8 to 9 hours (Approx.)

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Overview

Mount Rainier National Park is centered around an awe-inspiring, iconic volcano — Mount Rainier — and takes you through miles and miles of old-growth forest. The overlooks along the drive will take your breath away and the serpentine roads leading up to Paradise and Sunrise — the most popular sections of the park — will keep your heart pumping and your camera clicking.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour:

• Explore the stunning alpine meadows of Paradise
• Witness the first light of day at Sunrise Point,
• Wander through the ancient forest of the Grove of the Patriarchs,
• Stand in awe of Narada Falls as it plunges gracefully over a rugged cliffside,
• Ascend to breathtaking heights aboard the Mount Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain

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Description

Stop At: Longmire, Longmire, Washington

At this location, you’ll be able to visit the historic log cabin lodge owned by the park — The National Park Inn. Perhaps, you can sit a spell on its porch, which perfectly frames the mountain for an amazing first full view of Rainier from inside the park.

While visiting the historic Longmire section of the park, you’ll want to stop in at the General Store for souvenirs. Additionally, it's a convenient spot to stock up on snacks and water for hiking.

There’s also a popular trail in this section of the park called the Trail of the Shadows. It takes you past historic landmarks and old buildings.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Carter Falls, Carter Falls, Washington 98361, USA

This waterfall flows during the ice melt season, otherwise, it may be dry. It’s just a pull-off, so it won’t take more than a few minutes to stop, snap a picture, and take a look.

Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: Christine Falls Viewpoint, Paradise Road, Washington

This is a popular waterfall that flows frequently. You'll probably want to allocate about 15 minutes to visit here.

Pass By: Ricksecker Point, Packwood, WA 98361, USA

This is just a pull-off for the view, so you’ll only need a few minutes to stop and see it.

Stop At: Narada Falls, Paradise Rd, Paradise, Washington

This is another popular waterfall that is more often running than not.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Paradise, Paradise, WA 98361, USA

This is one of the park's most popular areas. You could spend several hours here, depending on your hiking plans. You’ll definitely want to take the short walk to Myrtle Falls, one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the entire park.

You’ll also want to stop inside the main visitor center for the park — The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. While you’re exploring the Paradise section of the park, peek inside the Historic Paradise Inn lodge if it’s open.

Two of the best trails in this section of the park are the Alta Vista Trail and the Nisqually Vista Trail. Enjoy the wildflower meadows that surround you in Paradise!

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Paradise River, Paradise River, Washington, USA

This is just a quick pullout for the view.

Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: Inspiration Point, Inspiration Point, Washington 98361, USA

This is just a quick stop for the view.

Stop At: Reflection Lakes, Washington

This is a glorious stop, especially on a clear day when Mount Rainier is showing off its reflection on the main lake. There’s a lakeshore path and several viewpoints from both the path and the parking lots. In this case, you’ll probably want to allow at least a half hour at this stop to take in the different views and search out that perfect reflection for some iconic photos!

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bench Lake, Bench Lake, Washington 98361, USA

If you want to take this hike, you’ll need to allow at least an hour to do part of the trail (longer if you want to hike the entire out-and-back trail.)

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Box Canyon, Box Canyon, Washington 98361, USA

This is just a short stop to take in the view.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Grove of the Patriarchs, Washington

This is a hike (short and easy) that leads to a pedestrian suspension bridge over a river and to a grove of old-growth, enormous trees. It is super popular, and worth the stop (if you can nab a parking space) that would take you at least an hour, if not two.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, Washington

This area features a very long and lovely trail that leads to a waterfall, called the Silver Falls Loop Trail. Or, you can walk a much shorter nature trail that leaves behind the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center.

The amount of time you’d spend in this area of the park depends on whether you have hours to spare to take the very long hike, or instead just want to walk the short nature trail.

Alternatively, you could just spend a few minutes in the Visitor Center and perhaps just walk to the bridge near the parking lot to watch the river flow for a photo or two.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tipsoo Lake Loop, Washington

This area is technically just outside (across the road from) the park, but is overseen by Mount Rainier National Park.

The lake is absolutely beautiful, with gorgeous views of Mount Rainier. It’s very photogenic, and there’s an easy path that will take you on a walk around the entire lake if you want to spend an hour or two doing so.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Naches Peak Loop Trail, Mt Ranier National Park, Paradise, Washington

Part of this trail, which is across from Tipsoo Lake, is Pacific Crest Trail land, but the Naches Peak Loop trail is overseen by Mount Rainier National Park.

This amazing trail features views of the Cascade mountain range and Mount Rainier, along with wildflower meadows, that are spectacular.

So I’d recommend you take at least a little bit of the trail for the views and then turn around if you don’t have time for the whole thing.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sunrise Point, Sunrise Point, Washington 98304, USA

This, my friends, is the most important and magnificent overlook and view in the entirety of Mount Rainier National Park and is not to be missed! So drive up that mountain!

Even if you don’t have hours to hike in the Sunrise area of the park, the road up to this overlook will be unforgettable. You’ll want to park and spend almost a half hour walking around ‘on top of the world’ for the unimaginable 360-degree views!

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sunrise Park, South Hill, WA 98374, USA

This is the second most popular area of the park (after Paradise). But only because most people who enter at Nisqually don’t take the time to drive all the way across (or around) the park to get to the east side in order to drive up to Sunrise. If you ask me, Sunrise is the most incredible area of Mount Rainier — or of any national park!

You’re as high as you can drive within the park, you have a front and center view of the biggest glacier on the mountain (and on any volcano), and if you hike the Silver Forest Trail (which I highly recommend). Along that trail, you can see all the way down to the White River…thousands upon thousands of feet below.

Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: White River Campground, Washington 98304, USA

Once you get back down from Sunrise, I’d highly recommend you stop at the White River Campground. Walk through the camping loops and wend your way down to the river to experience how powerful that meltwater flowing off of the Emmons glacier is up close! Did I mention that I highly recommend getting up close to this river?

From Loop D, I’d also recommend you hike at least part of the Glacier Basin Trail through the forest. That trail leads to the Emmons Moraine Trail, which is also popular. Time spent here will depend on whether or not you decide to hike and, if so, how far you plan to go. I’d recommend just taking part in the Glacier Basin Trail.

Pass By: Crystal Mountain Resort, 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd, 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd., Washington 98022

This ski resort is open in winter and summer, and we list it on our Shaka Guide tour because this is the home of the Mount Rainier Gondola ride!

Nowhere else will you find a ski lift ride that’ll take you up into the sky to view that great big volcano!

So if you happen to be passing by this area (right across from the Sunrise section of the park) and the ride’s open, buy yourself a ticket!