Scenic Views

There are so many scenic views within Mount Rainier National Park that visitors will be spoiled for choice. It's best to break up your visit into regions, each of which offers its own particular beauty. The Paradise area is famous for spectacular alpine views and lush, wildflower-filled meadows. Paradise Valley Road offers a one-way road through a meadow; Reflection Lakes, three miles east of Paradise on Stevens Canyon Road, offers a glimpse of Mount Rainier's reflection in subalpine lakes; and Inspiration Point, just east of Paradise Valley Road, is a large pullout that offers views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range. The Longmire area also offers a number of scenic drives and lookouts. Christine Falls, four miles east of Longmire, is a short walk from the pullout. Here, visitors are treated to a classic view of the falls below a rustic stone bridge. Glacier Bridge is five miles from Longmire heading towards Paradise. Visitors here can look up the valley when crossing the bridge for a great view of the Nisqually Glacier. One-way Ricksecker Point Road begins six miles east of Longmire and offers views of Mount Rainier, the Nisqually Valley, and the Tatoosh Range. As one would imagine, the Sunrise area has spectacular sunrises on tap. At an elevation of 6,400 feet, this is the highest point that can be reached by car within the park, and on clear summer days, Sunrise offers postcard-worthy views of Mount Rainier, Emmons glacier, and vibrant wildflower meadows. Check out Box Canyon in the Ohanapecosh area, which is in the southeast corner of the park. On Stevens Canyon Road, 12 miles west of Ohanapecosh, visitors can gaze 180 feet down from the bridge at water rushing through a narrow slot canyon carved by the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River.