United States / Seattle & the Pacific Northwest / Mount Rainier National ParkMount Rainier National Park
Glaciers and Wildflower Meadows at Paradise
A glacier-covered volcano of 4,392 m two and a half hours south-east of Seattle. Paradise, on its south side, has the Skyline Trail through wildflower meadows (late July to August), glacier views and the visitor centre; its road stays open in winter for snowshoeing, with tyre chains required. Sunrise, the highest road-reachable point, opens only from about July to early October. No timed entry in 2026, and not among the parks with the nonresident surcharge. Bring layers: snow lies at Paradise well into July.
Highlights
- Skyline Trail at Paradise
- Myrtle Falls
- Reflection Lakes
- Sunrise viewpoint (summer)
- Wildflower meadows (late July-August)
- Grove of the Patriarchs
Things to do
- Skyline Trail loop from ParadiseMorning · 4h
- Myrtle Falls and Reflection LakesJul–SepAfternoon · 2h
- Sunrise viewpoint and Emmons VistaJul–SepAfternoon · 2h 30m
Tours & tickets
Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.
When to go
Best time: July – September
Heads up
Fire Season in the West
Wildfires in the West peak in late summer; smoke can hide the views for days and fires can close roads and trails. Check the park's alerts page and the local fire restrictions (campfire bans are common).
Worth knowing
High Roads Closed by Snow
Sunrise and the Chinook and Cayuse pass roads are closed from about October to late June or July, so the park's north and east sides can't be reached. The road to Paradise stays open (tyre chains required November to April; it can close in storms), and snow lies on Paradise's trails into July.