers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Pets OK
Photograph Wildflowers in the Subalpine Meadows15 Minutes · Summer
Photographers of all skill levels can enjoy photographing the Mount Rainier wildflowers. Follow these simple tips and tricks to optimize your photoshoot in the park.
Fee
Kid-Friendly Hikes at Mount Rainier20-90 Minutes · Summer
Looking for kid friendly hikes to do while visiting Mount Rainier? This list should help you find the right hike for your group depending on where you are in the park.
Fee
Complete a Mount Rainier Junior Ranger Booklet30-60 Minutes · All year
Complete a Junior Ranger booklet and collect a Mount Rainier Junior Ranger badge. Learn more about the plants and animals of the park and how Mount Rainier was formed.
Fee
Full Moon Hikes at Mount Rainier30-180 Minutes · All year
Trail options and safety tips when hiking under a full moon at Longmire, Paradise, and Box Canyon at Mount Rainier National Park.
Fee
Star Gazing at Sunrise30-120 Minutes · Summer
Come explore the parks after dark! Star gazing is a great way to end a long day of hiking and exploring the park. The Sunrise area is a perfect spot for star gazing. There are several ways to view the stars at sunrise…
FeePets OK
Tree Scavenger Hunt in the Ohanapecosh Campground30-60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
Go on an adventure and try to identify the three most commonly abundant trees that surround the entire Ohanapecosh area.
FeePets OK

Show all 46 things to do

Visit the 10th Mountain Division Memorial30-60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
Hike Nisqually Vista Trail45-60 Minutes · All year
Beginner's Guide to Snowshoeing1-6 Hours · Winter, Spring
Fee
Cloudy Day Activities at Mount Rainier1-8 Hours · All year
Fee
Hike Emmons Moraine Trail1-2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Longmire Historic District Walking Tour60 Minutes · All year
FeePets OK
Stargazing in Paradise & Stevens Canyon1-6 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
FeePets OK
A Day In Longmire2-8 Hours · All year
Fee
A Day In Paradise2-8 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Fee
A Day In Sunrise2-8 Hours · Summer
Fee
A Half-Day in Paradise2-4 Hours · Summer
Fee
Day Hiking at Mount Rainier National Park2-8 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Fee
Enjoy a Winter Wonderland at Paradise2-6 Hours · Winter
FeePets OK
Explore Longmire in Winter2-4 Hours · Winter
FeePets OK
Explore Waterfalls from Longmire to Paradise2-4 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Fee
Family-Friendly Paradise Activities2-6 Hours · Summer, Fall
Fee
Hike Rampart Ridge2-3 Hours · All year
Hike to Bench and Snow Lakes2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Hike to Silver Falls2 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Hike to Spray Falls2-3 Hours · Summer
Ohanapecosh Area Activities2-8 Hours · Summer, Fall
Fee
Paddle Sports at Mowich Lake2-8 Hours · Summer, Fall
Fee
Hike to Burroughs Mountain3-6 Hours · Summer
Bicycling at Mount Rainier National Park4-8 Hours · Summer
Fee
Mount Rainier: Off the Beaten Path4-8 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Fee
Road Trip Around the Mountain4-8 Hours · Summer, Fall
FeePets OK
Hike to Shriner Peak Fire Lookout5-6 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Hike to Gobblers Knob Fire Lookout6-7 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
The Cougar Rock Campground Experience1-14 Days · Summer
Reservation/permitFeePets OK
Wilderness Camping at Mount Rainier National Park2-14 Days · All year
Fee
Climbing Mount Rainier3-4 Days · Spring, Summer
Fee
Camping at Mount RainierSpring, Summer, Fall
Reservation/permitFeePets OK
Discover WildflowersSummer
Fee
Fishing at Mount Rainier National ParkSummer, Fall
Fee
Hike and Bike Westside Road in Mount RainierSummer, Fall
Fee
Northeast Area: Remote Winter RecreationWinter
Fee
Spring RecreationSpring
Try en plein air painting at Mount Rainier National Park

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Mount Rainier

Weather patterns at Mount Rainier are strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and elevation. The climate is generally cool and rainy, with summer highs in the 60s and 70s. While July and August are the sunniest months of the year, rain is very likely in spring, fall, and winter.

Visitors should be aware that mountain weather is very changeable. In the higher elevations, like Paradise, winter can last from November to May with many feet of snow on the ground.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park is located in west-central Washington state. Several major cities in Washington- Seattle, Tacoma, and Yakima- and Portland, Oregon, are within 200 miles of the park. For GPS to Nisqually Entrance use: 39000 State Route 706 E, Ashford, WA 98304.

55210 238th Avenue East, Ashford, WA, 98304 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Mount Rainier

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Closest big cities: Seattle (61 mi) · Portland, Oregon (102 mi)

Road trip

Mount Rainier, Olympic & North Cascades

3 parks, about 242 miles between them (~6 h of driving, estimated).

Mount Rainier is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

A hoary marmot with white frosted fur rests on a rock beside white flowers in a meadow. — Photo: NPS Photo

Two children hike on trail through wildflower meadow with Mount Rainier above them. — Photo: NPS Photo / Steve Redman

FAQ

Mount Rainier, quickly

When is the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park?: If you want fewer people, go in June, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and February the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Mount Rainier National Park?: $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
Do you need a reservation for Mount Rainier National Park in 2026?: The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Mount Rainier National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Mount Rainier National Park?: The National Park Service lists 46 things to do in Mount Rainier National Park, including Explore Tipsoo Lake, Visit the Valor Memorial at Longmire, Photograph Wildflowers in the Subalpine Meadows, Kid-Friendly Hikes at Mount Rainier, Complete a Mount Rainier Junior Ranger Booklet. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Mount Rainier National Park become a national park?: Mount Rainier National Park was established as a national park on March 2, 1899.
What is the closest national park to Mount Rainier?: Olympic National Park, about 113 miles away in a straight line (roughly 3 hours' drive, estimated).

Sources · 3

1.Mount Rainier National Park — official site · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.Mount Rainier National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/mora.

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Mount Rainier National Park