1) Northwest Trek (www.nwtrek.org, 360-832-3117): View the predator enclosures, take a tram tour through the free-range area, participate in educational activities, and get ice cream in the snack bar.
2) Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop Indian Village (www.pioneerfarmmuseum.org, 360-832-6300): This pioneer homestead, built in 1887, offers many hands-on activities for both adults and children. The site includes reproductions of a trading post and Indian village.
3) Eatonville: Lodging, restaurants, groceries, gas, and other services. Stop for a picnic while the kids play on the playground at the park along highway 161 on the south end of town.
4) Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad (www.mrsr.com, 360-569-2351 or 888-783-2611): Take a 1 ½ hour excursion on a real steam locomotive, traveling round-trip to the historic town of Mineral several times daily. The community of Elbe also has food, lodging, a general store, and gas.
5) Ashford (www.mt-rainier.com, 888-617-9950): Lodging, restaurants, general stores, and the last gas west of Mount Rainier National Park. Gas is not available in the park.
6) Enter the park through the Nisqually Entrance.
7) Trail of the Shadows (Easy, 0.7 miles, 30 minutes round-trip): Perfect for families, this short trail makes an easy loop around the bubbling mineral springs that attracted settlers to the area in 1883. A cabin from that era still remains among the big trees, and beavers have built a pond at the north end of the meadow. Across the road, visit the Longmire Museum and ask for Junior Ranger Activity Books, or have lunch at the National Park Inn. Picnic tables and restrooms can be found here and three miles up the road at Cougar Rock.
8) Christine Falls: A viewpoint just off the road gives you a beautiful view of Christine Falls beneath the stone arch of the road bridge.
9) Narada Falls: A short but moderately steep walk takes you to a breathtaking view of Narada Falls, on the Paradise River. On a sunny day, you can often see a rainbow refracted in the cool spray of the falls.
10) Paradise: To avoid crowds and traffic, plan to visit Paradise mid-week, or early or late in the day. The Jackson Visitor Center has exhibits, movies, ranger-led programs, a snack bar, and restrooms. Many short and long trails begin here too. Consider Nisqually Vista or Myrtle Falls for young hikers, or Alta Vista or Glacier Vista for the more ambitious. Take lots of water and sunscreen!
11) Bench and Snow Lakes (Moderate, 2.5 miles, 2 hours round-trip): A perfect trail for families. Watch for views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range, wildflowers in the spring, huckleberries in the fall, and wildlife year-round on your way to two subalpine lakes.
12) Box Canyon: A half-mile loop trail takes you to a viewpoint of two volcanoes and the steep, narrow box canyon of the Cowlitz River. Restrooms are just off the parking lot. A nearby picnic area is a great place to have lunch.
13) Grove of the Patriarchs (Easy, 1.3 miles, 1 hour round-trip): Some of the biggest trees in Mount Rainier National Park can be experienced from a boardwalk loop just half a mile from the parking lot, on an island reached by crossing a suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River. Restrooms are located by the parking lot.
Alternative 1: Southbound
Follow Highway 123 south if you’re headed toward Portland or Mount St. Helens, or as one option for heading east through Yakima.
14) Ohanapecosh: The most family-friendly campground in the park features big trees, creeks, a visitor center, restrooms, ranger-led activities including Junior Ranger programs, and several trails. Take a short stroll through the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs, or hike a 2.5 mile loop along the river to Silver Falls.
15) Leave the park through the south arch on Highway 123 South.
16) Packwood: Full services, including lodging, restaurants, gas, groceries, and ice cream.
Alternative 2: Eastbound
Turn east at Cayuse Pass on Highway 410 if you’re headed toward Naches and Yakima.
17) Tipsoo Lake: Stop at Tipsoo Lake for a short stroll around a subalpine lake. This is an excellent place to look for wildflowers. For the protection of the lake and meadows, remember to stay on the trail! Restrooms are near the parking lot.
18) Leave the park on Highway 410 East at Chinook Pass.
Alternative 3: Northbound
Continue north on Highway 410 if you’re headed toward Olympia, Tacoma, or Seattle.
19) Sunrise: A thousand feet higher than Paradise, Sunrise features spectacular views of Mount Rainier, a visitor center with exhibits and a bookstore, ranger-led activities, a day lodge with gifts and snacks, restrooms, and miles of trails. Arrive mid-week or early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.
20) Exit the park through the north arch on Highway 410 West.
21) Greenwater: Food, lodging, gifts, and the closest gas north of the park. Gas is not available in the park.
22) Enumclaw (www.enumclawchamber.com, 360-825-7666): Full services are available, including restaurants, lodging, gas, groceries, and public parks.
