One of the best times of year to visit Mount Rainier is in the winter months. When the days get shorter, the summer crowds head home, and the park turns into a true winter wonderland, come visit Longmire in Mount Rainier National Park on a day tour.
Stroll through the old-growth forests, where Douglas fir, hemlock, and cedar trees dwarf visitors. The bubbling natural springs tell a story of what lies beneath this abundant and volatile landscape. Experience the natural silence that takes hold as the snow dusted trees insulate the world around you. Learn about the diverse history the Longmire area and how this region has attracted visitors long before it was even in consideration of being a national park.
After arriving in the National Park, you can anticipate getting out to explore as much of the Longmire area as possible for the day. Experience the highlights beyond the vehicle during walks and hikes with your guide by your side the entire time. If conditions call for snowshoes, your guide will provide an introductory lesson on how to stay safe and enjoy your snowshoe walk. With just a few other travelers in your group (each tour is ten people or fewer) you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your fellow traveling companions and your guide throughout the experience.
Sleep in a little on this shorter day tour with a later start than our full day Mount Rainier Tour. We will bring light breakfast pastries, local coffee, and tea to enjoy at our first restroom break along the drive. Enjoy a locally sourced lunch in the afternoon complete with hot soup to warm you up after our morning activities. Replenish with snacks, sparkling water, and water throughout the tour so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
If you’re staying in Downtown Seattle, we can pick you up near your accommodations! We will reach out to you by phone the day before your tour to confirm exact pickup timing.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
8:00-8:30a Seattle to Mt. Rainier and Longmire Begins with Downtown Pickups
Generally, our last pickup for each tour occurs at the Sheraton Grand in Seattle. This isn’t always the case – so check with us – but we consider it a default location for anyone staying outside of downtown. Let our team know where you’re staying and we’ll do everything we can to make your pickup as easy as possible.
9:00a SeaTac or Tacoma Area Pickups (By Request)
We’re happy to offer centralized pickup options en route to the National Park upon request. On our Winter Mount Rainier Day Tour we can offer pick-ups at:
- SeaTac Airport Area
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188 - Tacoma Area
Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown Hotel
1515 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
11:00a Enter Mt. Rainier National Park
We’ll stop to press coffee, make tea, and have a light breakfast snack on our way to the park entrance.
11:30a Wander Old-Growth Forest Trails
You might start with a nice lower-elevation walk to get your legs moving after the commute. These ancient giants offer protection from any potential winter weather you might experience. Being able to walk through the lush old growth forests and smelling the fresh rain on the soil is a treat that many don’t get the chance to take part in.
1:00p Lunch in Longmire
Arrive at the primary visitor center open during the winter months and enjoy a little downtime before lunch to use the restroom, browse interpretive info, photograph icicles (or snow), get your National Park passport stamped, or find a quick gift for a loved one back home.
Enjoy a local meal complete with warm soup to warm up during the colder days and dessert to satisfy any sweet cravings!
2:00p Winter Wonderland Explorations
We’ll set off on another walkabout after lunch. We may wander another forested trail for a look into Mount Rainier’s rich history or explore along the Nisqually River for a peacful snowshoe walk. All told, you can expect to walk about 2-4 miles over the course of the day.
3:00p Begin Your Journey Back to Seattle
Around 3:00 we’ll start to head back towards the Emerald City. Enjoy a peaceful ride back through diverse scenery as we make our way home to Seattle.
5:00-5:30p Downtown Seattle Drop-Offs
We’ll drop travelers off where we found them (or another preferred spot nearby).
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