How to Spend 2- Days in Mount Rainier National Park

Have one- day to spare to see one of the most beautiful views ever?! Of course you do!! Mount Rainier National Park was a park that I did not have high expectations about. Honestly, I had never heard a lot about it. But my husband wanted to include it on our month long roadtrip from Montana to Tennessee. I am SO glad he suggested this because it became one of my favorite stops along the roadtrip!

I am not sure where you will be coming from, but can I suggest something crazy?! Okay, great! If you want to experience a once in a lifetime roadtrip experience, I would recommend following the roadtrip route we took to get to Mount Rainier. You can drive from Whistler, Vancouver, San Juan Islands, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, and arrive to Mount Rainier!

If you are reading this post, then you are probably planning on visiting the national park. First off, great idea!! I promise you will not be disappointed. AND one of the great things about this national park is you can make your trip as long or as short as you want. We were able to see everything we wanted / were able to see *read more about this below* in one day!

In this blog post, I will provide you the information on where to stay, what to do, and so much more to make this the best day ever!

This post may contain affiliate links of products I use and love. You can read my full disclosure here.

WAIT! Before you stress anymore about planning the details of your trip, click below for your FREE resource to keep yourself organized! Use this as a planner, checklist, and itinerary for your next trip. Instant access and download for FREE!!

What is Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is located in Washington state, about 60 miles southeast of Seattle. This national park is home to Mount Rainier- standing at 14,411 feet. It is the highest peak in the Cascade Range and is known for its stunning glaciers, alpine meadows, and diverse ecosystems. This national park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, climbing, and wildlife viewing.

It is $30 per car to enter the park. This pass is good for up to 7- days.

I would highly suggest investing in an America the Beautiful Pass! Trust me, you will make your money back on this very quickly! America the Beautiful covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

National Park Service
US Fish & Wildlife Service
US Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
US Army of Corps of Engineers

When to Visit Mount Rainier National Park

There is never a wrong time to visit this beautiful national park. Buuuttt there is definitely better times to visit than others!

Summer in Mount Rainier National Park:
- I believe summer would be the best time to visit Mount Rainier. In fact, we have a trip planned to return in the summer so we can do everything we were not able to due to closures for the season!
- The mountains will still be snow capped but at the base will be green, lush meadows.
Fall in Mount Rainier National Park:
- When we were visiting in October, there was snow everywhere! It was so magical. The weather was great- sunshine with a slight crisp in the air and snow on the ground. I loved it.
- The only bad part about us visiting during this season was that some of the things we were wanting to do was shut down for the season. The visitor center was closed as well as Stevens Canyon Road. I will still include what to do in Stevens Canyon as this is where you will be spending a good chunk of time!
Spring in Mount Rainier National Park:
- Spring would be a really pretty time to visit, but tricky. What I learned about living in Montana is that even though it is a traditional ‘warm’ month and season in elsewhere, does not mean that area follows the same pattern!
- Be prepared for possible closures due to the continued winter conditions and snow.
Winter in Mount Rainier National Park:
- Winter would probably be very beautiful but probably the least functional. If roads were closed in fall then I am sure a lot will be closed in the winter time.

How to Get to Mount Rainier National Park

This will be dependent on where you are coming from, but here are options for flying into the area!

Once you arrive at an airport, rent a car in order to be able to explore Mount Rainier National Park. Public transportation options to and within the park are limited.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Location: About 60 miles northwest of the park.
- Details: This is the closest major airport and offers the most convenient access. From the airport, you can rent a car or take a shuttle to reach Mount Rainier. The drive to the park takes approximately 1.5–2 hours, depending on the entrance you choose.
Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Location: About 150 miles south of the park.
- Details: While farther away, PDX is a good alternative for those coming from the south. The drive to Mount Rainier takes approximately 2.5–3 hours.
Yakima Air Terminal
- Location: About 90 miles southeast of the park.
- Details: A smaller regional airport, YKM offers a quieter option and is ideal for accessing the park’s eastern entrances. The drive takes about 1.5–2 hours.

OR you could always choose the roadtrip route that I suggested at the beginning of this blog- refer to the top for more information on this! 🙂

Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park

There are many options of where to stay in Mount Rainier to meet your lodging wants/ needs!

Camping in Mount Rainier National Park:

The national park offers four different campgrounds inside the park. One of the campgrounds requires reservation while the others are first come first serve. Click here for more information!

Lodging in Mount Rainier National Park:

There are two inns located inside Mount Rainier National Park that offer an added bonus to the experience:

Airbnb/ VRBO in Mount Rainier National Park:

Looking for something more unique and specific to your needs? Airbnb and VRBO might have exactly what you are looking for!

Airbnb
VRBO

What to Pack for Mount Rainier National Park

This does depend on the time of year you are visiting, but here is a basic list of things that will be beneficial! The most important thing is layers- clothing you can pack to bundle and take off easily!

Camping Equipment: I may be biased, but I think everyone should camp while in WLNP to experience the pure beauty of the Lord’s creation of this park. Need to know what equipment you need? Here’s your resource of products!
Hiking Shoes: Wearing appropriate shoes is imperative to having a good experience while hiking. These are my favorite hiking boots that I have owned for over 6 years- and they have had a lot of wear and tear from many hiking trips. AND they are waterproof- important for your trip to the rainiest state!
Jacket: You will want to make sure you pack layers to prepare for changes in weather.
Camera: With all the beauty you will be seeing, you will want to bring your camera! I have recently purchased this camera and I LOVE it. I am still learning how to use it, but it is a fun hobby to get in to with so much beauty surrounding you!
Water Bottle: Whether you are biking, hiking, or driving the scenic route, you will want to make sure to stay hydrated!
Portable Phone Charger: You will be using your phone a lot to take pictures, navigate, and send many texts to your family/ friends telling them how much of a great time you are having 😉 Make sure you have these battery packs so your phone does not die!
Hydration Backpack: There will be hikes you will want to take part in while you are visiting here. So make sure you are prepared with this hydration pack that is also a backpack!
Tent: This will definitely depend on how you choose to lodge for your trip. In case you are planning to tent camp, you will need to make sure you have your camping necessities. This is the exact tent we use. It is quick, easy, and literally takes 2- seconds to pop up!
Sleeping Bag: Whether you are car camping or tent camping, you will want to bring your sleeping bag! We car camped here in mid- September and this sleeping bag kept us nice and toasty!
Sleeping Mat: This is the best sleeping mat on the market! No electric pump required, just your foot! AND it rolls/ stores very compact saving room with packing.

What to Do in Mount Rainier National Park

Woo hoo- Now to the fun stuff!!

First things first, make sure to fuel up before entering the park. Gas stations are not available in the park and we will be covering a lot of ground!

Also, this is with the intention that you will be coming from the direction of Olympic, Washington- if this is not your plan, change the order of events based off of the direction you are entering from!

With that said, you’ll enter from the southwest side of the park first into Nisqually Entrance.

Day 1 in Mount Rainier National Park: Nisqually Entrance

This entrance will lead to one of the most popular spots in the park- Paradise! But first, here’s some things to do before making our way to Paradise.

Narada Falls
- Take the short, steep trail down to the viewing platform for a close-up view of the 168-foot waterfall. The mist from the falls often creates rainbows.
- You definitely do not want to miss this! The short but steep walk is worth it.

Paradise Area
- Like stated above, this is the most popular area of the park. Here is what you will want to do while here:
  - Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center
    - stop in quickly to learn about the park, pick up maps, and check on weather or trail conditions.
  - Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls
    - This easy 1-mile round-trip trail offers views of Mount Rainier and takes you to a picturesque waterfall.
    - You will be amazed at the 360º views of the mountains while on this paved, easy trail.
    - It can be easy to accidentally miss the cut off for Myrtle Falls so keep your eyes open! Once at the top of the slight incline section, there will be a bench on your right. The trail leading down to the falls will be right after that bench.
    - Pack a lunch to enjoy while taking in the view of Mount Rainier.
  - Panorama Point
    - If you have time and energy, you can extend your hike from Skyline Trail (5.5 miles round-trip) to Panorama Point for sweeping views of the Cascades and beyond.
  - Wildflower Meadows
    - If visiting in the summer, take advantage of the bloomed wildflowers! The Paradise meadows bloom with stunning wildflowers, creating a postcard-perfect backdrop. You will see these while on the Skyline and/ or Panorama Point!

Go grab some dinner and call it a night before we head out for day 2 in Mount Rainier National Park!

Day 2: Stevens Canyon Road

This is when it is important to plan accordingly with the season you are visiting the park. You will want to make sure you are visiting during a time that this road is open. Unfortunately, when we were visiting in October, it was closed due to winter conditions. So, here is what we were planning to do!

Reflection Lakes
- Reflection Lakes in Mount Rainier National Park are a stunning series of alpine lakes known for their mirror-like surface that beautifully reflects Mount Rainier on calm days.
- Enjoy the beauty while taking pictures, taking short hikes, and taking in the beautiful views.
Box Canyon
- Continue driving east along the Stevens Canyon Road to Box Canyon.
- This a dramatic, narrow gorge where the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River has carved through solid rock, creating a 180-foot-deep chasm.
- Enjoy a short walk across a footbridge for breathtaking views of the canyon and surrounding wilderness.
Grove of the Patriarchs
- The Grove of the Patriarchs in Mount Rainier National Park is a serene old-growth forest featuring towering ancient trees, some over 1,000 years old.
- An easy 1.5 mile round trip trail leads visitors across a suspension bridge to an island surrounded by the Ohanapecosh River, where the massive trees create a peaceful and awe-inspiring atmosphere.