About Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier was the United States’ fourth national park, established in 1899. Standing at 14,410 feet above sea level and an active volcano, Mount Rainier stands proud in the Washington landscape. It is the highest point of the Cascade Range and is surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and 91,000 acres of old-growth forest. It has 25+ glaciers descending its flanks, and spawns five major rivers. On a clear day, its snowy peak is visible for miles – even 80 miles away in Seattle.
Explore the park from your vehicle and on foot. The incredibly scenic drive from the entrance gate climbs 3,400 feet in 18 miles and gives you views of both the mountain and the Nisqually Glacier right from your vehicle. Stop at the Longmire Museum to learn about the history of the area, and then explore the 300+ miles of hiking trails that the park has to offer. Skirt the edges of glaciers, explore alpine meadows, walk through huckleberry fields, hike to waterfalls, and stroll through beautiful wildflower meadows.
Wildlife abounds in the park’s various ecosystems at the different elevations throughout the park. Each zone has its own typical types of wildlife; this diversity provides for a broad assortment of invertebrates, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
Interesting Facts About Mount Rainier National Park
- Mount Rainier is an active volcano that last erupted in 1894 and is the highest volcanic peak in the contiguous United States.
- In 1951, an Air Force lieutenant equipped his plane with skis and landed on the summit of Mount Rainier. When he tried to take off, his plane wouldn’t start. He slid the plane down the snow-covered Nisqually Glacier and ended up on the frozen Mowich Lake. He was charged in federal court with landing a private aircraft in a national park without permission, received a $350 fine, and a six-month commuted jail sentence.