Mount Rainier National Park is Washington’s most visited national park. After spending 12 days on a road trip through Washington’s national parks I completely understand why! The mountain itself looks like a painting against the sky on a clear blue day. Coupled with the rainbow of wildflowers that bloom in the summer, the scenery had me fully in awe.
It’s so easy to get to Mount Rainier National Park from Seattle – only about 2 hours by car.
The Paradise Inn has some of the nicest rooms in the area and puts you next to the best hikes in the park. I can’t recommend staying here enough! It was so wonderful waking up each morning and being able to walk to most trailheads without even touching the car. The Inn also has a cafe that sells wine and beer – perfect for watching the sunset with a glass of pinot noir.
Hike the Comet Falls Trail to see the tallest waterfall in the park.
One of the highlights of my time at Mount Rainier was hiking the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point. The entire trail is a dream and the views of the Tatoosh Peaks, Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Hood are truly awe-inspiring. In the summer, this is one of the best places to spot wildflowers. On a sunny day, there’s no better spot for a mid-hike snack or beer while taking in the views.
The Trail of the Shadows Loop is great if you’re interested in a short hike through some of the area’s history.
Make time to drive along Paradise Valley Road, stopping at all the major stops. Off of this road, you’ll find Narada Falls, which is the most popular waterfall in the park. With a short hike, you can get close enough to the waterfall to feel the mist coming off the falls.
Have you spent time exploring Mount Rainier National Park before? If so, what was your favorite part?
