The Mount Rainier Majestic Trails Self-Guided Audio Tour – Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, Washington

EXPERIENCE

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 91-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Mount Rainier in 3-4 hours.

Your journey through the iconic Mount Rainier National Park commences from one of three entrances: The Nisqually entrance, Silver Creek Visitor Center, and Chinook Pass. Drive alongside the Nisqually River and learn about the different types of forests that thrive throughout the park.

Then go back in time to learn the history of the Nisqually. Hear how they survived the harsh winters and uncover why they built their shelters at higher altitudes. Learn about the variety of wildlife in the park, including blacktail deer and bears. Then drive past towering Comet Falls, one of the tallest in the park at 301 feet!

After that, meet explorer and entrepreneur James Longmire. Discover how he discovered bubbling hot springs and turned them into a thriving business opportunity, along with constructing the first roads in the area. Drive by Ricksecker Point, which offers beautiful views of Mount Rainier and the forest. Learn about its dangerous history and a link to President Taft! As you keep driving, dig into Mount Rainier s volcanic secrets, going back 40 million years! Thankfully, it hasn t erupted for a very long time!

Next, behold 168-foot Narada Falls and learn the history behind their unique name! Driving along, you might catch a glimpse of Unicorn Peak. Find out how its several glaciers help keep the park lush and verdant! Then, hear about the Puyallup people. Learn how they survived and hear about their heartwarming hospitality, which fur traders sadly refused! Up next, get the stories behind the first Europeans to successfully ascend Mount Rainier and the Yakima guide who helped them. Hear about his haunting warning and find out what happened! As the journey continues, drive past mirror-like Reflection Lake.

Hear about the park s history in WWII, including the famed Military Ski Patrol. Discover how their training came in handy in battle! Then, drive on past the Shriner Peak Trailhead. Hear about the oldest fire lookout in the park and uncover why it s needed among all the ice! Hear about the battles between tribes and the government in the Puget Sound War. Get to know daring figures like Fay Fuller, the first woman to summit Mt. Rainier, and William Arquette, a Puyallup youth who found power in music.

After exploring the “Quiet Corner,” head to Sunrise Point Lookout and learn about its history, including how the CCC built the overlook and the workers’ experiences. Then, drive to Sunrise Rim and Mount Fremont Lookout Trails, which mark the end of the Nisqually portion of the tour. The Silver Creek tour ends at Tahoma Creek, while the Chinook Pass tour ends at the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. Keep an eye out for the park’s unique wildlife along the way!

HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the park s unique wildlife
See towering Comet Falls
Meet figures like John Muir, father of national parks
Learn about Mount Rainier s geological secrets
Savor the view from breathtaking Sunrise Point Lookout

Discover more exciting & fun things to do in Jackson Memorial Visitor Center