Seattle Excursions

Mount Rainier National Park

One of the oldest national parks in the United States, Mount Rainier National Park was founded in 1899 to preserve the lofty volcano, Mount Rainier, known to the Native Americans as Tahoma. The snow-capped peak is visible from Seattle, 90 miles (145km) away and dominates the region, drawing thousands of climbers every year to dare the dangerous ascent to its summit. The rest of the park is a beautiful wilderness containing glaciers, rivers, deep forests, lush alpine meadows and over 240 miles (380km) of maintained trails.

Website: www.nps.gov/mora; Telephone: (360) 569 2211; Transport: There is no public transport to or in the park; Opening time: Open daily all year round, but access is limited in winter; Admission: $15 per vehicle; $5 per individual hiker, cyclist or motorcyclist. Valid for seven days