Mount Rainier in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Harsh season · VisitWhen score 50/100 · #9 of 12 months
November is a harsh-season month at Mount Rainier National Park: crowds run 7% of the July peak (28,388 average visits). Weather: highs average 37°F and lows 26°F, with 18.2″ of precipitation and 9.4 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 November
- Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 26°F, below freezing.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 18.2″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.4 hours of daylight in mid-November.
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Mount Rainier in November: what the park service says
From late October Mount Rainier runs on its winter schedule. The park service says winter vehicle access is only through the Nisqually Entrance, and the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise opens from October 29 on weekends and holidays only, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., conditions permitting, and stays closed Monday to Friday. Sunrise Road is closed to cars, though people on foot or bicycle can still use it, and the Sunrise Visitor Center is closed for the season.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in November
Mount Rainier averages 28,388 recreation visits in November — 7% of what July, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Expect cold conditions (highs average 37°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 26°F). This is one of the wetter months (18.2″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 9.4 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 November.
What to pack for Mount Rainier in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 26°F, below freezing
- Rain shell + pack cover — 18.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 9.4 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 18.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Mount Rainier are May and June.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Mount Rainier crowded in November?
No — November is one of the quieter months: 7% of the July peak, averaging 28,388 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Mount Rainier.
What is the weather like in Mount Rainier in November?
Average highs of 37°F, lows of 26°F, 18.2″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.
What should I pack for Mount Rainier in November?
Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Mount Rainier in December has its own list.
Is everything open at Mount Rainier in November?
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 November · Last verified 2026-09-24