Mount Rainier: Day Trips and Tours from Seattle

Located within driving distance of Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park offers visitors a chance to escape the city and enjoy its snow-capped peaks, pristine forests and colorful meadows.

The colossal volcano is almost 4,400 meters high and makes for an awe-inspiring sight. In the surrounding national park, there are plenty of hiking trails, wildlife watching opportunities and picnic spots.

In the summer, you can frolic in the abundance of wildflowers, and the park becomes a haven for skiing in the winter. Day trips to Mount Rainier leave visitors feeling invigorated, rejuvenated and at one with nature.

How to get to Mount Rainier from Seattle?

Mount Rainier is located in the west-central part of Washington State. It is accessible from several cities, including Tacoma and Portland, and is approximately 165 kilometers from Seattle.

From Seattle to Mount Rainier by car

The jaunt to Mount Rainier takes just over two hours by car and is the easiest way to access the mountain. Start by taking Highway 5 south out of the city. From there, follow signs for the WA-167 towards Auburn.

After around 30 kilometers, join the WA161 towards Olympia. At Eatonville, take the exit for Center St E and follow signs for Mount Rainier National Park.

Guided tour to Mount Rainier from Seattle

Mount Rainier day trips last around 10 hours and start around 7 AM. Some tours include a hotel pickup and drop-off service, while others meet at a pre-determined spot in the city. While meeting points do vary, you’ll find that the Museum of Popular Culture at the Seattle Center is a popular starting point.

How much does the entrance ticket to Mount Rainier cost?

The entrance fee for Mount Rainier National Park is dependent on the mode of transport by which you reach the park.

• Single vehicle fee (15 seats or less): US$30
• Per person fee (for walk-ups or bicycles): US$15
• Motorcycle fee: US$25
• Campground fee (per night): US$20

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Mount Rainier from Seattle?

Tours usually meet in the morning, in downtown Seattle, at a well-known location. From there, you’ll board a coach or minibus and head towards Mount Rainier.

Your vehicle will usually enter the park from the southwest corner and head to the Longmire Museum first. Once you’ve explored the museum and learned about the history of the park, you’ll continue on, making various stops along the way.

Some of the most popular sights in the park include Narada Falls, Christine Falls, Paradise and the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center.

Some day trips to Mount Rainier include lunch, but if not, there are food outlets where you can buy a meal at Paradise.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Mount Rainier?

There are several day trips available to visit Mount Rainier and its national park.

Day trips to Mount Rainier from Seattle

The first stop on a day tour to Mount Rainier is at the Longmire Museum and National Park Inn, where you’ll have the opportunity to discover the history of the mountain. From there, you’ll take a short hike to Narada Falls before continuing on the Paradise.

While at Paradise, there will be a lunch break and you can either buy refreshments or bring your own picnic. In the summer, you can relax around Reflection Lake, and in the wintertime, there is the potential to sled or engage in snowshoeing.

Small group day tour to Mount Rainier from Seattle

Small group tours make it easier to engage with your tour guide. The tour is limited to just seven participants and stops at a bakery in Seattle for breakfast after a hotel pickup.

Once at Mount Rainier, you’ll visit the Longmire Museum, followed by Narada Falls and Paradise. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in Paradise Valley before stopping at Reflection Lakes, Box Canyon and Grove of the Patriarchs.

All-inclusive tour to Mount Rainier plus wine tasting from Seattle

This tour’s defining feature is its inclusion of wine tastings at two Yakima vineyards. You’ll take a short hike of 5 kilometers through the national park before setting up a picnic in a scenic spot. On the way back, you’ll visit the wineries before ending your tour back in Seattle.

Seaplane tour to Mount Rainier from Seattle

Seaplane tours depart from Lake Washington and take off from the water itself. You’ll be taken on a guided aerial tour of Mount Rainier and experience unique views of the peaks and falls. When the tour is over, you’ll land back on Lake Washington which is a thrilling and unforgettable experience.

Private tour to Mount Rainier from Seattle

Private Mount Rainer day tours allow you to experience the natural tranquility of the national park. You’ll visit popular spots such as Narada Falls, Paradise, Longmire Museum and the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. Once the trip ends, you’ll be returned to your hotel.

How much does a tour to Mount Rainier from Seattle cost?

Day trips include hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels in downtown Seattle, as well as a professional guide to accompany you. You can expect to pay upwards of US$152.

Small group tours are limited to seven participants and include hotel pickup and drop-off. You will enjoy a gourmet lunch, local beverages, complimentary refreshments and a local guide to show you around the park. The price for this tour is around US$278.

All-inclusive day tours to Mount Rainier with a wine tasting start from US$260. A tour guide, entrance fees to the park and round-trip transportation are included in the price. Also included on your day tour are alcoholic beverages, snacks and a picnic lunch.

Seaplane tours from Lake Washington last 1.5 hours and cost US$325. It is a small group tour and there will be no more than 15 visitors in total. You’ll have a pilot providing audio narration during the flight.

Private day tours to Mount Rainier start at US$1,849 and include a professional tour guide and a pickup from hotels in the Greater Seattle region. Lunch is at your own expense.

What will you see and do in Mount Rainier?

Paradise

Paradise is located on the south side of Mount Rainier National Park and is exactly as its name suggests. The wildflowers that bloom here combined with the dramatic views of snow-capped Mount Rainier are enchanting to all that stop by.

If you want to visit when the fields are in full bloom, consider taking a day trip to Mount Rainier in August. Paradise is also magical to visit in the winter, and the heavy snowfall makes it the best place for winter sports in the national park.

Be prepared that if you choose to hike around Paradise in the Spring, you will encounter snow on the trails until at least June.

Christine Falls

Christine Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls in the Mount Rainier National Park and drops 21 meters over two falls. The iconic bridge spans the lower falls. This enables you to capture fantastic photos, as the water cascades down a rocky cliff into a turquoise pool, surrounded by lush greenery.

The falls were named after Christine Van Trump, daughter of the pioneering mountaineer P.B. Van Trump. At only 9 years old and suffering from a debilitating nervous disorder, Christine ascended Mount Rainier with her father to the 3,000-meter mark.

Narada Falls

The falls are located on the Nisqually River, which runs through the park. The river is fed by glaciers and, as a result, the water is icy cold, so don’t be tempted to dip in. The falls are multi-tiered – the top tier is over 50 meters high and is described as a horsetail fall due to its many channels of water.

There is a bridge that leads to the bottom of the waterfall, where visitors enjoy a powerful and striking view of the gushing water plunging down the rockface.

When is Mount Rainier open over the year?

While Mount Rainier National Park is open throughout the year, although vehicle access is limited in winter due to harsh weather conditions. During winter, you can reach Mount Rainier through the Nisqually entrance which is located in the southwest corner of the park.

Visitor centers, food outlets, campgrounds and picnic areas often close over the wintertime, and open between May and June for the summer season.

When is the best time to visit Mount Rainier?

There's no bad time to plan an excursion to Mount Rainier National Park, but the best time depends on what you're looking for.

If you're interested in hiking, the summer months are the best bet, as the trails are snow-free and the weather is generally more stable. However, if you want to experience the park in all its wintery glory, a ski trip during the colder months is a must.

Keep in mind that the park can get crowded on weekends, so if you're looking for a more relaxed experience, aim for a midweek visit. The weather in the park is chilly year-round, with highs of just 12 degrees Celsius during the summer months. In the wintertime, you should expect lows of -5 degrees Celsius.

Travel tips

• If you’re intending on journeying to Mount Rainier by car in the summer, plan your arrival for the early morning before 10 AM. Alternatively, visit later in the day after 2:30 PM to avoid queues to park.
• If you’re visiting during the winter, check out the official website to see whether the campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor centers are open.
• A day trip to Mount Rainier from Seattle includes a great deal of walking. For this reason, hiking boots are a must.
• While you can buy lunch in the park, it’s advisable to stock up on some snacks and water before your trip.