Mount Rainier National Park
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Paradise Visitor Center
(Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center)
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Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center (Paradise Visitor Center) in Mount Rainier National Park
Paradise Visitor Center is a "must see" in Mount Rainier National Park.
Paradise Visitor Center
The Paradise Visitor Center, officially known as the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, is one of the main visitor hubs in Mount Rainier National Park. Located in the beautiful Paradise area on the south side of the mountain, this is a great place to begin your visit, especially if you are planning to explore the Skyline Trail, Myrtle Falls, Panorama Point, or the nearby Paradise Inn.
Inside the visitor center, you’ll find helpful park information, exhibits, maps, restrooms, a gift shop, and rangers who can answer questions about trails, road conditions, weather, and wildlife. Because Paradise sits high on the mountain, conditions can change quickly, so stopping here before heading out is often a smart idea.
With incredible views of Mount Rainier on clear days and easy access to some of the park’s most popular hikes, the Paradise Visitor Center is a welcoming and practical starting point for exploring this unforgettable part of the park.
There is a wonderful gift shop inside the Paradise Inn Visitor Center at Mount Rainier National Park.
There are very informative and fascinating displays in the Paradise Visitor Center.
The Paradise Visitor Center is one of the top attractions in Mount Rainier National Park.
How to get to Paradise Visitor Center.
Paradise Visitor Center is reached most commonly through the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park. From Ashford, follow State Route 706 east into the park, then continue past Longmire and up the winding Paradise Road. Paradise is about 19 miles from the Nisqually Entrance and about 12 miles beyond Longmire. The drive is beautiful, passing forest, mountain viewpoints, waterfalls, and classic Mount Rainier scenery along the way. During summer, visitors may also reach Paradise from the east via Stevens Canyon Road, when that road is open. Always check current park road conditions before heading up.
Paradise Visitor Center in Mount Rainier National Park.
Paradise Visitor Center with Mount Rainier towering in the distance.
When does Paradise Visitor Center open and close each year?
Paradise Inn is typically open during the warmer months, generally from May through September or early October. Because the Paradise area receives heavy snowfall and winter conditions can last well into spring, the inn closes during the colder months of the year. Opening and closing dates can vary each season depending on weather, snowpack, road access, and park operations, so it’s always a good idea to check ahead before making plans.
Just behind the Paradise Inn Visitor Center is the main trailhead that leads to most of the trails in the area.
Paradise Visitor Center's Services
The Paradise Visitor Center offers helpful services for anyone exploring this popular area of Mount Rainier National Park. Inside, you’ll find park information, exhibits, maps, restrooms, a book and gift store, food service, and rangers who can help answer questions about trails, weather, road conditions, and things to see nearby. It’s a smart first stop before heading out to explore Paradise, including the Skyline Trail, Myrtle Falls, Panorama Point, and the surrounding meadows.
This is a view of the Paradise Area from a distance. The Paradise Visitor Center shares the same parking lot as the Paradise Inn.
A A view of Paradise Inn Visitor Center along the Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park.
We always enjoy spending time in the Paradise Visitor Center in Mount Rainier National Park.
Where did the name "Paradise" come from?
Paradise got its name from Martha Longmire, the daughter-in-law of James Longmire, one of the early pioneers connected to the Mount Rainier area. When Martha first saw this remarkable place, with its open meadows, wildflowers, and breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, she is said to have exclaimed, “Oh, what a paradise!” The name stayed, and it still fits perfectly today. Paradise remains one of the most loved areas in Mount Rainier National Park, known for its summer wildflower displays, sweeping mountain scenery, and easy access to some of the park’s most unforgettable trails.
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