If you’re dreaming about escaping into the mountains then you’re in the right place.
This trip packs in sky-high views, roaring waterfalls, postcard-worthy lakes, and cozy small-towns—all in just two days.
You’ll start in Seattle then wind your way through forests and foothills, and end up face-to-face with one of the most epic mountains in the country.
Ready for an unforgettable road trip with a little bit of everything?
1. Seattle
We’re starting our road trip in Seattle, the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, located on Puget Sound.
It’s the land of rainy days, great coffee, and that giant Space Needle poking up into the sky.
2. Snoqualmie Falls
About 35 minutes outside the city, you’ll hit Snoqualmie Falls, a powerful 268-foot waterfall that’s basically Mother Nature showing off.
Massive, loud, and impossible to ignore, it sends mist into the air that lands on your face like a cool splash on a hot day.
You’ll find an easy lookout right by the parking lot but if you’re up for a short hike, the trail down to the base serves up some jaw-dropping views.
3. Enumclaw
Keep cruising south and you’ll roll into Enumclaw, a small town full of charm and surrounded by pretty mountain scenery.
Downtown feels super classic and comes complete with old-school diners, cute coffee shops, and more tractors than traffic lights.
This is your last real pit stop before hitting Mount Rainier, so grab some snacks and fill up on gas.
4. Sunrise Point Lookout
Once you’re inside Mt Rainier National Park, head straight to Sunrise Point Lookout which is the highest place you can drive on Mount Rainier, with epic views all around.
You’ll be eye-level with jagged peaks, glaciers, and wildflower-covered slopes that look like a page from a storybook.
If you arrive at sunrise, the mountain glows in shades of pink and gold, making that early alarm 100% worth it.
5. Emmons Vista Overlook
Just a quick 6-minute walk from the Sunrise Visitor Center, the Emmons Vista Overlook gives you a front-row seat to the largest glacier in the lower 48.
Even if hiking’s not your thing, this short and easy trail makes it easy to soak in Mount Rainier’s stunning, icy side.
Keep your eyes peeled because if you’re lucky, you’ll see marmots sunbathing on the rocks or eagles soaring overhead!
6. Tipsoo Lake
Next stop: Tipsoo Lake, a picture-perfect alpine lake that looks like it was made for postcards.
In the summer, the trail around the lake bursts with wildflowers, and on calm days, Mount Rainier’s reflection shimmers in the water like magic.
Just off Chinook Pass, this easy-to-reach lake feels like stumbling onto a secret mountain lake nobody knows about.
7. Reflection Lakes
Swing around to the mountain’s south side and you’ll hit Reflection Lakes, where Mount Rainier shows off with a mirror selfie in the water.
It’s one of the most photographed spots in the whole park, especially in the morning when the lake is calm and the view is crystal clear.
There’s a trail that loops around the lake, so you can stretch your legs, snap a million photos, and still be back at the car in time for snacks.
8. Christine Falls
A little farther down the road from Reflection Lakes, Christine Falls sits quietly beneath a picture-perfect stone bridge.
With two graceful drops and a viewing spot just steps from the road, this waterfall is all reward with zero effort.
It’s small but mighty, framed by mossy rocks and a backdrop that gives the whole scene a timeless atmosphere.
9. Palisades Viewpoint
Before you wrap up your mountain adventure, swing by Palisades Viewpoint for one last wow moment that’s totally worth the pull-off.
Here, you’ll get sweeping views of deep valleys, rugged cliffs, and layers of forest that seem to stretch on forever.
It’s peaceful, a little off the beaten path, and the kind of quiet spot that makes you want to just stop and take it all in.
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