Thurston district, Washington, United States

Places to visit near Rainier

Rainier is a town in Thurston district, Washington, United States, home to about 1,985 people. Within 50 km by road there are 111 places to visit — 48 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 4 hill stations & viewpoints, 14 parks and 24 beaches & coast. The must-see places are Gehrke Lake (3 km), Lake Fifteen (3 km) and Goodwin Lake (7 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Rainier on the map

Rainier, Washington
Rainier, Thurston district, Washington, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Rainier at a glance

Location
Thurston district, Washington, United States
Population
about 1,985
Coordinates
46.8882° N, 122.6885° W
Places within 50 km
111 (111 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for parks

Top places to visit near Rainier

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Rainier: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Rainier

  • Mud Lake · lake · Thurston · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Pattison Lake · lake · Thurston · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Pitman Lake · lake · Thurston · ~19 km · Must-see
  • Southwick Lake · lake · Thurston · ~20 km · Must-see
  • Long Lake · lake · Thurston · ~20 km · Must-see
  • Hicks Lake · lake · Thurston · ~21 km · Must-see
  • Smith Lake · lake · Thurston · ~21 km · Must-see
  • Deep Lake · lake · Thurston · ~22 km · Must-see
  • Clear Lake · lake · Thurston · ~22 km · Must-see
  • Munn Lake · lake · Thurston · ~23 km · Must-see
  • Goose Pond · lake · Thurston · ~23 km · Must-see
  • Longs Pond · lake · Thurston · ~23 km · Must-see

Things to see near Rainier, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Rainier

100 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Rainier. The closest is Gehrke Lake (3 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Washington →

Hill stations & viewpoints near Rainier

63 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Rainier. The closest is Northcraft Mountain (14 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Washington →

Parks near Rainier

33 parks within 100 km of Rainier. The closest is Pioneer Park (24 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Beaches & coast near Rainier

32 beaches & coast within 100 km of Rainier. The closest is Hogum Bay (31 km). Best time: october to march.

All beaches & coast in Washington →

Wildlife, forests & gardens near Rainier

28 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Rainier. The closest is Parsnip Swamp (27 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

All wildlife, forests & gardens in Washington →

Museums near Rainier

8 museums within 100 km of Rainier. The closest is Olympic Flight Museum (23 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Rainier

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 42 km on the road.

  1. Start in Rainier
  2. 3 km Lake Fifteen · lake, Thurston
  3. 2 km Gehrke Lake · lake, Thurston
  4. 5 km Goodwin Lake · lake, Thurston
  5. 10 km Fiander Lake · lake, Thurston
  6. 14 km McIntosh Lake · lake, Thurston
  7. 8 km Back to Rainier

Plan a longer trip from Rainier — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Rainier

No traveller has reported from around Rainier yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

Post an update from the map →

How to reach Rainier

    All places near Rainier by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Rainier by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs48100Gehrke Lake (3 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints463Northcraft Mountain (14 km)
    Parks1433Pioneer Park (24 km)
    Beaches & coast2432Hogum Bay (31 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1328Parsnip Swamp (27 km)
    Museums38Olympic Flight Museum (23 km)
    Churches28United Churches of Olympia (29 km)
    Forts & heritage28Shipwreck (31 km)
    Other attractions06Gospodor Monument Park (63 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves14Ketron Island (38 km)
    Treks02Ruston Way Waterwalk (60 km)
    Waterfalls02Christine Falls (88 km)

    Rainier: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Rainier?

    Gehrke Lake (lake, about 3 km), Lake Fifteen (lake, about 3 km), Goodwin Lake (lake, about 7 km), McIntosh Lake (lake, about 8 km), Fiander Lake (lake, about 8 km), McKenzie Lake (lake, about 10 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Rainier?

    111 places on Spotwander: 48 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 4 hill stations & viewpoints, 14 parks, 24 beaches & coast, 13 wildlife, forests & gardens.

    Which is the nearest lake to Rainier?

    Gehrke Lake, about 3 km by road; Lake Fifteen (3 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Rainier?

    Northcraft Mountain, about 14 km by road; Hanaford Valley (30 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest park to Rainier?

    Pioneer Park, about 24 km by road; Watershed Park (27 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Rainier?

    Start in Rainier, visit Lake Fifteen, then Gehrke Lake, then Goodwin Lake, then Fiander Lake, then McIntosh Lake, and drive back — about 42 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Rainier?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for parks.

    Towns near Rainier

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Rainier’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Rainier on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.