The best places to stay in Mount Rainier National Park are Longmire and Paradise on the mountain's south side if you want to be close to the trails, and the gateway towns of Ashford and Packwood if you want more choice of restaurants and rooms outside the entrance gates. Which one fits your trip depends on which corner of the park you're visiting and how early you want to be on the trail.

Where can you actually stay inside the park?

Only two lodges sit inside Mount Rainier itself, both run by the park's concessionaire and both worth booking six to twelve months ahead for a summer weekend.

  • National Park Inn (Longmire) — open year-round, 25 simple rooms, no air conditioning, limited wifi, and the only in-park option once snow closes the road past Longmire.

  • Paradise Inn (Paradise) — a historic 1917 lodge open roughly mid-May through early October, and the closest bed to the Skyline Trail and the Camp Muir climbers' route.

  • Campgrounds — Cougar Rock (near Longmire, reservable), Ohanapecosh (southeast corner, near the old-growth grove), and White River (northeast side, near Sunrise, often first-come during shoulder season).

Should you stay in Ashford or Packwood?

Both are gateway towns on Washington's side of the mountain, but they suit different trips. Ashford sits right at the Nisqually entrance, the park's main year-round gate, about 30 minutes from Paradise — a good pick if you're driving up from Seattle or Tacoma on SR 706 and want to be first in line at the gate. Packwood is the bigger town, with more restaurants and a real grocery store, and it sits closer to the Stevens Canyon entrance (seasonal) and the Ohanapecosh grove, which makes it a better base if you're combining Rainier with White Pass or coming up from I-5 to the south.

What about the Sunrise and White River side?

There's no overnight lodging at Sunrise itself — it's a day-use area that closes at dusk. The closest beds are in Enumclaw or around Crystal Mountain, roughly 45 to 60 minutes from the Sunrise visitor center, and Crystal Mountain's resort lodging stays open through summer even though it's better known for skiing. This side is also your base if you're heading for the gravel road into Mowich Lake, which has no services at all.

Does where you stay affect your entry reservation?

It can. If you already know your Mount Rainier timed-entry requirements for the year, staying at Longmire or Paradise inside the park generally covers you for that stay, but day visitors driving up from Ashford or Packwood during the reserved hours still need a valid vehicle reservation. Rules and windows change from year to year, so confirm the current-year requirement before you drive up, even with a room already booked.

For trip planning beyond lodging, see our guides to the best time to visit, the best hikes in the park, and how Rainier compares in our Olympic vs. Mount Rainier breakdown.

FAQ

Is there a hotel inside Mount Rainier National Park?

Yes — two, both run by the park's concessionaire: National Park Inn at Longmire, open year-round, and Paradise Inn, open seasonally from roughly mid-May to early October. Both book up months ahead for summer weekends.

Where should I stay to hike the Skyline Trail?

Paradise Inn, when it's open, puts you steps from the trailhead. Outside its season, Longmire or Ashford are the next-closest options, about a 20 to 30 minute drive to the Paradise parking area.

Is Ashford or Packwood better for a Mount Rainier trip?

Ashford is closer to the main Nisqually entrance and feels more like a trailhead town. Packwood is bigger, with more dining and grocery options, and sits nearer the Stevens Canyon side and the Ohanapecosh grove.

Can I stay near the Sunrise entrance?

Not inside the park — Sunrise has no overnight lodging. Enumclaw and the Crystal Mountain area are the closest beds, roughly 45 minutes from the Sunrise visitor center.

Do I need a vehicle reservation regardless of where I stay?

Check the current-year timed-entry and vehicle-reservation rules on the NPS site before you go. Requirements and hours have changed year to year, and they can apply to day drivers even if your lodging is already booked.