Paradise - Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)

For Paradise & Sunrise Corridors

Timed Entry Reservations Required for Summer 2024. Learn more

Paradise - Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (1)

Paradise is famous for its glorious views and wildflower meadows. When James Longmire's daughter-in-law, Martha, first saw this site, she exclaimed, "Oh, what a paradise!" The park's main visitor center, the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, is located in the upper parking area. Paradise is also the primary winter-use area in the park, receiving on average 640 inches (53.6 feet/16.2 meters) of snow a year. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding. The road between Longmire and Paradise is plowed, but closes at night during the winter. See the current Road Status for updated information about park roads. Paradise is located 19 miles (30 km) east of the Nisqually Entrance and 12 miles (19 km) east of Longmire.

You might also consider visiting other parts of the park such as Longmire, Sunrise, Ohanapecosh, and the Carbon River-Mowich Lake areas.

Paradise Visitor Guide

Find out current conditions and things to do while visiting Paradise.

Go to the Paradise Visitor Guide

Paradise - Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (2)

Services

See Operating Hours and Seasons for current information about these facilities.

The Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise offers general information, exhibits, the park film, guided ranger programs, a book/gift store, and cafeteria. The visitor center is usually open daily from May to early October. From mid-October through April, it is usually open only on weekends and holidays.

The historic Paradise Inn, a concessioner-operated hotel, offers lodging, a dining room, and a gift shop. The Paradise Inn is usually open from mid-May to early-October and is closed in the winter. The article, Paradise Inn: A History of Beauty and Challenge, provides an overview of the history of the Paradise Inn. NOTE: From May 24 - September 2, 2024, timed entry reservations are required to enter the Paradise Corridor between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. Paradise Inn reservations can be used instead of a timed entry reservation to enter the Paradise Corridor after 1:00 pm the first day of your reservation and at anytime during the remainder of your stay. Paradise Inn reservations provide access to the Paradise Corridor only; they do not provide access to the Sunrise Corridor.

The Guide House houses the Paradise Wilderness Information Center, where visitors can obtain climbing permits and hiking and backcountry camping information.

The historic Paradise Ranger Station is also located at Paradise. Information services formerly available at the Paradise Ranger Station are now available at the Guide House.

For a summary of Paradise summer activities, download the Paradise Things To Do guide.

Photo Gallery

');if (end > results_length) {end = results_length;}for (var i = start; i < end; i++) {var asset = data[i];var $tile = $result_template.clone(false);var assetID = asset.AssetID;var asset_count = asset.AssetCount;var park_name = asset.NPSUnits[0].Name;var park_code = asset.NPSUnits[0].Code.toLowerCase();var asset_title = asset.Title;var asset_description = asset.Description;assetID = assetID.toUpperCase();$tile.find('a.PhotoGallery__CoverLink').attr({ href: galleryPageURL + assetID });$tile.find('a.PhotoGallery__TitleLink').attr({ href: galleryPageURL + assetID });$tile.find('img').attr({ src: npGalleryURL + '/GetAsset/' + assetID + '/proxy/hires', alt: asset_title, title: asset_title });if (asset_title.length > 30) {asset_title = asset_title.substring(0, 30) + "...";}$tile.find('a.PhotoGallery__TitleLink').text(asset_title);if (asset.Description.length > 2) {$tile.find('p.PhotoGallery__Description').html(asset_description);}$target.append($tile);$tile.find('div.PhotoGallery__Count').html('' + asset_count + ' Images');delete asset;}}} else {$('#PhotoGallery-Container' + controlID).html( 'The photo gallery you have chosen does not exist.');}function draw_paging(current_page) {var pages = Math.ceil(results_length / max_display);var current = parseInt(current_page);paging_target = $('#paginationWrapper' + controlID + ' .pagination-old');paging_html = '';paging_target.empty();if (pages > 1) {if (current == 1) {paging_html += 'Prev';} else {paging_html += '' + (current - 1) + '';}paging_html += '

' + i + '
' + i + '

';if (current == pages) {paging_html += 'Next';} else {paging_html += '' + (current + 1) + '';}paging_target.append(paging_html);}$('a.paging, a.prev, a.next').on('click', function (event) {event.preventDefault();var page_num = $(this).text();draw_paging(page_num);display_galleries(page_num);$('body').scrollTop(0);});}}).error(function (jqXHR, exception) {var msg = '';if (jqXHR.status === 0) {msg = 'Not connect.\n Verify Network.';} else if (jqXHR.status == 404) {msg = 'Requested page not found. [404]';} else if (jqXHR.status == 500) {msg = 'Internal Server Error [500].';} else if (exception === 'parsererror') {msg = 'Requested JSON parse failed.';} else if (exception === 'timeout') {msg = 'Time out error.';} else if (exception === 'abort') {msg = 'Ajax request aborted.';} else {msg = 'Uncaught Error.\n' + jqXHR.responseText;}});});})(jQuery);

Roadside Attractions

Paradise Valley Road - Start next to the Paradise Inn to follow this one-way road through a beautiful meadow filled valley.

Reflection Lakes - Drive 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Paradise on Stevens Canyon Road for a possible glimpse of Mount Rainier's reflection in these subalpine lakes.

Inspiration Point - Just east of Paradise Valley Road on Stevens Canyon Road, this large pullout offers spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range.

Paradise - Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (3)

Hiking

If you plan to visit Paradise, remember that Paradise is located at an elevation of 5,400 feet and trails may be steep and strenuous. Snow can linger on trails well into June or even July. Please stay on the trails; the meadows are very fragile and heavily visited. Pets are not allowed on any trails.

Paradise Meadows Trails
Take any of these trails for excellent views of Mount Rainier, subalpine meadows, and wildlife:

Nisqually Vista Trail (1.2 mi/1.9 km) - Views of the Nisqually Glacier. Suitable for families with strollers.
Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls (1 mi/1.6 km) - Paved and wheelchair accessible with assistance.
Deadhorse Creek Trail & Morraine Trail (2.5 mi/4 km) - Glacier and wildflower views.
Alta Vista Trail (1.7 mi/2.7 km) - Wildflowers and views of the Paradise area.

Skyline Trail (5.5 mi/8.8 km)
This loop trail is the essential Paradise area trail, climbing from the main visitor area up through subalpine meadows. Along the way view Mount Rainier, glaciers, and the Tatoosh Range, with glimpses of Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens on clear days.

(2.4 mi/3.7 km)
Located east of Reflection Lakes along Stevens Canyon Road, Bench Lake is 0.75 miles (1.2 km) from the trailhead, while Snow Lake is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) further down the trail. Enjoy lovely subalpine meadows and lakes.

Pinnacle Peak (2.6 mi/4.2 km)
Starting from Reflection Lakes, hike into the Tatoosh Range for excellent views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

Enjoy other day hikes in the Paradise area, or learn about more Trails of Mount Rainier.

Meadow PreservationEnjoy wildflowers? Stay on trails

Mount Rainier Virtual Tour