Explore Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park
Located 18 miles east of the Nisqually Entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park (www.nps.gov/mora), Paradise is aptly named. It’s said that when early settler Martha Longmire first laid eyes on the area, she exclaimed, “Oh what a paradise!”. And since it seemed a fitting description, the name stuck. Today Paradise is home to a major visitor center, a historic lodge, and one of the best summer wildflower displays in the park. And not only does Paradise offer an accessible view of the summer blooms, but the historic lodge also has accessible rooms for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. So stop and smell the blooms, and then spend the night in Paradise.
Explore Paradise
The best place to begin your visit to Paradise is at the Jackson Visitor Center. You can’t miss the modern massive building, and to be honest it’s looks a little out of place across from the historic lodge. That’s because the structure was originally designed for a Hawaii site, but there was a change of plans and it ended up in Mt. Rainier National Park.
There is accessible parking near the entrance with level access to the building. Inside there’s good pathway access to the interpretive exhibits, information desk, food services and accessible restrooms. The visitor center also offers a 360-degree view of Mount Rainier and the surrounding peaks, as well as the showy wildflower meadows.
Although there’s certainly a good view of the wildflowers from the visitor center, some wheelchair-users and slow walkers may be able to get a closer look at them on the Skyline Trail, which is rated “accessible with assistance”. The trailhead is located on the north side of the upper parking lot, next to the visitor center. Although the trail is paved, most wheelchair-users will need some assistance up the initial steep grade. There’s only a 100-foot elevation gain on this half-mile trail, but it’s all in the same section — in the beginning. If you can get past the steep part, it’s pretty level after that. It’s the most accessible trail in the Paradise area, and it’s absolutely exhilarating to be surrounded by the beautiful summertime blooms.
Spend the Night
Built in 1916, the Paradise Inn (mtrainierguestservices.com/accommodations/paradise-inn/) is one of the few surviving grand old national park lodges. After falling into disrepair the property was slated for demolition, but a vocal protest from an adoring public saved it from the wrecking ball. Finally in 1979, the National Park Service spent $1.75 million to replace the failing foundation and repair the existing walls. Today this 121-room inn once again welcomes guests from around the world to Mt. Rainier National Park.
Accessible parking is available in front of the inn, will level access to the front lobby. There’s ample room to roll around the large lobby, which is accented with a massive stone fireplace. The open-beam ceiling makes it appear even larger, and it just exudes a rustic old lodge atmosphere.
Accessible room 331 is located on the lobby level of the main lodge. Access features include a level entry, wide doors and good pathway access. Furnishings include two 27-inch high double beds with an access aisle between them, a desk and a chair, a chest of drawers and a nightstand.
The bathroom features a full five foot turning radius, and is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower chair. The toilet grab bars are on the back and left walls (as seated), and the roll-under sink is located in the bedroom, in order to free-up more floor space in the bathroom.
There is good wheelchair access to all the public areas of the inn, including the lobby, gift shop and restaurants. Additionally, there’s accessible restrooms just off the lobby. But to be honest, just sitting back and enjoying the massive lobby space is the way to go. Plan ahead though, as the Paradise Inn is only open seasonally, from mid-May to October.
