How to have a blast in Mount Rainier: 1.5 Day Trip Itinerary

Let’s be honest, having a blast at Mount Rainier is almost guaranteed with the stunning views, the pine tree smell, and the wildlife you will encounter. You will leave this place wanting more! Mount Rainier has been on my watch list for quite some time now, when I first came across pictures of this place I knew I had to visit! And I must add that it did not disappoint. I visited in the month of October and got to see some fall foliage which was icing on the cake but regardless of the season you visit you will be in awe of the beauty and the serenity you will experience on this trip.

What is Mount Rainier?

Mount Rainier is an iconic glaciated mountain that is 14,410 feet above sea level, it is an active volcano and has 25 glaciers that feed rivers and streams in the vicinity.

Where is Mount Rainier?

Mount Rainier is located in Ashton, Washington State approximately a 2.5 hour drive from Tacoma-Seattle airport

What should I pack for my trip to Mount Rainier?

There are some essential items to pack on your trip to Mount Rainier to have a smooth day of hiking and

• Day backpack with space for hydration pack (Hereto is the one I use and love from Osprey)
• Comfortable hiking shoes – I use these from Columbia Sportswear
• Hydration pack – Link to amazon
• Snacks and extra food – I recommend:
  • salted nuts (the salt is an electrolyte and it will help you not sweat off water as quickly hence keeping you hydrated during the strenuous hike)
  • seeds
  • granola/protein bars
  • beef jerky
  • A snack that will make your heart happy after a long hike! (mine was a jolly rancher lollipop)
• Electrolytes when hiking in the summer heat here
• First aid kit/Insect repellent
• flashlight or headlamp – I got mine on amazon
• sunglasses and sunscreen(sun protection is super important!) – Here is my favorite sunscreen
• Pocketknife
• Layers(extra clothing, water/wind proof jacket)
• Not an “essential” LOL but you will not regret: Camera

How to get to Mount Rainier?

If you are planning to get to Washington state via plane then the best option is to rent a car and make your way to and Airbnb or campsite in Eatonville or Ashton to enter via the Nisqually entrance.

Where to stay?

Camping is always an awesome option and if you are traveling from out of state I suggest googling camping rental companies! I decided to go for the comfort of an airbnb because I do not have a lot of experience camping in colder regions as I am from Arizona. I booked a beautiful and cozy RV in Eatonville and we had a ~25 minute drive to the park.

How to get into the park?

There are different entrances to get to Mount Rainier, in my visit I chose the nisqually entrance which I highly recommend because in the drive you will see jaw dropping scenery such as waterfalls, meadows, lakes, and luscious green pine trees that smell amazing!

My 1.5 day itinerary in Mount Rainier

The plan was to get straight to have breakfast and make it straight to Mount Rainier, however our plans changed a bit and this is how our days looked:

On Friday we got to drive from nisqually entrance to paradise where we got our first glimpse at the fall colors in the park. We stopped at reflection lakes and then continued to the pinnacle peak trail. On Saturday we drove deeper into the park and had a picnic by a beautiful waterfall. Friday was a great day and the park and entrances were not crowded. Saturday however was crowded, waitimes to get in the park and exit the park.

Conclusion

Finally, visiting Mount Rainier is a no-brainer in my opinion, only 2 million people visit each year, if that doesn’t convince you then I do not know what will. That being said, to avoid the crowds you plan to visit during the week, however if your only option is the weekend then I would advise being at the entrance by 9AM so your entrance to the park goes smoothly. Happy adventuring!