Grant and Sarah's Ashford Guidebook
Food scene
One of our favorite local spots! Their blackberry pie is heavenly, but so is their all-day food menu. From breakfast, lunch and dinner, this place is the cutest and will refuel you after a long day in the mountains!
55 locals recommend
Copper Creek Inn & Restaurant
35707 WA-706One of our favorite local spots! Their blackberry pie is heavenly, but so is their all-day food menu. From breakfast, lunch and dinner, this place is the cutest and will refuel you after a long day in the mountains!
Lots of fun stuff here! There is Basecamp which offers a fun lunch and dinner menu. It's our personal favorite as you eat outside and get to enjoy the local climbing scene (as this is a hub for climbers around the world!) There also is a Cafe on sight offering yummy coffee, bagels, snacks, and icecream.
19 locals recommend
Whittaker's Bunkhouse
30205 WA-706Lots of fun stuff here! There is Basecamp which offers a fun lunch and dinner menu. It's our personal favorite as you eat outside and get to enjoy the local climbing scene (as this is a hub for climbers around the world!) There also is a Cafe on sight offering yummy coffee, bagels, snacks, and icecream.
The BEST burgers around. Be sure to catch them during business hours and take a burger to go! Cash only!
8 locals recommend
Scaleburgers
54109 Mountain Hwy EThe BEST burgers around. Be sure to catch them during business hours and take a burger to go! Cash only!
Packwood Brewing Co.
12298 US-12Well worth the fun drive for a beer and tacos!
Great option if you're in the park and need something to eat as it's located right in Longmire. Highly recommend sitting on their small outdoor porch to people watch.
Paradise Inn
Great option if you're in the park and need something to eat as it's located right in Longmire. Highly recommend sitting on their small outdoor porch to people watch.
Although a small drive, well worth it for the cider and delicious food menu! Not to mention, the outdoor space is beautiful with fires, a waterfall, and yard games. Family friendly and next to the grocery store if you need any groceries.
Mill Haus Cider Co.
Although a small drive, well worth it for the cider and delicious food menu! Not to mention, the outdoor space is beautiful with fires, a waterfall, and yard games. Family friendly and next to the grocery store if you need any groceries.
We've only been here for their bakery items which were super fun and different! Otherwise, the food menu is Ukrainian and looks great.
19 locals recommend
Paradise Village Hotel & Restaurant
31811 WA-706We've only been here for their bakery items which were super fun and different! Otherwise, the food menu is Ukrainian and looks great.
Do not sleep on this restaurant! It's our number one recommendation and our absolute favorite. Open May-October, they offer Himalayan food along with classic American options. You cannot go wrong, but we love the Channa (Garbanzo Beans) Thali and onion rings.
42 locals recommend
Wildberry Restaurant
37718 WA-706Do not sleep on this restaurant! It's our number one recommendation and our absolute favorite. Open May-October, they offer Himalayan food along with classic American options. You cannot go wrong, but we love the Channa (Garbanzo Beans) Thali and onion rings.
Local coffee stand (drive-thru!) Owner is wonderful and so is the coffee.
6 locals recommend
Rise & Grind
29508 Washington 706Local coffee stand (drive-thru!) Owner is wonderful and so is the coffee.
Gear Shops & Rentals
A great stop for your last minute gear needs. Owned by the infamous Whitaker family, they offer premium climbing & hiking gear as well as a robust rental shop.
19 locals recommend
Whittaker's Bunkhouse
30205 WA-706A great stop for your last minute gear needs. Owned by the infamous Whitaker family, they offer premium climbing & hiking gear as well as a robust rental shop.
Winter Trails
In the winter, our beautiful hiking trails become snowshoe trails! Gear rentals are available at Whittaker's in Ashford. Here are a few of our favorite trails in the Mt.Rainier area.
North America's largest no-fee hut to hut system for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The huts are open 7am-7pm daily. Snow tires and chains may be needed to access the trailheads. During the winter season a Washington State Parks Sno-Park Permit is required. You can purchase a daily $20 sno-park permit at Whittakers in Ashford (they’ll also be your best resource for current trail conditions.)
6 locals recommend
Mt Tahoma Trails Association
29815 WA-706North America's largest no-fee hut to hut system for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The huts are open 7am-7pm daily. Snow tires and chains may be needed to access the trailheads. During the winter season a Washington State Parks Sno-Park Permit is required. You can purchase a daily $20 sno-park permit at Whittakers in Ashford (they’ll also be your best resource for current trail conditions.)
Paradise offers guided snowshoe walks on weekends mid-December through March. Walks start at 11:00 a.m. For more information, check out the park’s website.
Mount Rainier National Park
Paradise offers guided snowshoe walks on weekends mid-December through March. Walks start at 11:00 a.m. For more information, check out the park’s website.
Starting at Paradise, this trail is around 5.0 miles round trip with 1,900 ft. of elevation gain.
Panorama Point, Washington 98304, USA
Starting at Paradise, this trail is around 5.0 miles round trip with 1,900 ft. of elevation gain.
Starting at Paradise, this trail is around 6.0 miles round trip with 900 ft. of elevation gain.
Mazama Ridge, Washington 98304, USA
Starting at Paradise, this trail is around 6.0 miles round trip with 900 ft. of elevation gain.
Summer Trails
Located in Ashford, this hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip and offers incredible views of Mount Rainier. Fair warning, it’s short and steep (but stunning on a clear day.)
13 locals recommend
High Rock Lookout
Located in Ashford, this hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip and offers incredible views of Mount Rainier. Fair warning, it’s short and steep (but stunning on a clear day.)
Near Packwood, this hike is 8.2 miles roundtrip and our favorite around. Make sure to grab a cold beer from Packwood Brew Co. after!
Snowgrass flat trailhead
Near Packwood, this hike is 8.2 miles roundtrip and our favorite around. Make sure to grab a cold beer from Packwood Brew Co. after!
Great hike with Rainier views and two lakes to swim (or fish) in! The trail is accessible off of National Forest Development Road 8410 and a Northwest Forest Pass is required.
Bertha May Lake, Washington 98304, USA
Great hike with Rainier views and two lakes to swim (or fish) in! The trail is accessible off of National Forest Development Road 8410 and a Northwest Forest Pass is required.
Starting at the Sunrise Visitor Center, this is a 5.6 mile hike round trip. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats on this hike!
Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout
Starting at the Sunrise Visitor Center, this is a 5.6 mile hike round trip. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats on this hike!
Known as Pinnacle Saddle and in between Sunrise and Paradise visitor’s centers, this hike is short and offers the most rewarding views! 2.5 miles round trip with a steep 1, 000 feet of elevation gains. Truly cannot recommend enough, we go multiple times a year! (Also great for seeing marmots and pikas.)
Pinnacle Peak, Washington 98361, USA
Known as Pinnacle Saddle and in between Sunrise and Paradise visitor’s centers, this hike is short and offers the most rewarding views! 2.5 miles round trip with a steep 1, 000 feet of elevation gains. Truly cannot recommend enough, we go multiple times a year! (Also great for seeing marmots and pikas.)
In the late summer/early fall, this is a MUST for wildflower viewing. Truly breathtaking and easy with only a 600 foot elevation gain! 3.2 miles roundtrip.
Naches Peak Loop Trail parking
In the late summer/early fall, this is a MUST for wildflower viewing. Truly breathtaking and easy with only a 600 foot elevation gain! 3.2 miles roundtrip.
Other activities
A family-friendly fun, unique, and exciting way to get outside! Pedal along a historic logging railroad, enjoying forest views on a custom-designed four-seat RailCycles. We are excited to be able to offer those staying with us a 10% discount when booking! Use this code when booking: Airbnb10
RailCycle Mt. Rainier
A family-friendly fun, unique, and exciting way to get outside! Pedal along a historic logging railroad, enjoying forest views on a custom-designed four-seat RailCycles. We are excited to be able to offer those staying with us a 10% discount when booking! Use this code when booking: Airbnb10
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a fun zoo to see native Northwest wildlife! Our personal favorite is the free-roaming area and the eagle passage.
106 locals recommend
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
11610 Trek Dr ENorthwest Trek Wildlife Park is a fun zoo to see native Northwest wildlife! Our personal favorite is the free-roaming area and the eagle passage.
JUST STOP IN. You absolutely will not regret it! So many beautiful paintings, prints, and pottery. The owners are incredible and there is an art museum upstairs that is a must-see. A true Ashford experience.
18 locals recommend
Ashford Creek Pottery
30510 WA-706JUST STOP IN. You absolutely will not regret it! So many beautiful paintings, prints, and pottery. The owners are incredible and there is an art museum upstairs that is a must-see. A true Ashford experience.
Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park
22410 WA-706City advice
Don't miss
Animal Sightseeing (Elk and Deer!)
If you're looking to see some elk and deer, we have a couple spots! First is "hourglass field" this is the large field located right next to Paradise Village off hwy 706. The south end of the field almost always has elk taking a nap or hanging out (especially at dawn and dusk.) For deer, we's suggest taking a drive though the local housing communities like Paradise Estates. They are usually hanging out in people's yards or walking along the roads. Just please be respectful of our wildlife and do not approach or feed them. :)
Getting around
Trail Conditions
We highly suggest checking out the Washington Trail Association’s website for current trail conditions and information. They are incredibly detailed and our go-to for everything hiking/snowshoeing in the area!
Book before you go
MRNP Timed Entry Summer 2024****
The park has announced a temporary reservation system designed to reduce over crowding and damage to the fragile environment. Please go to the park's website for more information and be sure to book your reservation if you'd like to visit the park!