From a Romantic Escape to Your Next Girls Getaway: A Year-Round Guide to Mt. Rainier
Whether you are looking for a romantic escape or an exciting girl’s vacation, we’ve got the perfect place for you to get away. Those seeking to quench their thirst for expansive meadows, snow-capped peaks, glassy lakes, and cascading waterfalls, need to look no further than Mt. Rainier. With its national park and heavily forested surrounding areas, this stratovolcano provides nature lovers and adventure seekers with a wide range of year-round activities and adventures.
Our year-round guide to epic girlfriend getaways at Mt. Rainier is designed to help you plan your trip the next time you give in to the mountain’s allure.
Getting to Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier is approximately two hours from Seattle and three hours from Portland. If you don’t live in the Pacific Northwest, both cities have international airports and fast access to Mt. Rainier gateway communities—like Ashford, WA.
Where to Stay
Most of the Mt. Rainier Campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis from late May to late September. The exceptions include sites at the Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh Rock campgrounds where you can reserve your spot in advance. If you are planning a trip with your sisters in outdoor adventure, large group campsites are available as well. Site amenities vary. Check the National Park Service site ahead of time for availability and book in advance.
If the weather is colder…or you’re looking for a spot for a romantic getaway, you might want to consider lodging at nearby cabins. They vary in amenities from rustic to luxurious. Three Bears Lodge and Almost Paradise Mountain Vacation Rentals offer cabins with fire pits, hot tubs, beautiful views, and some have fully stocked kitchens so that you can prepare your own food. If you prefer to stay inside Mt. Rainier National Park, Paradise Inn is a beautiful lodge offering rooms to travelers. Check the website in advance.
Lodging options outside of the park include the rustic Nisqually Lodge and the quaint Alexander’s Lodge. Many of these lodging options are pet-friendly and allow woman’s best friend to accompany her on her adventures.
Powering Up
If you prefer to prepare your own meals, Ashford, WA and other nearby towns have small groceries with basic goods. For meals out, situated 6,872 feet up at Crystal Mountain Resort, The Summit House is famous for being Washington’s highest elevation dining and takes your girl’s night out experience to the next level. Guests travel there by gondola or ski lift and the menu includes burgers, seared beef tenderloin, and expansive alpine views.
Year-Round Mt. Rainier Activities
Mt. Rainier Gondola
Dial romance up with a gondola ride. Crystal Mountain Resort gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the Cascade Range and Mt. Rainier via gondola. Whether covered in wildflowers or drifts of snow, experiencing the wilderness landscape from above is extraordinary. The ascent climbs 2,000 vertical feet to the summit of Crystal Mountain where along with the view, the ride gives passengers access to a restaurant, shops, and mountaintop trails.
Mt. Rainier Gondola runs from June through September for the summer season and then rides are offered again for ski season during the months of November through April.
Go on a Balloon Ride
If you are looking for a truly unforgettable experience with your date or with girlfriends, catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier from a hot air balloon. Seattle Ballooning offers one-of-a-kind experiences with a route that begins at the City of Enumclaw and takes you over rivers, lakes, farmland, and gives you a unique view of the stunning Mount Rainier. When your flight comes to an end, you enjoy a toast with champagne while nibbling on brie and fresh croissants, provided by the pilot and crew. Private rides or a shared trip with up to eight passengers are available. Rides are available May thru September.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
If you or your or your travel partners are nature lovers and photographers you will definitely want to book a trip to Northwest Trek, where guided tram rides and walking paths take visitors through the 725–acre Wildlife Park nestled in the forest near Mt. Rainier. It is home to over 200 North American animals that can be seen by tram in the 435-acre free-roaming area, or by foot on hiking paths that pass through a variety of habitats where exhibits with like species live together.
You might catch a glimpse of black and brown bears in bear country or see gray wolves, foxes, and coyotes in the Northwest wilderness areas. For a more intimate wildlife encounter, Keeper Tours take you within a few feet of moose and bison while the keeper feeds them.
Spring, Summer & Fall Mt. Rainier Adventures
All Women Mt. Rainier Climb
If you’ve been fantasizing about climbing Mt. Rainier with your best friends, you need to check out the International Mountain Guides (IMI) All Women’s Mt. Rainier Climb. Led by female guides, this three-and-a-half-day adventure usually takes place in July. Designed to offer an individualized experience, those in your crew who need a little training receive extra instruction, while the rest of you enjoy a less rushed, more relaxed ascent.
You and your tribe visit two camps on the trip: Camp Muir at 10,080ft and an established tent camp at The Flats at 11,000ft. IMI maintains a 2:1 client-to-guide ratio, so you feel safe and supported. And to minimize your haul, the staff provides essentials like shelter, stoves, cook wear, climbing gear, and all of your meals.
This excursion is a great opportunity to explore your courage and strengthen the bonds in your friendship circle. The All Women’s Mt. Rainier Climb does fill fast and the folks as IMI suggest reserving your spot before mid-October.
Mountain Biking
Located inside the national park, Carbon River Road runs through an inland temperate rainforest providing access to lush forests and rushing rivers. The five-mile path is level with little gain, making it perfect for new and seasoned riders.
Intermediate-level bikers can easily navigate the Ashford area’s eight-mile-long Silver Creek Trail and its 1,300-ft gain. The low-traffic path passes over bridges, through wetlands, and gives visitors a stunning glimpse of Mt. Rainier and access to solitude and wildlife encounters.
Hitting the Trails
One of the best ways to experience Mt. Rainier and its surrounding areas is on foot. Try one of the following hikes:
Silver Falls: This hike is an easy three-mile loop that passes through soaring trees and past roaring waterfalls. This hike gives you some distance but is appropriate for all skill and fitness levels.
Bench and Snow Lakes: Perfect for a hot summer day, the 2.6 miles of trail wanders by two lakes where hikers can splash and cool off as a reward for their hard work.
Tip: Grab trail maps from the area’s rest stops, groceries, the National Park Visitor’s center or website in advance.
Rampart Ridge: This moderate route climbs steeply through the woods and gives hikers stunning glimpses of the Nisqually River. The 4.6-mile loop takes you beneath the forest canopy and swings by several viewpoints and resting areas perfect for snapping photos and picnicking.
Explore Sunrise
The Sunrise area is the highest point accessible by car at Mt. Rainier. There is a visitor’s center with exhibits, displays, and maps available to help you explore nearby subalpine trails that offer rare views of the Mountain only seen during the summer months when the snow has melted.
Winter at Mt. Rainier
Ski the Slopes
Crystal Mountain offers 2,600 acres of gentle groomed runs that accommodate all levels of skiers and snowboarders. There are more than a half dozen peaks and basins to explore and the area averages 367 inches of snowfall annually. Book a room at the resort where you’ll enjoy comfy accommodations and superior dining. This destination makes for a dream winter getaway.
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing reveals the wonders of nature when blanketed with snow and ice. The National Park provides ranger-guided snowshoe walks perfect for beginners and small groups. Equipment is available for a $5 donation.
If you are ready to strike out on your own, you can traverse beautiful, white drifts by snow-shoe or skis along a variety of trails, including the .8-mile Trail of Shadows loop, the 3.2-mile River Trail, and Huckleberry Creek’s 4-mile round trip. For an in-depth and detailed list of snowshoe trails, Visit Rainier’s website is an excellent reference.
Mt. Rainier transforms you with its ruggedly beautiful terrain and wildlife inhabitants. If you are looking for a place to test your skills, personal boundaries, or find a deep connection with the earth—it’s the perfect destination. But beware, once you experience its wonders and the effect it has on your entire being, you will struggle to resist its call. I know I can’t stop myself from returning again and again and again.
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