Travel Guide
Everything you need to know β hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
A 14,410-foot glaciated volcano about 2 to 2.5 hours from Seattle, ringed by wildflower meadows, old-growth forest and waterfalls. The Paradise area offers the Skyline Trail, Myrtle Falls and a visitor center, while Sunrise on the northeast side is the highest point in the park reachable by car.
Insider Knowledge
Check nps.gov before you go, since the park has used summer timed-entry reservations for some areas in recent years.
Nearby
seattle-and-portlandOne of the largest urban forests in the US, covering more than 5,000 acres of Portland's West Hills with over 80 miles of trails. The 30-mile Wildwood Trail winds through ferns and Douglas firs and links to Pittock Mansion, whose lawn has sweeping views of the city and Mount Hood.
seattle-and-portlandA 14,410-foot glaciated volcano about 2 to 2.5 hours from Seattle, ringed by wildflower meadows, old-growth forest and waterfalls. The Paradise area offers the Skyline Trail, Myrtle Falls and a visitor center, while Sunrise on the northeast side is the highest point in the park reachable by car.
seattle-and-portlandOregon's tallest waterfall, plunging about 620 feet in two tiers in the Columbia River Gorge, roughly 30 miles east of Portland. Walk to the Benson Bridge between the two drops or hike to the top, and combine it with other falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway.
seattle-and-portlandSeattle's public market, open since 1907, perched above the waterfront with fishmongers who famously toss salmon, farm stalls, flower vendors and craft booths. Below the main arcade, levels of quirky shops lead down toward the waterfront, and the nearby Gum Wall and long-running Starbucks storefront draw crowds.
seattle-and-portlandThe world's largest independent new-and-used bookstore, filling an entire city block in Portland's Pearl District with around a million books across color-coded rooms. Grab a store map, get happily lost in the stacks and look for the Rare Book Room's treasures.
seattle-and-portlandSeattle's 605-foot icon, built for the 1962 World's Fair, with a rotating glass floor called The Loupe and an open-air observation deck lined with glass benches. On clear days you can see Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound and the downtown skyline.
Go early, because parking at Paradise often fills by late morning in summer.
Wildflowers usually peak from late July to mid-August.
Carry layers, water and snacks; weather changes fast and services are limited.
Common Questions
Yes. It's about 2 to 2.5 hours each way to Paradise, so leave by 7 AM.
The road to Paradise stays open in winter, but drivers must carry tire chains.
Fees can change, and non-US residents may pay more at some parks, so check nps.gov.
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