Longmire, WA

Travel Guide

The park's first administration building dates from 1916 and now houses the Longmire Museum and Visitors Center.  It was built in the Parkitecture style - a rugged, often hand-built style, designed to blend in naturally with the environment.  This style is common among many western US Parks, including Mount Rainier, Yellowstone and Yosemite.
The park's first administration building dates from 1916 and now houses the Longmire Museum and Visitors Center.  It was built in the Parkitecture style - a rugged, often hand-built style, designed to blend in naturally with the environment.  This style is common among many western US Parks, including Mount Rainier, Yellowstone and Yosemite.
The remains of Soda Springs, one of 49 mineral spring that attracted visitors to this area in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  The springs were developed by the Longmire family, who first settled the area in 1883 after building a wagon trail from Ashford, 13 miles (21 km) away.  In addition to improving the springs, the Longmires constructed a series of cabins, tents, a 5-room hotel, and hiking trails to Paradise.

By 1915 the Longmires and the National Park were no longer seeing eye-to-eye, and the Longmires leased the property to a hotelier, who improved and continued to operate the springs until the National Park Service purchased the property in 1939.  You can read a bit more about the area's history here: http://bit.ly/1vkU4C4

You can visit the remains of a few mineral springs and an 1888 cabin by hiking the short and flat Trail of Shadows loop (0.7 mi/1.1 km).  It's an easy walk, and there's a nice view of Mount Rainier from the meadows.
When Mount Rainier National Park was established in 1899 the park headquarters were located at the site of James Longmire's homestead and mineral springs resort.  Over the subsequent decades a number of architecturally significant buildings were constructed, including the Administration Building pictured here.  

What sets this building apart is the use of glacial boulders to form much of the first story walls.  Massive log beams and log-siding complete the structure, while a large fireplace dominates the lobby.  Overall, the building appears largely the same as it did when built in the late 1920s. 

Today the building serves as a visitor information center.

#Architecture
This 1929 service station was designed to fit in with the park's other rustic structures.  Though the (still original) gas pumps are no longer active, the building is in great shape and now houses a small museum.

#Architecture
National Park Inn

National Park Inn

2.5 out of 5
47009 Paradise Rd E Ashford WA
Stay at this hotel in Ashford. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (299 reviews)
Excellent! everyone was so happy and welcoming. The room was great. Liked the food at the restaurant and the lovely fireplace and amenities. If you’re looking to disconnect and relax, this is the place to go. We’ll be returning soon!

Reviewed on 3 January 2026

National Park Inn
Paradise Village Hotel

Paradise Village Hotel

2.5 out of 5
31811 WA-706 Ashford WA
The price is AED 372 per night from Jan 22 to Jan 23
AED 372
AED 410 total
22 Jan - 23 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Ashford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (675 reviews)
Great experience workers were so nice loved the atmosphere food was delicious room smelled nice and was kept really clean

Reviewed on 12 January 2026

Paradise Village Hotel
Cowlitz River Lodge

Cowlitz River Lodge

2.5 out of 5
13069 US HWY 12 Packwood WA
The price is AED 511 per night from Jan 22 to Jan 23
AED 511
AED 562 total
22 Jan - 23 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Packwood. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Good location, nice room Had issues with Direct TV

Reviewed on 6 January 2026

Cowlitz River Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gateway Inn

Gateway Inn

3 out of 5
38820 State Route 706 East Ashford WA
Book a stay at this family-friendly cabin in Ashford. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping, and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,794 reviews)
Great service, location next to the park entrance, very quiet in the inside, loved the fireplace.

Reviewed on 9 January 2026

Gateway Inn
Cozy Packwood Ski Cabin near White Pass and Mt Rainier

Cozy Packwood Ski Cabin near White Pass and Mt Rainier

Packwood WA
Stay at this cabin in Packwood. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Backbone Lake Trail and White Pass Sports Hut are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (176 reviews)
It was a perfect get away and the dogs enjoyed being with us. Such a cute little cottage. It was perfect for my husband and I.

Reviewed on 6 October 2025

Cozy Packwood Ski Cabin near White Pass and Mt Rainier
The Cornerstone Cabin - Mount Rainier

The Cornerstone Cabin - Mount Rainier

Ashford WA
Stay at this cabin in Ashford. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Lake Christine Trailhead and Lake Christine are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (123 reviews)
We had a great stay and loved how cozy the cabin was and how close it was to the park entrance.

Reviewed on 14 January 2026

The Cornerstone Cabin - Mount Rainier
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Longmire

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
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3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Go off season. Beat the summer crowds. Not sure what it is like in tourist season, but they seem well organized