By Jennifer Jeffcoat
Jennifer writes for TMC Vacation Rentals, sharing travel planning tips and exciting things to do during your PNW vacation.
It’s hard to choose a handful of favorite spots in Mount Rainier when the entire park is flooded with towering mountains, rushing waterfalls, wildflower fields, and the most beautiful stretches of wilderness you’ve ever seen, but we’re going to do our best.
This month, as summer kicks into full gear, we’re highlighting some of our must-see spots in Mount Rainier National Park so you can plan a trip that is guaranteed to deliver the most impressive and memorable adventures of the season. Check them out below and get ready for an epic trip to the PNW.
In This Article:
- Skyline Trail
- Glacier Vista
- Myrtle Falls
- Reflection Lake
- Tipsoo Lake
- Paradise Valley Road
- Staying Close to Mount Rainier
- Frequently Asked Questions
Favorite Scenic Spots in Mount Rainier National Park
With more than 200,000 acres to explore, figuring out what to see when you visit Mount Rainier can feel daunting. A lot of your sightseeing options will also depend on the park entrance you use. Staying in Packwood, Washington, puts you near the Stevens Canyon Entrance (also known as the Southeast Entrance or Ohanapecosh Entrance). Below are some of the best Mount Rainier stops for first-time visitors — each easily reached from Packwood.
Skyline Trail
From Packwood, the easiest way to reach the Skyline Trail is to head straight to the Paradise Visitor Center. The drive takes you down US-12 to Stevens Canyon Road before T-ing into Paradise/Longmire Road, which leads straight to the parking lot where you’ll find the trailhead. The whole trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the season and traffic.
Once you’ve arrived, you’ll quickly understand why we’ve put this at the top of our list. First, it’s one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier. Surrounded by wildflower meadows and providing epic mountain views, you’ll be treated to challenging sections that offer big payoffs at the 6,800-foot mark. Here, at the highest point of the hike, you’ll see glaciers and long-running views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains. Thanks to its southern exposure, access to this area opens before other sections of the park, making it one of the earliest sections you can reach as the snow begins to melt.
Hike Details:
- Length: 5.5-mile lollipop loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 1,450 feet
Glacier Vista
If you find yourself on the Skyline Trail, visiting our next favorite spot in Mount Rainier is easy! After the incline levels out (after about 0.4 miles in), you’ll reach a split for Deadhorse Creek Trail and Glacier Vista. Go left at this split for views of Tahoma, a 14,410-foot giant peak, as well as the Nisqually Glacier. This is a popular spot with hikers, so expect some crowds on the trail as many are chasing the light — it’s one of the top photography spots in the park. Once you’ve taken a moment to marvel at the surroundings, it’s easy to rejoin Skyline and continue your hike.
Myrtle Falls
This thundering 72-foot-high cascade offers one of the best waterfall views in Mount Rainier. And this time of year, things are really getting going. As the snow melts, access to the falls opens, and all that fresh water makes the site even more impressive.
From the Skyline Trail, head 0.4 miles in, then turn to the right and follow signs for the viewpoint just over the Edith Creek Basin bridge. It’s one of the best views for the least amount of effort in the entire park.
Reflection Lake
This summer-only location is open June – September and is an excellent family-friendly stop. From Stevens Canyon Road, drive about 18 miles. You’ll pass Box Canyon and then arrive at the Reflection Lakes parking area. There are numerous well-traveled pathways around the lake and an easy three-mile loop trail that begins in the parking lot. As you explore, make sure you stick to the designated trails to avoid disturbing the delicate meadows.
When flowers bloom in July and early August, you’ll find the area dotted with magenta paintbrush, brilliant lupine, yellow arnica, and glacier lilies. Due to the subalpine landscape, the blooming period is short and happens all at once, so timing your visit to align with the season is paramount if you’re looking for the iconic views of Rainier’s reflection surrounded by fresh blooms. If you do happen to arrive in peak wildflower season, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best lakes in Mount Rainier.
Tipsoo Lake
When you want an easy stroll that everyone in the group can do, Tipsoo Lake is the spot. This alpine lake is great for an afternoon picnic, and it’s super easy to add to a trip with kids. There are tables and restrooms near the parking lot, and unlike hikes that make you work for the reward of great views, here, you just have to walk for a few minutes to find stunning vistas.
Plan your visit for wildflower season and do a scavenger hunt to see how many different varieties you can spy. The area is great for photography, wildlife spotting, and connects to the Naches Peak Loop trail for folks who want a little more of a challenge.
Paradise Valley Road
On a day when you just need a break from strenuous activity, Mount Rainier National Park still shows up and shows off. Guests who want a scenic drive from Packwood need only head out from their vacation rental along Stevens Canyon Road to Paradise Valley Road. Lined with Mountain Hemlock and heavy-branched fir trees that drip brilliant green bows along the route, this road features unbeatable views of Mount Rainier, Christine Falls, Narada Falls, sprawling meadows, the Tatoosh range, and more. As you ride, take advantage of roadside viewpoints and easy scenic spots in Mount Rainier, snapping photos or just spending a quiet moment admiring your surroundings.
Where Should I Stay Near Mount Rainier for Easy Park Access?
Featured Property: Coal Creek Cabin
Where you stay dictates what you’ll see – at least what you’ll easily see. That’s why so many visitors choose Packwood, WA, for their Mount Rainier home base. Located minutes from the Stevens Canyon entrance, it’s a popular spot for year-round visitors who want to explore the park.
At TMC Vacation Rentals, we’ve got cabins and mountain homes perfect for every type of traveler, from couples and families to solo getaways. You can even bring your furry friend along! After a day checking out the top spots in Mount Rainier, come home and soak your bones in a hot tub as you stare up at the star-filled sky. Or cozy up inside and reminisce on the day’s adventures. Either way, you’ll feel right at home.
Our local team has been providing excellent accommodations for guests for years, and with rates that beat Airbnb and Vrbo every time, its no wonder folks return again and again.
Browse our full inventory today and book direct with TMC. We can’t wait to hear what your favorite spots in Mount Rainier are.
Yes. Reflection Lake, Box Canyon, Narada Falls, and Paradise all offer spectacular views with minimal walking. These popular stops are easily accessible from Packwood and provide some of the best scenery in the park.
Yes. Packwood is one of the closest hubs to Mount Rainier’s southeast entrance. Staying here puts you within easy driving distance of Paradise, Reflection Lake, and many of the park’s most popular attractions.
Reflection Lake and Tipsoo Lake are among the park’s most scenic lakes. Popular waterfalls include Narada Falls, Myrtle Falls, and Silver Falls, each offering beautiful views and relatively easy access.
Paradise, Reflection Lake, Skyline Trail, Myrtle Falls, and Tipsoo Lake are excellent places to start. These destinations showcase many of the mountain views, wildflower meadows, lakes, and waterfalls that make Mount Rainier famous. For more ideas, check out our 2-Day Mount Rainier Itinerary for Beginners.
Near Packwood, the most scenic areas include Reflection Lake, Myrtle Falls, and the Paradise area. In Sunrise, the top spots include Mt. Fremont Lookout Trail, which showcases Rainier from a historic fire lookout, and Emmons Glacier, the largest in the contiguous United States.
Skyline Trail is widely considered the best hike for panoramic views. The trail features wildflower meadows, glaciers, waterfalls, and sweeping views of Mount Rainier on clear days.
Reflection Lake is one of the park’s most photographed locations thanks to its mirror-like views of Mount Rainier. Paradise, Sunrise, and the Skyline Trail are also popular photography spots.