Mount Rainier's 125th Anniversary Video Series

Celebrating 125 years of Mount Rainier National Park.

NPS Graphic / K. Krajcik

Mount Rainier National Park holds a special place in the hearts of many. Long before the park’s official designation in 1899, people relied on its resources and cared for its breathtaking landscape. Native Americans, including the Cowlitz, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, Yakama, and Coast Salish have nurtured its landscape since time immemorial. Their thriving cultures continue to pass on traditional knowledge as part of their modern practices.

Today, designated as both Wilderness and a National Historic Landmark District, the park safeguards natural and cultural landscapes. Diverse ecosystems are protected from its glacier-clad summit to ancient forests, subalpine meadows, and winding rivers. Its now historical architecture pioneered the first master plan in the National Park Service, creating what is known as NPS rustic style of architecture or “Parkitecture” by seamlessly blending elements of nature with human craftsmanship.

By preserving the mountain, it beckons exploration, research, and appreciation of its enduring beauty. As we honor 125 years since its designation, our commitment to stewardship ensures its legacy for future generations. The park stands as an enduring relationship between humanity and nature, reminding us of our responsibility to protect and preserve these treasures for generations to come.

This video series is just one of many ways Mount Rainier celebrates this milestone.

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 17 seconds

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Mount Rainier is celebrating 125 years as a national park. Many of the changes in the park are slow and hard to measure. The mountain itself is always changing; close up it is a marvel of shifting seasons, snow, water and ice. Yet on the horizon it mostly stays constant, acting as a grounding force in our region. How has the park changed over time for you? How has it stayed the same?

 

Duration:

5 minutes, 6 seconds

In celebration of Mount Rainier National Park’s 125th Anniversary, four Meadow Rover Volunteers reflect on what draws them to the mountain, inspires them to volunteer, and their hopes for the future of this park. Meadow Rovers educate visitors about Mount Rainier’s famous subalpine wildflower meadows to help protect and preserve them for many years to come.

Learn more about volunteering