Mt. Rainier

Located within easy day-trip distance of nearby hubs like Seattle and Tacoma, and offering a wealth of activities, Mt. Rainier is one of the best (and most spectacular) places in the region to plan a nature escape. A range of day-trip itineraries from Seattle make visiting especially accessible. Options include full-day shared and private touring and hiking trips, while some 1- and 2-day tours also pair Rainier visits with stops at nearby attractions, including Leavenworth, the Yakima Valley wine region, and Olympic National Park.

It’s also possible to visit Mt. Rainier independently. Visitors need to pay the National Park entrance fee, and may need to have advance timed-entry reservations or permits, including for backcountry camping and mountain climbing.

• Visitors to Mt. Rainier should abide by Leave No Trace principles, avoid interacting with wildlife, and otherwise respect this precious ecosystem.

• Popular areas of Mt. Rainier National Park, including the Paradise and Sunrise Corridors, are only accessible via timed-entry reservations in the summer.

• Mountain weather can be extremely changeable, and cold or rainy throughout the year; come prepared with heavy-duty hiking and weatherproof gear.

• Pets are prohibited at all trails and nature areas at Mt. Rainier.

• If you want to stay the night, there are two inns within Mt. Rainier National Park, as well as a number of campgrounds.

It’s about 90 miles (145 kilometers) between Seattle and Mt. Rainier, and you can drive to the mountain in under 2 hours via I-5 S and WA-7 S; there are a range of visitor centers and ranger stations across the national park. Note that some roads and access points can close for the season, or at the last minute due to weather conditions; be sure to check the forecast and local reports before visiting.

Mt. Rainier National Park is open throughout the year. Summer is the most popular time to visit, and the most crowded; aim for weekdays for a calmer experience. If you’re visiting in the winter, note that some of the park’s campgrounds, visitor centers, and picnic areas can close, and that road accessibility may be limited.

Site of the most destructive volcanic eruption in US history when it erupted in 1980, Mt. St. Helens today is known as an idyllic destination for hiking and other outdoor activities—and it’s just a few hours from Mt. Rainier by car. To really get away from it all, you can spend a weekend hiking the two mountains, or plan an additional day trip from Seattle to Mt. St. Helens.