Mt. Rainier National Park Highlights Tour
Description
On this full-day tour of Washington State’s Mt Rainier, you’ll visit the majestic 14,411-foot (4,392-m) volcano and learn about the area from your informative guide. You’ll also explore local treasures like lakes, old growth forest and waterfalls en-route from Seattle to Mt Rainier. Nature lovers won’t want to miss this! In winter and spring snowshoeing and sledding are included at no extra charge. Hiking will be offered as well PLEASE WEAR appropriate clothes and shoes. Our company picks up at hotels and spends more time in the park than others. a photographers paradise.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Scenic lake on the way to the Mountain
Stop is made here only when roads are unexpectedly closed in the park. In this small town there are several points of interest: The Hobo Inn, historic Lutheran Church, Mt. Rainier scenic railroad and the biggest sasquatch you have ever seen.
Base camp for mountain climbers
animal exhibits, native American history and stories, pioneer information, volcanology info. Transportation exibit.
2nd growth forest, hot springs, hike, history (subject to change based on weather and road conditions).
Where we offer optional hikes, take in viewpoints, gift shop. Trail of Shadows, suspension bridge. Lodge.
A popular waterfall off of the road that is framed by a stone bridge. (subject to change based on weather and road conditions).
One of the most scenic waterfalls to see in the park. (subject to change based on weather and road conditions).
*** PLEASE NOTE ACCESS TO PARADISE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IS DICTATED DAILY BY THE PARK based on road conditions. PLEASE PLAN YOUR TRIP ACCORDINGLY IF THIS IS A STOP YOU ARE DESIRING**** Alpine meadow where in wintertime we offer snowshoeing and hiking. There's a visitor's center, gift shops, food Generally considered the highlight of the day the amount of time spent here can vary depending on weather conditions and visibility. (subject to change based on weather and road conditions).
A tree huggers dream: We walk a quarter mile loop trail through old growth forest-giants many hundreds of years old.
Small Alpine Lakes available only to see in season excluding winter time. When there is no breeze the reflection of the mountain looks like a mirror and pictures taken look fake. (subject to change based on weather and road conditions).
Only available during summer months. This stop would replace the stop at Paradise. NOT all guides offer this itinerary. Stops here are rare and special and may not be available on your tour date. Road is bumpy
Only available during summer months a stop here would change the regular itinerary. Not a guaranteed stop. Determined by the tour guide.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please contact Customized Tours to confirm your selected hotel location is within our pickup zone to receive a accurate pickup time.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- It is recommended to dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes (waterproof hiking shoes preferred, in winter boots are best). In Nov – Jun, please dress for snowy conditions. Bring a pair of extra socks
- PLEASE NOTE: You are taking a risk during the winter months. The tour route and itinerary will vary depending on the weather conditions and road closures. No refunds will be offered unless the park is closed.
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- The seasons, weather, and elevation partially determine what you’ll see on your tour. During the weekdays, mid October-April, there are limited food services available in the National Park. Customers will have an opportunity to purchase food en route. Also, the Henry M Jackson Visitor Center located at Paradise, has limited hours during these months. *** PLEASE NOTE STARTING ACCESS TO PARADISE IS DICTATED DAILY BY THE PARK DURING THE WINTER MONTHS based on road conditions**** PLEASE PLAN YOUR TRIP ACCORDINGLY IF THIS IS A STOP YOU ARE DESIRING. No refunds will be offered unless the park is closed
- Each tour guide provides a unique experience. NO tour is the same. The day's itinerary is dictated by the guide. The schedule is based off the guide's experience with weather conditions and what is accessible in the park the day of your tour. Your tour guide will provide you with an outline of the day upon pick up.
- ****PLEASE check out the Mt. Rainier National Parks direct website for updated weather forecast and road closures - https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm ****
Reviews(3,376)
I loved the tour! Everybody should go to Mt Ranier National park and driving looked like it would suck! I’m glad I had someone else driving as I sat back and looked at the scenery! It was a great day 🌟🌟🌟
Absolutely Outstanding Mt. Rainier Day Tour, 5 out of 5 Stars! We booked a Mt. Rainier tour with Customized Tours for Father’s Day, June 21, 2026, and it was hands-down one of the best guided experiences we’ve ever experienced. From start to finish, everything was perfectly executed, relaxed, and incredibly enriching. Our guide Joel was exceptional. He was in the middle of training a new associate, Randy, yet he juggled both roles flawlessly — delivering expert commentary, ensuring everyone was comfortable and safe, and still making the day feel personal and unhurried. Joel’s deep knowledge of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding area was immense. He shared fascinating facts about the geology, history, wildlife, and ecology that brought the landscape to life. We never felt rushed at any stop; instead, we had plenty of time to truly soak it all in. The itinerary was fantastic and packed with highlights: - Stunning views of Mt. Rainier itself - Multiple breathtaking waterfalls - Mirror Lake - The Nisqually Suspension Bridge - Longmire General Store - Opportunity to see the Historic Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in action - Paradise Inn Lodge and the Muir Steps (Steps to Paradise) - Magnificent old-growth trees - Plenty of wildlife sightings Everything flowed smoothly, with comfortable transportation and thoughtful pacing that included time for photos, short hikes, and even a bit of rest. Joel made the day feel special, especially fitting for a Father’s Day celebration. We’ve seen many glowing reviews for Customized Tours, and now we fully understand why this company earns such high praise. The combination of knowledgeable, friendly guides like Joel, well-planned routes, and genuine care for guests makes them stand out. If you’re considering a trip to Mt. Rainier (or any other area they cover), book with confidence — you won’t be disappointed. We’d happily return and highly recommend them to family and friends! Thank you, Joel (and Randy!), for making our Father’s Day unforgettable. — Dave & Erica (Placida, FL & Seattle, WA)
Overall, it was a solid experience and we are grateful to have gotten to see some of Mt. Rainier National Park without having to drive! It wasn't a huge tour group, which was great. While each of the stops was worthwhile, I have to say I was a bit disappointed at the lack of information and history proactively provided by the driver/guide. It kind of felt like we were just being driven to stops by a driver versus an actual tour guide, especially in comparison to similar day trips we've done before (and one we did a few days later in Oregon). I can't say I felt confident that any questions would be able to be answered. The guide was super nice and tried -- I'd just recommend maybe like providing more facts or information about what we're seeing as we drive by, providing more history of the stops we're making, etc. Customer service always seemed helpful and the texts before the guide's arrival was helpful. Overall, I'd recommend, although I have to wonder if other tours/guides provide more details.
Had a great experience. Stopped many places where I enjoyed the breathtaking views and the guide/driver was friendly and helpful.
Can’t recommend this tour enough! Tour guide Kevin did a great job of adjusting and adapting to less than ideal weather so that we could see and do as much as possible. He kept us entertained with historical info, Native American legends, and also tried his very best to get us in the right place at the right time to see the elusive Mt. Rainier as the cloud cover broke for a minute or two! The stops he chose showcased the exceptional beauty of MRNP, and we have awesome pictures from the day. Several moderate hikes rounded out the experience and made this a day to remember!
William was fabulous! Great tour, highly recommended the tour and sights were amazing. Mount Rainier is gorgeous and appreciated our guide took us to all the fabulous places knew everything so well he timed everything perfectly
Corey was phenomenal!! He was so conversational & very knowledgeable. Thank you Corey for allowing me to enjoy the tour thru my own eyes!!
Mark was our guide and he was funny and informative. You can tell he loves his job and is a proud local. He took us to waterfalls and many short stops on the way up to Paradise for photos opportunities. Someone wanted cherries so Mark even made a special stop for one of the guests.
We made many stops to see waterfalls and to get the good photos. John was knowledgeable, personable, and kept us all on time. I laarned so much on the tour and didn’t have the burden of driving around all those curbs. For what we saved on gas and car rental, this was totally worth it!
We had an amazing experience on our tour! Our tour guide, William, did an outstanding job throughout the day. He was incredibly knowledgeable and shared interesting facts and history about Mount Rainier and the surrounding area, making every stop both educational and enjoyable. He took us to beautiful locations, answered questions, and provided fascinating information that helped us appreciate the area even more. What really stood out was his ability to keep the tour engaging and fun with his sense of humor. He struck the perfect balance between being informative and entertaining. Even my teenagers had a great time, which says a lot! They stayed engaged, enjoyed the experience, and talked about the tour afterward. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area and are grateful to our guide for making it such a memorable day.
