Mountain day · Washington

Tacoma to Mount Rainier day trip

A day above the everyday

Forest trails, waterfall viewpoints, and the glaciers above Paradise. Short walks, a clear route, and a weather backup.

Time: About 12 hours
Driving: About 5 hours driving
Best time: Mid-July to early October
Updated: October 11, 2026 at 9:04 AM Pacific

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A day above the everyday — Photo: National Park Service. No endorsement implied.

Suggested times, not bookings

Your day at a glance

7:00 amLeave Tacoma via Ashford
9:15 amLongmire & Trail of the Shadows
10:15 amChristine Falls
11:00 amParadise walk & packed lunch
1:15 pmOptional Reflection Lakes
2:15 pmNarada Falls
3:15 pmReturn via Longmire and Ashford

Highlights

Worth the trip

Longmire forest & history
Christine and Narada Falls
Paradise walks & optional Reflection Lakes

What’s in the guide

Matching HTML and PDF guides, detailed stop guidance, rules, practical pitfalls, a route map, Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps links, weather alternatives and phone instructions. See an example guide →

Plan for the conditions

Expected seasonal weather

Paradise is much colder than Tacoma or Longmire. In the mid-July to early October window, NPS averages run from about 64°F/44°F at Paradise and 75°F/47°F at Longmire in July and August to 57°F/39°F and 68°F/43°F in September; by October they drop to 48°F/33°F and 57°F/38°F, with cool rain, cloud and possible early snow. Late July and August are usually the driest, sunniest weeks, but rain is possible any day and cold, wet weather can come at any time of year. Clouds often hide the mountain, wind makes viewpoints feel colder, and overnight freezes can leave roads and trails icy outside summer. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast before you go.

Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.