Mount Rainier gave us a little bit of everything: big mountain views, long hikes, waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and some weather drama. Sunrise felt quieter and more rugged, while Paradise brought the classic overlooks, crowds, and postcard-worthy scenery. It was a park that made us work for the up close views, but absolutely delivered.
Pick a stop to see its story and photos.
Silver Springs Campground sits along the White River just outside Mount Rainier's north entrance. We briefly had a riverside campsite here, walked the rocky riverbank, and spotted birds around camp before moving into White River Campground inside the park.
White River Campground is an in-park base beneath the Sunrise area, with river access and a much shorter drive to the eastern trailheads. We moved here after one night outside the park and stayed through our Burroughs hike.
Sunrise Visitor Center is the developed hub for the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier, with parking, overlooks, services, and access to nearby trailheads. In this album, it should represent the visitor center area itself, not the full Burroughs Mountain route.
The Burroughs Mountain Loop begins from the Sunrise Visitor Center area and links Sunrise-area trail segments such as Sourdough Ridge and the Frozen Lake junction before climbing across the exposed First, Second, and Third Burroughs. Our hike included pika, mountain goats near Mount Fremont, marmots, wildflowers, clouds, and close-up views of Rainier's glaciers.
Longmire is the park's historic headquarters and an accessible lower-elevation stop. The Trail of the Shadows loops through forest, meadow, mineral springs, and remnants of the area's early resort history.
The road between Longmire and Paradise provides access to several waterfalls. We hiked through old-growth forest to Carter Falls, then stopped at roadside viewpoints for Christine Falls and the larger two-tiered Narada Falls.
Skyline Trail is the signature Paradise hike, looping 5.5 miles through wildflower meadows with close views of Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier. Our route included numerous marmots and a viewpoint near the end for Myrtle Falls.
Silver Springs Campground sits along the White River just outside Mount Rainier's north entrance. We briefly had a riverside campsite here, walked the rocky riverbank, and spotted birds around camp before moving into White River Campground inside the park.
White River Campground is an in-park base beneath the Sunrise area, with river access and a much shorter drive to the eastern trailheads. We moved here after one night outside the park and stayed through our Burroughs hike.
Sunrise Visitor Center is the developed hub for the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier, with parking, overlooks, services, and access to nearby trailheads. In this album, it should represent the visitor center area itself, not the full Burroughs Mountain route.
The Burroughs Mountain Loop begins from the Sunrise Visitor Center area and links Sunrise-area trail segments such as Sourdough Ridge and the Frozen Lake junction before climbing across the exposed First, Second, and Third Burroughs. Our hike included pika, mountain goats near Mount Fremont, marmots, wildflowers, clouds, and close-up views of Rainier's glaciers.
Longmire is the park's historic headquarters and an accessible lower-elevation stop. The Trail of the Shadows loops through forest, meadow, mineral springs, and remnants of the area's early resort history.
The road between Longmire and Paradise provides access to several waterfalls. We hiked through old-growth forest to Carter Falls, then stopped at roadside viewpoints for Christine Falls and the larger two-tiered Narada Falls.
Skyline Trail is the signature Paradise hike, looping 5.5 miles through wildflower meadows with close views of Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier. Our route included numerous marmots and a viewpoint near the end for Myrtle Falls.
After feeling like we had covered what we wanted to see in Olympic, we left a day earlier than planned and…
We did not have timed entry reservations for the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier. That meant the only way into…
Mount Rainier does not do subtle. At 14,410 feet, Washington’s tallest peak towers above the landscape,…
After our big Burroughs day, we had two quieter days at Rainier. On the first, we went back to the Sunrise…
With Mount Rainier completely wrapped in clouds, we set aside our plans for the Skyline Trail. As we drove…
On our second morning on the Paradise side of Mount Rainier National Park, the clouds finally parted and the…
