What to see and do at Mount Rainier, Washington

Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano located in the Cascade Range of western Washington state.

It is the highest mountain in Washington and the Cascade Range, standing at 14,410 feet tall. The mountain is also the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, with 26 major glaciers and numerous smaller ones.

We visited Mount Rainier on 6/15/2005 and 7/8/2006. On the second trip. we took highway 706 to Longmire, Paradise, and then went to the Sunrise Visitor Center on the east side of the mountain. Then drove through the mountains down to Mount Saint Helen before traveling back to Seattle.

Located in Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The park was established in 1899 and covers an area of 369 square miles. It is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including elk, black bears, and mountain goats.

The mountain has a long history of Native American and European exploration and settlement. It was named by British explorer George Vancouver in honor of his friend, Rear Admiral Peter Rainier. The mountain has also been a popular subject for artists and writers, with its striking beauty and majestic presence inspiring many works of art and literature.

Despite being an active volcano, Mount Rainier is closely monitored for signs of volcanic activity, and it is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the United States. However, the last significant eruption occurred over 1,000 years ago, and the volcano is currently in a dormant state.

Looking for things to do?  Viator offers numerous tours in the Seattle area.  Click here for details.

Christine Falls Bridge near Mount Rainier

Kalaloch Beach on the Washington coast of the Olympic peninsula.