One of three national parks in the beautiful state of Washington, Mount Rainier National Park had long been high on my travel to-do list. This was my 4th visit to Washington, and having already explored Olympic National Park 2x before, I was eager to experience something new. Unfortunately, as is often the case when visiting Washington in the fall or winter months, it was a bit of a gamble… one we sadly lost. While the park was undeniably beautiful, it wasn’t the experience I had hoped for or imagined.
Located about 1.5 to 2 hours south of Seattle, depending on traffic, Mount Rainier is relatively easy to reach, with the route winding along rural two-lane highways through forested mountain areas. Established in 1899, Mount Rainier National Park is the United States’ 4th national park, protecting nearly 240,000 acres, including the entirety of Mount Rainier itself. As the highest peak in the Cascade Range, the mountain should be visible from many parts of the park, an experience we, unfortunately, were robbed of (thanks Mother Nature). The area surrounding the mountain is filled with valleys, waterfalls, meadows, and old-growth forests, many of which we didn’t get to see. With around 1.6 million visitors each year, it’s a well-visited park, especially during the summer months.
We visited in mid-October, staying at an Airbnb in Ashford, a small village located about 10 minutes from the park’s entrance. We thought we were in the clear, as research suggested that Mount Rainier doesn’t typically see heavy rain or snow until mid-November. Ha! FALSE. All we experienced was rain… endless, cold, gray rain. About a week and a half before our trip, we learned that an unusually early major rainstorm was expected to hit the area. Still, we held out hope that it would reroute or dissipate before our arrival.
Unfortunately, it did not, and we never actually saw Mount Rainier, despite being right at its base. The only glimpse we got was of its very top as we were landing in Seattle. It was a disappointing experience, to say the least. It felt like we were simply back in Olympic National Park. While I adore that park, having visited it in both 2023 and 2024, I had been eager for something different – a place I hadn’t yet explored.
I mention this in detail because I strongly recommend not visiting during the fall or winter months if you want to see Mount Rainer through clear skies. If you’re seeking the foggy, rainy vibe or snow, then November through May is ideal. However, if you’re like me and want to see Mount Rainier in all its glory, surrounded by flower-filled meadows and dry forests, the best time to visit is between July and September. I wish I had known this ahead of time, but we all learn the hard way sometimes. Of course, that is peak season, so you can expect large crowds, traffic, and timed entry requirements. The one advantage of visiting when we did was that it was nearly empty, with no timed entry. One of the few benefits of bad timing, I guess.
The park is divided into several sections: Paradise, Longmire, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, Carbon River, and Mowich Lake. However, according to the National Park Service website, many areas of the park are closed, either seasonally or with no reopening in sight. Since many areas are closed between November to May, it’s best to check the NPS website before visiting – https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
Important: if you visit during the winter season, you’ll be required to have tire chains. Between November 1st and May 1st, all vehicles entering the park are required to carry tire chains, regardless of weather or road conditions. This rule applies to all vehicles, including those with four-wheel drive. Throughout the park, you’ll see signs along the highway indicating points where chains are required. Tire chains can be rented from various stores in Ashford, Eatonville, and Morton. The NPS website provides a full list of rental locations, including their addresses and phone numbers.
Due to the weather, we were only able to visit one section of the park – Longmire. As the lowest-elevation area, it was the only section not affected by snow. Even though not yet required, since we didn’t have tire chains, we didn’t feel comfortable driving higher up the mountain to Paradise or Sunrise. We tried at first, but the rain intensified and visibility decreased, so we knew snow wasn’t far ahead and decided to turn back.
During our visit, we hiked four trails: Kautz Creek Overlook, Comet Falls Trail, Christine Falls Bridge, and Trail of Shadows.
Kautz Creek Overlook
Kautz Creek Overlook is located about 3 miles east of the southwest entrance and 3 miles west of Longmire, making it one of the first stops you’ll encounter after entering the park. This short, 0.1-mile boardwalk is an interpretive trail highlighting the influence of glacier-covered Mount Rainier on the surrounding landscape. Informative signs line the path, which leads to a small, open area with benches. From here, visitors are supposed to enjoy a stunning, close-up view of Mount Rainier… a view we didn’t get. All we saw were clouds. Had we not known a 14,410-foot mountain stood directly in front of us, we never would’ve guessed. We continued a bit farther along the Kautz Creek Trail before ultimately turning back.
Comet Falls Trail
Comet Falls Trail is a strenuous 1.9-mile hike that leads to the base of the falls, gaining 1,200 feet in elevation. However, you don’t need to hike the whole trail to have a rewarding experience. We hiked approximately half a mile to a charming wooden bridge that spans part of the lower waterfall. This section of the trail was relatively easy and reminded me a lot of Olympic National Park. The water was powerful, and the waterfall beneath the bridge was impressive. We chose to turn back at the bridge and didn’t explore the trail further.
Christine Falls Bridge
Christine Falls Bridge is the iconic arched stone bridge of Mount Rainier, located just past the Comet Falls parking lot along the road to Longmire and Paradise. While the falls can be seen from the road and you’ll drive over the bridge, I recommend pulling into the small parking area and walking the short path to view both the bridge and the falls from below. Built in 1928 and spanning 56 feet, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and is part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District.
The Trail of Shadows
The Trail of Shadows was the highlight of our visit, primarily due to its historical significance. Located directly across from the National Park Inn at Longmire, it’s an easy and accessible hike, perfect for families or those with mobility concerns. The trail is approximately 0.75 miles long, forming a loop that takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Along the way, you pass remnants of the historic Longmire Springs Hotel, a replica homestead cabin, mineral springs including Rusty Springs, and an old-growth forest. On clear days, the trail offers views of Mount Rainier. Informative signs are posted throughout, providing insight into the area’s rich history.
These four hikes are a microscopic glimpse into Mount Rainier National Park. We had planned to spend two full days exploring multiple sections of the park, but the weather made that impossible. The park boasts over 260 miles of maintained trails, with a total of 171 trails listed on AllTrails. They range from short and accessible, like Kautz Creek Overlook, to strenuous, like the 93-mile Wonderland Trail. I recommend spending 2–3 days in the park, ideally during the summer months, for the best experience.
Overall, while I’m glad I can technically check Mount Rainier National Park off my list, a part of me feels like I didn’t truly experience it. Not getting to actually see Mount Rainier at all during our visit is the primary and obvious reason. As mentioned, it felt like I was simply on my third trip to Olympic National Park, a beautiful place that everyone should visit, but certainly not what I had intended. I plan to return to Mount Rainier National Park within the next year or two, this time bringing my daughter, and visiting during August or September. While I’m fully aware I’ll have to battle with larger crowds, it’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make after enduring cold, endless rain, and zero views of the mountain. In the end, this blog serves more as a warning to other travelers and hikers, so you don’t make the same mistake we did!
