The Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park
There’s nothing more iconic than a road trip itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park. Whether it’s because it was the first U.S. national park I visited after moving to Canada, or because of its towering glacier-covered peak, Mount Rainier quickly stole my heart.
After visiting other incredible U.S. national parks, such as Yosemite, Olympic, Haleakalā, and North Cascades, my best memories still lead me back to Mount Rainier. To this day, I can confidently say it’s one of my absolute favorite national parks in the USA.
Not only is Mount Rainier just two hours from Seattle, but it’s also close enough to the Canadian border. So, a weekend escape into nature feels totally doable. Whether you’re visiting for just a few days or have an entire week to explore, this national park offers one of the most breathtaking scenery in the Pacific Northwest.
In this blog post, I’ll share my tips for planning a 3-day itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park. I’ve packed in as much as possible to help you make the most of your time. But if you have an extra day, it’s well worth extending your trip!
Overview: 3-Day Itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park
- Where is it: Washington State, USA
- How to get there: by car to allow flexibility to drive around the national park
- Best time to visit: July to September; road closures can impact Sunrise Road and Stevens Canyon Road during the rest of the year
- Entrance Ticket: $80 if you get the America the Beautiful Pass, or $30 for standard entrance pass
- Accommodation: lodges and campgrounds (see below)
- Cell Service: limited in some areas of the park; download offline maps (I use maps.me) and carry a physical map as a backup
- Main Activities: hiking, scenic road trips and wildlife viewing
How To Get to Mount Rainier National Park
We visited the national park in August over a long weekend. From Vancouver we drove south towards Seattle on Friday afternoon and slept for the night at a campground just a couple of minutes away from the Nisqually Entrance, near Ashford.
Our trip was very spontaneous, so we didn’t reserve any campgrounds in advance. To be fair, we were expecting some pull-out areas near the entrance where we could car camp, but this was not the case. Luckily, we found this campground that allowed car camping, so we were able to rest for the night.
We decided to start our itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park counter clockwise. So, we started in the southwest at Nisqually Entrance and exited at the White River checkpoint on the northeast, near Enumclaw. We really enjoyed this route and driving around Mount Rainier in a loop but you can start your trip from other areas as well.
Travel Tip: Check this Map for additional insights on how to plan your itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park Entrances and Main Areas
Mount Rainier National Park has a total of 5 entrances. But, depending on where you’re traveling from and what you plan on visiting, some are more popular than others.
- Nisqually Entrance (southwest) – This is the most popular entrance and the closest to Tacoma. It’s also the main access point for visiting the Paradise area, which is famous for wildflower meadows, incredible views, and hiking.
- Sunrise Entrance (northeast) – This entrance provides access to the highest point in the park, the Sunrise area, and can be accessed via State Route 410. Not only can you admire the stunning beauty of Mount Rainier from up here but this area is also fantastic for hiking.
- White River Entrance (northeast) – Located near the town of Enumclaw, this entrance is used primarily to access the White River area. This is popular for hiking, climbing, as well as the scenic views.
- Carbon River Entrance (northwest) [CLOSED in 2025] – This entrance provides access to the less-traveled Carbon River area. This area is known for its lush old-growth forests and access to the Carbon Glacier.
- Mowich Lake Entrance (West) [CLOSED in 2025] – The remote Mowich Lake area is known for hiking and access to the Wonderland Trail. In fact, it’s a more secluded part of the park and ideal for those seeking a quieter experience.
2025 Road Closures: the access road to the Carbon River and Mowich Lake area will be closed. The bridge, which experienced structural deteriorations, is the only access point to this section of the park. No alternate route is available. Popular hiking areas such as Tolmie Peak and Spray Falls won’t be accessible.
Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park
Although there are plenty of lodging options both inside and outside Mount Rainier National Park, my favorite way to experience the park is by camping. I will list below some options for either alternatives, including information on backcountry camping.
Lodging Options within the National Park
For lodging options inside the national park, there are two places you can reserve at in Paradise and Longmire areas. Luckily, there are other numerous accommodation options outside the Mount Rainier National Park as well as at campgrounds within the park.
- Paradise Inn (Paradise) is generally open from late May through September
- National Park Inn (Longmire) is the only accommodation in the park that operated year-round
- Mountain Meadows Inn (Ashford, outside the national park) is close to the Nisqually entrance (southwest)
- Nisqually Lodge (Ashford, outside the national park) is open year-round
Frontcountry Camping
- Cougar Rock Campground: is located in the southwest of Mount Rainier National Park, near the Paradise area. It is typically open from late May to early October.
- White River Campground: located in the northeast, it is usually open from late June to September. This campground follows a first-come, first-served policy.
- Ohanapecosh Campground: will remain closed until summer 2026, due to the Ohanapecosh Campground construction project.
Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is my favorite way of exploring Mount Rainier National Park! But, I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. In order to camp in the backcountry, you are required to have a wilderness camping permit year round. You can either obtain a permit in person at an information or visitor center or do an advance reservation for the peak summer season.
We got our wilderness camping permit in person at one of the visitor centers. But to be honest, this was a bit of a gamble since availability can be limited, especially during peak season. Thankfully, it worked out really well for us. We ended up securing a spot along a lesser-traveled trail for our first night. While for the second night, we stayed at one of the larger backcountry camping areas.
For the latest information and list of backcountry camps, I recommend checking the official national park website. Depending on the trails you are planning on doing, some backcountry camps might be better than others. I used this map to locate the nearest backcountry camp to where I was hiking for the day. Additionally, the park rangers helped with the actual reservations, as we traveled during the peak summer months.
Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
There are numerous hikes you can choose from based on your skill level, location and distance. Below I will list a few in each area of the national park, but there are many more you can tackle. Also, please check the weather and trail conditions before starting. The main reason for this is that routinely rangers close sections of a trail for regular maintenance. All distances mentioned below are round trip.
Longmire and Paradise Area (southwest)
- Lake George and Gobblers Knob Trail: 18.7 km (11.6 miles), 792 m (2,598 ft) elevation gain and 6 hour hiking time. Offers fantastic views over Mount Rainier and the serene alpine lake.
- Pinnacle Peak Trail: 4.7 km (2.5 miles), 483 m (1,050 ft) elevation gain and 2 hour hiking time. It’s a short but all uphill hike and no campsites can be found on the trail.
- Rampant Ridge Loop: 7.7 km (4.6 miles), 432 m (1,339 ft) elevation gain, 2.5 hour hiking time, mostly in the woods and no campsites along this trail.
- Skyline and Golden Gate Loop: 6.1 km (3.7 ft), 339 m (1,112 ft) elevation gain, 2.5 hour hiking time, stunning wildflower fields and closeup of Mount Rainer.
Useful Maps to Plan an Itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park: Longmire and Paradise Area
Ohanapecosh Area (southeast)
- Shriner Peak Trail: 13.2 km (8 miles), 1,039 m (3,434 ft) elevation gain, 5 hour hiking time, begins in the forest but is later exposed. On the top of the ridge, you see Mount Rainier, the Ohanapecosh Valley, and the Cascades. It’s ideal for hikers looking for more solitude and has a campsite at the top.
- Silver Falls Loop: 4.7 km (3 miles), 159 m (600 ft), 1.5 hour hiking distance.
Useful Maps to Plan an Itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park: Ohanapecosh Area
Sunrise Area (northeast)
- Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail: 15.3 km (9 miles), 793 m (2,601 ft), 5.5 hour hiking time, incredible mountain views, camping available at Sunrise camp.
- Mount Fremont Lookout Trail: 9.2 km (5.6 miles), 338 m (900 ft), 3 hour hiking time, trail goes through meadow fields and rocky terrain. The views at the lookout are stunning and you get to see Mount Rainier, the Cascades, up to the Olympic Mountains.
- Naches Peak Loop Trail: 5.6 km (3.5 miles), 201 m (500 ft), 2 hour hiking time, one of the most popular hikes in the national park, hike in a clockwise direction for best views.
Useful Maps to Plan an Itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park: Sunrise Area
Carbon and Mowich Lake Area (northwest) – CLOSED in 2025
- Green Lake Trail: 14.5 km (10.8 miles), 447 m (1,300 ft), 4 hour hiking time, one of the park’s most serene mountain lakes.
- Spray Park Trail: 11 km (6 miles), 670 m (1,300 ft), 4 hour hiking time, mostly in the forest.
- Tolmie Peak Trail: 9 km (6.5 miles), 474 m (1,010 ft), 3 hour hiking time, the lookout offers amazing views over Mount Rainier.
Useful Maps to Plan an Itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park: Carbon River and Mowich Lake Area
3-Day Itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park
I planned a 3-day itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park over a long weekend in summer, as that was the only time I had available. Also, I packed a lot of hiking in very few days. So, I would suggest to add an extra day to enjoy the national park a bit longer, if you have the time.
This being said, I believe that this itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park will be a good guideline to provide inspiration for your own trip.
Fun fact: Mount Rainier National Park was the fourth national park ever established in USA!
Day 1: Explore the Paradise and Ohanapecosh Area
Start your day early to avoid crowds and make the most of your time in the national park. Begin with a stop at the visitor center for maps, reservations, and ranger tips. By the time we reached Paradise around 10 a.m., parking was already limited. So, we had to circle the lot a few times before finally finding a spot.
Then, we hiked the Skyline Trail Loop, which starts on paved road and takes you through wildflowers fields closer to Mount Rainier. If you’re lucky, you can also meet a lot of wildlife, such as beavers and mountain goats.
From here we made our way to Reflection Lakes for a quick stop.
In the afternoon, we went on a second hike to Shrinker Peak, where we camped for the night. As previously mentioned, before heading into the backcountry overnight, you need to get a wilderness permit. It is important that you get a permit before heading into the backcountry, as rangers will check them at the campgrounds.
The trailhead is along the road just north of Ohanapecosh Visitor Center. It is not a beginner friendly hike, especially since you carry all your camping gear on your shoulders for a total of 1,039 m (3,434 ft) elevation gain.
We followed a ranger’s recommendation without knowing what to expect. Luckily, it turned out to be one of the best camping spots I’ve ever experienced. In fact, with just 2–3 campsites at the top, we had the place nearly to ourselves, sharing it only with a ranger. That night, we even spotted a bear foraging for berries in a nearby field through binoculars.
Day 2: Head to Sunrise Area and do a Scenic Hike
In the morning, we woke up above the clouds. In fact, Mount Rainier was peaking just above the white blanket of clouds and we had that view all to ourselves.
It was then time to start making our way down. The next stop on our itinerary in Mount Rainier National Park was the Sunrise Visitor Center. To balance out the two hikes of the previous day, this day we opted for an easier hike. Here, we took the Wonderland Trail to reach the Sunrise camp for the night.
After relaxing for a bit and pitching down the tent, we then started our way up to Mount Fremont Lookout for sunset.
We saw the sun setting down behind the mountains and made our way back to our tent for a glorious night of sleep.
Day 3: Optional Extra Day or Way Back Home
If you have some more time, you can spend an extra day in the park to explore some lakes as well as surrounding trails. As we had limited time, we left in the morning. On our way out of the national park, we stopped in Enumclaw for lunch and then headed back to Vancouver.
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