Mount Rainier in February: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Harsh season · VisitWhen score 49/100 · #10 of 12 months
February is a harsh-season month at Mount Rainier National Park: crowds run 4% of the July peak (16,368 average visits). Weather: highs average 34°F and lows 23°F, with 12.9″ of precipitation and 10.3 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Mount Rainier in February
- Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 23°F, below freezing.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 12.9″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-February.
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Mount Rainier in February: what the park service says
February at Mount Rainier is deep winter: the park service says cars can reach the mountain only through the Nisqually Entrance, and the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise opens on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., conditions permitting, and stays shut on weekdays. Sunrise Road is closed to vehicles, though open to people walking or cycling. Check the road status page on the morning you drive up.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in February
Mount Rainier averages 16,368 recreation visits in February — 4% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the quietest month of the year. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
It is properly cold (highs average 34°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 23°F). This is one of the wetter months (12.9″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 10.3 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US (4 mi from park coordinates, 5,427 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of February.
What to pack for Mount Rainier in February
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 23°F, below freezing
- Rain shell + pack cover — 12.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-February (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 12.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Mount Rainier are May and June.
Also at their best in February
Other parks whose computed February verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Zion in February — 25% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 80/100
- Shenandoah in February — 9% of peak crowds, highs 47°F, score 77/100
- Capitol Reef in February — 10% of peak crowds, highs 47°F, score 76/100
- Carlsbad Caverns in February — 39% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 76/100
Common questions
Is Mount Rainier crowded in February?
No — February is one of the quieter months: 4% of the July peak, averaging 16,368 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Mount Rainier.
What is the weather like in Mount Rainier in February?
Average highs of 34°F, lows of 23°F, 12.9″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US station). Compare it with other national parks in February.
What should I pack for Mount Rainier in February?
Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in March instead? Mount Rainier in March has its own list.
Is everything open at Mount Rainier in February?
Sunrise and Stevens Canyon roads are typically open only July–September; the road to Paradise is plowed and open year-round (carry chains in winter). Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in February · Last verified 2026-09-24