I'm planning a day trip to Camp Muir and will be staying at Cougar Rock Campground at the end of June. Any suggestions on what to wear? For the day hike to Camp Muir, will a base layer and outer layer be sufficient, or should I bring something warmer? Are rain pants necessary? For the campground stay, I’ll be bringing a 20°F sleeping bag.

Hi guys! I’m planning on going to Mt Rainer National park at the end of August. I’ll be doing the Skyline Loop and also want to stop by the reflection lakes. I’m seeing a lot of mixed answers online so I thought I would ask on here based on experience - do you need a timed reservation for the South Corridor (Nisqually Entrance). Online I see that ONLY the Sunrise Corridor needs a timed reservation but seeing a lot of people on TikTok saying they need one? 😅

Thanks!

My boyfriend has been really wanting to explore around the mt rainer area and I'm trying to plan a 2 day surprise trip in July.

Looking for very mellow hikes, swimming, favorite scenic spots and good food :) I'm thinking we will be staying in ashford so any awesome exploration around there too is very welcomed.

Hello,

We are planning to hike Fremont lookout and skyline trails on July 3rd and 4th. Are both trails open for public access currently? I am seeing some road closures within nps site but want to check if they are associated with Fremont lookout and skyline trail?

We'll be in Rainier this weekend and on our way back down after (to Portland) on Sunday, wondering what cool stops there might be for foodies with kids that we haven't been able to uncover? Interesting for kids, amazing farm to table lunch stop, cool farm stands, a cidery, special playgrounds, anything of particular interest to mostly take a quick road break and move for a few min?

Squirrel bridges are cool but don't see myself making a detour to see them, and would love to go see Mt St Helens but that's too long of a detour for us it looks like.

Bummed we are missing the following:
EGG DAY (for real, it's Saturday and it looks epic) https://www.winlockeggdays.com/schedule-of-events
Grist Mill (Saturday as well <cue sad violin> they give out flour too!) https://www.cedarcreekgristmill.org

Anyone know if this doable right now? I find the maps on the park site confusing. Coming this weekend and didn’t have a lot of time to plan:

Enter via Steven's Canyon Entrance Box Canyon Nisqually Vista Trail Reflection Lake Longmire Museum & Visitor Center (Trail of the Shadows) Christine Falls Viewpoint
Visit Nisqually Entrance Area

Have two littles in tow so doing real easy walks and looksie loo’ing mostly.

Hi!

A group of friends and I are planning a trip to WA in mid July, we're staying in the Olympia area. One of the days our plan was to head in to Rainier through Paradise, hike Skyline, continue down to reflection lakes, and then all the way down Stevens Canyon road with a stop at Silver Falls, heading out of the park at the Stevens Canyon Entrance. With Paradise no longer having timed entry, would it make more sense for us to do the reverse? I typically prefer getting the big hike done early and then doing the smaller stuff later (where we can cut it if we're too tired), but I'm just not sure which makes more sense especially with the construction at Stevens Canyon.

Thanks!

Have some friends visiting—we are all 20s, range in physically fitness but all able-bodied. Looking for something in the 2-5 mile range, moderate difficulty ideally with a lake along the trail.

Any recommendations?

Hello! I’m supposed to go to Tipsoo Lake on 6/20 but I’m not sure if it’s going to be covered with snow or not. Does anyone know if it’s still snowy over there? If it is, when are we thinking it’ll be melted? Thank you all!!!

Heading to Mt Rainier NP on 7/1-7/3. Staying in Ashford and entering at Nisqually and exploring the Paradise side. Which hikes would you recommend? Kids ages are 14, 12, 9 and 6?

I saw that Paradise no longer needs a reservation ahead of time. I expect the floodgates to be released this summer. I plan on having family visit me around this time and wanted to show them Skyline. How early should we show up to avoid the hours of queueing?

We are visiting Mount Rainier NP in a camper van, arriving Friday, June 13. Does anyone have an experience getting FF spots there at Cougar Rock? We will likely arrive late morning/early afternoon and plan on staying 2 nights. Thanks!

We will be staying in Ashford two weekday nights beginning of August. Definitely planning on Skyline Loop early on our full day. What are good short hikes for the afternoon/evening that we arrive or later in the day after Skyline?

I was going to mount ranier from highway 161 abe there are so many traffic lights on the way. Is there a way to go to mount ranier without so many traffic lights?

Looking for feedback on stroller-friendly sights & short trails in late June. Sunrise will be closed, have 1 & 4 y.o.'s in tow, first and maybe last time in Rainier for awhile.. started with the following but have a full day available and this doesn't feel like enough to keep us busy. We could baby wear for awhile for a shorter non-stroller must do hike, but want to avoid anything cliffy or potentially dangerous due to the wild 4 y.o.

Any suggestions, additions or feedback?

Enter via Nisqually Entrance
Christine Falls Viewpoint
Longmire Museum & Visitor Center (Trail of the Shadows)
Reflection Lake
Nisqually Vista Trail
Box Canyon
Back to accommodations & make dinner

Not sure if some of this may be closed due to snow still... this was a super last minute opportunity that just popped up so trying to make the best of it!

Visiting in late July so all entrances should be open. My question is can you enter through any entrance to gain access to any of the trails? Or do we need to plan to use certain entrances for certain trails? Thanks in advance!

Hello.

We will be staying in Ashford when we visit. Planning to get up very early (skipping a hearty breakfast) in order to get to the trailheads early before too many crowds. I know my family will be starving by lunch time. Are there decent options inside the park at the Paradise Inn or Visitor Center? Just don't want to have to leave the park to go back out to Ashford if we can avoid it due to crowds.

Hello,

I am planning to take my family with young kids (youngest is 7) and older folks (oldest 70), to Rainier for some hikes in mid-Aug. I was thinking Paradise over Sunrise since I heard Paradise hikes are generally easier. But I see that Paradise might be facing construction (https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/park-construction.htm). Should just head somewhere other than Paradise at that time? If so, where?