Mount Rainier Activities

Mount Rainier National Park offers excellent opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and mountain climbing. Most roads are open from late May to early October--all provide stunning views and access to a variety of hiking trails and other sites.
While many visitors attempt to "see the park in a day," you may wish to concentrate on one or two areas of the park and explore them in detail. Keep in mind that parking is limited on sunny summer weekends and holidays.
Possibilities: Explore the Longmire Historic District in the SW corner of the park. On the road from Longmire and Paradise, see Christine Falls or Narada Falls. At Paradise, see the Jackson Visitor Center, the Historic Paradise Inn, or hike a trail through the world-famous subalpine meadows. Between Paradise and Ohanapecosh, see Reflection Lakes, Box Canyon, or the Grove of the Patriarchs. Explore old growth forest at Ohanpecosh. Between Ohanapecosh and White River, consider a short sidetrip east to Tipsoo Lake. Sunrise is a popular destination from July to October. It provides outstanding views of Mount Rainier and its glaciers, and trails through subalpine meadows. In the NE corner of the park, see the Carbon River rainforest and/or Mowich Lake (note: road to Mowich Lake is unpaved and does not open until early July).


Bicycling
Bicycles are allowed on the roads in the park and cyclists will find both challenging and scenic cycling opportunities. Bicycles are not permitted on any of the foot trails and there are no designated bike trails. Bicycling equipment in or near the park is very limited. Cyclists are advised to be equipped to make needed repairs on their own. Helmets are essential. NOTE: The park may temporarily close any road to bicycle use with the posting of appropriate signs for such activities as spring opening of roads, etc. Check current road status when planning your route.
September and early October are generally excellent times for cyclists to visit Mount Rainier as there are fewer vehicles on the roads. This enhances the opportunity to enjoy the fall colors, although many facilities and services are reduced or discontinued in scope after Labor Day.
Ride safely and enjoy a pleasant and safe ride in Mount Rainier National Park!
Road and Touring Cyclists:

Road and touring cyclists will find park roads quite challenging as they are steep, narrow, winding and have unpaved shoulders. There are several significant elevation gains and losses. The road from the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park to Paradise is 19 miles one way with a gain in elevation of 3,400 feet. Travel from the northeast park boundary to Sunrise is 20 miles with an elevation gain of 3,650 feet. Use exceptional care on the descents as excess speed can make the winding roads quite dangerous. The Redmond Cycling Club sponsors RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier One Day), an annual bicycle ride in July in which 750 cyclists test themselves on the 154 mile course with 10,000 feet of total elevation gain.
Mountain Bike Enthusiasts:
Mountain bikers have three areas to choose from in the park:
The Westside Road is just inside the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park. The entire length is unpaved and provides an exceptionally scenic challenge. The first three miles of the road are open to all vehicles. There is a small parking area at the end of this three mile section and many mountain bikers choose to leave their cars at this point. The 9 1/4 mile stretch to Klapatche Point is restricted to cyclists and hikers. There are two challenging climbs and the views offered are spectacular.
The Carbon River Road is in the northwest corner of the park is approximately 5 miles long. It provides an opportunity to ride through a rain forest. Use caution as there is vehicle traffic on the road and the road is subject to flooding. It could close at any time. Check current road conditions when planning your trip.
The Mowich Lake Road is also in the northwest corner of the park at the end of Highway 165. This dirt road is about 5 miles long and lead to a beautiful sub-alpine lake.
A third option for mountain bikers is the road behind the old campground in Longmire. Vehicle parking and access to this road are at the Community Building in Longmire. This road accesses Forest Service Road 52 (Skate Creek or Kernahan Road) and makes a loop back to the park via Ashford.

Fishing and Boating

Mount Rainier National Park isn't known for its fishing, so don't be disappointed if you fail to catch fish, or if the fish are small. Experience tells us that anglers' success is often less than anticipated.
Fish are not native to park lakes but some still survive as a result of past fish stocking efforts. Consequently, there are no limits on the number of fish that can be taken from park lakes.
Native fish are found in park streams and we encourage you to use barbless hooks and artificial lures and to release uninjured fish.
Regulations
Park fishing regulations for streams are generally in accordance with those of the surrounding area waters of the State of Washington.

Enjoy a day of family hiking!
Mount Rainier National Park offers over 240 miles of maintained trails for your enjoyment. Trails lead through the peacefulness of the old-growth forest of the river valleys and the high subalpine meadows of the high ridges. From the trails you can explore and experience the forests, lakes, and streams and view the fields of wildflowers and network of glaciers. If you're looking for easy and enjoyable trails that the whole family can experience together, consider the following trails. While several are short strolls, others are longer trails in the wilderness. For your safety, do not hike alone, carry (and know how to use) the "Ten Essentials," and tell someone your plans.
Currently, there are no limits on the number of groups on a trail, number of people per group, or what trail you may choose for your hike, and there is no charge (beyond the park entrance fee) for day hiking throughout the park. The park does encourage day hikers to limit their party size to no more than 12 people per group. Day hikers are also encouraged to stay on designated trails throughout the park, and are required to do so in the heavily used Paradise, Sunrise, and Tipsoo Lake meadows. Please choose a spot for a lunch stop carefully. Avoid fragile flower fields and stream banks.
Day hikers are advised to keep hiking plans flexible because some trailhead parking lots may be full, and overflow parking is not permitted, in order to avoid impeding traffic and to provide a less crowded, higher quality experience for hikers. Alternative trailheads may have space available.