If you’re looking for an extended weekend itinerary for one of the most popular national parks in Washington State, you’ve come to the right place. Discover all the activities we enjoyed during our 2-day adventure in Mount Rainier National Park, from scenic hikes to camping under the stars. So, let’s dive in, shall we?
In the summer of 2023, Abhi and I challenged ourselves to go beyond our comfort zone and try something new. We learned to kayak and embarked on our first camping trip in the USA. Watch this Mount Rainier Summer Vlog to get an idea about our camping experience, hiking and more.👇
Camping is one of the most popular summer activities in the USA, allowing travelers to stay close to nature and experience it fully. For our first camping trip, we chose Mount Rainier National Park—a must-visit spot in Washington. If you’re planning a day trip to Mount Rainier, click here to read my detailed guide specially designed for non-hikers.
In this blog post, I’ll share everything about our first camping trip, including our campsite details, weekend itinerary, and a handy camping checklist.
Mount Rainier National Park Camping Guide
Mount Rainier National Park is a favorite destination for campers. Due to its popularity, getting a campsite within the park can be challenging unless you book well in advance, typically when reservations open before the camping season.
There are several campgrounds in and around the park—some require pre-booking, while others run on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each campground has specific rules, so I recommend calling the ranger station before finalizing your booking.
Our choice: Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground
Since we couldn’t secure a spot at popular locations like Cougar Campgrounds and Ohanapicosh Campground, we expanded our search and discovered Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground. Located on the south shores of Mineral Lake, this private campsite offered a serene setting for our adventure.
The campground offers options for both RV and non-RV camping. We reserved our spot directly through their website and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Below are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Cost: $62 (with electricity, for 4 people)
Booking: Made directly through their website
Things we loved (Pros):
- Electricity: National Park campgrounds typically lack electricity, which can be challenging for amateur campers like us. Thankfully, this site had an electric pole next to each campsite, making tasks like cooking and inflating air mattresses much easier.
- Scenic Views: The sunrise over Mineral Lake was breathtaking, with calm waters perfectly reflecting the surrounding peaks.
- Activities: From kayaking to fishing, this campground offered plenty of fun options. We particularly enjoyed kayaking and exploring the tranquil waters.
- Clean Toilets: The vaulted toilets were well-maintained and stocked with sanitizer.
Things that can be better (Cons):
- No Sink: The absence of a sink made tasks like brushing teeth or washing hands inconvenient. To minimize our environmental impact, we avoided contaminating the ground or lake and relied heavily on hand sanitizers. For oral hygiene, mints became our go-to.
- Limited Toilets: With only two toilets serving the entire campground, long morning queue was a challenge.
- Noise Levels: Due to its proximity to Mineral Lake Resort we had to endure loud party music until 3 AM at night that disrupted our sleep several times.
- Drinking Water Quality: The drinking water, sourced directly from the lake and had impurities. Therefore, we boiling it first before drinking. I’d highly recommend getting ample drinking water from home to avoid health problems.
Our camping checklist
Here is a detailed list of everything we carried during our camping trip. Additionally, I’m rating them based on what was useful and what wasn’t. You can pin this image for your future camping trip(s).
Essential Camping items
- Coleman 2-person Sundome Camping Tent – 10-minute easy assemble and quick disassemble. Can be easily done by 1 person.
- Sleeping Bag with Pillows – We were able to sleep in this without extra padding as it has slight cushioning. However, carried extra pads the second time since the camp ground was rocky.
- Lantern, essential for nighttime use.
- Reusable Plates, bowls and insulated mugs to minimize waste.
- Electric Kettle and Heating Coil for making ready-to-eat meals and hot drinks.
- Bug Spray to avoid getting bitten by bugs or getting rashes, it’s a must-have for comfort. We also carried Bear spray, as it was mentioned in the national park guidelines.
- Firewood for a cozy bonfire experience.
- A few Kitchen tools for ease like barbecue forks, scissor, knife, trash bags.
- Camping chair and picnic mat
- Dry bag for kayaking
Food we brought with us
- Ready-to-eat food like instant noodles and oatmeal.
- Corn cobs and sausages for bonfire – if you’re carrying food with a strong odor, try to finish it before sleeping to avoid animal encounter.
- Instant coffee and Green Tea sachets.
- Trail mix for quick snacking.
Clothes & other essentials, I highly recommend
- Thermal Shirt and Pants: Night temperatures in Mount Rainier can drop significantly, even in summer. Wearing thermals ensures comfort and a good night’s sleep.
- Warm Socks: Keeps your feet warm and cozy during chilly nights.
- Sunscreen: Essential for protecting your skin during the day as it can get quite hot in the summer.
- Waterproof Shoes: to keep your feet dry while kayaking and hiking.
Less useful items and their Alternatives
- Air Mattresses: While they offer some convenience, we found them bulky, excessively bouncy, and prone to deflation. A sleeping bag paired with a sleeping pad is a more practical and comfortable alternative.
- Firestarter: We opted for small wood chips and dry leaves as makeshift fire starters, which worked perfectly for us.
- Toothpaste: Given the lack of sinks at the campsite, toothpaste tablets proved to be a more hygienic and convenient choice for oral care during our second camping adventure.
Our 2-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Skyline Trail Hike
For our first day at Mount Rainier, we decided to tackle the renowned Skyline Trail Hike—a must-do, especially during wildflower season, which is one of the most magical times to visit the park. This 5.8-mile loop trail is a challenging yet rewarding adventure, celebrated for its vibrant wildflower meadows and awe-inspiring views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascade Range.
We left Seattle around 7:30 AM and arrived at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center by 11 AM to begin our hike. The trail instantly captivated us with its stunning wildflower meadows teeming with fluttering butterflies and chirping birds, punctuated by small streams and distant views of cascading spring waterfalls.
With only three hours available for this hike, we opted to take the Golden Gate Trail right after Myrtle Falls, which connects back to the Skyline Trail before Panorama Point. However, we underestimated the steepness and sharp switchbacks of this route—it turned out to be quite the workout!
Despite the challenge, we thoroughly enjoyed immersing ourselves in the breathtaking wilderness of Mount Rainier. This hike is a must-add to any itinerary! For a closer look at the trail and what to expect, check out the video of our adventure below.
Camping at Mineral Lake
After wrapping up our exhilarating hike, we headed to our campsite near Alder Lake. The site was idyllic—nestled by the lake with stunning views and plenty of space to park the car, pitch our tent, and set up a cozy bonfire.
We had an exciting lineup of activities planned for the evening and night. First on the agenda was kayaking on the serene waters of Mineral Lake, where we soaked in the peaceful surroundings. Later, we stayed up late to catch the Perseid meteor shower, which was at its peak that night. The combination of calm waters and a star-studded sky made for an unforgettable camping experience.
Kayaking at Mineral Lake
While searching for activities near Mineral Lake, we discovered a mobile kayak rental service called Lakeside Kayak Rental. You can reserve kayaks in advance, and they will deliver them to any location within Mount Rainier.
We rented two single kayaks for $20 per hour ($25 if paying by card) and had a refreshing time paddling across the lake. Although the water was a bit choppy in some areas, it was still a fun and invigorating experience.
Company: Lakeside kayak rental (One of the owner’s name is Harley)
Cost: $20 per hour (cash payment) or $25 (if paid using card)
Call for booking: (253) 765-3896
Bonfire
We kicked off our evening by the bonfire, roasting corn cobs and sipping on chilled beverages. The cool breeze and the warmth of the fire perfectly complemented each other. We had a great time chatting, listening to music, and enjoying our food, all while unwinding and relaxing.
Perseid Meteor Shower
This was one of the activities I was most excited about. It was my first experience seeing a meteor shower, and I couldn’t wait. Despite some light pollution at our campsite, the Milky Way was still visible to the naked eye. We watched the meteor shower reach its peak at midnight, and it was truly a surreal experience.
Day 2: Sunrise at Mineral Lake
On the second day, I woke up early to watch the sunrise at Mineral Lake. The scene was breathtaking, with mist gently rising from the water and the sky adorned in soft pink hues. The area was alive with birds, from tree swallows and songbirds to waterfowl. It was an incredibly serene and delightful way to start the day.
Visit to Alder Lake
After wrapping up our campsite, we made our way to Alder Lake, a serene reservoir tucked into the foothills of Mount Rainier. Formed by the Alder Dam on the Nisqually River, the lake is surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, creating a picture-perfect retreat for nature lovers and adventurers.
We spent some time strolling along the lake’s shores, soaking in its beauty and spotting wildlife in the tranquil surroundings. Afterward, we continued to our most-anticipated destination of the day. Alder Lake is a versatile spot—you can make it a picnic destination or enjoy activities like kayaking on its calm waters.
RailCycle Mt. Rainier
Our final adventure of the day was cycling on the historic railroad in Mount Rainier—a group activity that had been on my bucket list for quite some time. It’s an exhilarating way to explore the foothills of Mount Rainier and is perfect for all ages.
We started our experience at the RailCycle Mt. Rainier center in Eatonville with a brief orientation. The session covered the history of the railroad and how the rail cycles work, setting the stage for an exciting ride. Once we were all set, we hopped onto our rail cycles and waited eagerly for the tour to begin.
The journey spanned a 1.5-mile trail and took about 1.5 hours, including a 30-minute recreational break at the end of the track. The pedaling was comfortable, and the scenic views along the way were simply stunning.
During the break, we enjoyed the snacks and drinks we had packed, while also playing games like Jenga and Checkers provided by the tour company. It was a delightful way to relax and soak in the surroundings before heading back.
This rail cycle tour was the perfect mix of adventure, history, and relaxation—a unique experience I’d highly recommend to anyone visiting the area.
Location: 13203 Alder Mashel Connection Rd E, Eatonville
Cycle Options: 2, 3, and 4-seater cycles
Ticket Price: $35 per person
Duration: 2 hours
Mount Rainier National Park never ceases to amaze with its breathtaking scenery, natural wonders, and endless activities to enjoy. It’s undoubtedly one of the top destinations in Washington and a fantastic spot for summer camping. I hope this blog post inspires you to create unforgettable memories in this incredible national park.
Feel free to drop your questions or planning queries in the comments or send me a DM on Instagram—I’m always happy to help!
Happy Camping! 😊🏕️
