On our road trip home when leaving Seattle we decided to spend half a day in Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier is the main icon of the park and is SO unique in that it not only is an active volcano that stands 14,410 feet above sea level but it is also the most GLACIEATED peak in the contiguous U.S.A! Wow this park did NOT disappoint. Be prepared...we visited in late August and it was FREEZING! Especially at the top. Do not enter the park thinking you will have summer weather be prepared and back warm layers. We only spent half a day and these are the stops we made which are no where near all of the magical wonders the park has to offer!

There are so many opportunities to capture this beauty throughout the park. Our first stop of inside the park was the highest point of the park you could drive to called Sunrise Point. Here is where we captured this stunning wonder of the world. There is a parking lot located in the middle of the road. This is also where you can take a 3 mile hike across the street called Sourdough Ridge Trail. This offers so many beautiful viewpoints throughout viewing lakes, peaks, and so much more! As we mentioned above the park is chilly! Especially this high up be prepared and back warm layers!

This beautiful short 1.1 mile out and back trail that takes you through the forest, over this cool suspension bridge, and ends at a river. This is a great short hike for a family. There is a picnic area at the trailhead and would also be a great place to eat lunch! The bridge is recommended for one person at a time so be prepared on crowded days! We also would recommend even with the rule helping your little one across as the bridge is wobbly. 

Located near the Paradise entrance these falls are a MUST see! The parking lot is large and also has a larger dumpster for those needed to throw away their lunch trash! Although you can see the top of the falls from the parking lot it is highly recommended to take the short hike down to the bottom to capture this view pictured above! Do you spot the rainbow!?

This area played a huge role in the parks history. Located near the National Park Inn is the Longmire Museum named after James Longmire. James Longmire arrived in the mid 1800s and established what was known as the Longmire Medical Springs and Hotel. Across from the museum is a short 1 mile loop called Trail of Shadows which will take you through the forest where signs are located throughout to explain the rich history this area has. Pictured above is what is left of the Hot Springs. 

This Park had so much to offer and so many different opportunities to hike! If you are here in the summer make sure to check out all of the beautiful wildflowers located throughout the park, especially in the Paradise area. If you are here in the winter be prepared for roads to be closed but don't let that tear you away from coming. The park is filled with beautiful views and winter activities!