Money is tight, but necessity is the mother of invention. (This means: come up with something cheap so the kids don't get restless during spring break / summer vacation.) Here are some of the best places for kids to have fun at Mount Rainier or near Mount Rainier National Park. Even daytrips can work wonders as mini vacation getaways.
The Mount Rainier Junior Ranger Program
These programs are the happening thing for kids. Get free children’s activity books at Visitor Centers (within Mount Rainier National Park). Children can become Junior Rangers and get a Junior Ranger badge.
- Summer Weekends
- Ages 6-11.
Ranger Talks at Ohanapecosh, Paradise, and other sites:
Some of the best things at Mount Rainier are the ranger talks and guided strolls on easy walking trails. There’s just something so cool about seeing a live person dressed like Smokey the Bear. Rangers explain the local ecosystem and often tell stories or play games with the kids.
Ohanapecosh amphitheater and Paradise Inn have evening talks and/or movies. The ranger will probably add some excitement by telling audience members that they are sitting atop a rumbling, sleeping volcano.
Mid July - early September
- $10 per car for 7 day pass for Mount Rainier
- Blind/disabled free.
Best Places for Kids: Northwest Trek
This place is great. Northwest Trek has over 700 acres of North American animals which local people and visitors hope to see at Mt Rainier. Fortunately, some of the more exciting critters, like cougars and wolves, are seldom encountered by campers. And, though mountain goats are pounding the rocks throughout the Washington mountains, Northwest Trek is an easy way to see these “mountain climbers” without binoculars. The Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is fascinating to kiddies as well as most adults.
Northwest Trek is also an educational foundation. The original land was donated by a local environmentalist and much of their funding comes from conservation groups.
- Adults $15.50, Seniors $14.00, Children $7.50-10.50, Under 3 Free
- Discounts for county residents, military, and special groups
Mini Getaways: Guided Trail Rides on Horseback
Thrill a teenage girl (or any girl over 5) with a trail ride through scenic woods or along a river. A guide comes along to lead the way and to explain the handling of a horse. No fancy equestrian experience is necessary. Usually, the most difficult part of a trail ride is to pull the horse’s head up (by the reigns) when the animal tries to snack along the way or to duck under wet evergreen branches. These are “babysitter” horses and they just poke along. It’s a beautiful experience. Here are some good outfitters to try:
EZ Times Outfitters:
Outside Mt Rainier Park’s southwest Nisqually Entrance, on the way to Longmire. There is nothing more relaxing and beautiful than a ride along the Nisqually river.
- Elbe WA 360-569-2449
- $35-$45 per hour
Crystal Mountain Outfitters:
Outside of Mount Rainier, on the NE side of the national park. These rides go along Norse Peak Wilderness and the Wenatchee National Forest. This side of the mountain is gorgeous. Reservations online.
Chinook Pass Outfitters:
These outfitters are also in the Wenatchee National Forest, though they are closer to White Pass and the Ohanapecosh area of Mount Rainier. These outfitters have good horses and will accommodate overnight groups. Cool.
- Short rides: ages 6 and up.
- Longer rides: ages 12 and up.
- Naches WA 509-653-2633
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad
This is an old steam train that was shut down when the logging company didn’t need it any longer. One man loved the train and rehabbed it to start a tourist train near Mount Rainier. This is one example of recycling at its best, and the old train is still thrilling children and adults who are addicted to nostalgia, trains, and beautiful scenery. Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad gets rave reviews, except for the hard wooden seats from the good old days.
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad runs a new route during 2009, because the Nisqually bridge sustained damage. Catch the train in the city of Mineral WA, not Elbe, but the train’s still on track. The Mount Rainier Scenic RR also has special events like Easter Bunny Express, Great Pumpkin Express, and Snowball Express.
- Reservations: Call 1-888-783-2611
- Ages 13 - 61: $20, Ages 4-12 $15, 3 and under free
- Discounts for military, seniors, and groups
Mountain Bike Trails
Inside Mount Rainier National Park, bikes are allowed only on specified roads at Nisqually Entrance, Carbon River Road, Mowich Lake Road, and Longmire. Check Mount Rainier road conditions.
Outside the park, near Ashford WA, there are over 20 miles in the Mt Tahoma Trails System. Most of these rides are for experienced and older children with accomplished biking skills.
Hey, money is tight. Check out these fabulous kid-friendly attractions, which can be great mini-vacation getaways for families. Day tripping or camping at Mount Rainier is a beautiful experience and these are some of the best places for kids to have fun in the Mount Rainier National Park area.
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Resources:
Mount Rainier National Park Washington, nps.gov.
Visit Rainier The Offical Mount Rainier Website, visitrainier.com.
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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