1-Day Mt. Rainier National Park Tour from Seattle

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. Mount Rainier, also known as Tacoma, is the highest mountain of the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest, and the highest mountain in the state of Washington. Mount Rainier is an active volcano and has the most glaciated peak in the United States. It spawns five major rivers, and the top of the mountain is covered with snow all year round. When snow melts, water flows down in a large volume, and gives Rainier National Park the best waterfalls, vast lakes, and lush green forests.

Itinerary:

Mount Rainier National Park → Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park (15 mins) → Christine Falls (10 mins) → Paradise Visitor Center (90 mins) → Narada Falls (20 mins)

Mt. Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier is circled by the Wonderland Trail and is covered by several glaciers and snowfields totaling some 35 square miles. Carbon Glacier is the largest glacier by volume in the contiguous United States, while Emmons

Glacier is the largest glacier by area. About 1.8 million people visit Mount Rainier National Park each year. Mount Rainier is a popular peak for mountaineering with some 10,000 attempts per year with approximately 50% making it to the summit. Also, Mt. Rainier in WA is the tallest volcano of Mainland America, the 5th tallest mountain of the entire US territory. The mountain top is covered by snow all year round. When the snow melts, water flows down in large volume, which creates beautiful waterfalls and vast lakes, it also irrigates the forest land.

Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park

For many years, metal sculptor Dan Klennert has been creating works of rusting art that spring from junkyards, farm piles, and donations. He assembles overall sculptures from what he has on hand and how they come together in his mind, unlike looking for pieces to fit into a preconceived sculpture.

Paradise Visitor Center

Paradise is famous for its glorious views and wildflower meadows. When James Longmire's daughter-in-law, Martha, first saw this site, she exclaimed, "Oh, what a paradise!" The park's main visitor center, the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, is located in the upper parking area. Paradise is also the primary winter-use area in the park, receiving on average 643 inches (53.6 feet/16.3 meters) of snow a year.

Narada Falls

At only 150 feet from the road to Paradise, Narada Falls is the largest waterfall accessible by car in the park, and one of the most impressive. Here the Paradise River plunges over the edge of a relatively recent flow of hard andesite lava that abuts much older rock.

• Things to Know
  • 1、Along the way of Wonderland Trail, we will arrange parking for 1-2 attractions according to the actual situation: Narada Falls, Paradise Visitor Center (including glacier overlooking, Wildflower meadow at Paradise, etc. in case of bad winter weather conditions, we will go to the Longmire Museum instead.)
  • 2、Mt Rainier National Park is mountainous tourist attractions. In order to ensure the proper time to visit each scenic location, we highly recommend guests to prepare lunch foods in advance.
  • 3、In the case of heavy snowfall during the winter season, the schedule of going uphill at Mount Rainier National Park may be halted. We will instead enjoy the breathtaking views at the foot of the mountain instead.
  • 4、If Rainier Mountain National Park is closed, the tour will be replaced by a visit to the Boeing Museum of Flight (one complimentary ticket per guest to the Boeing Museum of Flight).