Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

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. New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips! This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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.”

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.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO 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
• Not familiar with our self-guided audio tours? Watch this quick tutorial: https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial Talk to us! +1(714) 333-0534

• Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour
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• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• 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!

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

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You’re not done yet! It’s time to set up the tour you purchased. Follow these steps now, while in wifi/signal. Do NOT wait until your travel date or while onsite. 1. Find the tour setup instructions: >> Email: search for the phrase "Your tour operator sent you a message” OR “Set up your Action Tour Guide self-guided tour now." If it’s not in Inbox, check All Mail. >> Viator App Messages: open the app, check Bookings, select View Voucher, and click on Contact Tour Operator >> TripAdvisor App Messages: Open the app, check Account, select Messages >> Text: check for a text from 415-980-4997 >> Can’t find it? Ask us to resend: https://actiontourguide.com/redeem/ 2. Follow the set up instructions NOW, not later: 3. Not familiar with our self-guided audio tours? Watch this quick tutorial: https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial ⚠️ CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. Connect your phone via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux for audio. Use phone speakers if needed. Have a question - We’re here to help! For quick answers, visit the app's FAQ section or our website at actiontourguide.com/faq. If you need further assistance, please call us at +1 714-333-0534, chat with us online, or email us at support@actiontourguide.com. We're committed to providing you with the support you need every step of the way! ⚠️ Important Note: Timed reservations are required to enter the Paradise and Sunrise section during specific dates and times. Vehicle Reservation Link: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10101917 Paradise Corridor Timed Entry Reservation: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10101917/ticket/10101919 Sunrise Corridor Timed Entry Reservation: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10101917/ticket/10101918 Winter Closures 2024: Mt Rainier: Sunrise Road: Closed in the winter. Road to Paradise: Open year-round, weather permitting, but chains may be required.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Adventures with Action.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Los_Angeles.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 4 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 4 Travelers is accepted for booking.