
Activities
There are many exciting adventures to embark on in Mineral and the surrounding areas. Nearly 2 million people visit Mt. Rainier National Park yearly to see the sights, hike, climb, snowshoe, snowboard, ski, and inner tube. Our area also offers swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding, ATV trails, gift shops, steam train rides, golf courses, espresso shops, taverns, art galleries, churches, a movie theatre and bowling alley. If you are looking for peace and tranquility, Mt Rainier at Mineral Lake Lodge is an adventure in itself!
Here are some suggestions:
Mount Rainier National Park offers excellent opportunities for a variety of hiking trails with stunning views, scenic drives, and mountain climbing. Consider an in-depth exploration of one or more areas of this magical treasure of the Pacific Northwest.
For your safety, never hike alone. Tell someone your plans. Stay on all designated trails throughout the park to preserve the beauty and life of the trails. Carry the essentials including items such as: | |
1. Map of the area
2. Compass 3. Extra food & water 4. Extra clothing, rain gear 5. Sunglasses & Sunscreen |
6. Chap stick
7. Flashlight or head Lamp 8. Pocket Knife 9. Walking sticks (poles) 10. First aid kit |
Downloadable Mount Rainier Park Daytrip Trail Maps from the National Park Services: | ||
Longmire Trails Paradise Trails |
Ohanapecosh Trails Sunrise Trails |
Carbon & Mowich Trails Camp Muir |
EZ Times Outfitters – Enjoy the beautiful mountain trails of the Nisqually Valley on horseback. EZ Times Outfitters offers guided horseback riding through the Elbe Hills or along the Nisqually River for 1 to 3 hour tours.
Mineral Lake Resort – The nearby Mineral Lake Resort has a Bait Shop and Dock, and rentals for Fishing Boats and Pontoon Boats.
Ashford Creek Pottery – Visit this intimate gallery located on historic “Mountain Highway” just outside of Ashford on the way to the Nisqually entrance to Mt Rainier National Park. Gallery proprietor Rick Johnson loves to share his passion of the arts, local and regional history, stories and the occasional tall tale.
Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park – EX-NIHILO (X-Ne-High-Low) is Latin for “something made out of nothing”. Explore the sculpture park of artist Dan Klennert located on WA-706 approximately 3-miles east of Elbe, Washington. Here articles of scrap that once toiled in fields or churned in engines are rescued from the trash and reborn with dignity and new meaning as remarkable sculptures.
Mt Rainier Railroad & Logging Museum – Passengers enjoy steam train rides through the forest and across the glacier fed Upper Nisqually River to a museum located in Mineral, Washington. Museum exhibits offer a chance to explore a comprehensive collection of steam locomotives and discovers stories behind the pioneers of railroad logging camps in the early to mid 1900’s.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park – Nature’s Calling! Enjoy a comfortable Discovery Tram Tour through 435 acres of stunning meadows and forests. For 50 minutes, you’ll get an eye-to-eye view of fascinating animals like moose, Roosevelt elk, bison, and more as they explore their natural habitat.
Pioneer Farm Museum & OHOP Indian Village – Journey back to the 1880’s and experience homesteading in Washington State. Pioneer Farm is a “hands on” homestead built in 1887 with a multitude of activities for adults and children. Take a farm tour, dress up like pioneers and see how the pioneers lived. Pioneer Farm is located just north of Eatonville, Washington off Hwy 161.
Mount St. Helens – Consider a day trip to the Johnson Ridge Observatory and numerous viewpoints and mile of trails that have been created for exploration by car and foot. During the summer, Forest Service Interpreters lead a wide range of activities from short walks to amphitheater presentations.
Rainier Mountain Sports – Summer and winter sports equipment rentals. SUP boards, mountain bikes, split board and snowshoe rentals plus a store which provides a wide-range of gear for all seasons! Located nearby in Elbe WA.
Stringtown Cellars Winery & Lavender Farm is alongside the scenic byway at 39610 Eatonville Cutoff Road. Wine tastings feature Stringtown’s small-lot reds and whites from grapes grown on the farm and in eastern WA. The Lavender Farm has fields of purple lavender, U-Cut bouquets in summer, plants for sale, and a gift shop with locally made lavender products including soaps and honey.
The Little White Church in Elbe retains all its charms from 1906 when it was built. This Evangelical Lutheran Church is only 18′ x 24′ and still uses its original altar and elevated pulpit for services. The bellows organ from that time is played for worship and weddings. Above the front door is the inscription Ev. Luth. KIRCHE (Evangelische Lutherische Kirche) that tells of the German ancestry of its founders.
International Mountain Guides LLC offer programs to suit every schedule and experience level. With 40+ years of guiding experience, they can make your climb of Mt. Rainier the experience of a lifetime.
Mineral School is a multi-disciplinary artist residency and arts center. The school hosts artists in residence and also holds public arts events including readings, music, and dance, and an annual arts and crafts fair.
The Mount Tahoma Trails Association operates and manages the largest no fee Hut-to-Hut Trail System in North America providing winter enthusiasts with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Enjoy nearly 50-miles of trails. The trails vary from novice to expert, and are patrolled by a volunteer based ski patrol. Make use of the Ashford trail system for the day or consider reserving an overnight stay for a true hut to hut experience.
Old Calico Workshop, check out the chainsaw artistry at the workshop across from the Railroad Depot in Elbe
Links to nearby dining options
Copper Creek Inn Restaurant
Wildberry Restaurant (open May – Sept)
Paradise Inn Dining Room (located in the National Park & open May – Sept)
Longmire Inn Dining Room (located in the National Park & open year-round)
BaseCamp Grill (open May-Sept)
Highlander Steakhouse & Lounge
Paradise Village Lodge in Ashford
Elbe Tavern
Pizza Express
Headquarters Tavern
Mineral Market
Rise and Grind: drive-up expresso stand in Ashford
Elbe Junction Store
ScaleBurgers in Elbe
Mount Rainier Railroad Dining Co.