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Mount Rainier National Park
Washington~1.5–2 hr from SeattleBest: July–September
An iconic 14,411-ft stratovolcano ringed by alpine meadows, glacier-fed rivers, and forest service roads that put you miles from the nearest pavement — the essential Pacific Northwest overlanding destination.
Photo: Theo Crazzolara / Wikimedia Commons
Don't miss
- Paradise & Sunrise Areas
World-class subalpine wildflower loops and panoramic glacier vistas.
- Christine & Narada Falls
Dramatic roadside glacial waterfalls.
- Skyline Trail
Face-to-face views of the Nisqually Glacier and alpine wildlife.
- Reflection Lakes
A mirror image of Rainier at dawn.
Trail notes
- •Timed-entry reservations are required for Paradise and Sunrise corridors during summer peak hours (8am–3pm).
- •The Sunrise section usually stays snowbound until early July — check road status before setting out.
- •Dispersed forest service camping is available along US-12 and SR-410 outside the park boundary.
- •Never leave food or scented items in the tent — use the vehicle's hard storage for bear safety.
Drive from SeaTac, WA
Pickup starts in SeaTac, WA — here's the route to Mount Rainier.