Washington · National Park
Best time to visit Mount Rainier
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Source: NPS + NOAA
Mount Rainier has no month that is both mild (average high 50 to 85°F) and below the average monthly visits, so pick between weather and crowds. August is busiest, with 26% of 2025 recreation visits. February was quietest, with an average high of 34°F. Sources: NPS IRMA Stats and NOAA normals, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Crowd index by month
Each bar is that month’s NPS recreation visits compared with the average month of 2025 (100 = average). August scored 316; February scored 9.
Source: NPS IRMA Stats, recreation visitors, 2025, pulled Oct 26, 2026. Index = month ÷ average month × 100.
Weather normals by month
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip in | Crowd index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34.5 | 23.8 | 17.22 | 21 |
| February | 34.1 | 22.6 | 12.93 | 9 |
| March | 35.7 | 23.6 | 13.21 | 17 |
| April | 40.0 | 26.4 | 8.35 | 30 |
| May | 48.2 | 33.0 | 5.08 | 73 |
| June | 53.6 | 36.8 | 3.84 | 184 |
| July | 62.2 | 43.9 | 1.41 | 314 |
| August | 63.6 | 45.2 | 1.64 | 316 |
| September | 57.4 | 41.2 | 4.43 | 124 |
| October | 46.4 | 32.8 | 11.25 | 73 |
| November | 37.0 | 26.0 | 18.16 | 22 |
| December | 32.6 | 22.0 | 18.92 | 16 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (monthly), station USC00456898. The station may sit at a different elevation than the places you visit, so expect cooler temperatures higher up.
Closures and seasonal dates
| Campground | Closed from | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Ohanapecosh Campground | Apr 1, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 |
| Ohanapecosh Campground | Oct 12, 2026 | Jun 13, 2027 |
| Cougar Rock Campground | Oct 12, 2026 | May 23, 2027 |
| White River Campground | Sep 21, 2026 | Jun 20, 2027 |
Park Closure SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
There is NO public access to Carbon River & Mowich Lake from SR 165. The bridge is closed to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and there is no alternate route. Details on nps.gov
Source: NPS API campgrounds and alerts, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Hours
Mount Rainier National Park is open all year. Visitation peaks in July and August with warmer weather and blooming wildflowers. In spring and autumn, weather determines the availability of facilities and roads. During winter months a number of roads, facilities, and entrances close for the season.
Source: NPS API operating hours, checked Oct 26, 2026.
More on Mount Rainier: tour or DIY overview. TourOrDIY is independent and not affiliated with the National Park Service. See the accuracy disclaimer and our method.