Planning a Family Trip? 10 Tips for Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
A towering 14,000-foot active volcano might not immediately strike you as a kid-friendly spot, but Mount Rainier National Park in Washington is brimming with adventures for kids of all ages. Spanning over 369 square miles, the park features hiking trails, waterfalls, riverbeds, and vibrant forests, creating an ideal natural playground.
(Image credit: Laine Plummer)However, exploring a park of this magnitude necessitates some planning—especially if you want to steer clear of crowded paths, hungry kids, or unexpected snow. Here are my mom-approved tips for enjoying Mount Rainier National Park with children.
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Select the optimal time to visit
If you're heading to Mount Rainier for winter activities like skiing or snowshoeing, the winter months are your best bet. However, for hiking, aim for late summer. Late July through August is ideal for witnessing the vibrant wildflowers as the subalpine areas burst into color with lupine, strawberries, Calypso orchids, yellow violets, starflowers, and salmonberries.
We visited in mid-July, and some trails in the Paradise area were still snow-covered, so be sure to consider weather conditions when planning your visit.
Select the appropriate area to explore
While you don't need a detailed itinerary, it's essential to choose which area of the park you want to explore. Limited cell service can make navigation tricky without a good map, so select your destination based on the type of scenery or terrain you're after. Keep in mind that the $30 vehicle entry fee is valid for several days (you can also utilize your annual America the Beautiful National Park pass if you plan to visit other parks this year). Consider a multi-day visit if you wish to explore more than one area:
Paradise
As the most visited area, Paradise is renowned for its striking combination of snow-covered fields and vibrant wildflower meadows.
Ohanapecosh
Ohanapecosh offers a quieter experience compared to Paradise, featuring lush forests and stunning waterfalls.
Sunrise
This area boasts the highest accessible point in Mount Rainier by car and is renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views.
Longmire
The Longmire area features the historic National Park Inn, established in the early 1900s and one of the few hotels located within the park. Nearby, you can hike to stunning waterfalls and natural hot springs.
Check the park's webcam to stay updated on weather conditions
(Image courtesy of Laine Plummer)Mountain weather can shift rapidly. Fortunately, the National Park Service provides a webcam feed on its website. Check the weather conditions and look for any snow on the ground to help you prepare for your outing. Dress the kids in layers and pack extra shoes and socks for any water activities.
Look for trails labeled 'easy' or 'kid-friendly'
If you're traveling with young children, a 10-mile hike probably isn't on your agenda (and if it is, hats off to you!).
Utilize a trail map app like All Trails to categorize trails by difficulty: easy, moderate, or hard. There are filters available for kid-friendly, stroller-accessible, and paved paths. I like to check out photos and read the latest trail reviews for additional insights. You can also visit the visitor center for suggestions and updates on current conditions.
Here are our favorite trails that are great for kids at Mount Rainier National Park:
- Nisqually Vista Loop: A 1-mile, mostly paved trail in the Paradise area that leads to an overlook with views of Nisqually Glacier and the river valley. Start at the south parking lot at the Paradise Visitor Center.
- Myrtle Falls Trail: A mile-long out-and-back hike in the Paradise area leading to a waterfall, with chances to spot wildflowers, wildlife, and views of Mount Rainier along the way.
- Silver Forest Trail: A 2-mile out-and-back trail in the Sunrise area that offers sweeping views of Mount Rainier and Emmons Glacier.
- Sunrise Nature Trail: This 1.5-mile hike in the Sunrise area takes you through wildflower meadows with sights of both Mount Rainier and the Cascades.
- Grove of the Patriarchs: Located in the Ohanapecosh area, this 1-mile nature walk winds through a cedar forest to a suspension bridge over the river.
- Silver Falls Trail: Also in Ohanapecosh, this moderate 4-mile trail leads to a stunning waterfall. You can choose to do the 4-mile loop from Ohanapecosh or a shorter 2-mile out-and-back hike from the same parking lot as the Grove of the Patriarchs.
Arrive at the park entrance early
We started late one day and didn't get to the gate until noon, only to find a line of over 30 cars and crowded trails. Treat a visit to Mount Rainier like a trip to Disney World: aim to arrive as early as possible—definitely before 10 a.m.—to avoid the crowds. If you miss the morning, early evening is also a quieter time. Just remember to bring a flashlight or headlamp and emergency supplies if you're hiking near dusk.
Make sure to check out this attraction
(Image courtesy of Laine Plummer)If there's one trail you should hike with kids, it’s the Grove of the Patriarchs. Located just inside the Stevens Pass park entrance near Ohanapecosh, you can park in the first lot to the right as you enter. This 1.5-mile out-and-back trail takes you through the forest and features a suspension bridge and a riverbed to explore. It's rated as easy and is more like a nature stroll. If the kids are feeling adventurous, the Silver Falls trail across the street is a 2-mile hike that leads to the park's largest waterfall by volume.
Request a Junior Ranger park passport
The National Park Junior Ranger program encourages kids to explore and value the nation’s natural treasures. Each visitor center provides a junior ranger activity map. Be sure to order a National Park passport online before your visit. Kids can stamp their passport for each park they explore, creating a fun and interactive keepsake.
Bring plenty of extra food and water
Food options within Mount Rainier are limited, aside from a few small snack stands. Hotels and shopping areas are over 30 minutes away, and the park is about a 2-hour drive south of Seattle. With active kids in the mix, this could lead to potential meltdowns. Be sure to pack picnic meals, snacks, and more water than you anticipate needing. Fruit and granola bars make for easy snacks, and we kept a cooler with gallon jugs of water in the car to refill our backpacks as necessary.
Take a ride on the Gondola
(Image courtesy of Laine Plummer)While it’s not officially part of the park, the Mount Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain provides a delightful break for kids during hikes. Experience a scenic 10-minute ride that climbs over 2,400 vertical feet, offering stunning vistas of Mount Rainier and the Cascades. Be sure to book your tickets online in advance (children under a certain age can ride free), and don't forget that there’s a restaurant, bar, and gift shop at the summit as well.
Accommodations near Mount Rainier National Park
Opt to stay within or near the park for convenient nap opportunities, as all that hiking can tire out little legs. If you’re adventurous enough to camp with children, four campgrounds are open from late May to September: Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, Whiter River, and Mowich Lake. Most sites are first-come, first-served, but you can make reservations ahead of time at Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh.
For families who prefer hotels, like ours, be aware that there are limited points-friendly options nearby. You'll find more independently owned inns and lodge-style motels. The National Park Inn is centrally located within the park, but with only 25 rooms, it fills up quickly. You can also look for accommodations in nearby towns such as Enumclaw, Ashford, and Crystal Mountain.
We opted for the Alta Crystal Resort for its convenient access to Ohanapecosh and Crystal Mountain. We spent around $300 per night for a one-bedroom chalet with a loft. The rustic, treehouse-inspired decor was ideal for the kids. Although there isn’t a restaurant on the premises, the small convenience shop stocked all the necessities, including eggs, milk, sandwich supplies, and wine (an absolute must after a long day exploring Mount Rainier with children).
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer to enjoy Mount Rainier National Park. There are many family-friendly hikes and diverse terrains to discover. However, having a solid plan definitely enhances the experience for everyone in the family.
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