When is the Best Time to Visit Mt Rainier National Park?
Planning a trip and wondering when the best time to visit Mt Rainier is? The short answer is late spring through early fall.
In this guide, I’ll explain when to visit the National Park, and tips for planning your trip.
Mount Rainier is the perfect getaway for Seattle locals, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone else who enjoys the outdoors.
The national park is the epitome of the pacific northwest with stunning lakes, mountains, rivers, and wildlife.
This Mount Rainier National Park guide will give you all the information you need to plan the perfect Mount Rainier trip in all seasons.
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When to Visit Mount Rainier National Park
High Season: Summer
Peak season for Mount Rainier National Park is on track with peak season for the rest of the PNW: summer.
Pros to Visiting in the Summer:
Great Weather – Summertime from June-September will have the most sun, warmest temperatures, and the best chances of seeing the mountain.
In other seasons, cloud cover can make the mountain invisible, even from the base.
The park in the summer will likely welcome you with 70-80 degree weather, shining sun and long days to enjoy the park from sunrise to sunset.
Long Days: Washington State summers are long, with sunrise around 5 am and sunset at 9pm.
Cons to Visiting in the Summer:
Unfortunately, it will also welcome you with big crowds, packed trails, and limited parking. To combat the busyness, arrive early in the morning and plan your day around the crowds.
Low Season: Winter
The least popular time to visit Mount Rainier National Park is in the winter because many roads and hikes are closed due to the snow.
Pros of Visiting in the Winter:
Beautiful Scenery – The park’s snow-capped peaks and beautiful views of the Cascades make it a stunning sight to behold.
Snow Activities – Winter also brings a variety of activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to enjoy.
Lower Crowds – The park also gets a lot less visitors during the winter months, making it a great time to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Cons of Visiting in the Winter:
Road Closures – Many roads in and out of the park are closed during the winter due to large snowfall and steep hills. This can make it hard to navigate the area.
Closed Hikes – One of the most popular things to do in Mount Rainier National Park is hiking. In the winter, many hikes are closed for safety.
Cold Weather – Winter temperatures are often at or below freezing, with high precipitation. If you visit in the winter, bring a lot of layers.
Wildflower Season: Late Summer
Chances are, if you have been researching Mount Rainier, you have found stunning photos of fields full of wildflowers in full bloom.
While the bloom time varies year-to-year, the best time to visit for the flowers is late July-August.
If you want to see the absolute best Rainier has to offer- visit during this time. As mentioned above, it will be busy so plan to arrive early to avoid the largest crowds.
Shoulder Season: Late Spring/Early Fall (my Choice)
It is no surprise that shoulder season means less crowds and slightly less ideal weather. However, if you want more tranquility, May and October are great months to visit.
In May, some roads and trails may be closed due to lingering snow, but weather will be moderate, and the views will be stunning.
In October, some snow may be beginning to accumulate but should not be causing any closures yet.
Note: I recently visited in October and we had one rainy day and one dry day but both days had poor visibility.
The trip was still very fun, but it was unfortunate to not see the mountain or any of the amazing views. All the pictures in this guide were taken under those unideal conditions.
Average Weather in Mt Rainier National Park by Month
| Month | Average High (°F) | Average Low (°F) | Average Rainfall (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33 | 18 | 12.2 |
| February | 35 | 19 | 9.6 |
| March | 39 | 22 | 10.7 |
| April | 45 | 26 | 8.5 |
| May | 53 | 32 | 6.0 |
| June | 61 | 37 | 4.3 |
| July | 68 | 43 | 2.1 |
| August | 68 | 43 | 2.3 |
| September | 62 | 38 | 4.5 |
| October | 51 | 31 | 8.2 |
| November | 39 | 24 | 12.1 |
| December | 33 | 19 | 12.5 |
Where to Stay Near the National Park
The park itself has a few campgrounds and lodges which are great options for those who want to wake up close to the sites and spend less time commuting around.
For a full list of the in-park accommodation options, check out this website.
The surrounding towns also have options for cabins, camping, and hotels. Mount Rainier National Park has many entrances at different areas of the park.
Your target entrance will heavily dictate where you stay. The most common entrance is the Nisqually entrance which is outside the town of Ashford Washington, where we stayed on our recent trip.
We spent two nights at the Stormking Cabins and Spa which I cannot recommend more highly. The level of service and luxury made for a fun and romantic weekend away.
They have five standalone cabins with private outdoor areas and hot tubs.
The inside of the cabin was clean, comfortable, and smelled wonderfully like cedar. They had high-end amenities and every little detail we needed for our stay from cutlery to hot cocoa to makeup wipes.
The Stormking Cabins are the perfect retreat after a day of exploring.
For more details on our stay at the Stormking Cabins and Spa, check out this review.
Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
No Mount Rainier National Park Guide would be complete without mentioning all the amazing hikes the park has to offer.
This short list of hikes are ideal for beginners and day hikers. If you only have one weekend in the park, prioritize the hikes on this list.
Skyline Loop Trail
6 miles, 1800 feet elevation gain
This hike is the most iconic Mount Rainier hike in my opinion. It is considered weather dependent since the main draw is panoramic point which has views of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams.
Even though we hiked in subpar conditions and didn’t see any of the views, we still loved it so I cannot imagine what it is like in its peak weather.
The Skyline Trail starts from the main Paradise area next to the visitor center and winds up and around the mountain offering panoramic views in every direction. There are also beautiful meadows and stunning waterfalls along the way.
Since this hike is at high elevation, there is a high chance of snow on some or most of the trail. When we visited in October, 75% of the trail had snow on it and 25% of that was knee deep.
With this in mind, wear warm gear, good boots and bring sturdy hiking poles. If the conditions do not seem safe, turn around and visit one of the below hikes instead.
Nisqually Vista Loop
1.5 miles, 300 feet elevation gain
This easy loop is a great warmup hike to start your day or a great hike with young children. The hike departs from the paradise visitor center and is much easier than the skyline trail.
The Nisqually Glacier loop highlights a stunning view of guess what- the Nisqually Glacier. Since the main draw to this hike is a viewpoint, it is not ideal to visit in low-visibility weather.
Myrtle Falls
1 mile, 300 feet elevation gain
Another easy hike originating at the paradise visitor center, Myrtle Falls is a highly trafficked site with up-close views of a large waterfall with Mount Rainier visible in the distance. In poor weather, as we experienced, the waterfall alone is worth the trek.
Myrtle falls is another great hike for people with kids or limited time. It is also a great short extension from the Skyline Loop trail I mentioned above.
Reflection Lakes
3 miles, 900 feet elevation gain
One of the most photographed locations in the National Park, this beautiful lake offers a unique view of the mountain.
As seen all over Instagram, the mountain reflects perfectly in the lake when there are clear conditions, and the lake is still.
Since the conditions have to be perfect for the iconic photo, visit this lake in the morning of a day with a clear forecast.
Since we visited on cloudy days, we chose to forego this hike but it is at the top of my list for next time. If you have done this hike, let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Grove of the Patriarchs
1.5 miles, 150 feet elevation gain
Grove of the Patriarchs loop is probably the least weather dependent hike on the list. Whether it is raining, snowing, windy or sunny, this loop will be enjoyed all the same.
A short walk through the forest will reward you with an up-close view of some giant redwood and cedar trees.
There is also a fun drawbridge crossing the river and many educational signs. Since this hike is short, quick, and beautiful, it is a must-see for anyone in the area.
Silver Falls Loop Trail
3 miles, 500 feet elevation gain
Directly across the road from the grove of the patriarchs is a connection to the Silver Falls Trail. Although not labeled as the silver falls loop trail, follow the only trail across the street and you will soon meet up with the silver falls trail.
A half mile from the road, you will find the silver falls, a multi-level roaring waterfall. There are many marked overlooks and a bridge that gives stunning views.
If you are short on time, turn around here because this is the best view this loop offers. If you have more time, continue along the trail for a meandering 3 mile loop through the forest.
For more detail on hiking in Mount Rainier, check out this post that covers the best day hikes for beginners in Mount Rainier National Park.
Restaurants in Ashford
Dining options in and around the park are extremely limited. Some of the options include the Copper Creek Inn, Paradise Inn, Basecamp Grill.
All these restaurants offer burgers, pasta and other classic dishes, and are slightly overpriced. I have not personally tried any of these places, but they have good reviews and seem like a reasonable option after a long day of hiking.
We opted to get takeout pizza from the Pizza Express in Elbe and enjoy it back at our accommodation. The pizza was good and a fair price. This is a great option for someone who wants to relax at home after a long day out and about.
Since restaurant are limited, I’d suggest packing food for breakfast and lunch to allow you to spend more time enjoying the park and less time searching for dining. We packed protein bars, crackers, and pb&j sandwiches which satisfied us throughout the day.
Getting There: Driving or Flying to Mount Rainier National Park
Do I need a car to visit Mount Rainier National Park?
The only way to get to and around Mount Rainier National Park is by car. There is extremely limited public transportation, and I do not recommend going that route.
The roads in and around the park are well maintained and there is high clearance making it a great destination to visit by RV, motorhome, or van as well.
If visiting outside of the peak summer months, I suggest renting a car with four-wheel drive as ice and snow on the roadways is possible.
Guided Tours to Mt Rainier
Another great option if you are visiting from Seattle is this guided tour that include a full day in the park, a local lunch, and roundtrip transportation with a naturalist guide.
Flying to Mount Rainier
The closest city is Seattle but Portland is also close. Driving from Seattle or SeaTac airport will take approximately 1.5-3 hours based on traffic and the area of the park you are navigating to.
Driving up from Portland or the Portland International Airport takes approximately 2.5-4 hours depending on which entrance to the park you are planning to visit.
Final Thoughts: When is the Best Time to Visit Mt Rainier?
The most popular time to visit Mount Rainier National Park is in the summer, when there are long days, warm weather, and clear blue skies.
However, the crowds can be large, making it difficult to find parking or navigate the hiking trails.
For these reasons, I recommend visiting Mount Rainier National Park in June or September, when you will still have great weather, with smaller crowds.
Mount Rainier national park is a beautiful getaway in Washington State that has adventures for people of all ages and abilities.
I hope this Mount Rainier National Park guide answered any questions or concerns you may have planning your trip. If not, please reach out in the comments and I will be sure to help in any way I can.
Related Posts:
- Best Mount Rainier Day Hikes For Beginners
- Luxury Cabins Near Mt Rainier: Stormking Cabin Review
- Planning A Trip To Washington State: Insider Tips From A Local
- The Best Downtown Seattle Activities & Things To Do
- The Best Seattle Weekend Trip Guide & Itinerary From A Local
- Easy Hikes Near Seattle | Best Western Washington Hikes For Beginners
- Guide To Washington State Rafting For Adventurers
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