09/25/2026
Ashford is the gateway town on Mt. Rainier's Nisqually/southwest side, so most of what to do there centers on the park and a handful of local spots:
Mount Rainier National Park is the big draw — Paradise (about 35 minutes from Ashford) has wildflower meadows and the Skyline Trail with glacier views, while Longmire is open year-round with easier trails and historic hot springs nearby. Good hikes closer to town include Carter Falls/Madcap Falls, Trail of the Shadows, Rampart Ridge Loop, Twin Firs Loop, and Mount Beljica for panoramic views of both Rainier and St. Helens.
For food with character, Copper Creek Inn is a local favorite known for wild-blackberry pie and PNW comfort food, and Alexander's Country Inn is a Victorian-era B&B and restaurant that's been running since 1912.
A few other things to fill a day: Whittaker Mountaineering for gear rentals and guided summit climbs, the Elbe Steam Train for a vintage narrow-gauge ride through old-growth forest, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park for wolves, lynx, and a free-roaming tram tour, and Alder Lake for boating, fishing, and swimming. Local artisan stops include Ashford Creek Pottery and the Recycled Spirits of Iron sculpture park. Seasonally, wildflowers peak July–August, fall color runs September–October, and there's snowshoeing in winter.
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