Paradise Inn is a historic two story hotel built above 5,400-foot on the south slope of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. The inn is named after Paradise, the area of the mountain in which it is located. The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center and the 1920 Paradise Guide House are also at this location; the guide house being where many climbers start their ascent of the mountain.

The inn is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a major component of the Paradise Historic District. Additionally, it is part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District, which encompasses the entire park and which recognizes many of the structures as inventory of National Park Service rustic architecture.

Native building materials were used including cedar shingles, native rock and weathered timbers salvaged from a fire in 1885, since which, the timbers had developed a silver sheen. The inn opened on July 1, 1917 and cost of nearly $100,000.

The inn was built by the Rainier National Park Company, which was founded by Steven Mather and subsequently operated by this commercial. In 1920, a four story annex was added which contained 100 room, most all of which had private baths. A golf course was added in 1931 and a ski rope tow in 1936.

Then, in 1952, the Rainier National Park Company sold the inn to the National Park Service who then spent nearly $2 million dollars to strengthen and restore the building.

Rising to 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the highest mountain in Washington, an active volcano, and the most glaciated peak in the contiguous 48 states. Nine major rivers and their tributaries drain down the flanks of the mountain, including: Carbon, Huckleberry, Mowich, Muddy Fork, Nisqually, Ohanapecosh, Puyallup, West Fork, and White rivers.

Subalpine meadows ring the summit with wildflowers and a short distance below, ancient forest hang tenaciously to the steep slopes. Throughout these forests ecosystems, there are an abundance of wildlife.

Winter rates apply: 01 November to mid May

Access, Military, Senior pass holders enter free

Lodge is located inside of National Park

Sleep well and do not get up until after sunrise. I do the routines and enjoy two cups of coffee while working on my journal and while having breakfast, the park ranger comes by and noticing the Appalachian Trail 2000 miler patch on my backpack asks, When did you through hike the AT? When I tell him that I did it in 1978, he says Wow, there weren't many people on the trail back then. I tell him, It seemed crowded to me. He tells me that he would like to hike the AT and has hiked both the PCT and the CDT and I gave him kudos for his accomplishments. I finish my breakfast, pack out and then drive toward the US 97 bridge into Washington.

First stop is the Stonehenge National Historic Site to take some photos and then north to enter through the east side of Mount Rainier National Park but this park is no closer to opening than the several that I have been to on this tour.

I use US highway 12 to the south of the park to drive around to the west side but find that even though the gates are open, none of the campsites are.

After crossing the Columbia river at the Bridge of the Gods, visiting the Mount Saint Hellens National Monument for some photographs, I continue into Mount Rainer National park and drive north on the Sunrise Ridge where there is a visitors center and a day lodge.