Paradise

Paradise is famous for its summer bloom. As the deep snowpack finally melts, usually by mid to late summer, the meadows fill with color, a short and glorious season that draws visitors from around the world. Naturalist John Muir called these the loveliest subalpine gardens he had ever seen.

Boardwalks and paved paths let you walk among the flowers without trampling the fragile ground, which takes decades to recover from a single footstep off-trail. Staying on the path is the golden rule at Paradise, and it keeps the meadows blooming for everyone who comes after.

The short walk to Myrtle Falls is the easy classic, a paved path that reaches a pretty cascade with Rainier framed behind it. For more of a challenge, the Skyline Trail climbs a long loop up to Panorama Point, where you stand almost eye to eye with the Nisqually Glacier and its river of ice.

Dozens of shorter connectors weave through the meadows, so you can tailor a walk to any energy level. In winter the same slopes become a snowshoe and sledding playground, one of the reasons Paradise stays a destination all year.

The Paradise Inn opened in 1916 and is a National Historic Landmark, built in the rugged national-park style from weathered Alaska cedar salvaged from a nearby forest fire. Its soaring log lobby, huge stone fireplaces, and hand-built furniture make it a landmark worth stepping into even if you are not staying the night.

The inn and the newer visitor center give Paradise its services, from a place to warm up to exhibits on the mountain's geology and glaciers. Together they make Paradise an easy anchor for a full day on the high slopes of Rainier.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Paradise is a high subalpine area at about 5,400 feet on the south side of Mount Rainier, and the most popular destination in the national park. It is famous for its summer wildflower meadows, sweeping views of the mountain and its glaciers, short walks to spots like Myrtle Falls, and the historic 1916 Paradise Inn. Reached at the end of the Nisqually-Paradise road, Paradise is home to a visitor center and a network of trails, and it serves as the main launch point for climbers attempting Mount Rainier's summit, making it the natural centerpiece of a visit to the park.

The famous wildflower meadows at Paradise typically peak in the mid to late summer, after the deep winter snowpack finally melts off the high slopes, though the exact timing shifts from year to year depending on the winter's snow and the spring warm-up. In a heavy snow year the bloom can run later, and in a light year earlier. The display of lupine, paintbrush, avalanche lily, and more is short but spectacular. For the best chance of catching peak bloom, aim for summer and check the park's current wildflower reports before you go, and always stay on the trails to protect the fragile meadows.

At Paradise you can wander the paved and boardwalk paths through the wildflower meadows, take the short walk to Myrtle Falls for a classic view of Mount Rainier, and hike the Skyline Trail up to Panorama Point for a close look at the glaciers. You can explore the exhibits at the visitor center, step into the grand log lobby of the historic Paradise Inn, and simply take in the enormous presence of the mountain. In winter, Paradise becomes a snowshoeing and sledding destination. With options from ten-minute strolls to strenuous climbs, Paradise offers something for every kind of visitor to Mount Rainier.

Paradise is reached through the Nisqually Entrance on the southwest side of the park, the main year-round entrance, by driving east on State Route 706 through the gateway town of Ashford and continuing up the winding Nisqually-Paradise road past Longmire, Christine Falls, and Narada Falls. The drive climbs steadily to the Paradise area at the end of the road. In winter the road above Longmire is often gated and only opens when conditions allow, so in the snowy months check the current road status before heading up, and carry tire chains, which are frequently required.

Paradise is a year-round destination and a popular winter playground for snowshoeing and sledding, but access changes dramatically with the season. In winter the road from Longmire up to Paradise is gated and only opens during the day when plowing and avalanche conditions allow, so it can be closed with little notice. Paradise is one of the snowiest places on earth, and the visitor center offers a warm base, but services are reduced compared to summer. Anyone heading up in winter should check the current road and weather status, carry tire chains, and be prepared for rapidly changing mountain conditions.