Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier stands at more than 14,000 feet. It's the tallest mountain in the Pacific Northwest and one of the region's most iconic landforms. It is circled by the Wonderland Trail and is covered by glaciers and snowfields totaling about 35 square miles (91 km2). Carbon Glacier is the largest glacier by volume in the contiguous United States, while Emmons Glacier is the largest glacier by area. Mount Rainier is a popular peak for mountaineering with some 10,000 attempts per year with approximately 50% making it to the summit.

A national park encompasses the mountain on all sides, and hundreds of visitors flock to Mount Rainier National Park each year, for good reason. Between accurately named areas like Paradise Valley and the beautiful landscapes found on hiking trails like the Skyline Trail, this wildlife-rich natural space is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The 93-mile Wonderland Trail circumnavigates the base of the mountain, and the park hosts several great campgrounds. Residents and visitors to Seattle can easily see the peak and explore some trails in a day.

The Nisqually Entrance is one of the most popular spots to head from Seattle, but the less-developed Mowich Lake region is closer. With an early enough departure, the entire park is accessible in a day. Tours like the Mount Rainier Day Trip from Seattle not only make it easy but virtually stress-free. On this 10-hour tour, travelers enjoy a narrated bus ride into the national park, avoid congestion at the entrance station, and spend the rest of the time exploring Paradise and seeing waterfalls. During the shoulder months, the tour includes a chance to don some snowshoes and step off the normal tourist path.

Distance from Seattle: 81.7 miles
Travel time: 1 hour 52 minutes

Location: Pierce County and Lewis County, Washington, United States

Google Rating: 4.9/5