Epic
Mount Rainier National Park
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Trip length
- 4–7 days
- Budget
- $250–$900
- per person · excl. airfare
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
HikingBackpacking
Park entrance: $30 (Entrance - Private Vehicle) · source: NPS
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.
Highlights
- Wildflower meadows at Paradise
- Glaciers on a 14er volcano
- The Wonderland Trail
Photos
Photos via Wikimedia Commons under their respective licences.
Map
Trails (5)· Easy–Expert
- View →Wonderland TrailRepresentative4.3 mi2,073 ft gainEasy~2.5 h
- View →Glacier Basin TrailRepresentative2.7 mi1,791 ft gainEasy~1.8 h
- View →Burroughs Mountain TrailRepresentative2.2 mi1,250 ft gainEasy~1.4 h
- View →Emmons Glacier RouteRepresentative2.2 mi4,820 ft gainExpert~3.1 h
- View →Camp Muir RouteRepresentative1.9 mi2,907 ft gainExpert~2.1 h
Getting there
- SEA Seattle-Tacoma Intl · 50 mi
- PDX Portland Intl · 98 mi
- RDM Redmond Muni (Bend) · 182 mi
Straight-line distances to nearby airports. Airfare and drive times are not included.
Permits & access
Reservation required
Wilderness permit for overnight; climbing permit above Camp Muir — confirm current rules on the official site.
Official permit & conditions ↗Last verified 7/24/2026