When to Go

When to Go

Crowds are heaviest in July, August, and September, when the parking lots at Paradise and Sunrise often fill before noon. During this period campsites are reserved months in advance, and other lodgings are reserved as much as a year ahead. Washington's rare periods of clear winter weather bring lots of residents up to Paradise for cross-country skiing.

Rainier is the Puget Sound's weather vane: if you can see it, the weather is going to be fine. Visitors are most likely to see the summit in July, August, and September. True to its name, Paradise is often sunny during periods when the lowlands are under a cloud layer. The other nine months of the year, Rainier's summit gathers lenticular clouds whenever a Pacific storm approaches, and once it vanishes from view, not only is it impossible to see the peak, it's time to haul out rain gear.

AVG. HIGH/LOW TEMPS.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

36/24 40/26 44/28 53/32 62/37 66/43 75/47 74/47 68/43 57/38 45/31 39/28