Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour
7 Reviews
4.29 out of 5 stars Based on 7 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor
|
Seattle, USA
2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
Mount Rainier Park showcases Pacific Northwest's legacy. Traverse Nisqually Twin Firs Trail by Tahoma Creek. Longmire brims with pioneers & wildlife. Discover Tatoosh Range, Christine & Comet Falls. Uncover tales of John Muir & the pioneering woman climber. Gaze stars at Sunrise Point, Ohanapecosh, Tipsoo Lake. Start a collective journey via app; remember park entry rules & timings.
visit ancient burial grounds, and really get to know this island’s rich culture.
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!
After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's Included
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Park Passes
Meeting Location
Meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Nisqually Entrance
Here we are, Mount Rainier National Park! This arch is a great photo op, so feel free to pull over and pause ahead. Just beyond the arch is the park’s entrance station.Note: This 91-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Mount Rainier in 3-4 hours.Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Nisqually River (Pass By)
Continue driving as you listen. We’re now in the verdant shadows of Rainer’s lush forest. All of this greenery is thanks to the water flowing down from Rainer. In fact, you can probably catch a glimpse of the Nisqually River to your right as we drive.
Tahoma Creek
We’re about to cross over Tahoma Creek. While it might not look particularly powerful, tributaries like these are what make Mount Rainier so verdant year-round. Tahoma Creek has its own story as well. For years, hikers trekked along its banks to reach a suspension bridge deep in the wilderness.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Twin Firs Loop Trail
Up ahead is the Twin Firs Loop Trail. This easy half-mile loop takes only ten minutes and serves as a great introduction to the old growth forest of Mount Rainier. “Old growth” is a term used to describe a particular kind of forest that’s hard to find in much of the United States.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Longmire Museum
We’re approaching the Longmire Historic District, named for explorer and entrepreneur James Longmire. This is a great place for a pit stop, and you’ll find food, bathrooms, and even a little museum here! It also serves as the starting point for a couple different trails, which I’ll talk about in a moment. There’s also a gift shop if you need the perfect souvenir from your visit!
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Carter Falls Trailhead
Just ahead is Carter Falls Trail, a moderate 1.5-mile trail to a gorgeous waterfall tucked into the forests of Mount Rainier. If you don’t feel like hiking, this spot also features a great overlook of the Nisqually River.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Comet Falls
You might’ve heard the adage “don’t go chasing waterfalls.” But when it comes to Comet Falls, my advice is to chase away! The challenging, 4-mile hike up ahead leads to a 301-foot waterfall that’s one of the tallest cascades in the park. People claim the flash of white resembles the tail of a comet!
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Christine Falls Bridge
We’re about to cross the Christine Falls Bridge. Built in 1927, this bridge is a masterful display of rustic stonework. The contractor designed the bridge to blend into the landscape, taking on the curves of nature. Though the bridge itself is an eyecatching site, what surrounds it may be even more alluring. A 60-foot waterfall plummets into the Van Trump Creek Canyon below.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Ricksecker Point
Up next is Ricksecker Point—a fantastic overlook with views of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding forest. Pull into the parking area coming up on our right and stop.Right now, a rock wall and guard rails separate drivers from the cliff’s edge at Ricksecker Point—but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, Ricksecker Point used to be one of the most dangerous areas in the park! It all started in 1910.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Frog Heaven
We’re approaching the wetlands known at Frog Heaven. And no, I didn’t misspeak. It’s a “ribbeting” bit of road! All the lakes in this area make it a perfect habitat for Mount Rainier’s five species of frogs. All these amphibians need moist ecosystems to lay their jelly-like eggs. Of course, anywhere that attracts frogs also attracts predators that like to eat those frogs.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tatoosh Range
Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain here, but what about these other peaks? Well, directly ahead of us are Pinnacle Peak and Plummer Peak. They’ll be on our right after we round this bend. Pinnacle Peak is to the left of Plummer Peak, and it’s also a little taller, standing at 6,562 feet. But hey, at least Plummer Peak has a more unique name! It gets it from Fred Plummer, a cartographer who worked for the Forest Service.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Narada Falls
Once you’ve parked, hop out of the car and follow the brief walking trail down to Narada Falls. Sure, we can see them from up here, but the view is much better from the trail! This 168-foot waterfall gets its name from someone with an even loftier title: Arthur F. Knight of Tacoma. Though he may sound like royalty, Knight was actually a leader of the Narada Branch of the Theosophical Society of Western Washington. You’re probably wondering: Okay, what the heck is that?
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Unicorn Peak
Off to our left stands the mighty Tatoosh Range. But can you spot the tallest of these mountain peaks? It’s farther from us than most of the others, but stands a good couple hundred feet above them. That’s Unicorn Peak!
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Puyallup
So who were the first inhabitants of this land? Among the tribes which lived here were the Puyallup people. In their language, this name actually translates to “people from the bend at the bottom of the river.”
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Nisqually Vista Trail
We’re coming up on the Nisqually Vista Trail. This 1-mile hiking path is a crowd-favorite in the park because it’s easy, quick, and features amazing views of Mount Rainier.
The paved journey takes about 30 minutes to complete. Park just ahead to visit the trail. If it’s full, there’s more parking later on. If you’d rather continue the tour, keep driving.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Paradise
Paradise is just ahead. And yes, I mean that literally! Here you can find snacks, water, and even a sit-down dining room. There’s also additional parking for the Nisqually Vista Trail. Keep an eye out just ahead for the parking lot. From Paradise, you can also access the trail to Myrtle Falls.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Inspiration Point
Coming up is Inspiration Point. It seems like every national park has a place called Inspiration Point, but that doesn’t make this one any less special! This accessible vista features seriously impressive mountain scenery and a large parking lot to boot! I recommend stopping in the lot ahead and get some pretty cool photos.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Reflection Lakes
Coming up: Reflection Lake! At this reflective body of water, you’ll be seeing double. This glacial lake is pristine and acts like a sort of natural mirror most of the time. As you gaze across Reflection Lake, you’ll be looking directly at the summit of Mount Rainier. The views are best when there’s no wind, so the water is perfectly still. When that happens, you can see not one Mount Rainier, but two!
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Stevens Peak
That mountain peak dead ahead is Stevens Peak, standing at 6,560 feet! It gets its name from Hazard Stevens, the first European man who summited Mount Rainier alongside P.B. Van Trump. And hey, I’ll be honest: If my first name was “Hazard,” I’d probably become a mountain climber too!
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Snow Lake Trail
Keep an eye out for Bench and Snow Lake Trail. The moderately challenging hike stretches 2.2 miles out and back and takes a little over an hour. It’s a bit steep but at the end, you’re rewarded with two pristine wilderness lakes!
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Picture Frame Falls
Up ahead you’ll see the next stop perfectly framed by vegetation—Picture Frame Falls! The title, however, is more of a placeholder. This no-name cascade isn’t technically a real waterfall. How can that be?
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Box Canyon
We’re approaching The Box Canyon Trail, a half-mile, paved loop. Though it’s a short walk, the path offers a spectacular view of a great rift formed by shifting glaciers. If you’re up for a challenge, the Box Canyon Loop also connects to the famed Wonderland Trail. Spanning 93 miles, this trail wraps around the entire park.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Wonderland Trail
Wonderland has far exceeded its original purpose. Labor began on the circuit in 1907 as a solution to one yawning oversight in the park’s infrastructure: a total lack of fire roads. With seasons growing dryer and large swaths of forest left unprotected, rangers needed a trail that could take them to the most deserted areas of the park.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Backbone Ridge
We’re approaching Backbone Ridge, a strenuous trail offering amazing views for the experienced hiker. This 6.6-mile round trip overlooks Tatoosh Wilderness, but be prepared for a 3-hour journey with plenty of rough terrain along the way.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Grove of the Patriarchs
The Grove of the Patriarchs is just ahead. This 1-mile trail through a wonderland of huge old-growth trees is an easy jaunt that takes under an hour. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for maintenance. The Grove of Patriarchs was once the playground of Scottish botanist David Douglas. Douglas worked as a botanical collector for the Royal Horticultural Society of London—yes, it was as hoity-toity as it sounds. After plans to gather Asian foliage for London’s gardens fell through, Douglas found himself in the Pacific Northwest instead.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center
Welcome to Ohanapecosh, named by the Taidnapam tribe. Ohanapecosh translates to “standing at the edge”—likely because it brushes against the river. This is also the area where James Longmire discovered hot springs.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Shriner Peak Trailhead
Up ahead is Shriner Peak Trail. Dubbed one of the loneliest trails in Mt. Rainier, the steep upward climb is a no-go in the summer months. But in the autumn, the difficult 8.5-mile hike is worth the six hours of sweating. The view from the top offers incredible panoramas. That also makes it perfect for a fire lookout! The peak is home to the oldest fire lookout in the park.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tipsoo Lake
Tipsoo Lake is just ahead. The loop around this lake is a great spot to pause and smell the flowers. If you stand at the lake’s shoreline and peer into its glassy surface, you might spot some trout. These trout didn’t always have a home in Tipsoo. In fact, none of Mt. Rainier’s lakes originally hosted trout.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
White River
The river we’re driving alongside is called White River. It’s been said that you never step into the same river twice, and that’s especially true of the White River, whose flow has been changed by the elements and humans for centuries.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Owyhigh Lakes Trail
The Owyhigh Lakes Trail is coming up soon. This 7-mile hike takes about four hours, but it covers level ground and has plenty of shade. Owyhigh Lakes was named after Yakama Chief Owhi, a warrior who pushed back against a military expedition in the 1858 Battle of the Spokane Plains. When Chief Owhi led an attack against a military unit marching through his territory, it sparked an ongoing struggle between his people and the US.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Sunrise Point Lookout
We’re approaching Sunrise Point. At 6,120 feet, it’s perhaps the best spot in the park to watch the sunrise. The Civilian Conservation Corps built this overlook. The brainchild of President Roosevelt, the CCC was born of the New Deal, which attempted to get Americans back on their feet during the Great Depression. These young men were hired by national parks to counteract tragic unemployment rates.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Sunrise Rim Trail
The one-mile Sunrise Rim trail can be a nice warm-up or wind-down hike. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can bypass the Rim and head toward Wonderland on the Mount Fremont Trail. It’ll carry you through five and a half miles of uphill terrain in just under three hours.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-259648P25
Reviews
4.29
7 reviews
Average 4.29 out of 5 stars based on 7 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
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Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PDT).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!.
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!.
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!.
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!.
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!.
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone.
The following is NOT included:
- Park Passes.
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Park Passes
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
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