Mount Rainier was the fifth National Park to be formed in the USA, the mountain is in fact a volcano and is best known for the glaciers that radiate from its summit, 26 are named and together these form the greatest single glacier system in the USA.

Mount Rainier is circled by the Wonderland Trail and is covered by several glaciers and snowfields totaling some 35 square miles.

The lower areas of the park are covered with old growth forests of cedar, fir and pine. Over two million visitors each year come to this park for hiking, camping and cross country skiing. Mount Rainier is a popular peak for mountain climbing with some 10,000 attempts per year with approximately 25% making it to the summit.

Paradise is the name of an area at approximately 5,400 feet on the south slope of Mount Rainier in the national park. Paradise is the most popular destination for visitors to Mount Rainier National Park.