Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park
The best months to visit Mount Rainier National Park are May, June and September — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (420,918 monthly visits); February is quietest at 4% of peak.
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- Overnight closure of SR 706 on October 23; no access to Nisqually Entrance. (Information)
- WILDFIRE CLOSURES: Sunrise & northern trails. (Danger)
- Winter Season Closures (Information)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Mount Rainier month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Harsh season | 26,038 | 6% | 35°F / 24°F | 17.2″ | 8.9h |
| February | Harsh season | 16,368 | 4% | 34°F / 23°F | 12.9″ | 10.3h |
| March | Harsh season | 23,760 | 6% | 36°F / 24°F | 13.2″ | 11.8h |
| April | Harsh season | 31,480 | 7% | 40°F / 26°F | 8.3″ | 13.6h |
| May | Best window | 85,473 | 20% | 48°F / 33°F | 5.1″ | 15h |
| June | Best window | 224,875 | 53% | 54°F / 37°F | 3.8″ | 15.8h |
| July | Peak crowds | 420,918 | 100% | 62°F / 44°F | 1.4″ | 15.5h |
| August | Peak crowds | 398,276 | 95% | 64°F / 45°F | 1.6″ | 14.3h |
| September | Best window | 234,962 | 56% | 57°F / 41°F | 4.4″ | 12.6h |
| October | Shoulder | 134,477 | 32% | 46°F / 33°F | 11.3″ | 11h |
| November | Harsh season | 28,388 | 7% | 37°F / 26°F | 18.2″ | 9.4h |
| December | Harsh season | 19,405 | 5% | 33°F / 22°F | 18.9″ | 8.6h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US (4 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Mount Rainier each year
Mount Rainier National Park had 1,635,342 recreation visits in 2025, 1% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2023, with 1,674,294. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,644,420 visits a year, which makes it the 18th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,635,342 | +1% |
| 2024 | 1,620,006 | −3% |
| 2023 | 1,674,294 | +3% |
| 2022 | 1,622,395 | −3% |
| 2021 | 1,670,063 | +44% |
| 2020 | 1,160,754 | −23% |
| 2019 | 1,501,621 | −1% |
| 2018 | 1,518,491 | +7% |
| 2017 | 1,415,867 | +4% |
| 2016 | 1,356,913 | +10% |
| 2015 | 1,237,231 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Mount Rainier in May
Computed from May's weather normals — Mount Rainier's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 33°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 5.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 5.1″ of rain is normal this month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Mount Rainier?
May, June and September rank best for Mount Rainier on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight, among months when the park’s headline access is typically open.
What is the most crowded month at Mount Rainier?
July: an average of 420,918 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is February, at 4% of the July peak.
When is Mount Rainier least crowded with decent conditions?
May, at 20% of the July peak (85,473 average visits). February is quieter still, but its weather puts it in the harsh season.
How many people visit Mount Rainier per year?
Mount Rainier National Park had 1,635,342 recreation visits in 2025, 1% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2023, with 1,674,294. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,644,420 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Mount Rainier through the year?
The warmest month is August, with average highs of 64°F. The coldest nights come in December, averaging 22°F. The wettest month is December, with 18.9″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US station.)
Is Mount Rainier open all year?
Sunrise and Stevens Canyon roads are typically open only July–September; the road to Paradise is plowed and open year-round (carry chains in winter). Dates shift with snow and weather each year, so check the park's current NPS conditions before you go.
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Mount Rainier ranks against all 63 parks in May, June and September.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks