A quick note on
July-Oct
June-November
Sunrise
National Forest
This eastern entrance to the park has the shortest accessbility window, with the road being open only from July-early October, but it's incredibly worth it! The views are open and vast, foxes and mountain goats can often be spotted, and you can escape some of the crowds of the Paradise area.
Much of the area surrounding Mt Tahoma is national forest land, with vast stretches of lakes, rivers, old growth forests, mountains and foothills and trails aplenty. These areas are always great option to escape the crowds, avoid permit and reservation hassles, and bring pets along as well!
Year Round
Year Round
Longmire
Paradise
The humble and often overlooked Longmire area is usually a spot folks drive right past on their way to Paradise, but this forested, quieter entrance of the park is home to quiet trails, challenging hikes, waterfalls, a historic lodge, and rivers a-plenty. A fantastic place to cool off in the summer away from the sun, or snowshoe in the winter time.
The classic, the spot most people go to when the visit the park, this visitor center is at the heart of the alpine meadows of Mt Tahoma, high above the surrounding peaks and with incredible views and lush wildlife everywhere. A favorite spot to visit in any season, and home to some of the best trails in the whole park.
Tahoma (ie Mt Rainier) is about 3 hour by car from Seattle. The National Park has many entrances and a few seperate roads that reach the area. If you're coming from the downtown area, plan on about a 3-4 hour journey. Most roads to Mount Rainier National Park close in the winter time, with only the road to Longmire being open consistently in the winter, with winter access to the Paradise area dependent on weather conditions & park staffing.
In general, this park is very accessible. Many trails are paved for easy access, there are many roadside pull outs & scenic overlooks, and much of the park can be viewed by taking a scenic drive. However, its important to always keep in mind that when it comes to Mt Rainier Ntl Park: the more accessible trails, overlooks, and photo spots are also the busiest and most crowded.
What About Guests?
If you want to have guests on your elopement day, Tahoma can be a great place! With many easily accessible locations and lots to see, guests can experience a great sample of what the park has to offer. For couples who are bringing guests for their ceremony and who need to keep the hiking to a minimum, I strongly recommend checking out campground ampitheatres, small venues, or reserving a vacation rental for your wedding, as many of the more accessible spots in the park are veeery busy.
What About PETS?
Mount Rainier Naitonal Park is not a great spot to elope with pets, as it does not allow pets inside the national park on any trails (not even the paved ones). If you're interested in bringing pups along for your wedding day, I highly recommend checking out some of the great national forest land trails & lakes that border the park, which have incredible views & are much more pet-friendly!
Do We Need a Permit?
Yes, you do need a special use permit from the National Park for your elopement or wedding! MRNP also has a limited list of approved locations for weddings/elopements, and you can view their interactive map of available locations here. For weddings that take place outside the National Park boundary: different permit, use, and group size rules will apply. Always check with your photographer to figure out if you need a permit!
How Do We avoid Crowds?
People come from all over the world to experience Tahoma and her National Park, and it's one of the top visited parks in the country. So to escape the crowds: avoid weekends and be willing to actually hike! You'd be amazed how quickly the people thin out after just a mile or two from the parking lots. Also, trust your photographer's guidance on locations. I know what trails are busy, and at what times, and I'll work with you on finding the perfect location. And finally, consider the shoulder season! Fall and winter are spectacularly beautiful times at Tahoma.
CAn we reserve a trail or overlook?
No, you cannot reserve a space, overlook, or trail for your wedding. Other folks are always allowed to visit the trails, and recreate in the area where you are getting married, even if you have a special use permit. If you want a fully reservable space that you have exclusive use of for your elopement day, I highly recommend checking out our guide of outdoorsy small wedding venues in Washington for a list of phenomenal options!
What part of the park should we visit?
I love recommending an epic roadtrip through the entire park to couples who come to Mount Tahoma, simply because it's such a massive place, with a huge diversity of ecosystems and scenery, different types of species, weather, and there's just so much to see! But in general: I have a soft spot for the eastern side of the mountain. Most people head straight for the Paradise area, but I personally love the Sunrise area and much of the National Forest that borders the east side of the park for quieter views, easy access to Packwood, and skiing at Crystal Mountain.
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Kind words from past clients:
your love belongs outdoors:
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