If you’re planning a trip to Mount Rainier National Park, one of the first things you’re probably wondering is: What’s the closest airport to Mount Rainier National Park?
I’ve been there – and I know the stress of trying to figure out the best airport, the easiest drive, and how long it’s all going to take.
This guide is best for travelers who want to get to the park efficiently, whether you’re coming from out of state, flying in internationally, or trying to coordinate with others.
Let’s take a look at your airport options and the best way to start your adventure.
‼️ It’s worth noting that although this is the closest airport to Mount Rainier National Park, it may not be the best for your trip. For more detailed information about other nearby airports, read my Guide to all the Airports Near Mount Rainier National Park.
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Table of Contents
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) located in Seattle, Washington is not only the closest airport to the national park, it’s also the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest, which makes it a very convenient option.
Serving 31 airlines with over 90 domestic and 28 international flights to major cities, Sea-Tac Airport has plenty of options. You can also choose from several car rental agencies at this airport. It’s the nearest airport to Mount Rainier National Park, giving you easy access to all of Mt. Rainier’s entrances in less than 200 miles.
The airport is situated between Portland and Vancouver. From Mount Rainier National Park to Seattle is just 85 miles from the town of Ashford, near the park’s Nisqually entrance. You can take I-5 South from Seattle to Exit 127 or SR 512. From there, drive south on SR 7 to Elbe. Once you get to Elbe, the entrance is less than 15 miles east on SR 706.
To get to the northwest entrances, you can take SR 165 from Wilkeson.
The east entrances, which are most accessible during the warmer months, are a bit over a two-hour drive via Chinook Pass.
Location
The airport is located south of downtown Seattle and northeast of downtown Tacoma.
Distance from Seattle to Mt Rainier National Park
🔰 Distance from Seattle to Mount Rainier National Park, USA (White River Ranger Station): 71 miles
🔰 Distance from Seattle, WA to Mt Rainier National Park (Paradise): 94 miles
Travel time from Seattle to Mount Rainier National Park
⌚ Time Seattle – Mount Rainier National Park (White River Ranger Station): 1 hour 30 minutes
⌚ Time Seattle to Mount Rainier, Washington (Paradise): 2 hours 15 minutes
What airlines have flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport? Which airports connect to there?
✈️ Multiple domestic and international flights are available to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options
🚗 Offsite (Car Rental Facility): Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox Rent a Car, Hertz, National, Payless, Rent-A-Wreck, Sixt, Thrifty
➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Pros
- Nearest Seattle Airport to Mount Rainier
- Plenty of domestic and international flights are available
- Options for cheaper and budget flights
- Visit and see the city of Seattle
Cons
- Can have long wait times at bust peak periods
Choosing the best airport for your trip and booking flights is a very important step in planning your trip to Mount Rainier National Park, and I hope this guide is helping.
However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one thing of many to decide and do. The thing that most people ask me about is how to put it all together into an itinerary that actually makes sense. They decide which airport to fly into, but still worry about how to minimize the crowds, what to do – and when – and how to coordinate it all.
To help take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Mount Rainier, I’ve created several super detailed itineraries.
Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them, they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus, there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.
There are 1-, 2-, and 3- day options for Mount Rainier National Park: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and everything else you need to make the most of your time in Mount Rainier National Park.
Map of Airports Near Mount Rainier National Park
Travel Insurance for Mount Rainier National Park
When you’re flying to Washington State (Mount Rainier National Park) consider getting travel insurance too. Make sure it includes trip cancellation, in case you need to cancel your flight before your travel, so that you can get a refund.
➡️ A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Have a great trip to Mount Rainier! I hope this guide has helped you decide what airport to fly into for your trip to Mt Rainier National Park, WA.
More Planning Resources for Mount Rainier National Park
⭐ Mount Rainier National Park Guide
⭐ Mount Rainier National Park Itineraries
⭐ Planning a Trip to Mount Rainier National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ How many days in Mount Rainier National Park do you need?
⭐ Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
⭐ The Skyline Trail Guide
⭐ How To Get to Mount Rainier National Park
⭐ All the Airports Near Mount Rainier National Park
⭐ 10 Tips For Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
⭐ Best Time To Visit Mount Rainier National Park
⭐ Visiting Mount Rainier National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year
⭐ 10 Fun Facts About Mount Rainier National Park
Did you choose the Sea-Tac Airport for your trip to Mount Rainier? I’d love to know. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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Closest Airport to Mount Rainier National Park
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💡 Are you just starting to think about taking a national parks trip? Get Inspiration
‼️ Are you looking for helpful tips for visiting US national parks? Read articles that share useful tips on a range of national-park related issues
💻 Are you starting to plan a trip to Mount Rainier National Park? Read my Guide to Mount Rainier National Park
📋 Do you want a ready-made super detailed plan for your trip to Mount Rainier? Get a detailed 1 – 3-day Mt Rainier National Park Itinerary
💲 Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
📖 Do you want to read a book about US national parks? Check out my Recommended Reading Lists
About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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