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Old headquarters building, Mount Rainier National Park, Longmire, Washington USA

Hotels Near Mount Rainier: Where to Stay for Your Visit

Wake up beside the trails at one of two historic inns inside Mount Rainier National Park, or settle into a pair of Ashford lodgings minutes from the Nisqually entrance, with tips on seasons and amenities to plan your stay.

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Frequently asked questions

Two inns operate inside the park: Paradise Inn in the Paradise area and National Park Inn at Longmire. Both are run by Rainier Guest Services.

Yes. National Park Inn at Longmire is the only lodging inside the park open year-round. Paradise Inn closes for winter, and outside the park, Mountain Meadows Inn and Nisqually Lodge in Ashford are open all year.

No. Rooms have no televisions, phones or internet, and there is no Wi-Fi at the lodge, though cell service is available in the area.

It depends on the room. The original lodge rooms share hallway restrooms and showers, while annex rooms have private bathrooms.

Inside the park, all vehicles must carry tire chains from November 1 to May 1, regardless of tire type or weather.

The full guide

Stone fireplaces, cedar logs and old-growth forest set the mood for a night near the mountain. The hotels near Mount Rainier fall into two groups. Inside the park, you can stay high on the south slope at Paradise Inn in summer or at Longmire's National Park Inn any time of year. Just outside the southwest Nisqually entrance, Ashford's Mountain Meadows Inn and Nisqually Lodge stay open year-round and come better stocked with modern comforts.

Inside the Park or Outside the Gate?

Sleep inside the park and you can be at the trailheads before the day visitors roll in. The tradeoff is a deliberately unplugged stay, since neither park inn offers televisions, room phones or internet. Both are run by Rainier Guest Services, and the National Park Service lodging page for Mount Rainier links to reservations and current details.

Base yourself in Ashford and you trade that early access for more flexibility. Expect amenities like Wi-Fi or kitchenettes, with the Nisqually entrance still only a short drive away. This side of the park makes a natural home base for exploring Longmire and Paradise.

Read the full guide

Stay Inside Mount Rainier National Park

Paradise Inn

Perched around 5,400 feet up in the Paradise area, about 19 miles from the Nisqually entrance, Paradise Inn was built in 1916 and welcomed its first guests the following summer. Step inside this National Historic Landmark to find a cedar log framework, a great hall with stone fireplaces at both ends, and a dining room anchored by a towering stone hearth. Hikers and climbers love it because the trails, the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center and the climbers' guide house are right outside the door.

Choose from 121 rooms in two styles. The original lodge rooms are tiny and share hallway restrooms and showers, while rooms in the 1920 annex behind the main building have private bathrooms, and accessible rooms sit on the lobby level. There is no Wi-Fi, though cell service reaches the area, and the inn closes for winter, opening around mid-May and shutting down in early fall.

National Park Inn

Head about six miles inside the Nisqually entrance to Longmire, at 2,700 feet, where National Park Inn is the only lodging in the park that stays open year-round. Its just 25 rooms offer a mix of private and shared bathrooms, and you can eat in the full-service dining room or stock up at the general store. Old-growth forest surrounds the Longmire Historic District, and both the Wonderland Trail and Trail of the Shadows begin nearby. Pick it for a winter visit or whenever you prefer a quieter, smaller inn.

Stay in Ashford Near the Nisqually Entrance

Mountain Meadows Inn

Settle into the small town of Ashford, about 10 minutes from the Nisqually entrance, at Mountain Meadows Inn and its just six suites. Three are inside an updated 1910 Craftsman home, and three are chalet suites with kitchenettes and satellite TV. Every suite has a private bathroom, and guests receive breakfast specialty items. Couples looking for a homey, bed-and-breakfast feel will be right at home here.

Nisqually Lodge

Five miles from the Nisqually entrance near Ashford, Nisqually Lodge welcomes guests all year in 24 remodeled rooms. Flat-screen TVs, wireless internet, mini-fridges and microwaves make it a good fit if you need to stay connected. Most rooms sleep three to five, and a larger family suite fits up to ten, a rare option for big groups.

Check each business's own website for current rates, availability and details.

Camping and Other Corners of the Park

Would you rather sleep under the sky? The park has three car campgrounds and many wilderness camping sites. If you are heading to the Sunrise side in the northeast, or to towns south of the park and along the White Pass corridor on SR 12, the National Park Service lists regional partners with lodging information.

When to Go

  • Summer: Most park roads open from late May to early October, the window when both park inns operate and the Paradise trails are within reach.
  • Winter: Every vehicle in the park must carry tire chains from November 1 to May 1, including four-wheel-drive cars and rentals.
  • Road status: The road to Paradise can close at Longmire, so check park alerts before you drive up.
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