Nisqually Vista Trail

If there's one destination that all visitors to Mount Rainier National Park long to see, it's the wildflower-filled subalpine meadows of Paradise Park. The most accessible way to enjoy this truly impressive and stunning mountain landscape is to jump on one of two trails, the short jaunt to Myrtle Falls or the short, 1-mile loop trail.

Nisqually Vista Trail has an old paved path that winds through lush meadows and stands of Pacific silver fir, subalpine fir, and mountain hemlock to eventually reach several overlooks with panoramic views of the quickly retreating Nisqually Glacier and Mount Rainier itself.

For the most vivid scenery, a hike at dusk or dawn will be most rewarding as the upper slopes of the giant volcano and cornice of Point Success (Mount Rainier's second highest point at 14,148 feet) illuminate with alpenglow.