Kent and Kari's Ashford Guidebook
Food scene
This is one of our favorite places to eat in the area. **Closed during winter**.The food is decent. I like the wood fired pizza. They have good beers on tap, and they have a very large outside area for dining (They only have outside dining, hence the seasonal closings). Check on their FB page for live music. Cool outdoorsy vibe with climbers and hikers chatting of their Mt. Rainier climbs and adventures.
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Base Camp Grill
30027 WA-706This is one of our favorite places to eat in the area. **Closed during winter**.The food is decent. I like the wood fired pizza. They have good beers on tap, and they have a very large outside area for dining (They only have outside dining, hence the seasonal closings). Check on their FB page for live music. Cool outdoorsy vibe with climbers and hikers chatting of their Mt. Rainier climbs and adventures.
Our other favorite place to eat in Ashford. This place is famous for their blackberry pie! Insider tip: we always buy a whole pie. It's way cheaper this way, and who doesn't love leftover blackberry pie?? The restaurant here has a decent menu, friendly service, and the food is good! They also have a nice little gift shop where you can get that souvenir for your kids.
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Copper Creek Inn & Restaurant
35707 WA-706Our other favorite place to eat in Ashford. This place is famous for their blackberry pie! Insider tip: we always buy a whole pie. It's way cheaper this way, and who doesn't love leftover blackberry pie?? The restaurant here has a decent menu, friendly service, and the food is good! They also have a nice little gift shop where you can get that souvenir for your kids.
(Closed during winters) Owned by a Nepalese family. We haven't tried this place yet, but they have a huge menu. They have a Himalayan mountain climbing theme here, and part of their menu features authentic Himalayan food, including sherpa food. They have a nice sized outdoor patio for dining.
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Wildberry Restaurant
37718 WA-706(Closed during winters) Owned by a Nepalese family. We haven't tried this place yet, but they have a huge menu. They have a Himalayan mountain climbing theme here, and part of their menu features authentic Himalayan food, including sherpa food. They have a nice sized outdoor patio for dining.
(Closed in Winter) You have to consider what this is. Dining within a National Park. You'll over-pay for okay food. That being said, it's inside a super cool Paradise Inn, and the food isn't bad. It's worth visiting as long as you have realistic expectations. There's also a cafe with quick bites and draught beer.
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Paradise Inn
(Closed in Winter) You have to consider what this is. Dining within a National Park. You'll over-pay for okay food. That being said, it's inside a super cool Paradise Inn, and the food isn't bad. It's worth visiting as long as you have realistic expectations. There's also a cafe with quick bites and draught beer.
This is our favorite place around. It's worth the half-hour drive from Nisqually Nest. They tend to be busy, as there isn't anything quite like it around! House brewed hard ciders and local beers. The food is REALLY GOOD! They currently have a tap room with small kitchen and multiple smokers. The outdoor space is really cool. Tons of space, yard games, fire pits. They ultimately plan to build a 5,000 Sq ft restaurant at the back of the grounds. Try the house salad! Nom nom...
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Mill Haus Cider Co.
303 Center Street EastThis is our favorite place around. It's worth the half-hour drive from Nisqually Nest. They tend to be busy, as there isn't anything quite like it around! House brewed hard ciders and local beers. The food is REALLY GOOD! They currently have a tap room with small kitchen and multiple smokers. The outdoor space is really cool. Tons of space, yard games, fire pits. They ultimately plan to build a 5,000 Sq ft restaurant at the back of the grounds. Try the house salad! Nom nom...
We've been hearing good things from this place. Still need to try it! Half hour drive from the Nest.
Shaken
138 Mashell Avenue NorthWe've been hearing good things from this place. Still need to try it! Half hour drive from the Nest.
Good food, decent atmosphere (think local bar/hangout for watching sports and playing pool). Better than it looks from the outside. We'd love to see them add a big, cool sign to attract from the thousands of cars passing by. However, the food tends to be inconsistent when they get super busy. 21 and over.
The Trailhead Bar and Grill
Good food, decent atmosphere (think local bar/hangout for watching sports and playing pool). Better than it looks from the outside. We'd love to see them add a big, cool sign to attract from the thousands of cars passing by. However, the food tends to be inconsistent when they get super busy. 21 and over.
Located in Longmire. Just a few minutes past the main gate in Mt. Rainier National Park. We haven't eaten here yet, so we'd love to get your opinion!
National Park Inn Dining Room
Washington 706Located in Longmire. Just a few minutes past the main gate in Mt. Rainier National Park. We haven't eaten here yet, so we'd love to get your opinion!
Shopping
This is a cool store. It's like a miniature R.E.I., with comparable prices, lol. It ain't cheap. High quality mountaineering gear and apparel. They also offer all season rentals of climbing gear, sleds, x-country skis, snowshoes, and even clothing. This is a great place to grab last minute needs for a day hike.
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Whittaker Mountaineering
30027 WA-706This is a cool store. It's like a miniature R.E.I., with comparable prices, lol. It ain't cheap. High quality mountaineering gear and apparel. They also offer all season rentals of climbing gear, sleds, x-country skis, snowshoes, and even clothing. This is a great place to grab last minute needs for a day hike.
Our advice is to buy your groceries prior to your arrival in Ashford (Eatonville or Morton are closest large grocery stores). However, Suver's does have a nice selection of overpriced necessities, if you find yourself in a bind.
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Suver's General Store
30402 WA-706Our advice is to buy your groceries prior to your arrival in Ashford (Eatonville or Morton are closest large grocery stores). However, Suver's does have a nice selection of overpriced necessities, if you find yourself in a bind.
Worth a visit. Very nice shop with beautiful photography, pottery, other things.
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Ashford Creek Pottery
30510 WA-706Worth a visit. Very nice shop with beautiful photography, pottery, other things.
More than a gas station convenience store. Decent little grocery store with necessities. Priced like a convenience store, lol.
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Ashford Valley Grocery
29716 WA-706More than a gas station convenience store. Decent little grocery store with necessities. Priced like a convenience store, lol.
Sightseeing
This is a must do. Especially if you've never been there. We both grew up in Washington, and seeing this beautiful mountain never gets old. The park offers unlimited hikes of all skill levels. You can hike snowfields, see waterfalls, see wildlife, find many unbelievable views of the mountain (weather permitting), see wildflowers, and so much more. There are 3 major visitor centers within the park, which we've detailed in this guidebook (Paradise, Sunrise, Longmire). Be aware the entrance can have delays of up to 2 hours on weekends. Keep an eye on their Twitter feed for delay updates.
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Mount Rainier National Park
This is a must do. Especially if you've never been there. We both grew up in Washington, and seeing this beautiful mountain never gets old. The park offers unlimited hikes of all skill levels. You can hike snowfields, see waterfalls, see wildlife, find many unbelievable views of the mountain (weather permitting), see wildflowers, and so much more. There are 3 major visitor centers within the park, which we've detailed in this guidebook (Paradise, Sunrise, Longmire). Be aware the entrance can have delays of up to 2 hours on weekends. Keep an eye on their Twitter feed for delay updates.
This is the most popular destination in the park, so expect crowds on the busy days. This is a great starting point for many great hikes. Summer: great hikes, photo-ops, wildflowers. Fall: This is a very special place in the Fall, which comes early at 5,400' Winter: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sometimes tubing. Travelers should carry chains. MRNP plans to keep the road to Longmire open 7 days a week (weather permitting). Unfortunately, Paradise will only be accessible Friday and Saturdays this winter, due to staffing shortages (the gate just past Longmire will be closed).
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Paradise
This is the most popular destination in the park, so expect crowds on the busy days. This is a great starting point for many great hikes. Summer: great hikes, photo-ops, wildflowers. Fall: This is a very special place in the Fall, which comes early at 5,400' Winter: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sometimes tubing. Travelers should carry chains. MRNP plans to keep the road to Longmire open 7 days a week (weather permitting). Unfortunately, Paradise will only be accessible Friday and Saturdays this winter, due to staffing shortages (the gate just past Longmire will be closed).
At an elevation of 6,400', Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by a vehicle in the park. Sunrise is only open from late June-ish until early October-ish (depending on snow conditions). More spectacular views of the mountain here. Lots of wildflowers. Beautiful colors in the Fall. Miles of beautiful trails starting from the parking lot.
Check for road closures, as there are some construction projects scheduled for summer 2022. There's a gift shop, visitor center, and food service. This is almost a 2 hour drive from the cabin, BTW :-)
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Sunrise Visitor Center
Sunrise Park RoadAt an elevation of 6,400', Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by a vehicle in the park. Sunrise is only open from late June-ish until early October-ish (depending on snow conditions). More spectacular views of the mountain here. Lots of wildflowers. Beautiful colors in the Fall. Miles of beautiful trails starting from the parking lot.
Check for road closures, as there are some construction projects scheduled for summer 2022. There's a gift shop, visitor center, and food service. This is almost a 2 hour drive from the cabin, BTW :-)
Longmire is just inside the National Park . Open year-round. They have overnight lodging, a museum, a surprisingly cool gift shop, and a visitor center. This is a great launch pad for visiting the park. Stop in and chat with the visitor's center. You can find hike recommendations, current trail conditions, weather reports, wildlife sightings and whatever else you need to know.
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Longmire
Longmire is just inside the National Park . Open year-round. They have overnight lodging, a museum, a surprisingly cool gift shop, and a visitor center. This is a great launch pad for visiting the park. Stop in and chat with the visitor's center. You can find hike recommendations, current trail conditions, weather reports, wildlife sightings and whatever else you need to know.
This is a classic PNW day. It's about 45 min from The Nisqually Nest. They have over 40 species of native PNW animals in their natural habitat, which you can tour. Bears, wolves, wildcats, birds of prey, etc. Call ahead for tickets and tour options. www.nwtrek.org
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Parque de Vida Silvestre Northwest Trek
11610 Trek Dr EThis is a classic PNW day. It's about 45 min from The Nisqually Nest. They have over 40 species of native PNW animals in their natural habitat, which you can tour. Bears, wolves, wildcats, birds of prey, etc. Call ahead for tickets and tour options. www.nwtrek.org
They offer trail rides, sunset trail rides, and even river floats. Reservations recommended (required for river float). www.eztimeshorsrides.com
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E Z Times Horse Rides
18703 WA-706They offer trail rides, sunset trail rides, and even river floats. Reservations recommended (required for river float). www.eztimeshorsrides.com
You'll see the name "Whittaker" around the town of Ashford, and there's some rich, local history there. Jim and Lou Whittaker are twins, born in 1929, raised in Washington. Lou was the first American to summit Mt. Everest. He was also instrumental in starting RMI, Rainier's first professional climbing guide service. Their presence is definitely felt in Ashford, with Whittaker's Bunkhouse Motel, Whittaker Mountaineering Shop, and the RMI outfit still running strong.
RMI Expeditions
30027 WA-706You'll see the name "Whittaker" around the town of Ashford, and there's some rich, local history there. Jim and Lou Whittaker are twins, born in 1929, raised in Washington. Lou was the first American to summit Mt. Everest. He was also instrumental in starting RMI, Rainier's first professional climbing guide service. Their presence is definitely felt in Ashford, with Whittaker's Bunkhouse Motel, Whittaker Mountaineering Shop, and the RMI outfit still running strong.
Fire lookout hikes
11 miles round trip. The hike starts just inside the NP on Westside Road. The first 3.8 miles is on Westside Rd (this section is closed to cars due to a washout years ago). I've done this section on a bike before. You can ditch the bike in the bushes when you arrive at the official trailhead. At this point, it's less than 2 miles to the lookout.
Gobblers Knob
11 miles round trip. The hike starts just inside the NP on Westside Road. The first 3.8 miles is on Westside Rd (this section is closed to cars due to a washout years ago). I've done this section on a bike before. You can ditch the bike in the bushes when you arrive at the official trailhead. At this point, it's less than 2 miles to the lookout.
Quite a dramatic setting on top of this rocky peak. Trailhead is about 8 miles from Nisqually Nest. 2.8 mile hike. The lookout building itself is currently offsite undergoing restoration, but the hike is still worth the view. It's steep and strenuous!
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High Rock Lookout
Quite a dramatic setting on top of this rocky peak. Trailhead is about 8 miles from Nisqually Nest. 2.8 mile hike. The lookout building itself is currently offsite undergoing restoration, but the hike is still worth the view. It's steep and strenuous!
Mt. Rainier Waterfall Hikes
2.8 miles RT. 500' elevation gain. Trailhead is at the Cougar Rock Picnic area (14 miles from Nisqually Nest)
Carter Falls
2.8 miles RT. 500' elevation gain. Trailhead is at the Cougar Rock Picnic area (14 miles from Nisqually Nest)
Beautiful, dramatic falls. Also very popular, so plan for early morning if during the high-season. 1.6 miles to the falls (3.2 RT), hike a mile further in to get to the top with more views. Trailhead is 16 miles from Nisqually Nest
Comet Falls
Beautiful, dramatic falls. Also very popular, so plan for early morning if during the high-season. 1.6 miles to the falls (3.2 RT), hike a mile further in to get to the top with more views. Trailhead is 16 miles from Nisqually Nest
Viewpoint is only a few minutes hike from the parking lot, which is 20 miles from Nisqually Nest
Narada Falls
Viewpoint is only a few minutes hike from the parking lot, which is 20 miles from Nisqually Nest
Winter Activities
Did you know that the largest hut-to-hut cross-country ski trail system in the US is located right here in Ashford?? Miles and miles of forested trails leading to mountain-top huts and yurts with spectacular views of Mt. Rainier! Visit the skimtta website for more information. Plowed access roads, groomed trails, ski patrol and outhouses. Check their social media pages for current access and trail conditions. Cars with low clearance not recommended. Carry chains and the 10 essentials!
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Mt Tahoma Trails Association
29815 WA-706Did you know that the largest hut-to-hut cross-country ski trail system in the US is located right here in Ashford?? Miles and miles of forested trails leading to mountain-top huts and yurts with spectacular views of Mt. Rainier! Visit the skimtta website for more information. Plowed access roads, groomed trails, ski patrol and outhouses. Check their social media pages for current access and trail conditions. Cars with low clearance not recommended. Carry chains and the 10 essentials!