Where to Stay Near Mount Rainier: Ashford or Packwood?

Short answer: stay in Ashford if you want Paradise, Longmire and the park's year-round entrance on your doorstep. Stay in Packwood if you want the quieter southeast side of the park in summer, skiing at White Pass in winter, or room for a group of up to 12. Both towns are small mountain communities, and Nested has homes in each.

Ashford vs. Packwood at a glance

	Ashford	Packwood
Park entrance	Nisqually Entrance (southwest)	Stevens Canyon Entrance (southeast)
Open in winter?	Yes - the park's year-round entrance	Stevens Canyon Road closes for the season
Closest park areas	Longmire, Paradise	Ohanapecosh, Stevens Canyon Road, Box Canyon
Also nearby	Skate Creek Road, High Rock Lookout	White Pass Ski Area, Packwood Lake, Goat Rocks Wilderness
Groceries and dining	Limited - stock up before you arrive	Grocery store, restaurants and coffee shops in town
Nested homes	Ridgeline Retreat (sleeps 6)	Elkai Studio (4), Elkai Lodge (8), both together (12)

Stay in Ashford if...

You want Paradise. Paradise is the park's best-known area for wildflower meadows and big mountain views, and its main winter area for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding. It sits 19 miles east of the Nisqually Entrance, past Longmire.

You're visiting in winter. The Nisqually Entrance on SR 706 is the park's year-round way in. From November 1 the road from Longmire to Paradise is plowed but closes every night, and all vehicles in the park must carry tire chains from November 1 to May 1. Check the NPS road status before you drive.

You want to stay close to the gate. Our Ashford home, Ridgeline Retreat, is about 7 minutes from the Nisqually Entrance. It's a modern cabin built in 2024 with 2 bedrooms (king room plus a twin-over-queen bunk room), 2 baths and space for 6. Outside there's a private hot tub, a cedar barrel sauna, a fire pit and a fenced yard; inside, a gas fireplace, A/C and an EV charger. View Ridgeline Retreat

Good to know: dining and grocery options in Ashford are limited, so shop before you arrive. More ideas: Mount Rainier National Park from Ashford.

Stay in Packwood if...

You want the quieter southeast side. From Packwood it's about 20 minutes to the Stevens Canyon Entrance. Stevens Canyon Road then runs west past Box Canyon and Reflection Lakes toward Paradise - a beautiful summer drive, but the road closes for the season in winter.

You're coming to ski. White Pass Ski Area is at the summit of US Highway 12, about 20 miles east of Packwood, with downhill runs and a Nordic center.

You're travelling as a group. Packwood is where our bigger homes are:

• Elkai Studio - sleeps 4, private indoor cedar sauna, Mount Rainier views from the deck.
• Elkai Lodge - sleeps 8, 3 bedrooms, private 6-person hot tub, game room and office.
• Elkai Landing - Lodge and Studio together for up to 12 guests, with no other guests on the property.

See all three on our Packwood cabins page.

Good to know: Packwood has a grocery store, restaurants and coffee shops. In winter, AWD or 4WD is strongly recommended at Elkai (steep driveway).

Which is better for my trip?

• A first visit in summer, Paradise is the must-see: Ashford.
• Winter snowshoeing or sledding at Paradise: Ashford - it's the year-round entrance.
• Ski weekend at White Pass: Packwood.
• Family reunion or two families together (9-12 people): Packwood - Elkai Landing.
• Couple wanting a sauna and quiet: either - Ridgeline Retreat (Ashford) or Elkai Studio (Packwood) both have a cedar sauna.
• Sunrise (the park's highest road-accessible area, 6,400 ft): neither town is close. Sunrise Road usually opens late June or early July and closes late September to early October; it is reached via the park's northeast side, so plan it as a long day trip.

What about staying inside the park?

There are two lodges inside Mount Rainier National Park. The National Park Inn at Longmire is the only one open year-round. The historic Paradise Inn is generally open mid-May through early October and closed in winter. If they're full - or you want a kitchen, hot tub and space to spread out - Ashford and Packwood are the closest towns with vacation rentals. See also the best time to visit Mount Rainier.

Where to stay near Mount Rainier: FAQs

What is the best town to stay in near Mount Rainier?

It depends on which side of the park you want. Ashford is next to the Nisqually Entrance, the year-round way to Longmire and Paradise. Packwood is about 20 minutes from the Stevens Canyon Entrance on the southeast side and close to White Pass.

Are there cabins near Mount Rainier with a hot tub?

Yes. Ridgeline Retreat in Ashford has a private hot tub and cedar barrel sauna (sleeps 6). Elkai Lodge in Packwood has a private 6-person hot tub (sleeps 8).

Where should I stay to visit Mount Rainier in winter?

Ashford. The Nisqually Entrance is the park's year-round entrance; the road from Longmire to Paradise is plowed but closes every night in winter. Tire chains are required in the park from November 1 to May 1.

Is there lodging inside Mount Rainier National Park?

Yes - the National Park Inn at Longmire (open year-round) and the Paradise Inn (generally mid-May to early October).

Where can a large group stay near Mount Rainier?

Elkai Landing in Packwood sleeps up to 12: Elkai Lodge (8) and Elkai Studio (4) on one property, booked together.

How far is Paradise from the Nisqually Entrance?

About 19 miles, by way of Longmire.