Volcano Travel · Tour
Mount Rainier with No Minimum Group Size: the Tour Runs Whatever the Numbers
Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
SeattleNo minimums. The tour goes whether two people book it or twenty, which matters more than it sounds when a trip is the only day you have. The mini-coaches have large windows, high-backed seats, heat and air conditioning, because the drive is a real part of the day. The season sets the route. In summer: old growth forest, meadows in flower, waterfalls with water in them. In winter the tour spends longer at Longmire and the snowshoes are free. Walking is optional throughout. Some guests hike, some walk a little, some stay near the vehicle, and the guide plans for all three. Lunch is at a cafe in the park or a picnic bought on the way. No two departures are identical. The guide builds the best day the conditions allow, which is why Narada Falls appears from mid-April to mid-October, Reflection Lakes gets attempted in July and August, and Sunrise stands in for Paradise between July and early September. Bring a camera and shoes you can walk in, and layer your clothes: the mountain can be cold rain and hot sun on the same day. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
What's included
- Snowshoes provided complimentary when conditions allow
- Local, professional guide
- All Fees and Taxes
- Transportation by air-conditioned mini coach bus
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- Cooler with ice will be be provided inside the bus to keep any perishable items chilled
Itinerary
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3595 S 188th St, SeaTac
3595 S 188th St, SeaTac, WA 98188, USA
Meet in front of the Matt Griffin YMCA. There is parking on site: use the lot on the left side of the building, at least halfway down.
1900 4th Ave, Seattle
1900 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Meet on 4th Avenue at the corner of Stewart. The Urban Yoga and Urban Coffee signs mark the spot. Stand on the 4th Avenue side.
1000 4th Ave, Seattle
1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
Meet on 4th Avenue in front of the Seattle Public Library at 1000 4th Ave.
325 5th Ave N, Seattle
325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
The MoPop pick-up point: the Harrison Street turnaround, at the circle driveway beside the Museum of Pop Culture.
Mount Rainier
No two departures are the same. The aim each day is to cover as much of the national park as the time allows, and the route and the stops change with the season.
Longmire
Longmire holds the original park headquarters and now the National Park Inn, the Longmire museum and the Wilderness Information Center. Every tour stops here: toilets, short walks and photographs.
Narada Falls
From mid-April to mid-October the tour stops for the view over the top of the falls. When the weather allows, some groups walk down to the lower falls.
Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center
The visitor centre, with a restaurant and a cafe, or your own packed lunch. Walks start here, and there are views and wildlife. A regular stop from mid-April to mid-October.
Reflection Lakes
Not guaranteed. In peak season, July and August, the tour tries for the photograph of Rainier reflected in still water. The stop is not always reachable.
Tipsoo Lake Loop
Some tours, not all, take in Tipsoo Lake, a subalpine lake inside the national park.
Elbe
The road to the park runs through the mountain town of Elbe, Washington.
Twin Firs Loop Trail
A stop that stays on the itinerary all year.
Sunrise Visitor Center
Sunrise is a rare stop here, possible from July to early September, and it replaces Paradise when it happens.
3595 S 188th St, SeaTac
3595 S 188th St, SeaTac, WA 98188, USA
1900 4th Ave, Seattle
1900 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
1000 4th Ave, Seattle
1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
325 5th Ave N, Seattle
325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
Not included
- Gratuities (optional and not included in the price of this tour)
- Food & drinks (you can purchase lunch at grocery store stop or at the cafe in Visitor Center)
- Restroom on board
- WiFi on board
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- Hotel pick up
- Children under 5 not allowed
- Itinerary below is a sample; stops are not guaranteed
Good to know
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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- Please contact local service provider to arrange pickup from a nearby location after you have received your confirmation
- Tour cannot pickup from hotels or private residences
- Enjoy lunch at a Mt. Rainier cafe or buy a picnic lunch at our grocery store stop (own expense)
- Layered clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended (temperatures can vary from rainy and cold to sunny and hot in a single day)
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Traffic and road conditions may alter tour route
- Please allow up to 11 hours for pickup and drop-off service
- We may ask that you walk a couple blocks for pickup or drop off due to traffic or road conditions
- This tour does not have storage space for luggage, strollers or wheelchairs without advance arrangements
- Ongoing construction at Mt Rainier National Park may cause tour delays
- The seasons and weather play a big role in what is available and accessible at Mt Rainier National Park. Tours mid-October through early May will be limited in number of stops & services available.
- November 12 - Spring 2026: Paradise is only accessible based on road conditions day-of
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
Reviews
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Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor