We feel so lucky to be located just 1 mile outside the northeast entrance to this incredible National Park.  We’re the closest accommodations to the Sunrise area, but it’s easy to explore the whole park from here.

It’s great that your entry fee is good for a week since there’s so much to do.  When you check in, you’ll find a comprehensive Guest Information book with descriptions and pictures of our favorite trails, plus we have lots of maps in the office.  We also have Mt. Rainier interpretive programs a couple of times a week week at Alta Crystal Resort, and park rangers also offer daily interpretive walks at the various visitors centers.  All of us who work at Alta Crystal Resort are also huge mountain fans, so we can help you plan your days as well.

We feel so lucky to be on this side of the Park!  We’re closest to the Sunrise area, which is the highest point to which you can drive in all the Cascades (6400 feet) and has the most panoramic views and hikes of any areas of the Park.  Tour buses also don’t like to take the winding road up to Sunrise, meaning fewer crowds and more of an authentic Pacific Northwest experience.  In fact, many of the rangers at Mt. Rainier take their families to Sunrise when they visit from out of town:

There are a visitors center, a cafeteria and gift shop at Sunrise, and you could easily spend days or weeks exploring this area.  You can also use us a base to explore all through the Park.The Ohanapecosh area is just about 20-30 minutes south of here, and Paradise is just a little over an hour’s drive away (depending on how many stops you make)! 

For 2012, the Sunrise road to the White River Campground will be open for Memorial Day, and the road to the very top of Sunrise is scheduled to open June 22, with the Visitors Center opening June 29.  If you’re coming a little earlier in the summer, please don’t let these dates deter you!  As you’ll see, we can recommend dozens and dozens of hikes throughout the year!  Please feel free to check with us for updated conditions.

Please visit the blog section of our website for pictures and descriptions of some of our favorite trails in the Park.  The photo gallery also has some great pictures to get you excited!

Here are links to some of our favorite trails:
Emmons Moraine Trail Via The Glacier Basin Trail
Naches Peak Loop
Palisades Lake
Dewey Lakes
Sunrise wildflower hikes
Summerland Trail
Grove of the Patriarchs
Silver Falls
Dege Peak
Shadow Lake and Burroughs Mountain