A weekend itinerary at Paradise: Mount Rainier National Park
Have a weekend to spend in Washington? Mount Rainier National Park is definitely worth checking out. However, with over 2 million visitors per year, it’s a hot spot to visit, and there can be a lot of crowds to contend with. Be prepared for long entrance lines, especially on the weekends, and please be respectful of the park! This means leaving no trace and not stepping on the meadows, among other things.
Side note: while I will be referring to the park as Mount Rainier National Park (or MRNP), I will be referring to the mountain itself as Tahoma, as the Puyallup Tribe named it.
MRNP is super busy at this time of year, and you will need a pass to enter the park. You can get a 7 day pass for $30, an annual pass to the park for $50, or the America the Beautiful pass for $80, which gets you entrance to all US national parks for a year. Going in the fall can help with some of the crowds, though the weather can be more unpredictable. However, last year I hiked up to almost 7,000 feet while wearing shorts in mid-October, so who knows?
Day 1: Find your campsite and get settled
I’m writing this from the perspective of someone who works a standard 8-5, M-F job, but if you can go during the week, I’d highly recommend that, as the park is much less crowded during the week.
On Friday, head out as early as you can to get to the park before dark. You’ll want the to go to the Paradise entrance on the south side of the park, as it’s closest to your hikes and open later in the season than the other entrances.
You’ll want to be in the park as early as possible on Saturday, which is why I recommend getting there Friday instead. You’ll also have a better chance of getting a good campsite. You can stop for food on your way to the park, or plan on eating camp food once you’ve found your campsite.
In terms of camping, there are a few different options.
There are three campgrounds in the park, which are open until roughly end of September, weather dependent. Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh can both be reserved in advance, while the White River Campground is first come, first served. You can try your luck at getting a reservation or a spot, but if not, plan on camping outside of the park. (There is no dispersed camping inside the park.)
There are several campgrounds outside of the park as well. Check out recreation.gov and search near “Longmire, WA” to find nearby campgrounds.
If you aren’t able to get a spot at a dedicated campground - don’t worry! There’s lots of dispersed camping outside of the park. You can check out iOverlander for some suggested spots, and I recommend checking out Forest Service Road 52.
Once you’ve gotten your spot, settle in for the night! Enjoy the peace and quiet of Tahoma, maybe take some photos of the stars - and make sure you get a good night’s sleep, because you’ve got a big hike ahead of you tomorrow!
Day 2: Hike Skyline loop trail; sleep like a baby
On Saturday, wake up early and eat a good breakfast! Today, you’ll be hiking Skyline Trail. If you’re already inside the park, great! You’re ahead of the game. If you camped outside the park, head on in as early as you can. Once inside the park, head to the Paradise parking lot. The trailhead is right behind the Jackson Visitor Center.
The Jackson Visitor Center is open year-round, but only on weekends October through May. However, the restrooms are open year-round, which I’ll take as a win!
Skyline Trail is a 5.5 mile loop, with 1,450 feet of elevation gain. And all that elevation is in the first half of the hike. This is an absolutely beautiful trail with stunning views of waterfalls and meadows, and gets you up close and personal with Tahoma. It also has beautiful fall colors, if you go later in the season. Make sure to bring plenty of food and water.
After your hike, head back to your campsite. Make a good, hot meal, because you deserve it! I also recommend a campfire (and s’mores, of course!), assuming you are in an area where campfires are allowed.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll end up heading to bed early and getting the best night’s sleep.
Day 3: A short hike, then head home
Today’s hike is shorter, so there’s less pressure to get up and going early. But still - make sure to eat a good breakfast! Before heading home, you’ll do Bench and Snow Lakes. It’s is 2.5 miles with just over 600 feet of elevation gain. It has a lot of up and down, and a lot of large steps due to erosion, so be prepared.
To get to the trailhead, from the west via Paradise, drive SR 706 through the Nisqually Entrance and continue approximately 17 miles east to the trailhead on the south side of Stevens Canyon Road. There is room for about 15-20 cars here.
Once you’ve done your hike, taken all your pictures, and said goodbye to Tahoma, it’s time to head home. Hopefully, you were able to relax and unplug, and you are tired in the best way. I know I always feel so much better after spending a weekend in the mountains.
Before embarking on this journey, please check the weather and check for road closures. Winter comes earlier to the mountains, and our wildfire season is unfortunately becoming more severe. Always make sure to recreate responsibly and carry the 10 essentials with you.
Up next…
Coming up soon, I’ll make a North Cascades itinerary, as that area holds a special place in my heart since it’s where Mateo and I went on our honeymoon. It’s also much less crowded and much more dog friendly! Unfortunately, there are a couple of wildfires in the area, so I’m holding off on publishing that post until the fires have been contained and the area is safe to visit again.
Would you prefer more weekend itineraries, or suggestions for longer trips (like a week)? Let me know in the comments!
