10 Beautiful Sights to See at Mount Rainier National Park
Standing tall, breathtakingly beautiful, and offering the solitude of woods and nature, Mount Rainier is one of the most mesmerizing national parks in the Cascade Range. It’s a prominent peak in the Washington landscape spawning over five rivers, including Nisqually, Carbon, Cowlitz, White, and Puyallup. It has an active icy volcano, surrounded by subalpine wildflower meadows, and wildlife protecting the energy and the history of the park’s ecosystem.
It’s one of the world’s most frequented national parks and ascends approximately up to an altitude of 14,410 feet above sea level. It’s also one of the oldest national parks with a glaciated peak throughout the year. It’s a preferred spot for hiking, climbing, camping, and backpacking as well and receives nearly two million explorers a year.
Crystal Mountain
Within the majestic Mount Rainier National Park, lies Crystal Mountain. It’s a nature lover’s hub who wishes to spend time amidst forest and snow and partaking in adventurous activities. To access it, one can choose to drive the 410 highway from Enumclaw, or the 410 and 120 highway through Mount Rainier.
During the summer, visitors can enjoy walks through alpine lakes, and ridgeline through the evergreen forests of Crystal Mountain, horseback riders, or play golf at the 18-hole disc golf course.
It’s an absolute hit amongst skiers and snowboarding enthusiasts, who wish to unwind from the hustle of city life and emerge into fulfilling activities. It is an encompassing experience with a friendly infrastructure of hotel, skiing, and gnarly terrain.
Myrtle Falls
With Mount Rainier serving as the perfect landscape in the back, Myrtle Falls become yet another paradise hidden within the national park. It is 72 feet in height and a dear spot for photographers.
The waterfalls here, are down the deep gorge that was carved by Edith Creek on her wild journey.
A short footbridge over Edith Creek Basi will lead you to the falls where you can enjoy a picnic, soak in the sun, and even take a dip in the ponds.
Tipsoo Lake
Just a few hundred meters from the summit of Chinook Pass, you can discover the stunning Tipsoo lake. It’s a perfect picnic, and resting spot with picnic tables by the parking lot, and also restrooms. If you wish to visit, take east from Enumclaw and keep driving up to 47 miles. Take another left at SR 410 for another 3 miles and you are there!
A few things to keep in mind, you cannot swim in the lake and the way to access the main lake area is through the trailhead adjacent to the parking area.
It’s an alpine gem and a beautiful sight to behold, as you sit or lay to unwind surrounded by the soothing breeze and luscious green landscape.
Narada Falls
At 17 miles east of the national park, Narada Falls welcomes you as the largest waterfall of Mount Rainier accessible by car. Children, families, old, and young can all visit it for a leisurely day out in the sun.
It has a parking area and picnic tables that overlook scenic views. You will also spot a historic stone-faced Bridge just across the top of the Narada Falls which makes it a perfect spot for a picture.
Skyline Loop Trail
It’s the primary hiking route out of Mount Rainier’s south side hub, and a true paradise providing its visitors the chance to experience Washington’s grandest mountain. Paradise Valley has been the region’s hiking valley even before its construction in 1916.
In the peak summer season, Skyline Loop Trail is filled with visitors from all around the world who come here to breathe in the cascading waterfalls and emerge in the sight of meadows brimming with colors, and mighty glaciers melting under the sun.
Naches Peak Loop Trail
Naches Peak Loop Trail is known in Washington as one the easiest but still a beautiful hike. It’s also a popular hike spot within the Mount Rainier National Park.
To access the entrance, travel 5 miles to the west of Chinook Pass. You will have to park at the Tipsoo Lake and follow the trail from the picnic area to the Pacific Crest Trail.
It starts here and leads south along the west of Naches Peak.
Comet Falls
Mesmerizing sights of numerous waterfalls and cascades lead you to the 301 feet falls at Tipsoo Lake, 10.5 miles west to Chinook Pass. For a clockwise hike of the Naches Peak Loop Trail, follow the trail starting from the picnic area towards the Pacific Crest Trail and Chinook Pass.
The popular hike goes in an easy loop, so it is definitely easy to walk while taking in the view. Follow the Naches Loop Trail if you want to return to the Tipsoo Lake.
op single plunge that is Comet Falls. It’s a hidden gemstone that can be discovered uncovering whitewater creek upstreams, and two cascades less than two-mile away from one another
To enter Comet Falls, drive to the west entrance of Mount Rainier National Park and at about a distance of approximately 10 miles, you will see Comet Falls Trailhead parking lot on the left.
Grove of the Patriarchs
Cross the suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River to get to the island of behemoth ancient trees. They are tall, dark, luscious, and remind you about the golden eras when nature rules.
Massive Douglas fits, cedars, and hemlocks welcome you here and some of them are nearly 300 feet tall.
You can follow the wooden boardwalk trail and allow yourself to get looped through the ancient giants, and get a sense of life in the forest.
Christine Falls
The waterfall is named after Christine Van Trump, the daughter of P.B. Van Trump who was amongst one of the first to climb Mount Rainier.
Christine Falls is a 60-foot waterfall framed by an ancient arched bridge. The site has been designed following the natural principles so that its historical value and feel are kept intact, and especially to represent the harmony a man-made bridge brings to the natural environment.
It is situated along the road to Paradise, and halfway between Nisqually Entrance and Paradise.
Wait for no further and get to planning the perfect outdoor vacation into the wild with your loved ones. Mount Rainier offers something for everyone.
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