Mount Rainier National Park
Fourth U.S. national park, preserving a glaciated volcano and wilderness.
Mount Rainier National Park, established on March 2, 1899, is the fourth national park in the United States. Located in Washington State, it encompasses all of Mount Rainier, a stratovolcano that is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. Elevations within the park range from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet. The mountain rises abruptly from the surrounding terrain and is surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and old-growth forest. More than 25 glaciers descend its flanks, and the volcano is often shrouded in clouds that produce heavy rain and snow. The Carbon Glacier is the largest glacier by volume in the contiguous United States, while the Emmons Glacier is the largest by area. The park is circled by the Wonderland Trail. It receives over 1.6 million visitors annually (as of 2024) and is a popular mountaineering destination, with about 10,000 attempts to summit each year, roughly half of which succeed. The park has several entrances leading to three main areas: Paradise, the Carbon River and Mowich Lake area, and Sunrise.
Ninety-seven percent of the park is preserved as the Mount Rainier Wilderness, designated in 1988. The park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997 for its rustic-style architecture, exemplified by the Paradise Inn. The earliest evidence of human activity in the area is a projectile point dated to between 4,000 and 5,800 years before present. A rock shelter near Fryingpan Creek, containing hunting artifacts, suggests use by Columbia Plateau Tribes from 1,000 to 300 years before present. Archaeological studies indicate prehistoric use was heaviest between 8,000 and 4,500 years before present, with no evidence of permanent habitation; the area was used for hunting, gathering, and spirit quests. The park was created from a national forest after a five-year effort led by John Muir and the Sierra Club, supported by scientific associations and commercial interests. Congress approved the park only after assurances that the land was unsuitable for farming or mining and that no federal funds would be needed for its management. In 2006, the park closed due to extensive flooding from a Pineapple Express rainstorm that washed away roads and campsites.
- location
- Pierce and Lewis counties, Washington, USA
- visitors_2024
- over 1.6 million
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The park was created from the Pacific Forest Reserve after a five-year effort led by John Muir and others, including the Sierra Club and National Geographic Society. Congress approved only after assurances that the land was unsuitable for farming or mining and required no federal appropriations. The park's purpose, as stated in its foundation document, is to protect Mount Rainier's natural and cultural resources and provide wilderness experiences. Studies suggest the park was used for hunting, gathering, and spirit quests, with no permanent habitation. The mountain is called 'Tacoma' in Lushootseed. The Sunshine Point Campground was destroyed and never reopened. In 2024, timed entry reservations were implemented for peak summer months due to crowding, with modifications in 2025.
Reader's Guide
Mount Rainier National Park preserves a massive stratovolcano that rises abruptly from surrounding lowlands, with elevations spanning from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet. More than two dozen glaciers descend the volcano’s flanks, including the Carbon Glacier, the largest by volume in the contiguous United States, and the Emmons Glacier, the largest by area. The mountain is often cloud-covered, producing heavy rain and snow. Surrounding it are valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and old-growth forest. The park is circled by the Wonderland Trail and is a popular mountaineering destination, with roughly 10,000 attempts per year, about half of which reach the summit. Ninety-seven percent of the park is designated wilderness, and it is abutted by several other wilderness areas. The park was established in 1899 as the fifth national park, created from a national forest after a five-year campaign involving John Muir, the Sierra Club, scientific associations, and local commercial interests. Congress agreed only after assurances that the land was unsuitable for farming or mining and that no federal funds would be needed for management. Prehistoric human use dates back thousands of years, with evidence of hunting and gathering, but no permanent habitation. The park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997 for its rustic-style architecture and early master planning.
Did You Know?
- Mount Rainier National Park was the first national park created from a national forest.
- Carbon Glacier is the largest glacier by volume in the contiguous United States.
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