Mount Rainier in October: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 54/100 · #8 of 12 months
October is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Mount Rainier National Park: crowds run 32% of the July peak (134,477 average visits). Weather: highs average 46°F and lows 33°F, with 11.3″ of precipitation and 11 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 October
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 33°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 11.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Waterproof bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: 11.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
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Mount Rainier in October: what the park service says
October is when Mount Rainier's east-side passes can shut. The park service says Chinook Pass (SR 410) and Cayuse Pass (SR 123) close for the winter every year, typically sometime in mid-November, but heavy snow can close them earlier: in 2022 they closed on October 25. Once closed they usually reopen in late May. If your plan crosses the east side, check the park's road status page and the WSDOT mountain passes page the morning you drive.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in October
Mount Rainier averages 134,477 recreation visits in October — 32% of what July, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.
Weather & daylight
Expect cool days (highs average 46°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 33°F). This is one of the wetter months (11.3″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 11 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 October.
What to pack for Mount Rainier in October
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 33°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 11.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 11.3″ 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 October
Other parks whose computed October verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Badlands in October — 27% of peak crowds, highs 63°F, score 81/100
- Isle Royale in October — 2% of peak crowds, highs 51°F, score 81/100
- Wind Cave in October — 25% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 81/100
- Gateway Arch in October — 26% of peak crowds, highs 69°F, score 80/100
Common questions
Is Mount Rainier crowded in October?
No — October is one of the quieter months: 32% of the July peak, averaging 134,477 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Mount Rainier.
What is the weather like in Mount Rainier in October?
Average highs of 46°F, lows of 33°F, 11.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US station). Compare it with other national parks in October.
What should I pack for Mount Rainier in October?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in November instead? Mount Rainier in November has its own list.
Is everything open at Mount Rainier in October?
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 October · Last verified 2026-09-24