- The Adventure
Explore majestic views of Mount Rainier, subalpine meadows, cascading waterfalls, mighty glaciers and wildlife.
- Distance and Travel Time (from downtown Seattle): 107 miles (2h 23min)
- Trip Type: Day trip or Overnight trip
- Parking
Park in the park’s parking lot
- When to Go
Jun to Oct (the park is partially open in winter also, but may be a difficult trip with young kids)
- Things to Do
Enjoy views of snow-capped mountains in summer, see waterfalls, stroll along trails, see wild flowers, explore nature, etc.
- Tips
1) Even when it’s sunny in Seattle, the Mt. Rainier area can be much different so be sure to check the park website and webcams for current conditions and also check the weather forecast for the Mt. Rainier area before departing.
2) The weather in the mountains change frequently so dress in layers to be prepared.
3) If your family is not used to spending long hours in the car, make it an overnight trip and spend a night near the park.
4) The Skyline Trail is the main trail in Paradise. Many trails start along this trail and although there are sign posts at junctions, be sure to carry a trail map (you can pick one up at the visitor center, ask for one at the park entrance or print it from home beforehand).
5) The Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls (1 mile, 100 ft elevation gain) and the Nisqually Vista Trail (1.2 miles, 200 ft elevation gain) are easy trails that are accessible with strollers. For those who want to walk up for even more breathtaking views, the moderate hike up to Glacier Vista (about 2.5 miles round trip, about 1,000 ft elevation gain) is worth the walk.
6) To hike up to Glacier Vista, start from the trailhead behind the visitor center and head up the Skyline Trail clockwise. You can take the Deadhorse Creek Trail and Glacier Vista Trail on the left side of the Skyline Trail at each junction then head back to Paradise along the Skyline Trail for magnificent views of Mt. Rainier, the Nisqually Glacier and the surrounding areas.
7) The first part of the trail is steep but gets better after the first half mile with many rewarding views.
8) Kid-safe bug repellent can be useful to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away.
9) Kids preschool age and up may enjoy participating in the Junior Ranger program to earn a Junior Ranger badge. Ask for a junior ranger activity book at the visitor center.
- Guidebook
Family Trip to National Park 01 – Mount Rainier National Park
- ISBN :
9780998985305(paper)
9780998985312(eBook)
- Language : English
- Publication Date : Feb 10 2017
- Page Count : 104 pages
- Get the Book
[Paperback] : $14.99
Barnes & Noble, Amazon
[eBook] : $7.99
Apple iBooks Store, Amazon
Entering Paradise
Heading up the Skyline Trail
Deadhorse Creek Trail Junction along the Skyline Trail
Heading up Deadhorse Creek Trail
Mount Adams
Mount St. Helens
Nisqually Glacier
Glacial Waterfall
Glacier Vista
Skyline Trail back to Paradise
Deadhorse Creek Trail Junction on the way down along the Skyline Trail
Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center
