Mount Rainier National Park, established on March 2, 1899, includes 980 km2 (378 mi2) of rugged terrain on the west slope of the Cascade Mountains in central Washington. Its namesake, Mount Rainier, stands nearly 4.8 km (3 mi) higher than the lowlands to the west and 2.4 km (1.5 mi) higher than the surrounding mountains at 4,392 m (14,410 ft).
Approximately 2 million people visit the park annually to explore the complex volcanic ecosystem. The climate and environment at the Park includes lowland forests, wetlands, alpine tundra, and the most glaciated mountain in the contiguous United States with 26 named glaciers. The plant and animal life includes over 1000 species, several of which are federally listed threatened or endangered species. Visitor Centers at Paradise and Sunrise describe Mount Rainier's geology and hazards from future eruptions.
For futher information, visit the Mount Rainier National Park website.