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If you’ve never visited Mount Rainier National Park, you might be surprised at how big the park actually is or how many different areas there are to explore. It’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed by the options, unsure whether to lean towards Sunrise or Paradise at Mt. Rainier. I had the same questions when I moved to Washington State and attempted to navigate Mt. Rainier National Park for the first time! The park features a total of four entrances, each granting access to its five distinct areas. But when it comes to popularity, Sunrise and Paradise stand out as the two most popular areas of the entire park! The Sunrise vs. Paradise debate is one that’s highly contested amongst Washington residents and visitors alike. While both areas offer incredible experiences, they cater to distinct tastes and interests. 

In this blog post, I’ll explain the key differences between Sunrise and Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park. It’s important to understand the attributes and trade-offs of these two areas so that you can make the most out of your time in the park. With that being said, though, both are definitely worth visiting! This article is based on my personal experiences visiting and hiking through these areas, and I love both for different reasons. I hope this article provides you with the clarity you need to determine whether you should first visit Sunrise or Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park! 

To tackle the comparison of Sunrise vs. Paradise, I’ll discuss some of the notable features of both, as well as some great hiking trails and amenities available to visitors in both areas of the park. Without further ado, let’s get into the debate: Sunrise vs. Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park!

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Sunrise or Paradise Mt. Rainier: Which is Better?

Sunrise 

Sunrise is situated on the northeastern side of Mount Rainier National Park and is accessible from the White River/Sunrise Entrance. It sits at an elevation of 6,400 feet making it the highest point able to be reached by vehicle in the entire park!

It’s important to note that the road to Sunrise closes for most of the year due to weather conditions that make it potentially hazardous and unsafe for motorized vehicles. Usually, Sunrise opens in the summer (June or July), and closes in the fall (September or October). This is important to note because you’ll want to instead consider visiting Paradise (or one of the other areas!) during the winter and spring seasons. 

Even in the summer, it’s possible for snow and ice to be present on many of the trails throughout the Sunrise area. I recommend layering with a down jacket and comfortable base layers. When I visited in July, there was still a generous amount of hard-packed snow built up on the trails, and my microspikes came in very handy!

However, when the road to Sunrise is open–it’s such a treat for anyone visiting! The views are breathtaking and the experience of being able to drive so high up in the park makes for an exciting visit. 

Best Hiking Trails in Sunrise

There are a ton of awesome hiking trails in the Sunrise area, many of which are accessible from the Sunrise Visitor Center. I’ve done several hikes in the Sunrise area, and I’ve included some of my personal favorites below along with some key facts about each trail. 

Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

This is perhaps my favorite hike to do in all of Sunrise (maybe even in the entire park!). It’s a moderately challenging hike out to one of the historic fire lookout towers in Mount Rainier National Park. 

• Distance (round trip): 5.6 miles
• Elevation gain: 900 feet
• Total hiking time: 3-3.5 hours

Depending on the weather, there is a possibility that you might not experience good visibility at the fire lookout. This is a risk worth taking, though, because the rest of the hike is so incredibly scenic and worth doing for the thrill of hiking through meadows and over rocky ridges. 

I did this hike on the 4th of July, and I actually experienced snowfall during this hike! The conditions can vary drastically, so make sure to come prepared with microspikes, multiple layers of clothing, and a good amount of water and snacks. 

Sunrise Nature Trail

I love this hike because it’s short and easy, while still giving you a great taste of the surrounding landscape and, of course, great views of Mount Rainier! 

• Distance (round trip): 1.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 300 feet
• Total hiking time: 30-45 minutes

This hike is a great option if you’re short on time, or want to throw in an easy hike either before or after tackling one of the longer hikes from the Visitor Center. It’s also a lovely hike in the peak of summer for a leisurely walk to snap some cool photos of the Mountain!

Sourdough Ridge Trail (west to Frozen Lake or east to Dege Peak)

Sourdough Ridge is a fun “choose your own adventure” type of hike because it splits off into two totally different routes, giving you the option to pick whichever one you choose! 

This trail is also used to access the broader network of trails in the Sunrise area, including Mount Fremont Lookout Trail (listed above) and Burroughs Mountain Trail (listed below). Chances are, you’ll likely be hiking along Sourdough Ridge Trail for a little bit to get to the access points for several other trails. 

Personally, I think taking the Sourdough Ridge Trail to Dege Peak is slightly more challenging than taking the trail to Frozen Lake. Neither is necessarily difficult, but the distance and elevation of the route to Dege Peak make it more strenuous than the route to Frozen Lake.

Sourdough Ridge Trail west to Frozen Lake

• Distance (round trip): 3 miles
• Elevation gain: 500 feet
• Total hiking time: 1-2 hours

Sourdough Ridge Trail east to Dege Peak

• Distance (round trip): 4.2 miles
• Elevation gain: 800 feet
• Total hiking time: 2-3 hours

Honorable Mention – Burroughs Mountain Trail 

I added this hike to the list because it is one of the most popular yet most challenging hikes in the Sunrise area. I personally have only hiked part of it, which is why I’m simply adding it as an honorable mention. I’m hoping to do the whole thing when I return next summer. 

First and Second Burroughs are reasonable, but going out to the Third Burroughs is pretty intimidating. Definitely make sure you’re prepared with the right equipment and know how to self-arrest using an ice axe in case you fall when the trail is covered in snow and ice early in the summer months. That was the case when I attempted to do the Burroughs Mountain Trail in July, so I decided I’d wait until better conditions made it possible to do the hike without fearing for my life. 

Burroughs Mountain Trail – First Burroughs

Burroughs Mount Trail – Second Burroughs 

• Distance (round trip): 6 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
• Total hiking time: 3-4 hours

Amenities in Sunrise

Unfortunately, there is no overnight lodging available at the Sunrise Visitor Center or Sunrise Day Lodge. Keep this in mind when planning your trip to Mount Rainier National Park! I’ve heard of several people who’ve expected camping or lodging accommodations at Sunrise, and they left extremely disappointed and without plans for the night. Don’t let that be you! 

There are, however, two buildings that provide visitors with information about the area, as well as food, souvenirs, and a picnic area.

• The Sunrise Visitor Center has picnic spots, nature exhibits, ranger-led interpretive programs, and a bookstore section with literature about Mount Rainier and the surrounding areas.
• The Sunrise Day Lodge has food and beverage options available, as well as a great gift shop for stocking up on both souvenirs and trail necessities!

Summary of Sunrise – Mt. Rainier

Overall, I’d mostly recommend Sunrise to summertime visitors aiming to do moderate to strenuous hiking with close-up views of Mount Rainier. 

It’s a bit more challenging to get to Sunrise vs. Paradise, and the types of hiking and activities available once you reach the Visitor Center are definitely geared more toward semi-experienced hikers. 

While you can bring children and those with limited mobility to Sunrise, most of the trails might be too challenging for some depending on the weather conditions. If Sunrise is covered in ice or snow, for example, I wouldn’t recommend any children or elderly attempt to hike out along Sourdough Ridge unless they’re extremely experienced in traversing iced-over ridges and crags. 

Later in the season, conditions are usually more favorable and accessible! The snow and ice tend to melt in the late summer, but weather conditions can still change at the flip of a coin considering Sunrise is at such a high elevation. 

Paradise

Paradise is by far the most popular area in the entire park. It is located on the southwestern side of Mount Rainier National Park and is accessible from the Nisqually Entrance. 

This area is open year-round, and it’s a relatively easy drive up to the Paradise Visitor Center. It’s a combination of these factors plus the fact that Paradise is very accessible for visitors of all ages that makes Paradise the most popular spot in the whole park. I know many people that would likely vote for Paradise in the debate of Sunrise vs. Paradise for these reasons alone.

Paradise is lovely to visit at any time of the year, but my personal favorite time to visit Paradise is in the late summer or early fall. From my experience, this is usually when the weather is the best and you’re more likely to have clear views of Mount Rainier. Winter is fun, too, but some trails might be inaccessible depending on conditions. 

Best Hiking Trails in Paradise

Skyline Trail

This is another one of my all-time favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park! It’s also one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) hiking trails year-round, so expect crowds if you decide to go on a weekend or on a fee-free day. Even with crowds, it’s worth doing for the incredible views you’ll get of Mount Rainier. If you’re lucky, you might even see marmots! 

• Distance (round trip): 5.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,700 feet
• Total hiking time: 4-5 hours

Also, the first half a mile of this hike is steep if going clockwise. Like… really steep. Don’t let that scare you away, though! It levels out eventually and you’ll have a much easier time hiking the rest of the trail. 

While some might be able to race through this hike in 3 hours, I definitely recommend taking it slow to soak in the views and immerse yourself in your surroundings. It took us between 4-5 hours to complete this hike, and we were hiking at a steady pace–only stopping a handful of times for photos and lunch.

Nisqually Vista Trail

This is a very easy, paved trail that gives you a great lookout over Nisqually Glacier! Because it’s pretty easy to complete, you’ll likely experience high foot traffic along this trail. The views are really great, though, so it’s definitely worth doing if you have the time to fit it in!

• Distance (round trip): 1.2 miles
• Elevation gain: 180 feet
• Total hiking time: 30-45 minutes

Honorable Mention – Narada Falls Trail

I love visiting Narada Falls, and it’s actually quite easy to access by car because it’s located right off the main road! Plus, from your car it’s only about .1-miles to reach the viewpoint. Because it’s so easy to access, Narada Falls is a pretty popular spot to visit and hike, especially amongst groups with small kids and elderly family members.

That being said, it’s still worth the stop to witness this break taking waterfall! The waterfall itself is about 188-feet, and the surrounding trees and mist make it feel very magical.

• Distance (round trip): .2 miles
• Elevation gain: 59 feet
• Total hiking time: 10 minutes

Amenities in Paradise

Paradise is definitely the better option in the Sunrise vs. Paradise debate if you’re aiming to stay overnight near the Visitor Center. There are two lodging options nearby: Paradise Inn and the National Park Inn.

Paradise Inn is located at the Visitor Center, and is usually open May through October. If you’re visiting during this period and want to stay in Paradise (literally and figuratively!), you’ll adore Paradise Inn! 

If you’re looking for lodging outside of the May through October period, or simply want something a little more removed from the Visitor Center, I recommend checking out the National Park Inn. This lodge is located a short distance from Paradise in the Longmire region of the park. 

Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is a great place to relax and unwind before or after hiking in the area. Plus, there is a great nature exhibit on the second floor and a movie theater on the ground level. You can also get a variety of food and beverages from the cafeteria-style dining area onsite. And, of course, you’ll be able to grab some souvenirs from the gift shop inside the Visitor Center.

Summary of Paradise – Mt. Rainier

I’d recommend Paradise to anyone visiting any time of the year, especially those with mobility challenges or small children! It’s a very accessible area of the park, and you’ll get great views even if you decide not to leave the car (but you certainly should try to hop out at some point if you can!). 

The hikes in the Paradise area aren’t necessarily as challenging overall compared to the hikes in the Sunrise area. However, one of the most challenging hikes in the entire park–Camp Muir–is based out of Paradise, so it’s usually frequented by those attempting to summit the mountain! 

The amenities and Visitor Center at Paradise are also great to visit in and of themselves. If Paradise Inn is open when you visit, stop in for a cup of cocoa and sit by the fire in the lobby! 

Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park

Aside from the Paradise Inn and the National Park Inn, there are dozens of nearby vacation rentals and accommodations that would be perfect for an adventure to Sunrise or Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park. Check out the interactive map below to determine where you want to establish “basecamp” for your trip!

Conclusion – Sunrise or Paradise Mt. Rainier? 

No matter which area you choose to visit, you’re going to have an incredible time. The entire park is truly magical, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy! 

I love both Sunrise and Paradise for different reasons, and I think they both warrant a visit so you can determine which one you prefer. Sunrise vs. Paradise is truly a tough comparison, but it’s definitely one worth discussing because not everyone will get to visit both areas and it’s necessary to know whether you’re more likely to enjoy the activities at one over the other.

Overall, if you’re into more strenuous hiking trails at a higher elevation, I’d opt for a visit to Sunrise. If you’re more interested in easy to moderate hiking with an emphasis on waterfalls and wildlife viewing, I’d recommend Paradise.

Have you visited either Sunrise or Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park? Let me know which one you preferred by sending me an email at sydney@sydneybrowntravels.com.

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