Mount Rainierwildflowers
Out of season: the next wildflowers season is in 2027.
Right now in Mount Rainier · September
296days to the next wildflowers seasonusually Jul 21–Aug 10
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 86% chanceTuesday, Tuesday Night
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 2:26 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Mount Rainier National Park through the year
- WildflowersJul–Aug
- Busiest monthsJul–Aug
- Tire chains requiredNov–May
Best spots around Mount Rainier National Park
- ParadiseDrive-to subalpine meadows, famous for wildflowers; the meadow trails here are paved
- SunriseThe park's other big meadow area you can drive to
- Tipsoo LakeSubalpine wildflower meadow beside the lake, the third drive-to meadow
- Spray Park, Saint Andrews Park and Ohanapecosh ParkMeadows in the ring around the mountain that you can only reach on foot
Mount Rainier in pictures
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Park Service, Wildflowers of Mount Rainier (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · National Park Service, Photograph Wildflowers in the Subalpine Meadows (Mount Rainier) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · National Park Service, Discover Mount Rainier's wildflowers (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Mount Rainier wildflower status (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Mount Rainier hours (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Mount Rainier FAQ (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26)
Questions people ask
When is peak wildflowers in Mount Rainier National Park in 2027?
There's no forecast yet. In a typical year it peaks Jul 21–Aug 10. We add the forecast as soon as one is published.
Is it blooming in Mount Rainier National Park right now?
Not now: the wildflowers season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 296 days (usually Jul 21–Aug 10).
When are the meadows at their best?
In most years plenty is blooming by mid-July, and the subalpine meadows usually peak from late July to early August. Frost can arrive by late August, but the meadows stay lovely as leaves change color and seed heads form.Sources: National Park Service, Discover Mount Rainier's wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Mount Rainier wildflower status ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Why are the high meadows so showy?
Their season is very short. Snow can stay in the meadows between about 4,500 and 6,500 feet into June or July, so the flowers bloom all at once before winter returns.Source: National Park Service, Wildflowers of Mount Rainier ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What blooms earlier in the year?
In May the high meadows are still under deep snow, but forest flowers such as western trillium and skunk cabbage start at low elevations. In June come vanilla leaf, foam flower and bunchberry in the forest, and the first avalanche and glacier lilies as the meadows melt out.Source: National Park Service, Discover Mount Rainier's wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I step into the meadow for a photo?
No: picking wildflowers and going off trail are strictly prohibited. Stay on the trail, even when that means walking across snow.Sources: National Park Service, Photograph Wildflowers in the Subalpine Meadows (Mount Rainier) ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Mount Rainier wildflower status ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Mount Rainier National Park?
Paradise: drive-to subalpine meadows, famous for wildflowers; the meadow trails here are paved; Sunrise: the park's other big meadow area you can drive to; Tipsoo Lake: subalpine wildflower meadow beside the lake, the third drive-to meadow; Spray Park, Saint Andrews Park and Ohanapecosh Park: meadows in the ring around the mountain that you can only reach on foot.
What is Mount Rainier National Park like through the year?
Wildflowers (Jul–Aug), Busiest months (Jul–Aug) and Tire chains required (Nov–May).