5 to 6 hours (Approx.)

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Overview

Mount Rainier Park showcases Pacific Northwest's legacy. Traverse Nisqually Twin Firs Trail by Tahoma Creek. Longmire brims with pioneers & wildlife. Discover Tatoosh Range, Christine & Comet Falls. Uncover tales of John Muir & the pioneering woman climber. Gaze stars at Sunrise Point, Ohanapecosh, Tipsoo Lake. Start a collective journey via app; remember park entry rules & timings.
visit ancient burial grounds, and really get to know this island’s rich culture.

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.

New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check pandemic rules and opening hours before your visit.

Description

Stop At: Nisqually Entrance, Nisqually Entrance, Eatonville, WA 98304, USA

Here we are, Mount Rainier National Park! This arch is a great photo op, so feel free to pull over and pause ahead. Just beyond the arch is the park’s entrance station.

Note: This 91-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Mount Rainier in 3-4 hours.

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Nisqually River, Washington

Continue driving as you listen. We’re now in the verdant shadows of Rainer’s lush forest. All of this greenery is thanks to the water flowing down from Rainer. In fact, you can probably catch a glimpse of the Nisqually River to your right as we drive.

Stop At: Tahoma Creek, Tahoma Creek, Washington 98304, USA

We’re about to cross over Tahoma Creek. While it might not look particularly powerful, tributaries like these are what make Mount Rainier so verdant year-round. Tahoma Creek has its own story as well. For years, hikers trekked along its banks to reach a suspension bridge deep in the wilderness.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Twin Firs Loop Trail, Twin Firs Loop Trail, Washington 98304, USA

Up ahead is the Twin Firs Loop Trail. This easy half-mile loop takes only ten minutes and serves as a great introduction to the old growth forest of Mount Rainier. “Old growth” is a term used to describe a particular kind of forest that’s hard to find in much of the United States.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Longmire Museum, Tahoma Woods, Star Route, Longmire, Washington 98304

We’re approaching the Longmire Historic District, named for explorer and entrepreneur James Longmire. This is a great place for a pit stop, and you’ll find food, bathrooms, and even a little museum here! It also serves as the starting point for a couple different trails, which I’ll talk about in a moment. There’s also a gift shop if you need the perfect souvenir from your visit!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Carter Falls Trailhead, Q685+PQ, Packwood, WA 98361, USA

Just ahead is Carter Falls Trail, a moderate 1.5-mile trail to a gorgeous waterfall tucked into the forests of Mount Rainier. If you don’t feel like hiking, this spot also features a great overlook of the Nisqually River.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Comet Falls, Washington

You might’ve heard the adage “don’t go chasing waterfalls.” But when it comes to Comet Falls, my advice is to chase away! The challenging, 4-mile hike up ahead leads to a 301-foot waterfall that’s one of the tallest cascades in the park. People claim the flash of white resembles the tail of a comet!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Christine Falls Bridge, Comet Falls-Van Trump Trl, Ashford, WA 98304, USA

We’re about to cross the Christine Falls Bridge. Built in 1927, this bridge is a masterful display of rustic stonework. The contractor designed the bridge to blend into the landscape, taking on the curves of nature. Though the bridge itself is an eyecatching site, what surrounds it may be even more alluring. A 60-foot waterfall plummets into the Van Trump Creek Canyon below.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Ricksecker Point, Packwood, WA 98361, USA

Up next is Ricksecker Point—a fantastic overlook with views of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding forest. Pull into the parking area coming up on our right and stop.

Right now, a rock wall and guard rails separate drivers from the cliff’s edge at Ricksecker Point—but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, Ricksecker Point used to be one of the most dangerous areas in the park! It all started in 1910.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Frog Heaven, Frog Heaven, Washington 98361, USA

We’re approaching the wetlands known at Frog Heaven. And no, I didn’t misspeak. It’s a “ribbeting” bit of road! All the lakes in this area make it a perfect habitat for Mount Rainier’s five species of frogs. All these amphibians need moist ecosystems to lay their jelly-like eggs. Of course, anywhere that attracts frogs also attracts predators that like to eat those frogs.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Tatoosh Range, Tatoosh Range, Washington 98361, USA

Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain here, but what about these other peaks? Well, directly ahead of us are Pinnacle Peak and Plummer Peak. They’ll be on our right after we round this bend. Pinnacle Peak is to the left of Plummer Peak, and it’s also a little taller, standing at 6,562 feet. But hey, at least Plummer Peak has a more unique name! It gets it from Fred Plummer, a cartographer who worked for the Forest Service.

Duration: 10 minutes

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

Once you’ve parked, hop out of the car and follow the brief walking trail down to Narada Falls. Sure, we can see them from up here, but the view is much better from the trail! This 168-foot waterfall gets its name from someone with an even loftier title: Arthur F. Knight of Tacoma. Though he may sound like royalty, Knight was actually a leader of the Narada Branch of the Theosophical Society of Western Washington. You’re probably wondering: Okay, what the heck is that?

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Unicorn Peak, Unicorn Peak, Washington 98361, USA

Off to our left stands the mighty Tatoosh Range. But can you spot the tallest of these mountain peaks? It’s farther from us than most of the others, but stands a good couple hundred feet above them. That’s Unicorn Peak!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Puyallup, Puyallup, Washington

So who were the first inhabitants of this land? Among the tribes which lived here were the Puyallup people. In their language, this name actually translates to “people from the bend at the bottom of the river.”

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Nisqually Vista Trail, Nisqually Vista Trail, Washington 98304, USA

We’re coming up on the Nisqually Vista Trail. This 1-mile hiking path is a crowd-favorite in the park because it’s easy, quick, and features amazing views of Mount Rainier.
The paved journey takes about 30 minutes to complete. Park just ahead to visit the trail. If it’s full, there’s more parking later on. If you’d rather continue the tour, keep driving.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Paradise, Paradise, Washington

Paradise is just ahead. And yes, I mean that literally! Here you can find snacks, water, and even a sit-down dining room. There’s also additional parking for the Nisqually Vista Trail. Keep an eye out just ahead for the parking lot. From Paradise, you can also access the trail to Myrtle Falls.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Inspiration Point, Inspiration Point, Washington 98361, USA

Coming up is Inspiration Point. It seems like every national park has a place called Inspiration Point, but that doesn’t make this one any less special! This accessible vista features seriously impressive mountain scenery and a large parking lot to boot! I recommend stopping in the lot ahead and get some pretty cool photos.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Reflection Lakes, Washington

Coming up: Reflection Lake! At this reflective body of water, you’ll be seeing double. This glacial lake is pristine and acts like a sort of natural mirror most of the time. As you gaze across Reflection Lake, you’ll be looking directly at the summit of Mount Rainier. The views are best when there’s no wind, so the water is perfectly still. When that happens, you can see not one Mount Rainier, but two!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Stevens Peak, Stevens Peak, Washington 98361, USA

That mountain peak dead ahead is Stevens Peak, standing at 6,560 feet! It gets its name from Hazard Stevens, the first European man who summited Mount Rainier alongside P.B. Van Trump. And hey, I’ll be honest: If my first name was “Hazard,” I’d probably become a mountain climber too!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Lake Louise, Lake Louise, Lakewood, WA 98498, USA

Also coming up in a moment is Louise Lake. This placid glacial lake doesn’t feature the same jaw-dropping views of Mount Rainier seen at Reflection Lake, but that also means it’s a whole lot less crowded. If you’re looking to escape the crowds for a bit, Louise Lake is the place to do it!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Snow Lake Trail, Washington

Keep an eye out for Bench and Snow Lake Trail. The moderately challenging hike stretches 2.2 miles out and back and takes a little over an hour. It’s a bit steep but at the end, you’re rewarded with two pristine wilderness lakes!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Picture Frame Falls, Packwood, WA 98361, USA

Up ahead you’ll see the next stop perfectly framed by vegetation—Picture Frame Falls! The title, however, is more of a placeholder. This no-name cascade isn’t technically a real waterfall. How can that be?

Duration: 10 minutes

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

We’re approaching The Box Canyon Trail, a half-mile, paved loop. Though it’s a short walk, the path offers a spectacular view of a great rift formed by shifting glaciers. If you’re up for a challenge, the Box Canyon Loop also connects to the famed Wonderland Trail. Spanning 93 miles, this trail wraps around the entire park.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Wonderland Trail, Washington

Wonderland has far exceeded its original purpose. Labor began on the circuit in 1907 as a solution to one yawning oversight in the park’s infrastructure: a total lack of fire roads. With seasons growing dryer and large swaths of forest left unprotected, rangers needed a trail that could take them to the most deserted areas of the park.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Backbone Ridge, Backbone Ridge, Washington 98361, USA

We’re approaching Backbone Ridge, a strenuous trail offering amazing views for the experienced hiker. This 6.6-mile round trip overlooks Tatoosh Wilderness, but be prepared for a 3-hour journey with plenty of rough terrain along the way.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Grove of the Patriarchs, Washington

The Grove of the Patriarchs is just ahead. This 1-mile trail through a wonderland of huge old-growth trees is an easy jaunt that takes under an hour. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for maintenance. The Grove of Patriarchs was once the playground of Scottish botanist David Douglas. Douglas worked as a botanical collector for the Royal Horticultural Society of London—yes, it was as hoity-toity as it sounds. After plans to gather Asian foliage for London’s gardens fell through, Douglas found himself in the Pacific Northwest instead.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, Washington

Welcome to Ohanapecosh, named by the Taidnapam tribe. Ohanapecosh translates to “standing at the edge”—likely because it brushes against the river. This is also the area where James Longmire discovered hot springs.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Shriner Peak Trailhead, Naches, WA 98937, USA

Up ahead is Shriner Peak Trail. Dubbed one of the loneliest trails in Mt. Rainier, the steep upward climb is a no-go in the summer months. But in the autumn, the difficult 8.5-mile hike is worth the six hours of sweating. The view from the top offers incredible panoramas. That also makes it perfect for a fire lookout! The peak is home to the oldest fire lookout in the park.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Tipsoo Lake, Tipsoo Lake, Washington 98022, USA

Tipsoo Lake is just ahead. The loop around this lake is a great spot to pause and smell the flowers. If you stand at the lake’s shoreline and peer into its glassy surface, you might spot some trout. These trout didn’t always have a home in Tipsoo. In fact, none of Mt. Rainier’s lakes originally hosted trout.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: White River, White River, Washington 98372, USA

The river we’re driving alongside is called White River. It’s been said that you never step into the same river twice, and that’s especially true of the White River, whose flow has been changed by the elements and humans for centuries.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Owyhigh Lakes Trail, Owyhigh Lakes Trail, Washington 98304, USA

The Owyhigh Lakes Trail is coming up soon. This 7-mile hike takes about four hours, but it covers level ground and has plenty of shade. Owyhigh Lakes was named after Yakama Chief Owhi, a warrior who pushed back against a military expedition in the 1858 Battle of the Spokane Plains. When Chief Owhi led an attack against a military unit marching through his territory, it sparked an ongoing struggle between his people and the US.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Sunrise Point Lookout, Sunrise Park Rd, Ashford, WA 98304, USA

We’re approaching Sunrise Point. At 6,120 feet, it’s perhaps the best spot in the park to watch the sunrise. The Civilian Conservation Corps built this overlook. The brainchild of President Roosevelt, the CCC was born of the New Deal, which attempted to get Americans back on their feet during the Great Depression. These young men were hired by national parks to counteract tragic unemployment rates.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Sunrise Rim Trail, Sunrise Rim Trail, Washington 98304, USA

The one-mile Sunrise Rim trail can be a nice warm-up or wind-down hike. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can bypass the Rim and head toward Wonderland on the Mount Fremont Trail. It’ll carry you through five and a half miles of uphill terrain in just under three hours.

Duration: 10 minutes

Schedule

What's Included

What To Bring

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio.
Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.