When to visit Mount Rainier without the crowds
Mount Rainier (Washington, United States) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jun & Sep
When everyone heads home
The second week of September.
Tip
Summer needs a timed reservation at the Paradise entrance, or arrive before 7 a.m.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 6 °C (43 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 6 °C (42 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 9 °C (48 °F) | |
| April | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 13 °C (55 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 17 °C (63 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 20 °C (67 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy ✦ | 24 °C (75 °F) | Paradise wildflowers (late Jul–Aug), Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 24 °C (76 °F) | |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 21 °C (69 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 14 °C (58 °F) | |
| November | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 9 °C (48 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 6 °C (42 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- The Sunrise area only opens in summer (Jul–Sep), and chains are required to reach Paradise in winter.
What to see, and when
- Wildflowers in the Paradise meadows (late Jul–Aug).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Mount Rainier National Park, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Mount Rainier without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually February, March, April and December (crowds 1/5). In April the average high is 13 °C (55 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Mount Rainier most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The second week of September.
What is the weather like in Mount Rainier?
Average highs range from 6 °C (42 °F) in February to 24 °C (76 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Mount Rainier?
The Sunrise area only opens in summer (Jul–Sep), and chains are required to reach Paradise in winter.
What is there to see in Mount Rainier by season?
Wildflowers in the Paradise meadows (late Jul–Aug).
What festivals are there in Mount Rainier?
The main ones: Paradise wildflowers (late Jul–Aug) (July).
More places in Washington
- Seattle calm in February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June and July
- Olympic (Port Angeles) calm in January, February, March, April, October and December; busiest in June, July, August and September