Paradise, Mount Rainier
Ashford, WA
Wildflower meadows at 5,400 feet on the flank of Mount Rainier, with trails toward the glaciers.
Paradise sits at about 1,650 m (5,400 feet) on the south flank of Mount Rainier, some 30 km (19 miles) east of the Nisqually Entrance and 19 km (12 miles) past Longmire. With an average of about 16 m (53 feet) of snow a year, it is a popular winter spot for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding. In summer the subalpine meadows bloom, usually from late July to mid-August, depending on the snowpack.
The Skyline Trail, a loop of about 8.8 km (5.5 miles), is the classic hike; shorter and stroller-friendly is the Nisqually Vista Trail, about 1.9 km (1.2 miles), with views of the Nisqually Glacier. The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center is usually open daily from May to early October and only on weekends and holidays in winter; the historic Paradise Inn welcomes guests from mid-May to early October. On summer weekends the parking lot often fills by 9 or 10 a.m., so come early. No timed-entry reservation is required in 2026 (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Ashford, WA
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 46.7860, -121.7350
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Photo by Caleb Riston on UnsplashRainier and St. Helens volcano loop
© w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0Mount Rainier’s east side: Sunrise and Chinook Pass
Photo by Halanna Halila on UnsplashMoss, glaciers and driftwood – by camper through the Pacific Northwest
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Cougar Rock CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Paradise, Mount Rainier · 173 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalNo dogs
- Ohanapecosh CampgroundCampsite9 mi from Paradise, Mount Rainier · 188 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalNo dogs
- Big Creek CampgroundCampsite12 mi from Paradise, Mount Rainier · 29 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
- Silver Springs CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Paradise, Mount RainierTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
- Upper Bumping Lake CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Paradise, Mount Rainier · 45 pitchesCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- The Dalles CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Paradise, Mount Rainier · 45 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
All campsites in Washington · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Paradise, Mount Rainier?
Paradise, Mount Rainier is in Ashford, WA, at GPS 46.7860, -121.7350. It is about 4 mi from Longmire.
Can you camp near Paradise, Mount Rainier?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Cougar Rock Campground, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 46 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Paradise, Mount Rainier?
Paradise, Mount Rainier is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Rainier and St. Helens volcano loop, Mount Rainier’s east side: Sunrise and Chinook Pass and Moss, glaciers and driftwood – by camper through the Pacific Northwest.
What is there to see near Paradise, Mount Rainier?
Places worth a stop nearby: Reflection Lakes (1 mi), Box Canyon (5 mi), Sunrise, Mount Rainier (10 mi) and Tipsoo Lake (12 mi).
When is the best time to visit Paradise, Mount Rainier?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)