Mount Rainier

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from SEA

Seattle to Mount Rainier RV Road Trip

About two hours from Seattle to Mount Rainier's Nisqually entrance and the meadows at Paradise.

Photo: Mount Rainier National Park from Ashford, WA, United States (Public domain)

Seattle to Mount Rainier by RV is about 69 miles and about 2 hours of driving via Summit, Eatonville. This round trip covers 137 miles in 3 nights (4 days): Mount Rainier (2 nights), then back to Seattle. Best months: Jul–Sep. Off season now · best Jul–Sep.

At a glance

Trip length
3 nights · 4 days
Route
Seattle → Mount Rainier → Seattle · 137 mi · about 3½ hours driving
Longest driving day
About 2 hours
Arrive and depart
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
RV pickup and return
Seattle area (rental listings around Seattle)
Overnights
Mount Rainier → Seattle (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Jul–Sep

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

Loading map…
  1. Day 1 Mount Rainier · about 2 hours
  2. Day 2 Mount Rainier (night 2)
  3. Day 3 Seattle (near the airport and RV return) · about 2 hours
  4. Day 4 Fly home from SEA

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Seattle and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at SEA, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 2 hours · 69 mi to Mount Rainier. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 2 nights (check out Day 3)

    Inside the parkCougar Rock CampgroundLongmire, WA · inside the park · 4.0★ (799)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 35 ft; 4.0★ from 799 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Inside the parkOhanapecosh CampgroundPackwood, WA · inside the park · 5.0★ (638)Lists sites up to 32 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to Mount RainierMineral Lake Lions Den CampgroundMineral, WA · about 15 min to Mount Rainier (estimate) · 4.2★ (74)Lists sites up to 60 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to Mount RainierRiverside Camping Near Mt RainierElbe, WA · about 10 min to Mount Rainier (estimate)Lists sites up to 35 ft; confirm your site fits

    Getting around Mount Rainier

    From Cougar Rock Campground: you're inside the park.

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for Mount Rainier; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

    Loading activities…

    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  2. Day 2 Mount Rainier: explore

    Experience

    Two nights give a full day at Paradise for wildflower meadows and glacier views.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Cougar Rock Campground · same site, no packing up

  3. Day 3 Drive back toward Seattle

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 2 hours · 68 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportSaltwater State ParkDes Moines, WA · about 10 min from the RV return areaWhy stay here: About 10 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 60 ft.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Near the airportVasa Park ResortBellevue, WA · about 25 min from the RV return area · 4.0★ (10)Lists sites up to 60 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Near the airportSun Outdoors Gig HarborGig Harbor, WA · about 30 min from the RV return area · 4.7★ (83)Site length not listed: ask the campground

  4. Day 4 Return the RV and fly home from SEA

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Seattle area. Day 1 allows time to get from SEA to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Mount Rainier. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 137 miles.

RV rentals near Seattle airport

Before you go

  • Snow lingers at Paradise into July; peak wildflowers are usually late July to August.
  • Sunrise and many park campgrounds open only in summer.
  • The park has piloted timed-entry reservations in summer; check nps.gov/mora.

Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes · Hours & seasons

Seattle to Mount Rainier by RV: common questions

How far is it from Seattle to Mount Rainier?

Seattle to Mount Rainier is about 69 miles, roughly about 2 hours of driving via Summit, Eatonville without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 137 miles.

How many days do you need for Seattle to mount rainier by RV?

Plan on 3 nights (4 days): Mount Rainier (2 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 2 hours.

When is the best time to go?

Jul–Sep. Snow lingers at Paradise into July; peak wildflowers are usually late July to August.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Mount Rainier include Cougar Rock Campground, Ohanapecosh Campground, Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground. Inside the park: Cougar Rock Campground, Ohanapecosh Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Seattle. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

Related trips

RV parks near Mount Rainier National Park · All fly-and-drive trips · Road trip planner

Seattle to Mount Rainier
3 nights · round trip