History

The park was established as America's fifth national park in 1899 (following Yellowstone in 1872 and Yosemite, Sequoia, and General Grant National Parks in 1890). The founding of Mount Rainier National Park was led by both local groups, including mountaineering clubs, newspaper editors, businessmen's associations, and University of Washington faculty, as well as by scientists throughout the country, primarily geologists.

It was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1997 as a showcase for the "NPS Rustic" style architecture of the 1920s and 1930s.

Landscape

Mount Rainier, at 14,410 feet tall, is the highest and most prominent peak in the Cascade Range. The mountain stands nearly three miles higher than the lowlands to the west and one and one-half miles higher than the adjacent mountains. The volcano, which last erupted approximately 150 years ago, is encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The park's total area is 235,625 acres, of which 97% is designated Wilderness. In addition to the mountain, the park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows. The park contains 26 named glaciers across 9 major watersheds, with 382 lakes and 470 rivers and streams and over 3,000 acres of other wetland types.

Flora and fauna

The park is part of a complex ecosystem. Vegetation is diverse, reflecting the varied climatic and environmental conditions encountered across the park's 12,800-feet elevation gradient. Approximately 58 percent of the park is forested, 23 percent is subalpine parkland, and the remainder is alpine, half of which is vegetated and the other half consists of permanent snow and ice. Forest ages range from less than 100 years old on burned areas and moraines left by receding glaciers to old-growth stands 1,000 or more years. Some alpine heather communities have persisted in the park for up to 10,000 years.

Species known or thought to occur in the park include more than 800 vascular plants, 159 birds, 63 mammals, 16 amphibians, 5 reptiles, and 18 native fishes. Commonly seen animals include Columbian black-tailed deer, Douglas squirrels, noisy Stellar's jays and common ravens. Other animals that are less-commonly seen but still popular include mammals like elk and black bear, which range in many habitats throughout the summer. Mountain goats typically remain in alpine or subalpine life zones.

Climate

Weather patterns at Mount Rainier are strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, elevation, and latitude. 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 possible any day, and very likely in spring, fall, and winter.

As one of the snowiest places on Earth, Paradise is worthy of a winter visit. From November to late May, expect to find 10 to 20 feet of snow on the ground. Approximately 630" of snow falls in an average winter at Paradise--in the winter of 1971-72, Paradise established a world's record with 1122" of snow!

Attractions

 • Longmire (southwest corner).
 • Paradise (south side). The park's most popular destination, Paradise is filled with wildflowers during the summer and hosts record snowfalls in winter. Hiking trails lead through meadows and up onto the mountain's snowfields, making this a great place for dayhikers.
 • Ohanapecosh (southeast corner).
 • Sunrise/White River (east side). At 6400' Sunrise is the highest park elevation accessible by car. The trails and beautiful mountain views make this area the second most visited destination in the park.
 • Carbon River/Mowich Lake (northwest corner). Accessible only on dirt roads that may require high-clearance and are prone to flooding, the Carbon River area offers access to Carbon Glacier via a short 3.6 mile (one-way) trail, while Mowich Lake is the largest and deepest lake in the park.

Tiny meadow puddle reflects Mount Rainier, Washington

 • Activities
 • Lodging

Get in

Access to Mount Rainier is by car or bus only. Most visitors come on sunny summer weekends and holidays. Parking can be problematic during summer weekends, so if possible try to visit mid-week. The park is open year-round, but access is limited in winter. Facilities at Longmire are open daily year-round. Facilities at Paradise and Ohanapecosh are open daily from late-May to mid-October. Facilities at Sunrise are open July to early-October. In winter, access is by the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park only. The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is open weekends and holidays in winter.

Fees/Permits

Mount Rainier National Park charges an entrance fee of $10 per week per private vehicle (includes all passengers) or $5 per week per individual person on foot, bike, or motorcycle.

An annual pass is available for $30, valid for one year from month of purchase (does not cover camping fees). Alternately, for those who will be visiting multiple parks, the $50 National Park Pass allows free entrance into all national parks for one year.

Waterfall and peak, Mount Rainier National Park, U.S.A