Ten Tips for Visiting Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier viewed from Sunrise Point along the Sunrise Road, which is open from July to mid-October. NPS Photo

Mount Rainier National Park looks forward to welcoming you this summer. Learn how to plan like a park ranger by following our list of the top 10 things you should know before visiting the park. The summer season is expected to be BUSY, so make sure to plan ahead, recreate responsibly, and help ensure this iconic landscape may be enjoyed by future generations.

The Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park via SR706. NPS Photo

1. Know Your Destination

There are five entrances to Mount Rainier National Park. Do you know which one to use to get to where you want to go? Not every area of the park can be reached via every entrance and it can take hours to drive to different areas. GPS navigation may not take you to the right entrance or will attempt to follow the most direct route, which may not be the correct way and could lead to closed gates. Cell coverage is spotty at best inside the park. Check the Directions webpage for travel information and refer to road maps in addition to using GPS units when driving to the park.

Parking at popular destinations like Sunrise fills up quickly. NPS Photo

2. Expect Company

Mount Rainier is popular! Expect traffic congestion at entrances and the main visitor areas. If you plan ahead it is still possible to get a little time and space to yourself. Visit on weekdays or come early or late in the day to minimize wait times. Many trailheads have limited parking. Have an alternate plan and destination in mind if long lines are encountered entering the park or if parking is full at your destination. Learn more tips on the avoiding summer congestion webpage.

A dog enjoying the couch at home instead of being stuck in a hot vehicle. C. Meleedy Photo

3. Protect Your Pet By Leaving Them At Home

Mount Rainier is a wild place. National parks are not always the best place for your dog. Dogs are not allowed on trails, inside buildings or amphitheaters, on snow or in park waters. Dogs cannot be left unattended and it’s unsafe for them to be left in hot vehicles. There are limited options in local communities for boarding pets. The safest choice may be to leave your pet at home. For more information and suggestions for the limited options for what you can do with your pets in the park, visit the Pets webpage.

Watch for wildlife like black bears crossing the road. NPS Photo

4. Take It Slow

Be vigilant while driving in the park and give wildlife a brake. All park roads have a speed limit of 35 mph unless posted otherwise. Park roads are narrow, steep, and winding with many blind curves. Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles and stay in your lane on curves. Don’t stop and block traffic to view wildlife.

The NPS App includes information about all national park sites, including Mount Rainier National Park, and park information can be saved for offline use. NPS Photo

5. A Ranger In Your Phone

Download the new NPS App before arriving at the park for helpful planning tools and to make the most of your visit. The free app can be downloaded through the App Store and Google Play. Follow Mount Rainier on

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