Mount Rainier National Park With Kids: 17 Things You Don’t Want To Miss

Visiting the Northwest and trying to decide which national park is best? Not big on hiking but still want the stunning views? Or maybe you are a big hiker. Well, Mount Rainier National Park in Washington has it all! During our visit to the park after our Alaska cruise, we were impressed with how many things there were to do in Mount Rainier National Park with kids.

From jaw dropping scenic drives, family friendly hikes, waterfalls, and unique scenery, the park did not disappoint. I have made a list of our favorite stops in the park and things to do in the park to help you plan your family vacation to this stunning US national park.

***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****

Mount Rainier National Park Entrances

There are four main entrances to Mount Rainier National Park.

• Nisqually Entrance: The Nisqually Entrance is located in the Southwest corner of the park. The entrance is open year round and leads to Longmire and the Paradise area.
• Stevens Canyon Entrance: The Stevens Canyon entrance is located in the Southeast corner of the park. This entrance is only open during the summer months. It is located near the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and the Grove of the Patriachs.
• White River/Sunrise Entrance: The White River/Sunrise Entrance leads to the park’s Northeastern section. It is open during the summer months (usually from July through September. It is near the Emmons Glacier & Sunrise area of the park.

***The Carbon River Entrance in the Northwest area of the park is currently closed to vehicles due to bridge issues****

Areas of The Park

Mount Rainier is split up into the 5 main areas, each with unique views and landscape. When planning your itinerary, I recommend splitting up your days based on sections of the park to maximize your time.

• Paradise Area: mountain views and colorful wildflowers. Access to the Skyline Trail is found here. The Jackson Visitor Center is also located here.
• Longmire Area: Located in the Southwest section of the park. It features the Longmire Museum, National Park Inn, Christine Falls, and access to the Trail of Shadows.
• Sunrise Area: Located in the Northeastern section of the park, the Sunrise area features the highest elevation in the park you can reach by car. You can find the Sunrise Visitor Center, the Emmons Vista Overlook, and the Sunrise Point Overlook.
• Ohanapecosh Area: Located in the Southeast corner, this section features the Hot Springs Nature Trail, Box Canyon, and the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center.
• Carbon River and Mowich Lake Areas: Located in the Northwest section of the park, this area features the Carbon River Rainforest Trail and Mowich Lake. This area is currently only accessible to backpackers as the entrance is permanently closed. We were not able to explore this section of the park on our visit.

Things To Do In Mount Rainier National Park With Kids

Visit Myrtle Falls

The walk to Myrtle Falls via the Skyline Trail is one of the best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park with kids. The walk to the falls is only about 0.4 miles (about a mile round trip) on a paved trail, taking you through a fir and hemlock forest. There is an elevation gain of about 200 feet of elevation gain.

Marmots and Pikas are commonly spotted on the trail. When we were visiting, another visitor said that a black bear had just crossed the trail, but sadly we missed it! Once you reach Edith Creek, there is a set of stairs that takes you down to a great viewpoint of the falls with Mount Rainier in the background.

Explore the Paradise Meadows

Paradise Meadows is one of the most scenic areas of the park, and the trails that go through the area give you views of Mount Rainier, Tatoosh Range, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and the Cascade Range. In the summer months, this is an excellent area for viewing the colorful meadows full of wildflowers.

Paradise Meadows is a common space for catching a glimpse of wildlife, including black bears, marmots, pikas, black tailed deer, and a variety of bird species. During the winter months, Paradise Meadows is a good spot for snowshoeing.

The Skyline Trail is the main trail through the meadows, at 5.5 miles round trip. However, you do not have to complete the entire loop to get stunning views. Taking the trail to Myrtle Falls is a good alternative to doing the entire loop. The Nisqually Vista Trail is also accessible from this area.

Access to the Paradise Meadows is from the Paradise parking area near the Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. The trails start at the Muir Steps and take you through the meadows, while also connecting to other trails in the park.

Complete the Junior Ranger Program

Mount Rainier National Park offers ranger led programs to teach visitors about the park and its history, including junior ranger programs designed for children between the ages of 4 and 12. The programs teach kids about the park, its history, and what they can do to help protect the park.

Programs are offered in the Sunrise area and Longmire/Cougar Rock Campground area. You can also pick up a junior ranger booklet and upon completion your junior ranger can earn a special badge.

Mount Rainier National Park With Kids: Go For a Hike

Hiking is one of the best things to do in the park, with 240 miles of hiking trails and a wide range of difficulty levels from flat, easy family friendly hikes to challenging multi day backpacking hikes. Different trails in the park give you different perspectives, from mountain views and waterfall views to meadows and forested areas.

The Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls is one of the best and easiest trails in the park. It is about 0.8 miles round trip. If you are up for it, you can complete the entire Skyline Trail, which is 5.5 miles with 1,700+ feet of elevation gain (better for older kids and more experienced hikers).

Trail of the Shadows is one of the best family friendly hikes in the park. The trail is a 0.7 loop that takes you through a forested area and past historic features in the park. The Twin Firs Trail is another one of the best trails. The trail is a 0.4 mile loop trail that takes you through an old growth forest.

The Nisqually Vista Trail is another great option for families. It is 1.2 miles round trip and takes you through the subalpine meadows of the Paradise area. The trail gives you views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier. Depending on what views you are looking for and what hiking level you are at, you can find trails in the park that are perfect for you and your family.

Explore the Sunrise Area

The Sunrise area of the park takes you to the highest reachable elevation in the park by car (6,400 feet) and is one of the best stops when visiting Mount Rainier National Park with kids. A highlight of the Sunrise area is the views of the Emmons Glacier and colorful subalpine meadows. You will also get great views of Mount Rainier.

The Sunrise Visitor Center is at the top of the Sunrise area. The visitor center offers exhibits, park information, ranger guided walks and talks, a picnic area, and book store. The Sunrise Day Lodge is also located here, and has a gift shop and food options.

The Sunrise Point Overlook provides some of the best views in the park. It offers 360-degree views that include Mount Rainier, the surrounding valleys, and parts of the Cascade Range.

Many hiking trails also start from this area, including the 1.5 mile Sunrise Nature Trail, the 1 mile Emmons Vista Overlooks trail, and the 2 mile Silver Forest Trail. The road to Sunrise is open from late June/early July to late September/early October, depending on weather conditions.

View the Wildflowers

Wildflowers are abundant in Mount Rainier National Park, especially in the summer months. The park’s meadows are filled with colorful wildflowers that enhance the already stunning views of Mount Rainier. Common wildflowers spotted in the park include lupine, paintbrush, avalanche lilies, bistort, asters, and other native wildflowers.

Some of the best places in the park to spot wildflowers include the Longmire area (Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground), the meadows of Paradise area, and the Sunrise area. The best time to see the park’s wildflowers are Mid-July to early August. When viewing the wildflowers, be sure to stay on the trail and do not pick them, to protect the fragile meadow eco-systems.

Attend a Ranger Program

Mount Rainier National Park offers ranger led programs throughout the year that provide more in depth information on the park, its geography, its ecosystems, and its wildlife. During the summer months you can join ranger led talks, that feature different topics depending on the day.

Programs offered during the summer months include ranger guided walks, night sky programs, evening programs, junior ranger programs, and guided hikes. Programs are offered in the Paradise area, Sunrise area, and Longmire area.

During the winter months you can join a guided snowshoe tour that leaves from the Paradise area. The tour teaches you about winter in the park and is a fun family friendly activity. Snowshoes for the ranger led programs are provided by the park.

Visit the Longmire Museum

The Longmire Museum is a visitor center in the Southwest section of the park that focuses on the history of James Longmire’s homestead and mineral springs resort, as well as the early history of the park. The building that the museum sits in was built in 1916 as the park’s original headquarters. The Longmire Museum is open year round. The museum features exhibits, an information counter, and book store.

Look For Wildlife

Wild life watching is one of my favorite activities in any national park, and Mount Rainier was no exception! Wildlife are commonly spotted along the park’s hiking trails, meadows, and lakes.

Pikas and marmots are some of the most commonly sighted small mammals in the park. Black Bear sightings are also common in the park. Other wildlife to look out for in the park include mountain goats (at higher elevations), black tailed deer, elk, squirrels, chipmunks, and a variety of bird species.

When viewing wildlife in the park, always be sure to follow wildlife encounter safety guidelines and pay attention to any signs/warnings in the park. This will help you protect yourself and them.

Mount Rainier National Park With Kids: Go Stargazing

Stargazing is one of the best activities in Mount Rainier National Park with kids. Because of its high elevation, the park has great night sky views, giving you the opportunity to see the Milky Way, stars, and some planets. The park is designated as a dark sky park.

Some of the best places in the park for stargazing are Sunrise Point and the Paradise area. The Sunrise Visitor Center parking area and the Sunrise Point parking areas are both great options, just be sure to use caution because it is a parking area.

The Paradise area and Stevens Canyon is another good option for stargazing. The Henry Jackson Memorial Visitor Center and the Reflection Lakes area are both good options for star gazing. Ranger led night sky programs are also offered during the summer months at Paradise.

Enjoy Some Winter Activities

While summer is probably the most popular time to visit the park for hiking and wildflowers, the park offers lots of winter activities for snow lovers! Activities include snowshoeing, sleeding, winter camping, snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling.

The park offers ranger guided snowshoe tours, that allow you to enjoy a nice winter hike while learning about the changes that occur in the park in the winter and how it impacts wildlife.

The park offers winter camping in the Paradise Area, Mazama Ridge, and Reflection Lakes. There are requirements for the feet of snow present before camping is allowed, so be sure to do your research before you plan your camping trip.

Go Camping

Camping is a good way to get up close with Mount Rainier National Park’s nature. It also allows you to experience the park without the crowds and view the night sky, making it one of the best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park with kids. The park has four main campgrounds, including the Cougar Rock campsite, the Ohanapecosh campsite, the White River campsite, and Mowich Lake campsite.

Most campsites are open from mid May to late September, be sure to check before you go. The Mowich Lake sites are not accessible by vehicle to a bridge closure. These can only be reached by hiking the Wonderland Trail and require a Wilderness Permit.

Go For a Scenic Drive

Scenic drives are a great alternative way to see the park and take in scenic views if you don’t have time for hiking. You can find scenic drives in the different areas of the park, giving you the opportunity to take in unique views and perspectives of the park.

Driving from the Nisqually Entrance to Paradise is one of the best routes in the park. The route takes you past Christine Falls, Narada Falls, and Ricksecker Point. The drive without stops takes about 30 minutes.

The Stevens Canyon Road drive is another one of the best scenic drives in the park. The road is 19 miles and takes you past many popular points in the park, including Inspiration Point, Reflection Lakes, and Box Canyon. In the summer months, it is a great drive for viewing wildflowers.

The Sunrise Road drive was the first one we did on our visit to Mount Rainier National Park, and it was one of our favorites. The drive takes you to the highest elevation point in the park that vehicles are permitted. Along the way there are several pull out areas for you to stop and take in the views.

Check Out the Visitor Centers

Checking out the visitor centers in the park is a good spot to start when visiting Mount Rainier National Park with kids. The visitor centers offer exhibits on the park’s history, wildlife, geology, and more. They are also bookstores where you can pick up souvenirs, and information counters where you can learn about current park and trail conditions.

There are four main visitor centers in the park:

• Longmire Museum: Usually open year round.
• Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center: Usually open year round.
• Ohanapecosh Visitor Center: Usually open in the summer months (late June through mid September).
• Sunrise Visitor Center: Usually open in the summer months (July through mid-September).

Reflection Lakes

Reflection Lakes are one of the best easily accessible viewpoints in the park. The Reflection Lakes are two shallow alpine lakes that feature reflections of Mount Rainier in the background, located on Stevens Canyon Road.

There is a parking area near the lakes, giving you easy access to the area. Reflection Lakes can also be reached via hiking trails. The Lakes Trail is a 3 mile loop trail that starts at the parking area. The trail is moderate with an elevation gain around 600 ft. Trails from the Paradise Area connect to the Lakes Trail, if you are looking for a longer hike.

The Pinnacles Peak trail is located just South of Reflection Lakes. The trail is 2.5 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, so it is a little more challenging. The Wonderland Trail also takes you to Reflection Lakes.

Mount Rainier National Park With Kids: Christine Falls

Christine Falls is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park, making it a great stop for families. Christine Falls has a 60 foot drop and is located in the Nisqually area, on the drive from Nisqually to Paradise. The bridge falls under a historic arched bridge, giving you a unique view.

The falls are viewable from the road, or you can take a short walk to the lower viewpoint. There are small pull out areas on both sides of the bridge that crosses over the falls, making it easy to access.

Narada Falls

A stop at Narada Falls is another must when visiting Mount Rainier National Park with kids. Narada Falls is located on the drive between the Nisqually entrance and Paradise. A stone bridge crosses over the 168 foot falls, which falls over the edge of andesite lava.

The parking area at the top gives you views of the falls from above, while the trail to the lower viewpoint takes you to the base of the falls. The trail to the viewpoint is 0.2 miles one way, but the path is steep with an elevation change of 200 feet. There is also a rest area with picnic tables and restrooms.

The trail to the lower viewpoint connects to the Wonderland Trail, the Lakes Trail, and trails to Paradise.

Frequently Asked Questions

***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****