24 Hours in Mt. Rainier National Park

Located in the state of Washington, Mt. Rainier National Park is one of the oldest and most visited national parks in the country.  Mt. Rainier is the most prominent mountain in the Cascades standing 14, 410 feet above sea level. Here is your guide for making the most of 24 hours in Mt. Rainier National Park.

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Mt. Rainier National Park can be divided into five major sections: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River/Mowich.  In our 24 hour guide, we’ll be exploring Paradise, one of the most beautiful sections of the park (hence the name).  

When to Visit

Summer is the best time to visit Mt. Rainier National Park.  If you’re looking for wildflowers, late July is the best time for spotting them.  The months of July to October tend to have the best weather.

How to Get There

Flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the easiest way to get to Mt. Rainier National Park.  From the airport, the drive is about an hour and a half.

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Where to Stay

We stayed in a beautiful cabin in Packwood, Washington.  This Airbnb is part of Little Owl Cabins and was fully equipped with everything we needed for our stay.  We even had a cedar hot tub to enjoy after a long day of hiking.  There was a small grocery store just minutes away, along with a couple local restaurants.  Check out Packwood Brewing Co. for some great tacos.

If you’re looking for a stay closer to the park or inside the park, here are some options:

Paradise Village Hotel

Just 5 miles from the park entrance, this hotel has free breakfast and an on-site restaurant, cafe, and bakery.  The rooms have been updated and include heated bathroom floors, a mini fridge, coffeemaker, Bluetooth sound system, and TV.

Stormking Hotel

The Stormking Hotel offers a variety of cabin options.  Each cabin has a seating area, private bathroom, TV, fridge, microwave, and hot tub.

Paradise Inn

Located in Mt. Rainier National Park, Paradise Inn is the perfect home base for exploring the area of Paradise.

24 Hours in Mt. Rainier National Park

A day in Mt. Rainier National Park is a good intro to the park, however, you’ll definitely want to visit again.  Before you head out to explore, we recommend downloading the map in Google Maps, as there is limited cell reception in the park.  Also pack snacks/lunch, as there are limited dining options in the park.

One of the best hikes in the park is the Skyline Loop Trail, a 5.5 mile scenic trail with some amazing views of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding mountain range.

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Parking for the Skyline Loop Trail

Parking is available in the lot for the Paradise Visitor Center.  Parking fills up quickly, so start your day early and avoid visiting on weekends if possible.

Hiking the Skyline Loop Trail

The Skyline Loop Trail is a moderate hike.  While part of the trail is paved, most of the trail is not.  Depending on when you visit some of the trail might still be covered in snow, so hiking boots are recommended.  Before you begin your hike, grab a map from the visitor’s center; the trail has several offshoot trails and it’s easy to get turned around.

The trailhead for the Skyline Loop Trail is behind the visitor center.  The first half mile is rough…expect a steep incline that might have you winded as soon as you start hiking.  The altitude makes it even worse, but keep going!  We promise it’s worth it.  As you hike along the trail, take in the views of Mt. Rainier, stop at Panorama Point, and keep a lookout for wildlife.  We saw several marmots crossing the trail even after it was crowded with hikers.  Keep an eye out for wildflowers such as the scarlet paintbrush, buttercups, Avalanche lilies, and the Cascade azalea.

On your way back to the parking lot, make sure you add on the short hike to Myrtle Falls.  Unfortunately when we visited, the trail to the base of the falls was closed for repairs.  Another reason to visit again some day.

Final Thoughts on Mt. Rainier National Park

We loved our day trip in the park, but it did feel a little rushed.  We would love to visit Mt. Rainier National Park again to explore some of the other areas, do a few more hikes, and take in the view from the base of Myrtle Falls.  Enjoy your trip to Mt. Rainier National Park; we hope you found this guide to be helpful in planning your adventures!

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