Planning to visit Mount Rainier National Park from Sunrise side ? Looking for detailed info, and the best hikes ?
In this blog post we'll share everything you need to know to plan your visit to Mt Rainier National Park from Sunrise side !
But first things first...
Should you visit Sunrise or Paradise ?
While the final decision will be entirely up to you, our main reasons for visiting Sunrise were hiking, and stargazing !
At an elevation of 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park, and the best place in the park for stargazing, and getting "up close and personal" with the Mountain !On clear summer days, Sunrise provides breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, Emmons glacier, vibrant wildflower meadows. Sunrise Point offers nearly 360-degree views of the surrounding valleys, Mount Rainier, and other volcanoes in the Cascade Range such as Mount Adams. These views and an excellent trail system make Sunrise the second most visited location in the park.
Time To Visit
Unlike Paradise, Sunrise is only open for a short period of time. The Sunrise Road usually opens in late June or early July and closes in late September to early October. Check the road status before setting out.
BUT...
The view from the north looking south to Mount Rainier will give you a great look at the Milky Way over Mount Rainier (if the clouds cooperate).
When planning your trip check the National Weather Service site to gauge how clear the skies are going to be during your visit.
With close-up views of the massive Emmons Glacier, and hundreds of acres of meadows bursting with wildflowers, Sunrise rivals the more popular Paradise when it comes to scenic splendor.
The road to Sunrise ( HWY 410 ) is a two lane road which gets congested in the summer ( and especially on the weekends ! ), so be prepared for a slow ride !
TIP:
When is the best time to visit Sunrise ?
I'd say during the week, early in the morning ( before 10am ), but even then, chances are you'll encounter traffic...
Also don't forget to top off your gas tank in Enumclaw or Clearwater as there are no gas stations in the park...
Once at the park entrance, get ready to shell out $15 for the entrance fee ( make sure to bring a debit or credit card as when we were there, they didn't accept cash...)
Camping
As I've mentioned above, Sunrise is very popular all summer long ! Which makes camping at the park a big problem !
Unless you book a camping spot days ( or sometimes weeks ! ) ahead, chances of finding a camping spot at the only campground ( White River campground ) are pretty slim...
TIP:
Even though "officially", sleeping in your car is not allowed, we spent a night in our car with no problem parked not far away from the visitor center/bathrooms...
They also have designated parking for overnight backpackers...
But...
You'll need a wilderness permit which is a pain in the ass to get ( requests must be made at least one week (7 days) in advance of the desired trip start date ).
So, if you're up for a challenge, you can just leave your car away from the visitor center, and hike a few hundred feet up the trail system, and break your camp for the night !
Food/Shopping
There is a small gift shop at the visitor center where you can buy drinks, and snacks, but otherwise there is nowhere to shop at Sunrise... So bring everything you'll need with you if you're planning to stay longer than a day...
Hiking
Hiking is probably the main reason most people visit Mt Rainier National Park !
And, in my personal opinion, choosing between Sunrise or Paradise, I'd go with the first one !
Why ?
Because even if you're not into hiking, Sunrise offers the best opportunity to see Mt Rainier in its best view ! No matter where you're at Sunrise, the mountain is right there in your face !
And if that's not enough, getting "up and close" by hiking is the best way to experience the mountain !
So, what is the best hike at Mt Rainier Sunrise ?
While a lot depends on your physical ability, time, weather, and your personal preferences...
IF :
- you're in good shape
- have at least 2-3 hours
- the weather is nice and sunny
- you have all the necessary gear
And MOST IMPORTANT - if you want to get as close to the top of Mt Rainier as possible !!
We recommend to hike to Burroughs Mt ( 1st or/and 2nd ) !!
Even though this hike is designated as "strenuous", in reality, it's very doable even for kids as young as 8-10 !
You can find more info/maps about the Burroughs Mt hike on Mt Rainier official website /Google...
But, in reality, the trail is very well maintained, marked, and, with the amount of people every day, it's pretty much impossible to get lost !
Check out the video below where our first break we took at 1st Burroughs Mt ( where they have the best bench you'll ever seat on !! ), and the second at the end of the trail with Mt Rainier is teasing you to get to the very top !! ( but DON'T... unless you have all the necessary gear, and experience hiking on snow ! )
Essential Hiking Gear To Bring:
I cannot stress enough the importance of being ready for the environment !
The weather at Mt Rainier is very unpredictable !
No matter how hot, and sunny it might be during the beginning of your hike, it all can change in the blink of an eye !
Make sure to bring a (rain) jacket with you ( or at least a hoodie/sweatshirt )...
Bring plenty of water, and snacks...
Most important - bring sunscreen, and lip balm ( the air in the higher elevations is very thin which dries out your skin much faster ! )
Other Hikes At Sunrise
Our 2nd best would be a hike to Sunrise/Paradise/Clover/Hidden Lakes ( especially if you're planning a backpacking trip ! ).
Why ?
It's very convenient ( next to Sunrise Point observation lookout ), it's relatively short ( to Sunrise/Clover Lakes ), and "relatively" easy ( it's all downhill from the parking lot ).
Also, it's a cool hike if you like fishing !
3rd choice ( VERY ambitious, and adventurous ! ) - Wonderland Trail
Hiking/backpacking the entire length of Wonderland Trail has been on my Bucket List for years !
But if you're short on time ( or your Bucket List goal is becoming less and less important... like mine ), you can opt in for a short(er) hike of a portion of Wonderland Trail !
And Sunrise offers better/easier opportunities to access Wonderland Trail ( comparing to Paradise )...
Other Things To Do At Sunrise
Honestly, other than hiking there isn't much to do...
As I mentioned in the beginning of the post, our other main reason to visit Mt Rainier at Sunrise was stargazing...
TIP:
Once or twice a summer there are star parties at the Sunrise lot as well. Check the park website for current events and times.
From our research, the best time to see shooting stars, and meteor showers is August...
Also, please be considerate of other stargazers and photographers. Try to limit the use of flashlights and your vehicle lights once you park your car. Be hyper aware of headlights. Nothing ruins night vision faster.
You don't need a super expensive equipment to enjoy this amazing experience !
We used 80mm Gskyer Telescope, and it worked out just fine !
Picnicking
Even though I don't consider this to be an "activity", there are tons of people who visit a national park just for that 😥
There is a designated picnicking area behind the visitor center with tables, and grills, but it's quite a walk from the parking lot, and the views are not great...
In conclusion...
Situated in the park’s drier northeastern corner thanks to Mount Rainier’s rain-shadow effect, Sunrise as the name suggests is also one of the first places in the park to capture morning’s early light.
There is really no better feeling than waking up, and having a cup of coffee in the presence of this Nature Beauty !!
