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Mount Rainier Information: Facts, History, Access & Lodging

Rainier Information: Access, Lodging, Entrances & Travel Tips

Updated: April 2025

Looking for reliable Rainier information? This page offers essential details about Mount Rainier National Park, including access routes, elevation, lodging, trails, seasonal closures, and nearby communities. Whether you’re planning a visit, writing a travel article, or need quick facts, this resource covers the basics.

Mount Rainier rises to an elevation of 14,410 feet above sea level, making it the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. The park spans a wide range of elevations, from around 1,600 feet in the Carbon River area to over 6,400 feet at Sunrise—the highest point in the park accessible by car. This dramatic elevation change creates distinct ecosystems, impacts seasonal access, and offers varied experiences from lush old-growth forests to alpine meadows and glaciated peaks.

Quick Facts

  • Location: 68 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington

  • Elevation: 14,410 feet (tallest peak in the Lower 48)

  • Park Size: 236,000+ acres

  • Established: Congress established Mount Rainier National Park on March 2, 1899, making it the fifth U.S. national park

  • Glaciers: 25 named glaciers—the most in the contiguous U.S.

  • Main Entrances: Nisqually, White River, Stevens Canyon, Carbon River, and Mowich

Regional Overview

Mount Rainier anchors a region that includes Mount Rainier National Park, portions of three national forests, several wilderness areas, scenic byways, and small mountain communities. The Visit Rainier service area covers more than 2,800 square miles and offers year-round recreation, cultural heritage, and access to protected natural landscapes.

Lodging & Accommodations

Historic Lodges & Inns include Paradise Inn (inside the park, seasonal), National Park Inn (Longmire, open year-round), Mineral Lake Lodge, and Copper Creek Inn.

Cabins & Vacation Rentals
Travelers can find a wide selection of campgrounds, cabins and vacation rentals.

Unique Stays
Options include treehouses, glamping, yurts, farm stays, and a roadside motel made out of converted cabooses.

Explore lodging options

Getting Here & Road Access

Route Access Notes
Highway 706 Open year-round Access to the Nisqually Entrance, Longmire, and Paradise via Ashford
SR 410 (Chinook Pass) Seasonal Part of the Chinook Scenic Byway; closes in winter due to snow
SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) Seasonal Connects Chinook and White Pass; closes in winter
Stevens Canyon Road Seasonal Scenic connection between Paradise and Ohanapecosh

Things to Do

Top Attractions

Outdoor Recreation

  • Over 240 miles of hiking trails in Mount Rainier National Park

  • Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Nisqually State Park, Federation Forest State Park, Goat Rocks Wilderness Area and Pack Forest

  • Wonderland Trail (93-mile loop around the mountain)

  • Mount Tahoma Trails Association’s hut-to-hut trail system

  • Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, fishing, biking, and disc golf

Wildlife and Nature

  • 130+ bird species and more than 50 mammal species, including elk, marmots, black bears, and mountain goats

  • Wildflower season typically runs from mid-July through early August (weather dependent)

  • Fall colors are typically most vibrant from late September through mid-October (weather dependent)

Cultural and Historic Highlights

  • Indigenous peoples called the mountain by many names including: Tahoma, Talol, and Takhoma

  • British explorer George Vancouver named “Mount Rainier” in 1792

  • Hazard Stevens and P.B. Van Trump completed the first documented summit in 1870

  • In 1890, Fay Fuller became the first woman recorded to summit Mount Rainier

  • The historic Elbe Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  • Pioneer Farm and Ohop Indian Village in Eatonville offer hands-on history experiences

Gateway Communities

Visit Rainier partners with the following 10 gateway communities:

  1. Ashford

  2. Buckley

  3. Crystal Mountain

  4. Eatonville

  5. Elbe

  6. Enumclaw

  7. Greenwater

  8. Mineral

  9. Packwood

  10. Wilkeson

Each community offers a unique connection to the park through lodging, dining, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.

Media and Travel Resources

For the most up-to-date Rainier information, including weather alerts, trail conditions, and road closures, check these trusted resources.