Top Reasons to Go

Top Reasons to Go

The mountain. Some say Mt. Rainier is the most magical mountain in America. At 14,411 feet, it is a popular peak for climbing, with more than 10,000 attempts per year—half of which are successful.

The glaciers. About 35 square mi of glaciers and snowfields encircle Mt. Rainier, including Carbon Glacier and Emmons Glacier, the largest glaciers by volume and area, respectively, in the continental United States.

The wildflowers. More than 100 species of wildflowers bloom in the high meadows of the national park; the display dazzles from midsummer until the snow flies.

Fabulous hiking. Mt. Rainier has more than 240 mi of maintained trails that provide access to old-growth forest, river valleys, lakes, subalpine meadows, and rugged ridges.

Unencumbered wilderness. Mount Rainier National Park is one of those rare places with the ability to nurture and deeply inspire the human spirit. It should remain that way for the foreseeable future—97% of the park is preserved as wilderness under the provisions of the 1964 Wilderness Act and the National Wilderness Preservation System.