Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park protects the peak and surrounding landscapes of Mount Rainier, a glaciated stratovolcano in Washington State whose summit reaches 14,411 feet (4,392 meters). The park was established in 1899 and is a longstanding national park in the U.S. system.

The park features alpine meadows, extensive glaciers and snowfields, old-growth forest, and a network of trails ranging from short interpretive walks to technical mountaineering routes. Key visitor areas include Paradise on the south slope and Sunrise on the northeast side, both providing trailheads, visitor centers, and panoramic viewpoints.

Designated as a national park in 1899, the area has been managed for conservation, recreation, and scientific study for more than a century; mountaineering, trail-building, and visitor infrastructure have evolved to support both day use and wilderness backpacking.

Mount Rainier National Park sits in west-central Washington State on the flanks of Mount Rainier, southeast of the Seattle metropolitan area and straddling the Cascade Range.

• Wonderland Trail: The Wonderland Trail encircles Mount Rainier in a roughly 93-mile loop that is a well-known long-distance backpacking route requiring permits for overnight camping.

What to See #

• Paradise: Paradise on the south slope is a major visitor hub noted for extensive subalpine meadows, winter snow access, and a primary visitor center with interpretive exhibits and trailheads.
• Sunrise: Sunrise on the northeast side is the park's highest road-access point and offers high-elevation views of Mount Rainier and early-season wildflower displays along several trails.