Mount Rainier National Park
add photosMt Rainier National Park is a stratovolcano with elevations ranging from 1,600 ft to 14,410 ft at the peak. Filled with valleys, waterfalls, and subalpine wildflower meadows, old growth forest and more than 26 glaciers. Very popular for mountain climbers, but families will still enjoy the views, camping, and numerous hikes. The 3 main areas of the park are Paradise, Longmire and Sunrise. In the summer, kids can join a park naturalist for a guided walk or campfire program. When visiting in the winter, check road conditions. In the winter months, families can enjoy sledding and snowshoeing. The visitors centers at Paradise, Longwire and Ohanapecosh have touch tables and sound exhibits that kids will find engaging and educational. Junior Ranger Program is available for kids ages 6-11.
Recommended hikes with kids in Mt Rainier National Park:
Trail of the Shadows at Longmire - 0.7 miles
Twin Firs Loop Trai at Longmire - 0.4 miles
These short nature trails have self-guiding booklets and are great fun.
Alta Vista Summit Trail at Paradise - 1.6 miles
Nisqually Vista Trail at Paradise- 1.2 miles - paved
Hot Springs Trail at Ohanapecosh
Silver Falls Trail at Ohanapecosh - 3 miles
Grove of the Patriarchs Trail at Ohanapecosh - 1.3 miles
Shadow Lake Trail at Sunrise - 1 mile
Sourdough Trail at Sunrise - 1 mile
For more information on hiking with kids in Mt Rainer National Park: http://washington-state-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/easy_hikes_at_mount_rainier_national_park_wa
7 Reviews for Mount Rainier National Park
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120 families found this helpful
"Great for campers"
We have been here many times, camping and hiking. It is a wonderful place to visit if you love that sort of outdoor activity. Clean, quiet, and some of the campsites can be primitive, but its really nice. You won't find things to do here, you MAKE things to do. There aren't toys to play on, but it is kid friendly....this is nature at its best.
My children love to go hiking, and exploring when we go here. They love to find "treasures" to bring home. the only thing my kids didn't like were the porta potties. Depending on the campground you go to, there may not be flushing ones, and some of the outhouses can be really disgusting.
I would recommend this to any family.
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0 families found this helpful
"fun for kids..."
Where there is snow there are kids :) . my kids love to play in snow and making snow man. skying is fun. we drove to mount rainer and finally we are on the snow when kids saw the snow they just want to get off the car and play in snow. nice fun to play and hike.
1 family found this helpful
"Mt. Rainier, Paradise"
Grove of the Patriarchs is a great hike for children. We enjoyed crossing a suspension bridge over a river/stream. We walked the boardwalk around the ancient trees covered in moss. There are plenty of places to stop and rest along the hike.
We went on a hike up Rainier at Paradise point.
There are so many hikes to pick from. There are rigorous trails and gentle trails. The views of Rainier's glaciers are amazing. The wildflowers cover the base of the mountain. Sometimes a bear can be seen in the distance. The visitor center showed a great video. It was not too long for our toddler. We took a baby/toddler backpack, hiking sticks, and insect repellent. We used all three. We had a wonderful time visiting Rainier. We cannot wait to go back.
http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/ohanapecosh.htm
'11, '12
2 families found this helpful
"Beautiful outdoors!"
This was our first time to Mount Rainier and we opted to go to the popular Paradise area. The drive up toward Rainier was beautiful and we could still see snow on top of the mountain, even in August. We did a short one mile round trip hike (Sky Trails hike) from the Paradise Visitor's Center. This was an easy, paved hike with a gradual ascent, which was stroller-friendly and manageable for my elderly parents. At the .5 mile mark, we got to see Myrtle Falls. On this hike, we enjoyed beautiful views of Mt. Rainier in the distance, crisp and cool air, and nice wildflowers.
Don't forget the bug spray during summer! Lots of annoying bugs in your face and ears while hiking....ewww!
Entrance into the park is $15/car.
0 families found this helpful
"Great place to visit"
Our whole family really enjoys the drive here as well as the park. This is a must when living or visiting the Seattle area. Mt. Rainier is so fantastic from afar and near. When we are looking to get away from the city and enjoy the mountains , we come here.
0 families found this helpful
"Nature at its most beautiful!"
We greatly enjoyed our trip to Mt. Rainier; the beauty of the mountain hits you as you drive up. The visitor's center has some interesting information and exhibits, and there is a gift shop if you are looking for a fun souveneir.
But we enjoyed just walking around a bit and getting some great photos! There are several areas to walk that your kids will enjoy too.
2 families found this helpful
"Mt. Rainier Visitor's Center and Hiking"
Our family has visited in the cold and the warm weather on Mt. Rainier. The newly remodeled Visitor's Center at Paradise has several interactive displays that captured my 4 year-old's interest as well as my 6 year-old budding reader. The interior is beautiful, and has a lodge-like feel. Even if the weather is lousy, you can enjoy the Center and then hike a bit on the side of the snow.
We hiked in July on the Sunrise side and saw breathtaking views of the Mountain. Mt. Rainier is right in our proverbial backyard, but due to Washington's endless cloudy days, we don't often get to see it. Seeing it up close is, of course, even better! Suggest taking plenty of water and lots of bug repellent in summer. And plan on not completing all of the official hikes if you have small children. There are a variety of challenging and novice hikes. Parents of very small children should definitely bring a pack for the wee ones.
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