Mount Rainier, which is located just 60 miles from Seattle, is a defining icon of the Pacific Northwest.
The volcano’s summit is perched 14,410 feet above sea level in the middle of Mount Rainier National Park, making it the tallest in the Cascade Range. Twenty-eight glaciers crawl down the flanks of the mountain, creating a rugged landscape that contrasts the wildflower-filled valleys and coniferous forests surrounding it.
Of the 1.5 million people who visit Mount Rainier National Park annually, thousands head straight to the volcano to make an attempt at its summit, with only about half finding success. And while the bucket-list climb is a worthy feat in itself, over 275 miles of maintained hiking trails and 228,400 acres (97% of the park) of designated wilderness area will keep less ambitious adventurers busy for a lifetime.
Mount Rainier National Park tends to get busy during the summer, so visiting during shoulder seasons and midweek will increase your odds of finding solitude. Of course, throwing on a backpack and heading into the wilderness is also a great way to escape the crowds.
There are an infinite number of ways to link trails for a multi-day backpacking trip, but one of the best is by hiking the Carbon Glacier and Moraine Park Trails to create a 21-mile out-and-back trip, offering close-up views of the lowest-elevation glacier in the lower 48. If you have 3 or 4 days to spend in the backcountry, consider the 40-mile Northern Loop Trail, which ascends 8,500 feet over rivers, through alpine meadows, and past glaciers and alpine lakes. It’s important to stop by a ranger station ahead of a backpacking trip, not only to get a backcountry permit, but for help with planning, logistics, and a conditions report.
For a shorter day hike, the 4.6-mile Rampart Ridge Trail meanders through an old-growth forest before reaching a ridge with several viewpoints. The 3.5-mile Naches Peak Loop Trail is one of the more popular hikes in the park, and traverses sub-alpine meadows with views of Rainier. In response to a 40% increase in visitation over the last decade, Mount Rainier National Park will continue to implement a timed entry reservation system for one of the park’s popular areas—the Sunrise Corridor—during the 2025 summer season.
Best for: Adventurers, snow-lovers, and travelers looking for solitude. Mount Rainier National Park receives an average of over 600 inches of snow annually, making it one of the snowiest places in the country. The park attracts skiers, snowshoers, and anyone who wants to experience a winter wonderland, but Mount Rainier’s glaciers offer visitors a chance to get onto the snow even during the summer. The park’s vast trail network is also perfect for getting away from crowds, especially if you’re willing to opt for one of the longer, multi-day hikes.
Where to stay: In addition to three car-camping sites and plenty of backcountry sites, the National Park Inn and Paradise Inn are two lodging options within park boundaries. There are also several gateway towns with plenty of lodging outside the park, depending on which area you plan on visiting. Ashford is just minutes from the Nisqually Entrance of the park’s Paradise region, which is one of the park’s more popular areas. Crystal Mountain, also a ski area, is typically used as the jumping-off point for the Sunrise section of the park. Packwood is just an hour from both areas, and even has a brewery perfect for winding down after a long day of adventure.
