Mount Rainier National Park Photography
We journeyed to the park during winter, although the conditions were not ideal. The skies were incredibly cloudy and foggy, leading to limited visibility. As a result, the images could not show all the beauty, but we provided you with all the necessary details.
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At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. It is my hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.
May my works guide photographers illuminating their path toward creating stunning and impactful images that show the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer
Mount Rainier National Park Photos
Check out the photography you can do in the park.
WHERE TO DO PHOTOGRAPHY
With its stunning landscapes and vistas, the park is a great place to get some beautiful shots. There are plenty of great spots within the park to snap some photos, including:
LOCATIONS IN THE PARK
- The Paradise Visitor Center: You can get great views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding area.
- Reflection Lakes: These lakes offer great reflections, making for beautiful photos.
- Sunrise Point: As the name suggests, Sunrise Point is a great spot to set up for the sunrise.
- Panorama Point: This point offers panoramic views of the mountain area.
- There are many other great spots to photograph; see the list below.
- Panorama Point: This point offers panoramic views.
Mount Rainier National Park is in Washington State, a great state. We loved this trip; although we hit a lot of rain and clouds, it was still incredible. Some rainforest areas that the staff fell in love with changed our whole perspective on rain. The elk just blew us away. We stood with this pack of elk for over an hour with our Canon 100-400mm lenses. We were all waiting for the baby to wake up and stand up. Mama fell asleep while we were next to her, telling her to wake up the baby. They let Pam right into the herd.
The mountain rises quickly, with elevations of a little over 14,000 feet. There are valleys, waterfalls, and more than 25 glaciers. There was a volcano that we didn’t see. It was shrouded in clouds. There are enormous amounts of rain and snow in this park. That’s what makes unbelievable rainforests possible.
Mount Rainier is known for:
• Breathtaking vistas, forests, and waterfalls.
• In the extreme west of Washington state.
• National Park visitor center.
• More than five million visitors.
• A portion of the park was designated a national conservation area.
PHOTOGRAPHY JUST OUTSIDE OF THE PARK
There are a few spots along the way for photography. Nihilo Sculpture Park, just outside Mount Rainier National Park, is the brainchild of Washington artist Daniel Klennert. This is a must-stop spot, especially if you are an artist. If you are traveling with family, they can stay busy while you have time to take some pictures. Right past there, on the way to the park, stop here and pick up some goodies. It’s all one road, so you can’t get lost.
MOUNT RAINER PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS
MOUNT RAINIER LAKES
Reflection Lake, Upper and Lower Tipsoo Lakes, and Little Tipsoo Lake offer spectacular mirrored reflections of the majestic mountain that will take your breath away.
MAZAMA RIDGE
The trail to Mazama Ridge is easily accessible from the Paradise Meadows parking lot by the Skyline Trail or from lower viewpoints at the Reflection Lakes. Dawn brings an awe-inspiring sight of Mount Rainier reflecting in Tissoo Lake, surrounded by vibrant red blooming plants. Multiple parking lots give photographers different perspectives to photograph this magnificent scene as they journey along these classic routes in this untouched wilderness.
The trails snaking their way up Mount Rainier from Paradise Visitor Center are not too steep, with summer wildflowers blooming in thousands of colors as a backdrop. Take the bridge over the river; a meadow appears. Then, if you look in the opposite direction of Mount Rainier, you can spot the majestic Tatoosh range.
SOURDOUGH RIDGE
Sourdough Ridge sits just above the visitor center, untainted by artificial light, offering dazzling views.
SILVERFORT TRAIL
Silverfort Trail surrounds Sunrise District, winding its way between lush forests and sensational vistas. It provides breathtaking views of Rainier’s silhouette, White River, Emmons Moraine Glacier, and the valley stretched below.
PARADISE LODGE
A wedding photoshoot at the legendary Paradise Lodge awaits those lucky to visit the National Park.
We arrived during winter when fog blanketed the mountain like a thick grey blanket. If you’re seeking sunrises, sunsets, and stars that will take your breath away, then Sunrise Area at Mount Rainier National Park should be at the top of your list. You’ll probably have better luck with weather conditions than we did.
EUNICE LAKE
Located within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park, waiting to be discovered. This serene body of water boasts breathtaking views and several hiking trails for adventurous souls. To fully experience its beauty, consider staying at one of the nearby cabins for an extended visit and create shots during sunrise. As a nature lover and photographer, I highly recommend this spot for anyone seeking a peaceful escape in the great outdoors.
BEST TIME TO GO
Before embarking on a journey here, careful consideration must be given to the current season, weather conditions, and peak tourist times. As a word of caution, the months between November and March are not recommended for visiting as they bring heavy snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures that impede travel and limit access to certain parts of the park.
Summer:
The park gets filled in the summer months. But you can experience the breathtaking beauty during the summer when the weather is most pleasant. Average temperatures rise from a crisp 54.7°F in June to a comfortable 64.5°F in August, with lows ranging from 36.2°F to 43.9°F, respectively. The chance of rain is minimal, with only 4.1in June and an even lower 2 in July and August. Plus, there’s no need to worry about snow as it rarely falls, measuring just 5.6 inches in June and a mere 0.1 inches in August.
Traveling during the summer can be challenging, especially on sunny weekends. Parking can be scarce or impossible in popular areas such as Paradise, Sunrise, Grove of the Patriarchs, and trailheads between Longmire and Paradise. To avoid congestion, visit these areas on weekdays and arrive early. If possible, carpooling to the park is also recommended. Keep in mind that parking is not allowed along the road edges.
Winter:
During winter, many roads in the park are closed for safety reasons. The road to Paradise closes nightly, and driving conditions are often treacherous with snow and ice. All vehicles are required to carry tire chains for added traction.
Most Affordable:
For those on a budget, the most affordable time to visit is December or January. Accommodations can also be found at reasonable rates, averaging around $120 per night, with added perks like breakfast included at select hotels.
Tips for an enjoyable visit and avoiding congestion:
– Visit on weekdays and avoid peak hours
– Have an alternate plan in case of long lines or delays
– Use the NPS App to find nearby destinations within the park
– Consider using an annual pass to minimize entrance station wait times
– Check for road closures before traveling
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PHOTOGRAPH?
You can easily spend a full two days at the park photographing. Of course, it all depends on how much hiking you do and what else you like to do.
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING
Everything! There are long-exposure waterfalls, wildlife, macro photography, and Milky Way opportunities so that you will need all your gear—tripod, zoom lens, wide-angle lens, ND filters, extra batteries, and memory cards.
WHAT ELSE TO BRING
Hiking boots, bug spray (seasonally), cold weather gear, and temperatures can suddenly change.
HOW TO GET THERE
We visited the park on Route 706 East. This great little town on the way in has some spots you will want to stop and photograph. To reach the Nisqually entrance using GPS, use the address 39000 State Route 706 E, Ashford, WA 98304. This will take you on SR 706 east past the park headquarters to the Nisqually Entrance. It is recommended that visitors refer to road maps in addition to using GPS units when driving to the park.
DATES & HOURS OF OPERATION
Call the park at 360-569-2211 to confirm road and facility status, or check the website for current information. Some roads close during the snow season, and information changes seasonally. SEE THE CURRENT DETAILS HERE.
OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY NEARBY
- Olympic National Park
- Mount Saint Helens
CHRISTINE FALLS
This spot is not to miss. There are few places to park off this busy spot, but you should find enough parking if you get there early on a weekday. We enjoyed this spot for about an hour, and it was one of the only picturesque areas we found on our journey. We visited this day solely to photograph it. It was cloudy/foggy and rainy that day, so we did not experience some of what the park offers viewing-wise.
We had to find the exact place to see the falls without the tree limbs in our way. This first picture was shot at four seconds. f/22, ISO 100. f/22 and ISO 100 are standard for your waterfall photography, and you must be on a tripod to do a long exposure. Your shutter speed will vary depending on your filter. We like the Tiffen 1.2, which we used here. It only gives a slight color cast and is easily correctable. It was enough on a cloudy/rainy day to easily allow a 4-second exposure. See Neutral Density Filters and learn about them here if you are unfamiliar. Have some lens clothes handy when shooting in the rain, and don’t forget your lens hood and camera raincoat.
OUR STAY AT THE PARADISE INN
Paradise Inn is perched atop the peak of the park. The rain was coming down steadily, and it soon became apparent that a retreat down the winding mountain roads would mean another hour of travel, so we decided to stay. We were not disappointed; the food was delicious, the presentation superb, and the service impeccable – an 8 out of 10! But it did come with a hefty cost: set in the middle of nowhere, this rustic lodge was a little pricy, but look at the location. Even without a television or internet, we found solace in the library of this luxurious, oversized log cabin.
Still, our reprieve was short-lived as their paper-thin walls meant even the slightest whisper could be heard by staff members making their rounds. Our room proved rather small for 117 dollars per night – no bathroom included – and I can only imagine what faults could be found in the $267 rooms. (2015)
CAMERA SETTINGS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Some tips on setting your camera while photographing Mount Rainier National Park
SHUTTER PRIORITY
If you have moving subjects, you will want to shoot in shutter priority to ensure your shutter speed is high enough to have your subject in sharp focus. Approximately 1/250th of a second is appropriate for people walking by, and adjust your ISO accordingly. If they are running fast, increase your shutter speed to about 1/500th of a second. A fast bird flying by would be shot at about 1/1000th of a second. If it’s a bright sunny day, go as high as 1/1200th of a second. Remember, the higher your shutter speed, the less light comes into the camera. It should not be an issue outside during daytime hours. For More Details, see our Shutter Priority Page.
MANUAL MODE
You have moving waters here. You can do your long-exposure running and milky water shots. You will have to use a tripod for this effect. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and your neutral density filter. You will shoot in manual mode for the milky waters. ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow. The aperture is f/22. Your shutter speed will be the only variable depending on the light. Roll your shutter speed until your meter reads zero. (In the center) Use your shutter release or your 2-second timer to prevent camera movement when exposed. You will want at least a 2-second exposure for milky water. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun. We highly suggest you do not go anywhere without one. It makes all the difference between lifeless images and outstanding, dynamic images.
APERTURE PRIORITY
Aperture Priority is often used to blur the background of your images and control your depth of field (how much from the subject to the background is in focus). For more information on this, see our Aperture page
ISO
The higher you set it, the more light comes in when exposing an image. The higher the number, the more digital noise, so if possible, stay below 800. If you need to go higher to get the shot, you can use Topaz Denoise to filter out the digital noise later.
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION
Hotels, Restaurants, Weather, & Park Information.
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HOTELS:
Longmire
The National Park Inn at Longmire includes a restaurant that is usually open year-round and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is the only in-park dining facility that is open all year.
Paradise
The Paradise Inn includes a restaurant and a small cafe. Like the Inn, the restaurant and the cafe are open only from May to early October. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. The cafe offers hot drinks, grab-and-go meals, and other quick food items.
The Paradise Camp Deli, a cafeteria in the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, is usually open on weekends and holidays in the winter and daily from May through early October.
Sunrise
The Sunrise Day Lodge includes a snack bar. Sunrise Day Lodge is usually open from July through September.
PARK & AREA INFORMATION
Entrance Fee (Standard Entrance Pass)
| Type | Dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Private Vehicle | Year-round | $30.00 |
| Motorcycle | Year-round | $25.00 |
Reservations and Timed Entry
A timed entry reservation is required for two areas of the park: (1) Paradise Corridor coming from the southwest (near Ashford, WA) or southeast (near Packwood, WA), and (2) Sunrise Corridor coming from the northeast (via Enumclaw, WA) from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Each corridor requires a separate vehicle reservation. Timed entry reservations are for a single day per vehicle and are required in addition to an entrance fee or park pass.
| Type | Dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Paradise Corridor Reservation | May 24–September 2 | $2.00 |
| Sunrise Corridor Reservation | July 4–September 2 | $2.00 |
CAMPGROUNDS
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WHERE TO EAT
Adjacent to the National Park Inn, the Longmire General Store offers a limited selection of groceries, camping supplies, gifts, and souvenirs.
Remember that you can use a rain sleeve on your camera if it is raining. If it is bright and sunny, you want to use a low ISO, such as 50 or 100.
If you photograph cloudy days, you can use running water or waterfall photography to help avoid the glaring sun. You can also use an ND filter to get long exposures for dramatic effects, even in the sunshine.
