Mount Rainier National Park
An iconic 14,411-ft stratovolcano ringed by alpine meadows, glacier-fed rivers, and forest service roads that put you miles from the nearest pavement. The essential Pacific Northwest overlanding destination.
Washington~1.5–2 hr from SeattleBest: July–September
Photo: Theo Crazzolara / Wikimedia Commons
Don't miss
- Paradise & Sunrise Areas
World-class subalpine wildflower loops and panoramic glacier vistas.
- Christine & Narada Falls
Dramatic roadside glacial waterfalls.
- Skyline Trail
Face-to-face views of the Nisqually Glacier and alpine wildlife.
- Reflection Lakes
A mirror image of Rainier at dawn.
Trail notes
- •Timed-entry reservations are required for Paradise and Sunrise corridors during summer peak hours (8am–3pm).
- •The Sunrise section usually stays snowbound until early July, so check road status before setting out.
- •Dispersed forest service camping is available along US-12 and SR-410 outside the park boundary.
- •Never leave food or scented items in the tent. Use the vehicle's hard storage for bear safety.
Drive from SeaTac, WA
Pickup starts in SeaTac, WA. Here's the route to Mount Rainier.