Perhaps the most recognizable mountain in the continental United States, Mount Rainier is an active volcano with a glaciated peak. At over 14,000 feet, it’s the tallest mountain in the Cascade Mountain Range. The mountain teems with life in its three life zones: forest, subalpine and alpine. Massive, thousand-year-old trees dominate the forest, giving way to vast meadows with wildflower, before leading into an environment of snow, boulders and glaciers in the highest elevations.

Established in 1899, the park is only a 90-minute drive from the Seattle-Tacoma Airport. And because of its proximity, the park is one of the more popular in the park system. Unfortunately, this can lead to crowds during the summer. The park can get cold and the weather unpredictable any time of year, but it’s also great for winter sports such as tubing and cross-country skiing. If you’re looking to climb to the top, you should know that the highest drivable portions stop at about 6,000 feet, so you’ll need to finish the last 8,000 on your own. Also, you’ll want to make sure you’re in good shape and get a climbing permit.