Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. 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: The tour is over 70+ miles long, with more than 85+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

   10 minutes here

2. Nisqually River

   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.

   Pass by without stopping

3. 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.

   10 minutes here

4. 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.

   10 minutes here

5. Longmire Museum

   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!

   10 minutes here

6. 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.

   5 minutes here

7. Comet Falls

   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!

   5 minutes here

8. 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.

   5 minutes here

9. 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.

   5 minutes here

10. 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.

    5 minutes here

11. 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.

    5 minutes here

12. Narada Falls

    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?

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13. 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!

    5 minutes here

14. 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.

    5 minutes here

15. Paradise

    Paradise is just ahead. And yes, I mean that literally! Here you can find snacks, water, and even a sit-down dining room. There’s also additional parking for the Nisqually Vista Trail. Keep an eye out just ahead for the parking lot. From Paradise, you can also access the trail to Myrtle Falls.

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16. Coming up is Inspiration Point. It seems like every national park has a place called Inspiration Point, but that doesn’t make this one any less special! This accessible vista features seriously impressive mountain scenery and a large parking lot to boot! I recommend stopping in the lot ahead and get some pretty cool photos.

    5 minutes here

17. Reflection Lakes

    Coming up: Reflection Lake! At this reflective body of water, you’ll be seeing double. This glacial lake is pristine and acts like a sort of natural mirror most of the time. As you gaze across Reflection Lake, you’ll be looking directly at the summit of Mount Rainier. The views are best when there’s no wind, so the water is perfectly still. When that happens, you can see not one Mount Rainier, but two!

    5 minutes here

18. That mountain peak dead ahead is Stevens Peak, standing at 6,560 feet! It gets its name from Hazard Stevens, the first European man who summited Mount Rainier alongside P.B. Van Trump. And hey, I’ll be honest: If my first name was “Hazard,” I’d probably become a mountain climber too!

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19. Snow Lake Trail

    Keep an eye out for Bench and Snow Lake Trail. The moderately challenging hike stretches 2.2 miles out and back and takes a little over an hour. It’s a bit steep but at the end, you’re rewarded with two pristine wilderness lakes!

    5 minutes here

20. Up ahead you’ll see the next stop perfectly framed by vegetation—Picture Frame Falls! The title, however, is more of a placeholder. This no-name cascade isn’t technically a real waterfall. How can that be?

    5 minutes here

21. We’re approaching The Box Canyon Trail, a half-mile, paved loop. Though it’s a short walk, the path offers a spectacular view of a great rift formed by shifting glaciers. If you’re up for a challenge, the Box Canyon Loop also connects to the famed Wonderland Trail. Spanning 93 miles, this trail wraps around the entire park.

    5 minutes here

22. Wonderland Trail

    Wonderland has far exceeded its original purpose. Labor began on the circuit in 1907 as a solution to one yawning oversight in the park’s infrastructure: a total lack of fire roads. With seasons growing dryer and large swaths of forest left unprotected, rangers needed a trail that could take them to the most deserted areas of the park.

    5 minutes here

23. We’re approaching Backbone Ridge, a strenuous trail offering amazing views for the experienced hiker. This 6.6-mile round trip overlooks Tatoosh Wilderness, but be prepared for a 3-hour journey with plenty of rough terrain along the way.

    5 minutes here

24. Grove of the Patriarchs

    The Grove of the Patriarchs is just ahead. This 1-mile trail through a wonderland of huge old-growth trees is an easy jaunt that takes under an hour. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for maintenance. The Grove of Patriarchs was once the playground of Scottish botanist David Douglas. Douglas worked as a botanical collector for the Royal Horticultural Society of London—yes, it was as hoity-toity as it sounds. After plans to gather Asian foliage for London’s gardens fell through, Douglas found himself in the Pacific Northwest instead.

    5 minutes here

25. Ohanapecosh Visitor Center

    Welcome to Ohanapecosh, named by the Taidnapam tribe. Ohanapecosh translates to “standing at the edge”—likely because it brushes against the river. This is also the area where James Longmire discovered hot springs.

    5 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Adventures with Action

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Kindly note that Mt. Rainier National Park requires a standard entrance pass, and some roads may need seasonal reservations. These are not included with this tour.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
• At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
• Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
• More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
• Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
• Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
• Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
• Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.

Photos

Traveler reviews

19 verified traveler reviews for Ultimate Mount Rainier National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.