Driving the Rustic Roads Around the Mountain

The route circles the mountain, starting in the Seattle and Tacoma area and heading along State Route 706 to Ashford. It then passes through the Nisqually Entrance into the Paradise area, where Stevens Canyon Road carries you onward.

Park roads were laid out to add to the visit, and they trace the shape of the terrain. Local stone forms the walls and bridges, which sit among trees and plants. The same National Park Service Rustic style guides the park's buildings. At Longmire, builders chose huge timbers and glacial boulders because they suit the surroundings, and a walking tour of the Longmire Historic District shows the style up close.

Bends in the road are arranged so the mountain shows itself well, and you can take in Mount Rainier views without getting out of your car. Expect a route that twists and climbs steeply, with road elevations between about 1,880 and 6,400 feet. Conditions can shift quickly, so look at the current status before you set out and keep your attention on the curves.

Mount Rainier is among the country's oldest national parks, and its roads were laid out under a master plan that was among the earliest the National Park Service produced. Today the park and its roads together form a National Historic Landmark District. The park has 147 miles of roads in all.

Along Stevens Canyon Road, Box Canyon is worth a stop. The Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River carved this narrow slot, and moss and plants cover its rock walls while a rushing white river runs through it. Drivers touring by car often stop here, and the site includes a comfort station and picnic area.