The meadows at Mount Rainier are bursting with wildflowers in the summer months. The season is dependent on the weather, but mid-July through August is the usual wildflower season. Check here to see what is currently blooming and plan your trip.
Good spots to view wildflowers with kids
Try Deadhorse Creek Trail in Paradise and the Palisades Lake Trail at Sunrise. You’ll find a rainbow of beautiful wildflowers sprinkling the meadows with color. Another easily accessible destination for wildflower viewing is Tipsoo Lake. Always check for closures and alerts before heading out.
Wildflower identification
Mount Rainier is home to hundreds of species of wildflowers. Learn about them all in this handy wildflower identification guide, organized by color.
Before you hit the trails, watch some videos of the wildflower meadows with your kids. They’ll learn what to look for, and they’ll feel like botany experts when they can correctly identify blooms.
Do explore, but watch your step
Even in August, there could be snow on Mount Rainier. You might be tempted to wander off the path in order to avoid a patch of melting snow; however, going off-trail could trample the wildflowers you came to enjoy. Stay on the marked trails –even if that means crossing snow, particularly in the meadows around Paradise and Sunrise. Don’t worry: there are plenty of picturesque backdrops for selfies from the trails.
Visit the park for free
Don’t forget that the National Park Service is offering free admission on August 9.  By late August, frost can sometimes end peak-season blooming. But even after a light frost, the meadows remain very beautiful, thanks to the changing leaf colors.
Other National Parks to explore
While Mount Rainier’s subalpine meadows are a beautiful location for wildflower viewing, you’ll find pretty flowers at all three of Washington’s National Parks. Read our tips for exploring Washington National Parks with your family.
