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Most travelers know that Yellowstone was the first U.S. national park. But did you know that just 25 years later, Mount Rainier became federally protected as the country’s fifth national park? It was the first park to protect an active stratovolcano.
Twenty-six named glaciers cover this peak in the Cascades. But if you’re not a climber, is Mount Rainier National Park worth visiting? We believe so! Let’s dive in and learn more about this stunning park!
Where Is Mount Rainier National Park?
Mount Rainier National Park is located in Washington state and covers about 370 square miles. All but 3% of the park is designated wilderness.
It sits between I-5 to the west and I-82 and I-90 to the east in the central western part of the state. Olympia is about two hours northwest of the National Park’s Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center.
Pro Tip: Make more out of your trip to Washington and check out these 12 Excellent Thousand Trails Campgrounds before visiting!
When Did Mount Rainier National Park Become A National Park?
Washington has three national parks: Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic. Mount Rainier was the first of the three to become a national park. It’s also the fifth-oldest national park behind Yellowstone, Yosemite, General Grant (now part of Kings Canyon), and Sequoia.
Lobbying began in 1893 to secure the area around Mount Rainier and establish a national park. Conservation groups, scientists, and local businessmen mainly wanted federal protection to increase tourism and preserve the glacial landscape.
The land wasn’t suitable for agriculture or development anyway. As a result, Congress established Mount Rainier National Park on March 2, 1899. It’s also a National Historic Landmark District.
What’s So Special About Mount Rainier National Park?
About two million people visit Mount Rainier National Park each year. In 2022, the park saw over 2.3 million visitors. Mount Rainier is the highest volcanic peak in the contiguous U.S. at 14,410 feet and is the world’s largest volcanic glacier cave system. Thousands of people attempt to climb the mountain every year, and about half reach the summit.
Mount Rainier is also important because of its subalpine and alpine ecosystems. Diverse vegetation and wildlife thrive here. These ecosystems can flourish because more than 97% of its area is federally designated wilderness. Visitors also enjoy ample opportunities for outdoor recreation because of this vast protected wilderness.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to add Olympic National Park to your summer travel list! Check out how to tackle Olympic National Park in three days!
3 Most Popular Attractions In Mount Rainier National Park
There is so much to do at Mount Rainier National Park. Although you could spend weeks exploring this park, we know that’s not feasible for most folks. We suggest allotting at least three days. The weather is often foggy and rainy, so you want at least one day to enjoy the outdoors. Here are our top three suggestions for things to do.
1. Experience the Old-Growth Forest Of Ohanapecosh
Ohanapecosh is in the southeast corner of the National Park. The old-growth forests that thrive here include Douglas-firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks.
You’ll find a campground and visitor center here that are open seasonally. Fishing in this region is very popular. When you explore Ohanapecosh, hike the trails through the forests, enjoy the waterfalls, and visit the site of an early hot springs resort.
2. Explore the Subalpine Meadows Of Paradise
Paradise is the south section of Mount Rainier National Park. This is where the park’s Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center is located. During the spring, Paradise is full of color with its blooming meadows. During the winter, visitors enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding. The trails in this part of the park offer stunning views of Mount Rainier.
3. Drive the Sunrise Road
Finally, a third section of the national park is Sunrise. It’s famous for the breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, as it’s the highest point that can be reached by vehicle in the park. The end offers 360-degree views of the meadows, valleys, and volcanoes. Sunrise Road is only open seasonally, so make sure to visit between late June and early October.
In the northwest corner of the National Park is the Carbon River. You’ll feel as though you’re visiting a rainforest here because of the abundant vegetation due to the ample rainfall. In this region, you’ll find Mowich Lake, the largest and deepest lake in the park.
There are hiking trails, but we suggest taking advantage of the water and spending a few hours fishing or paddling Mowich Lake. The Mowich Lake Campground has tent pads if you’d like to spend the night in this northwest corner of the park.
Best Places For Camping Near Mount Rainier National Park
If you want to stay inside the National Park, three campgrounds are open to RVs. None of the campgrounds offer hookups, but there is potable water. RVs must be 35 feet or shorter at Cougar Rock, 32 feet or shorter at Ohanapecosh, and 27 feet or shorter at White River.
Half a mile from the park entrance at Nisqually is Mounthaven Resort. This campground offers full hookups for rigs up to 38 feet long. The sites are heavily wooded, providing ample shade in a beautiful setting. The nightly rate is $89.
Is Visiting Mount Rainier National Park Worth It?
Mount Rainier was one of the first national parks established in the U.S. From the glacial peaks to the flowering meadows to the five major rivers, it’s a place of breathtaking natural beauty.
You might see a black bear, an elk, a mountain goat, a golden eagle, or a red-tailed hawk. You can enjoy biking, hiking, climbing, fishing, and paddling. There’s so much to experience at Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park.
Have you ever visited this national park?
