Family Adventures in Mount Rainier NP

Join adventure-loving crew as we immerse ourselves in the stunning natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and embark on unforgettable family adventures in Mount Rainier National Park!

Our 2024 summer roadtrip took us to the amazing Pacific Northwest. After our mid-morning arrival in Seattle, we picked up our trusty new minivan, dubbed the “Iron Dragon” by the girls. We stocked it with snacks and and waters before setting off on our adventures. After a short exploration and overnight in Seattle, we started our 2300-mile trek through the mountainous terrain in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. Our first stop .... Mount Rainier National Park.

What is Mount Rainier?

Mount Rainier stands like a silent guardian with its snow-capped peak rising to a height of 14,410 feet. Despite its serene appearance, this towering mountain is actually an active volcano!  Mt. Rainier is home to over 25 glaciers, making it the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. These glaciers have been forming and retreating for thousands of years, shaping the iconic landscape of the mountain.  With its rugged slopes and icy glaciers, Mt. Rainier is both a beautiful spectacle and a formidable force of nature, commanding respect and awe from all who lay eyes upon it.

Our Family Adventures Through Mount Rainier NP

The following morning, we set out early on a scenic drive surrounded by verdant trees and glistening lakes, while the engaging tales from our Shaka Audio Tour guide set the stage for the day's exploration through Mt Rainier National Park. The 1.5 hour drive brought us closer to nature, allowing us to relax and soak in the beauty of the journey. With each mile we covered, the anticipation grew, knowing that we were about to immerse ourselves in the stunning landscapes of Mt Rainier National Park.

Timed Entry Requirements

To control crowds entering the park, Mt. Rainier NP requires a timed entry pass for summer/fall visits (specific dates below) between 7 am and 3 pm. You can enter before 7 am or after 3 pm without a timed entry. A separate timed entry is required for each area.

Paradise Corridor Timed Entry:

• Entrances: Nisqually Entrance (coming from the southwest / Seattle area) and Stevens Canyon Entrance (coming from the southeast / Packwood area)

• Dates Required: May 24 through September 2

• Entry Times: 7 am - 3 pm

• June Reservations Open: February 21 at 8 am PT

• July Reservations Open: April 1 at 8 am PT

• August Reservations Open: May 1 at 8 am PT

Sunrise Corridor Timed Entry:

• Entrance: White River Entrance (coming from the northeast / Enumclaw area)

• Dates Required: July 4 through September 2

• Entry Times: 7 am - 3 pm

• All Reservations Open: April 1 at 8 am PT

The park will release tickets first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov in the blocks mentioned above. These sell fast! So I recommend being online, logged in and ready the morning of the release. Paradise / morning times sell the fastest, so I secured our early Paradise entry first. Then used Dustin's account to secure our afternoon Sunrise entry (it would not let me get 2 reservations under the same account).

Disclaimer:

Always make sure to check out the latest information from the park's website before you arrive.

Stop 1 - Ashford and the Nisqually Park Entrance

Since there is no gas available in the massive park, we made a pit stop in the little town of Ashford, WA, to refuel the Iron Dragon before continuing on to the Nisqually park entrance. With our 7-9 am timed entry into the Paradise Corridor we began our trek through the park. There was a very short line at the entrance, that moved quickly. Once inside, we began the drive through the Paradise Corridor.  As we drove along the winding roads, towering trees and majestic mountain peaks greeted us at every turn.

Stop 2 - Longmire Area and the Trail of Shadows

Our first stop was in Longmire area. Originally established as a tourist destination in the late 1800s, the Longmire area, now takes visitors on a journey through a historic landscape dotted with remnants of the area's past.  We followed the Trail of Shadows, a short loop that gave us an opportunity to appreciate the history and nature of the area. From the Longmire Ranger Station area, we crossed the main road to the trailhead. Along the trail, a sign marks the old site of the Longmire Medical Springs Resort. The resort was established in 1890 by James Longmire, an explorer and settler of the West. After the trail junction is the first rock-ringed hot springs, Soda Springs. In winter, the springs are the only water around that’s not frozen and snow-covered. Many of these springs temperatures range from 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. These springs were once thought to have healing properties, and Longmire’s resort was a huge attraction for tourists hoping for relief from a variety of ailments. Visitors paid eight dollars per week to stay at the resort and bathe in the springs.

Next we came to a small log cabin. The cabin is a restoration of the one Longmire’s son Ecaine built in this spot as housing for the Longmire Hot Springs Resort staff. Ecaine continued the tourist business inspired by the hot springs after his father’s death in 1897, but the family business began to taper off when Mount Rainier was designated as the nation’s fifth national park in 1899, and it ended in 1915 with Ecaine’s death. Soon after, the property was sold to the park. Following the trail a little farther we came to a second spring, named “Iron Mike,” for its rusty color. Water now at the springs began its journey high up on Rainier and gradually filtered down into the ground and down the mountain. Warmed by geothermal heat, the hot water dissolves iron as it passes through underground rocks and earth. Next, the hot water mixes with colder groundwater before appearing in the spring. As the dissolved iron in the water is exposed to air, it oxidizes, literally rusting in the stream.

Trail of Shadows Details:

Start: Behind the Longmire Ranger Station

Distance: 0.75 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate Time: 30-45 minutes

Stop 3 - Christine Falls

From Longmire, we followed the twisting Steven’s Canyon Road to Christine Falls. Christine Falls is a 60-foot plunging waterfall framed by a historic arched bridge. There is a small pullout on either side of the bridge over the falls. The best way to view this waterfall is to park and walk down the short path to the overlook below the stone bridge.

Stop 4 - Narada Falls

We continued along Steven’s Canyon Road to Narada Falls.  The trail is 0.2-mile (0.4 mile round-trip) with a steep, 200-foot descent. At the end of the short trail, the entire 168-foot-high waterfall is visible.  Narada Falls were much more impressive than Christine Falls and well worth the steep climb back up.

Stop 5 - Paradise Corridor Visitor Center

We continued up the twisting road to the Paradise Corridor Visitor Center, where the girls got their Junior Ranger badges.  Paradise is famous for its glorious views and wildflower meadows. When James Longmire's daughter-in-law, Martha, first saw this site, she exclaimed, "Oh, what a paradise!"  From the back of the Visitors Center you get spectacular views of the volcano and the iconic granite steps, inscribed with the 1889 quote from conservationist John Muir who described Paradise as "...the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings."

The Nisqually Vista / Wildflower trail is a very family-friendly trail that starts behind the Visitor Center, atop the granite steps. The trail is paved and follows a lollypop-like shape. Continue down the path and choose to go clockwise or counter-clockwise around the loop. There are viewpoints of the volcano and fields of wildflowers.

Nisqually Vista Trail Details:

Start: behind the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center

Distance: 1.2 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate Time: 1 hr

Stop 6 - Reflection Lakes

Our next stop was the iconic Reflection Lake. This popular destination is named for lakes that reflect views of Mt. Rainier.  The best views are on the far right of the parking area before 9 am. We arrived closer to 10/10:30 but still caught a glimpse of the iconic reflection.

Stop 7 - Crystal Mountain Resort Gondola

We did not have any longer hikes planned in the park since we hoped to see both the Paradise and Sunset Corridor in the same day. So after leaving Reflection Lake we started the journey along Steven’s Canyon Road and WA-123 to the northwestern side of the park. Our timed entry for Sunset did not start until 1 pm, so we detoured to Crystal Mountain Resort for a gondola ride and lunch. The ride, while pricey, was worth it for the spectacular views of Mt Saint Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Rainier and the surrounding peaks. Lunch at the summit was excellent and reasonably priced.

Summer Scenic Gondola:

• Days: June 28-Sept. 2

• Hours:

  • Mondays-Thursdays: 10am-5pm

  • Fridays: 9am-6pm

  • Saturdays: 9am-8pm

  • Sundays: 9am-6pm

• Address: 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd., Enumclaw, WA 98022

• Price: Adults $49 | Children (5-12): $39

Stop 8 - Sunset Corridor

We returned to the park and entered the Sunset Corridor from the White River Entrance. The canyon road leaves you inches from the steep cliffs as you twist up to the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park (at an elevation of 6,400 feet).  From the Visitor’s Center we took in breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and Emmons Glacier.

Stop 9 - Alta Loge

After a long day of adventures, we left Mt Rainer for our nearby accommodations at Alta Loge. The accommodations were very close and convenient. Best of all, they were clean and quiet. The girls loved having a pool right outside our unit. Our unit had a small kitchen area, fireplace, full bathroom, and enough space for the 4 of us.

The Family Verdict

Mount Rainier NP is so beautiful! We were very fortunate to have amazing weather so we could see the mountain in all of its glory. July was unseasonably warm during our visit, and the mountain is often covered in clouds / fog. That said, our visit was perfect! I would have preferred to split our visit into 2 days, allowing for extra time to explore the trails. But, our time was limited so we covered both corridors in 1 day. Other than a lot of driving time to cover the enormous park, our crew gave the visit a big thumbs up.

Follow along as I explain each leg of our adventures through the Pacific Northwest!