How to Get to Mount Rainier: Airports, Access, and Transportation
Mount Rainier National Park is in west-central Washington State, less than 124 miles from Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the main airport, about 90 miles from Nisqually Entrance, or a 1.5- to 2-hour drive. Once you land, you'll need a car. No regular public transportation serves the park. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Seattle–Tacoma International Airport SEA · 50 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Tacoma Narrows Airport TIW · 50 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport King County International Airport - Boeing Field BFI · 54 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Olympia Regional Airport OLM · 57 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Yakima Air Terminal McAllister Field YKM · 58 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport for Mount Rainier
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA): The Main Gateway
SEA-TAC is the main hub on the U.S. Pacific Northwest coast. It handles most international flights and nearly all connections from Europe. From the airport, allow 1.5 to 2 hours of driving to Nisqually Entrance via SR-167 S, then SR-7 S and SR-706. Add 15 minutes if you're passing through Tacoma during rush hour.
You can pick up a rental car right at the terminal. Book ahead between June and August because inventory disappears quickly in this region.
Portland International (PDX): An Oregon-Washington Road Trip Option
PDX is about 134 miles from Nisqually Entrance, or a 2.5- to 3-hour drive via I-5 N and SR-7. It's a good base if you're combining Mount Rainier with a stay in Oregon or continuing on to Olympic National Park.
Yakima Air Terminal (YKM): For the East Side
Yakima has a regional airport with very limited domestic service, mainly to Seattle and Los Angeles. It's useful only if your itinerary starts on the east side of the Cascades. From Yakima, Stevens Canyon Entrance is about 59 miles away via SR-12 W and SR-123, a 1 hour 15 minute drive.
Getting to Mount Rainier from France: Direct Flight or Connecting Flight
The standard route from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport goes through Seattle SEA. Air France and Delta operate seasonal nonstop flights from Paris to Seattle, with about 10 to 11 hours in the air. Outside the nonstop season, a connection in New York (JFK or EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), or Minneapolis (MSP) brings the total trip to 13 to 16 hours.
When you arrive at SEA, allow time to collect your luggage and pick up your car before hitting the road. On a previous visit, we booked a night in Tacoma instead of tackling the mountain switchbacks exhausted after a transatlantic flight. It's a choice we've never regretted.
By Car from Gateway Cities
Here are approximate distances and drive times to Nisqually Entrance in the southwest, unless otherwise noted.
| City | Distance | Approximate drive time | Main route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | ~55 miles | ~1 hr 10 min | SR-7 S, SR-706 |
| Seattle | ~92 miles | ~1 hr 45 min | I-5 S, SR-167 S, SR-7 |
| Olympia | ~65 miles | ~1 hr 15 min | US-12 E, SR-7 N |
| Portland (OR) | ~134 miles | ~2 hr 30 min | I-5 N, SR-7 |
| Yakima | ~59 miles | ~1 hr 15 min | SR-12 W, SR-123 (Stevens Canyon Entrance) |
These drive times don't account for winter conditions. In July and August, add 20 to 30 minutes on weekends, especially as you approach Paradise.
Mount Rainier's Entrances
The park has four entrance gates. Nisqually is the only one open year-round. The other three close in winter depending on snowfall.
Nisqually (Southwest): The Main Entrance
Accessible via SR-706 from the town of Ashford. For your GPS, enter 39000 State Route 706 E, Ashford, WA 98304. This is the entrance used by the vast majority of visitors. It provides access to Longmire, with its museum and visitor center, and farther up to Paradise (about 5,445 feet), the park's signature area for hiking and wildflower meadows.
Carbon River (Northwest): The Temperate Rainforest Gateway
You can drive to the entrance station, but the interior road has been closed to vehicles since flooding in 2006. Beyond the gate, the 5 miles to the rainforest area are accessible on foot or by bike. This is a niche entrance best suited to visitors who come specifically for this part of the park.
White River (Northeast): Access to Sunrise
Via SR-410 from Enumclaw. It generally opens from late May to early November, depending on snowfall. It serves Sunrise (about 6,400 feet), the highest point in the park accessible by car, with a direct view of Rainier's snow-covered summit.
Stevens Canyon (Southeast): The Yakima-Side Entrance
Via US-12 and then SR-123. This seasonal entrance is generally open from June through October. It provides access to Ohanapecosh, with its old-growth cedar forests and hot spring, as well as Stevens Canyon Road, a scenic road connecting the east side with the Paradise area.
Getting Around the Park
Once you've passed the entrances, a car remains the only practical way to get around. During peak season in July and August, the parking lots at Paradise and Sunrise fill by 9 to 10 a.m. on weekends. Arrive early or take the free Rainier Connector shuttle, which links Ashford's park-and-ride lots with Paradise. The Getting Around Mount Rainier guide covers seasonal roads, shuttles, and bike options.
Other Options: Excursions and Organized Tours
If you don't rent a car, several operators offer guided day trips from Seattle or Tacoma, including transportation and a guide, and sometimes park admission. It's convenient if you're spending just one day in the park and don't want to deal with parking.
There is no regular bus or train service between Seattle, Tacoma, and the park. A rental car or an organized tour are the only two independent options for visitors without their own vehicle.
In Summary: The Best Route Based on Your Starting Point
From Seattle or Tacoma. Rent a car at SEA-TAC, take SR-167 S toward Tacoma, then SR-7 S to Ashford and Nisqually Entrance. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours from the airport.
From Portland. Take I-5 N to the exit for SR-7, then SR-706. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic around Tacoma.
From Yakima or the east side of the Cascades. Take SR-12 W, then SR-123 to Stevens Canyon Entrance. This side is often less crowded than Ashford during peak season.
From France. Fly from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Seattle, nonstop in summer and with a connection the rest of the year. Spend the night in Tacoma or Ashford, then drive to the park the next morning.
The Mount Rainier guide provides an overview of your trip. The Itinerary & Timing guide helps you plan your days once you're there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter Mount Rainier without a reservation?
Yes. Mount Rainier currently has no mandatory reservation system at the entrance, unlike Arches or Rocky Mountain. During peak season, the Paradise and Sunrise parking lots fill quickly, but that's a parking issue, not an access issue. If quotas are introduced, the information will be posted on Recreation.gov.
How do I get to Mount Rainier?
You can reach Mount Rainier by car through four entrances. The main one is Nisqually Entrance in the southwest, open year-round via SR-706 from Ashford. White River in the northeast and Stevens Canyon in the southeast are seasonal, generally open from June through October. Carbon River in the northwest is accessible on foot or by bike beyond the entrance station because the interior road is closed to vehicles.
Which airport should I use to visit Mount Rainier?
The most convenient airport is Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), about 90 miles and a 1.5- to 2-hour drive from Nisqually Entrance. Portland International (PDX) is a 134-mile alternative if you're combining the park with a stay in Oregon.
How do I get to Mount Rainier from France?
Fly from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Seattle SEA, nonstop in summer with Air France or Delta and with a connection outside the nonstop season. Then rent a car for the 1.5- to 2-hour drive to Nisqually Entrance. After a transatlantic flight, spending a night in Tacoma before entering the park is a good idea.
Where should I stay to visit Mount Rainier?
The town of Ashford, just before Nisqually Entrance, has the closest accommodations. Inside the park, National Park Inn in Longmire is the only hotel open year-round. The Mount Rainier lodging guide and the list of park hotels and lodges cover all the options.
When is the best time to visit Mount Rainier?
July and August offer the best road and weather conditions, with Paradise's wildflower meadows at their peak. The When to Visit Mount Rainier guide explains the advantages of each season, including fall, which is often overlooked.