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A Kid Friendly Guide To Mt.Rainier

July 24, 2014 by Maegen Blue

Thinking of taking kids on a day trip to Mt.Rainier? I’m here to help, with family friendly hikes and know-before-you-go tips if it’s your first time taking the family to Mt.Rainier.

First, because I get a lot of folks here at SFM who are new to the area (Weclcome!) , I’m going to help you talk like a local. Ready? If it’s a clear, sunny day, we say, “The mountain is out.” Fun, huh?

Moving on….Whether you’re entertaining out of town guests or just looking to wow your kiddos, it’s hard to beat a real life mountain (and a volcano at that), for a daycation destination.

Child Friendly Activities At Mt.Rainier

There are several possible routes to Rainier. We typically head to Sunrise, going through Enumclaw and Greenwater on 410, just as if you were headed to Crystal Mountain.

You might also consider heading to Paradise first, via Elbe. VisitRainier.com has good options and directions.  VisitRainier.com also has a great round up of  ideas for family fun at Mt.Rainier.

Here are my other top tips. Let me know if I missed your favorite!

  • Start early. Mt.Rainier is big (duh), and you’ll want to give yourself enough time to explore. When it gets to be the summer months, you’ll also need to allow time to take the shuttle, as finding parking will be the most challenging part of your visit!
  • Decide on your priority. For easy hikes with tall trees, consider heading to the Ohanapecosh area. Ohanapecosh also has a family friendly campground and a visitor center that is small but full of “touch me,” exhibits. For wildflowers, go up to Sunrise. You can also get amazing views of the glaciers if it’s not foggy. For a dose of history, check out Longmire. Paradise is the most popular area, and has amazing vistas as well as the biggest visitor’s center. The Carbon and Mowich areas tend to be less visited, but have lots of fine walks through old growth trees and temperate rainforest.
  • Dress in layers. Mountain weather is tricky-you can be chilly, but still getting too much sun (see below).
  • Bring the 10 essentials. If you’re planning even the smallest hike, you’ll want to be prepared.
  • Do choose a hike! Visitors centers are tons of fun for kids to explore, but you’ll want to do at least a short walk for a real mountain experience. Ask for suggestions at any visitor’s center or check out some I’ve linked to in this post.
  • Be sure to have your kids do the junior ranger program. Simply ask a ranger at any visitor’s center. The program is free, and after completing activities in the provided booklet, kids earn a junior ranger pin. If they attend a ranger lead program, they’ll also score a patch. My kids have earned junior ranger pins and badges at many parks over the last several years, and it’s always so much fun. The first time our oldest got one he was actually trembling as he took his little ranger oath, he was so excited! If your kids don’t have time to finish the requirements during your visit, they can take the booklet home and send it in.
  • Stop for gas and food before you go. You can’t get gas anywhere in the park, and while you can get food, it’s pricey.
  • Entry into the park is 15.00 for a single day. An annual pass is 30.00  There are several National Parks free days during the year. The next one is August 25th in celebration of the National Parks Service’s bday!
  • For kid friendly hike ideas near Mt.Rainier, you might enjoy this post.
  • I also have a post on taking kids on a ride on the gondola at Crystal Mountain. It’s not a bargain, but it’s a great way to wow kids and visitors alike!

Comments

  1. Joanna says

    May 19, 2013 at 7:26 am

    Entry into the park is $15, is that cash only or will they take a credit card?

  2. admin says

    May 19, 2013 at 9:51 am

    They’ll take credit cards.
    You might want to consider an annual pass.
    Have fun!

  3. Shonda says

    July 24, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Thanks for this great breakdown!

  4. admin says

    July 24, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    So glad you liked it! Hope it’s helpful!

  5. Jenn says

    August 22, 2014 at 6:30 am

    Some of the entrances only take cash, or only have a Dropbox for cash or check.

  6. Jean Chalston says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:14 am

    The $15 entrance fee is for one week, not just one day (and gets everyone in your vehicle into the park). Sure beats Disney prices!

  7. admin says

    August 22, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    You’re right about that! Thanks, Jean! We typically invest in the annual pass. It doesn’t take many trips to pay for itself.

  8. admin says

    August 22, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    Thanks, Jenn. I hadn’t realized that. I’ll work on updating the post.

  9. Claudia says

    April 18, 2017 at 8:35 pm

    I was planning on taking my five-year-old on a family trip in June to Mt Rainier. I was told by a friend that there are certain months where mosquitoes come out in crazy numbers and I was wondering if anyone you when those months were?

  10. Maegen Blue says

    April 18, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    Mosquitoes shouldn’t be crazy bad in June. They get bad later in the summer. I do suggest you bring bug spray, but even when bugs are at their worst out here it isn’t like it is in other parts of the country. Our Junes are often still quite damp and chilly. Hope that helps!

  11. Amy says

    August 24, 2017 at 9:15 am

    I just took my family to Mt. Rainier on August 16, 2017 and the entry fee is now $25. Just letting you know.

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