There is plenty of information around about planning a trip to Mt Rainier National Park. (For all sorts of information about what to know before going to Mount Rainier National Park, check out my Mt Rainier National Park Travel Guides.)
The thing is that most of it focuses on what you should do.
This guide is different. I will share with you what you should AVOID doing when planning your Mt Rainier visit. This isn’t meant to scare you; it’s helpful to be aware of mistakes to avoid.
I’m a national park expert and have extensive knowledge of Mount Rainier National Park. I’ve seen many people make mistakes (and I’ll admit I made a few myself!) that have impacted their trip. So now I’m happy to share what I’ve learned from their (and my) experiences so that you can avoid these common pitfalls.
Let’s take a look at the biggest mistakes to avoid when planning a Mt Rainier trip.
🛏️TOP HOTEL PICK: Check availability now
🚘FIND THE CHEAPEST CAR RENTAL: Search Discover Cars for the best deals
✈️FIND THE CHEAPEST FLIGHTS: Search Skyscanner for the best deals
🧳GET TRAVEL INSURANCE: Get insured with Travelex before you go
📱TAKE AN AUDIO TOUR: Buy an audio tour now
No time right now to discover 7 mistakes to avoid when planning a trip to Mount Rainier National Park? Pin It and save it for later:
Please note this post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at zero cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full Disclosure for more information. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Subscribe to daily national parks planning tips, travel inspiration and trip ideas and get instant access to the free PDF of this guide:
“7 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Trip to Mount Rainier National Park”
#1 Getting a late start each day
If you get to Mount Rainier too late in the day, you will regret it! The parks get very crowded here in the short summer season. Getting to the national park early in the morning will ensure that you have it mostly for yourself. Getting in early maximizes your chances of avoiding lines at the entrance stations and getting a good parking spot.
Another reason you should get here early is the trails. There’s nothing more peaceful than walking alone in the woods or mountains. During the summer months, the trails here can get pretty packed. An early start to your day will allow you to see the viewpoints without all the selfie sticks and other tourists.
Also, if you want the best reflection of Mount Rainier in the many lakes around the park, then morning is the best time to do this. In the morning, the wind is usually calmer than it is in the afternoon, which gives you a perfect reflection of the mountain. The best lake in the park for a reflection photo is the Reflection Lakes. They are right off Stevens Canyon Road and are easily accessible, but this road is only open in the summer.
#2 Not getting reservations in summer
With the high number of visitors that this park has been getting in the past few years, the NPS have had to implement a reservation system. This means that you’ll need a reservation if you want to visit the Paradise section of the park from late May to early September or the Sunrise section of the park from early July to early September.
To purchase your tickets, you can go to Recreation.gov and book your reservations depending on what time of year you want to visit the Park.
If you make this mistake and don’t make a timed entry reservation, you can still visit – you’ll just need to enter before 7:00 AM or after 3:00 PM.
The other option if you want to avoid the crowds and see the park on your terms is to visit during the shoulder season. Fall is a great time to visit because the snow will still be melted and the fall foliage here is amazing! Sure, it’ll be a little colder and you’ll miss the summer wildflowers, but if you want fewer people and not have to worry about reservations, then this is a great time to go.
READ MORE: National parks that require reservations: the low down
#3 Not hiking
The best way to see this amazing national park is by hiking it. There are over 240 miles of trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and green forests.
If you have mobility issues, then just driving is fine. There are still several viewpoints you can see around the park by car. However, if you can hike, you’ll be able to see so much more. Just a few of the things you’ll be able to see are Mt. Rainier from different angles, glaciers, and fields of wildflowers.
Some of the best Mount Rainier lookout hikes in the park include the Skyline Loop, Mount Fremont Lookout Trail, and Tolmie Peak Trail. These hikes all have amazing views of Mount Rainier that you can’t get from a car.
If you are looking for glaciers, then try the Glacier Basin Trailhead Hike. This 7-mile hike will take you up to the largest glacier in the 48 contiguous United States, Emmons Glacier.
The best hiking trail for wildflowers is the Grand Park via Lake Eleanor Trail. It’s a 9-mile out-and-back hike that will take you to the largest meadow in the park, which has colorful flowers and stunning views.
READ MORE:
20 Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
Hiking The Skyline Trail Mt Rainier National Park
#4 Just visiting Paradise
When people come to Mount Rainier National Park, they usually will only visit Paradise. Sure, this is a beautiful part of the park with its wildflowers and mountain views, but there are lots more places to see.
First off is Sunrise. One of the main roadside attractions in this section of the park is Sunrise Point. This viewpoint is off the main road and easy to get to. If you are looking for hikes in this part of the park, there are lots to choose from. Some of the most notable are Sunrise Nature Trail, Emmons Vista Overlooks, and Summerland Trail. To get to Sunrise, use the Northeast Entrance of the Park.
Then there’s Ohanapecosh which means “water’s edge” in the Taidnapam Indian language. Some of the best drive-up locations here are the Reflection Lakes and Inspiration Point, which both give you incredible views of Mt. Rainier. For hikes, there’s the Silver Falls Trail, Indian Bar Trail, and the Three Lakes Trail.
Lastly, we have Mowich Lake and Carbon River in the north part of the park. This section of the park is much less visited and more remote than the other sections of the park.
Mowich Lake is the largest and deepest lake in the park and is only open in the summer to early fall months. It can be reached via State Route 165 but the road is unpaved after the first three miles and might be difficult to drive for some cars.
Carbon River is reached via the Carbon River Road, off of State Route 165, but the last section of this road you will have to hike or bike in. In this part of the park, you can find the Carbon Glacier and the river that runs from it.
#5 Not having a detailed (and flexible) plan
With Mount Rainier being so popular and with so many things to do, having a plan is essential. This is not a park where you can drive in and figure it out as you go.
When planning a trip to Mt Rainier, you need to involve hiking, driving, and any activities that you like doing, like fishing or biking. Once you have figured out the things you want to do on your Mt Rainier trip, you can start researching the exact names and locations of the hikes, viewpoints, and other excursions. Make sure to have a flexible plan with lots of backup ideas as well because you never know if there will be road closures, bad weather, or if the places you were looking at are overcrowded.
I would recommend that you spend at least two days visiting the three major sections of the park, Paradise, Sunrise, and Ohanapecosh. If you have more days, then you can add on Mowich Lake and Carbon River.
#6 Ignoring the weather
You also will need to know what the weather will be like before you go. It’s a mistake to not know what the weather is likely to be and adjust your plans around the weather if possible.
Mount Rainier is often covered in clouds, so going there and not being able to see the thing that the park is named after is disappointing. You may not be able to change your trip to fit the weather, but if you can, check the weather and adjust to try and have sunny, clear days. Your best bet is to go during the summer months for the best temperatures and blue skies.
However, the summer is short and trails can be covered in snow even in July. Make sure to keep an eye on road closures and trail openings throughout the year and book your trip accordingly.
Once your trip has started, there is not much you can do if the weather is bad, but there are some things you can do to make your trip more enjoyable. Even if the weather is so bad on your trip that you don’t see Mt Rainier a single time, there are tons of waterfalls and forest hikes to do that will keep you entertained for days. Just always check the weather and adjust your plan for bad weather where possible.
#7 Not also visiting Olympic National Park
Since you’ll be in the Pacific Northwest, it is a real mistake to miss out on nearby Olympic National Park on the same trip.
If you are able to extend your vacation by an extra few days, then I would really recommend visiting Olympic National Park too. It’s is known for its glacier-capped mountains, rainforests, and beaches. I mean, it really does have everything.
Rainier and Olympic are only a 2.5-hour drive apart and are both about a 2-hour drive from Seattle, so it’s easy to add Olympic to your Mt Rainier visit.
READ MORE: Olympic National Park Guide
Travel Insurance for Mount Rainier National Park
You should have good travel insurance when you visit Mount Rainier National Park.
Good travel insurance also covers things like medical expenses, lost or stolen property, trip cancellation, and emergency repatriation.
Of course, not all insurance coverage is equal and you need to check the policy very carefully to see what is – and isn’t – covered. If you want to learn more about all this, check out my Guide to Buying Travel Insurance (on my other website) before getting your insurance.
A great insurance option is Travelex. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
Additional Planning Resources for Mount Rainier National Park
>> Mount Rainier National Park Guide
>> Best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
>> Which airports to choose for Mt Rainier National Park
>> 20 Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
>> How To Get to Mount Rainier National Park
>> Skyline Trail Guide
>> Best Time To Visit Mount Rainier National Park
Subscribe to daily national parks planning tips, travel inspiration and trip ideas and get instant access to the free PDF of this guide:
“7 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Trip to Mount Rainier National Park”
Enjoy your trip to Mount Rainier National Park? Do you have any other mistakes to avoid when visiting Mt Rainier National Park? I’d love to hear about them. 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).
If you liked this post, please share the love and Pin It to your Mount Rainier National Park board!
Are you just starting to think about taking a national parks trip? Get Inspiration
Are you starting to plan a trip to Arches National Park? Read my Guide to Arches National Park
Are you looking for a place to stay near Arches National Park? Find a vacation rental near Arches National Park
Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
Do you want to read a book about Arches National Park? Check out my Recommended Reading List for Arches National Park
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 most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides 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, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
Parks Collecting is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.