Paradise

Paradise is in Mount Rainier National Park. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

All participants should orient themselves to the unique geologic hazards at Mt. Rainier, an active volcano.

getting there

From SR-7 in Elbe, turn east onto SR-706, both known as the National Park Highway. Continue through the Nisqually Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. Be prepared to pay the fee just after entering the park. Drive 19 miles to Paradise.

In winter, ALL drivers in the park are required to carry snow chains or equivalent traction devices—this includes those with a 4-wheel or  all-wheel drive vehicle. Those without a 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle may be required to install them at Longmire or beyond.

hiking Trails to explore

• Nisqually Vista Loop: 1.4 miles with 400 feet elevation gain
• Alta Vista Loop: 1.5 miles with 540 feet elevation gain.
• Golden Gate: 3.2 miles with 1000 feet of elevation gain
• Mazama Ridge: 7 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain

SKIING routes

A variety of backcountry skiing terrain is available around Paradise allowing safe and enjoyable ski touring in most weather and snow conditions.

SNOWSHOEING routes

Lots of open terrain to make your own path. If you bear to the right (east) from the parking lot towards the moderate more tree-filled terrain you'll encounter fewer skiers and potentially a few small creek crossings filled with beautiful frozen water formations.

Information for LEADERS

internal COURSE PRIORITY CALENDAR

• This is a very popular climbing area, and if you plan to bring a group of 25 or more, please review the below bullets.
• Please review the 2025 Course Priority Calendar to ensure that either:
  • Your field trip is listed on the calendar on the correct date and place -OR-
  • No course has "reserved" that date and place, so there's room for your field trip.
• If  Paradise is available on the calendar, review the listed trips below before listing your trip to ensure there's no conflict

permits & scheduling

• Before scheduling your trip to Paradise, please review the facilitated access permitting guidelines outlined here. All activities with a total group size of 25 or more people  must obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) from Mt. Rainier National Park. Branch activity committees are responsible for obtaining these SUPs.
• If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the default party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.
• This route allows multiple bookings. Please check scheduled trips listed below in the "Activities" tab to see if there is another group already booked on the same day. If so, please coordinate with them to ensure you are carpooling and teaching at different areas.
• In winter, this area is used by our branches to host snow field trips and is a generally popular winter exploration area. Please check other routes/places to ensure we don't have multiple Mountaineers groups going to the same area, and be sure to use one of these if that's your planned destination.
  • Camp Muir & Anvil Rock
  • Cowlitz Gap & Rocks
  • Golden Gate
  • High Lakes Loop
  • Mazama Ridge
  • Panorama Point
  • Paradise Glacier
  • Reflection Lakes

• Suitable Activities: Backcountry Skiing, Day Hiking, Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Category: Basic
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Easy, Easy/Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 500 ft
• High Point: 5,900 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Rainier National Park
• Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 60
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 60