Visiting Mt Rainier, Olympic National Park in July

Hi all. I am planning to visit Oregon & Washington on the last week of July, from July 20 ~ July 29, would this be a good time to see the park around ? Do I need to bring snow chains ? I am not familiar with the region, so any locals advice would be much appreciated.

Oliver
 

AlanLichty

Moderator
Could be a bit crowded but no way you will need snow chains. Late July and early August is usually our driest time of the year. Bring mosquito repellent.
 

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
I will echo Jameel's thoughts that late July is perfect. I have gone this first week in July in the past and found Reflection Lake still snowed over, and snow on a lot of the trails in Paradise, so I learned the hard way that the last week in July into the first week in August is the best time for access and wildflowers.

Mt Rainier has lot's of places to get in, and go around. My favorite is the Paradise area. Hands down it's the best area of the park. So many awesome trails. And while summer time is a busy time there, I have never had an issue finding parking or hiking. There are other people on the trails, but it's not a big deal as there are so many trails.

If you can get a room in Paradise Inn. That hotel is like 100 years old, and so it has that old world charm to it. I have stayed there a couple of times and would love to get up there to stay again.

Olympic National Park, the tip for there is to look at the tide charts. They are best when the tides are in the lower cycle, and then of course when it's low tide so that you can access the beaches and get great reflections. When it's high tide a lot of the beaches can disappear. So as you put this together, and you are splitting days between multiple locations look for when the tide is low at sunset or sunrise if possible and pick those for your days in the Olympics.
 

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
PS. I was toying with the idea of going up there about that same time. Though my Jeep has developed several issues, and I had to work hard to get it limp back to SoCal late last night. So I am jealous you are planning that trip.
 
PS. I was toying with the idea of going up there about that same time. Though my Jeep has developed several issues, and I had to work hard to get it limp back to SoCal late last night. So I am jealous you are planning that trip.
Jim, thanks so much for the details tips. Did you get the car sorted out?

Oliver
 
PS. I was toying with the idea of going up there about that same time. Though my Jeep has developed several issues, and I had to work hard to get it limp back to SoCal late last night. So I am jealous you are planning that trip.

Jim, I was all packed up & ready to go to the PNW, upon checking the weather, I took a double look: almost 100"F every day this week. 🔥

Next, I looked up the Seattle: 90F + for the week.🔥

This weather is a bit too much for my dog perhaps, hence I changed my plan to Utah, at least there are some scattered thunderstorms.

Oliver
 
Top Bottom