Paradise Historic District

Paradise Historic District is a collection of structures built between 1916 and 1942, featuring timber constructions with foundations of glacial boulders set at high elevation. The buildings spread across the area and include the Guide House, Paradise Camp Lodge, a photography studio, a ranger station, and several other original structures.

The area developed in the early 1900s as a tourist destination with sturdy timber buildings designed to withstand harsh high-altitude conditions. It earned National Historic Landmark status in 1991 and became part of the larger Mount Rainier National Park Historic Landmark District in 1997.

The buildings here reflect National Park Service design methods from the 1920s and 1930s, when architects chose natural materials to blend with the mountain surroundings. Visitors can see how these structures shaped the way people experienced and worked in the high-altitude landscape.

Visitors can explore individual buildings on their own, including the Guide House, the lodge, and the ranger station, as these structures are spread across the site. The paths can be steep and weather changes quickly, so sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are advisable.

The steeply pitched roofs were specifically engineered to handle heavy snow loads, a practical solution for extreme mountain winter conditions. This construction approach reflected a deep understanding of how to build safely in such remote high-altitude locations.

Location: Pierce County

Architectural style: rustic architecture

GPS coordinates: 46.78640,-121.73400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01