Ashford: the gateway to Mount Rainier National Park
The tiny village of Ashford in Washington serves as the base and gateway to the mighty Mountain Rainier National Park. It spans over 250,000 acres of wilderness and wraps around the state's highest mountain: an astonishingly beautiful natural wonder. Dense forest, glistening glaciers and foothill meadows festooned with colorful blooming wild flowers make it a seriously scenic place for outdoor family adventures. When you stay in an Ashford vacation rental, you can spend your days hiking along the mountain trails, spotting some of the state's most fascinating wildlife, or taking everything in from a train ride on a vintage locomotive.
Hop on board the vintage locomotive in Ashford
The biggest draw to Ashford vacation rentals is the outdoor activities, but there are other things to keep you busy when you return from the trails. If you're a train buff, you've come to the right place. You can hop aboard the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad and choo-choo along 18-miles of wildly beautiful mountain landscapes onboard a vintage locomotive, while the conductors give you a fascinating history lesson along the way. Alternatively, you can learn about the park and the human history at the Sunrise Visitor Center. Don't miss lunch at the Summit House, which is perched almost 7,000 feet up on Crystal Mountain.
Countless family adventures await in Ashford
When you've got the mighty Mount Rainier National Park right on the doorstep of your Ashford vacation rental, there's no excuse for not diving headfirst into the myriad adventure activities on offer. There's 100s of miles of hiking footpaths to give your walking shoes a good workout, or challenging cliff faces where you can harness up to test your climbing skills. Fishing is popular, as is horseback riding. During the winter months, the snows provide a whole new host of adventure sports, where thrill-seekers can dust off their skies or snow shoes to hit the trails.
Catch a glimpse of black bears and cougars in Ashford
There's a serious checklist of critters to tick off your list when you hit the Mount Rainier National Park. What you spot very much depends on the season you visit, but typically the best time is spring, when the wildlife wakes up from its winter slumber. When you hike through the park, you're almost guaranteed to see roaming herds of black-tailed or mule deer. Elk are a little tougher to spot, but with some luck, you should see a few, particularly if you're visiting in September. However, the highlight for many is catching a glimpse of the black bears or cougars.
How to get to and around Ashford
Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the closest airport, located 49 mi (78.8 km) from the city center.
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