Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park
The best months to visit Mount Rainier National Park are May, June, September — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (420,918 monthly visits); February is quietest at 4% of peak.
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Mount Rainier month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Harsh season | 26,038 | 6% | 35°F / 24°F | 17.2″ | 8.9h |
| February | Harsh season | 16,368 | 4% | 34°F / 23°F | 12.9″ | 10.3h |
| March | Harsh season | 23,760 | 6% | 36°F / 24°F | 13.2″ | 11.8h |
| April | Harsh season | 31,480 | 7% | 40°F / 26°F | 8.3″ | 13.6h |
| May | Best window | 85,473 | 20% | 48°F / 33°F | 5.1″ | 15h |
| June | Best window | 224,875 | 53% | 54°F / 37°F | 3.8″ | 15.8h |
| July | Peak crowds | 420,918 | 100% | 62°F / 44°F | 1.4″ | 15.5h |
| August | Peak crowds | 398,276 | 95% | 64°F / 45°F | 1.6″ | 14.3h |
| September | Best window | 234,962 | 56% | 57°F / 41°F | 4.4″ | 12.6h |
| October | Shoulder | 134,477 | 32% | 46°F / 33°F | 11.3″ | 11h |
| November | Harsh season | 28,388 | 7% | 37°F / 26°F | 18.2″ | 9.4h |
| December | Harsh season | 19,405 | 5% | 33°F / 22°F | 18.9″ | 8.6h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US (4 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
What to pack for Mount Rainier in May
Computed from May's weather normals — Mount Rainier's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 33°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 5.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Mount Rainier?
May, June, September rank best for Mount Rainier on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight, among months when the park’s headline access is typically open.
What is the most crowded month at Mount Rainier?
July: an average of 420,918 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is February, at 4% of the July peak.
How many people visit Mount Rainier per year?
Mount Rainier National Park averaged 1,644,420 recreation visits per year over 2021–2025, per official NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
Dive into a month
Last verified 2026-09-12 · all parks