Mount Rainier National Park protects the slopes of a glacier-covered volcano in Washington’s Cascade Range. An elevation difference of roughly 13,000 feet creates a series of life zones, from old-growth forests of Douglas-fir, western red cedar and western hemlock in the lowlands, to the subalpine meadows around Paradise and Sunrise, to more than 80 square miles of snowfields, glaciers and bare rock above 6,500 feet. NPS counts 65 species of mammals, 182 species of birds, 14 amphibians, five reptiles and 14 native fish in the park. Columbian black-tailed deer, Douglas squirrels, Steller’s jays and ravens are the animals visitors meet most often. Elk and American black bears range through many habitats in summer, while mountain goats stay in the alpine and subalpine zones all year. The American marten, a member of the weasel family, lives in mature conifer forests, and the park is part of an effort to restore the Pacific fisher to the forests of the south Cascades and the Olympic Peninsula.
About half of the birds seen in the park nest here, and many of them spend the winter in the southern United States or Central America. The low-elevation old-growth forests provide habitat for the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet, and the park monitors its spotted owl population. Higher up, wind carries insects and spiders onto the snowfields and glaciers, where they become food for many birds. Amphibians are especially important here: in some forested areas they outweigh all other vertebrates combined. Look for Cascades frogs in meadows and ponds, and for coastal tailed frogs in waterfall splash zones and along stream banks. The park is also home to the rare Van Dyke’s and Larch Mountain salamanders. The northwestern garter snake is the most common snake in the park. The park’s glaciers feed about 470 mapped rivers and streams, and most of its native fish are salmon, trout, char and whitefish, including the threatened bull trout, which is often found in the White and Carbon river watersheds. Keep reading to see featured photos of Mount Rainier’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Mount Rainier National Park Wildlife Photographs
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Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Mount Rainier Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Mount Rainier National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Western North America, Fifth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide To Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Mount Rainier National Park Species List
The wildlife at Mount Rainier National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Mount Rainier National Park:
Species Spotlight
Photo posts of animals you’ll find in Mount Rainier.
Black-tailed DeerMammal · Abundant
ElkMammal · Abundant
Steller’s JayBird · Abundant
American Black BearMammal · Common
Cascade Red FoxMammal · Common
CoyoteMammal · Common
Mountain GoatMammal · Common
American RobinBird · Common
Harlequin DuckBird · Common
BobcatMammal · Uncommon
Mountain LionMammal · Rare
North American PorcupineMammal · RareMount Rainier National Park Mammals
57 species
- American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- American Black Bear Photo post(Ursus americanus)
- American Pika(Ochotona princeps)
- Big Brown Bat(Eptesicus fuscus)
- Black-tailed Deer Photo post(Odocoileus hemionus columbianus)
- Bobcat Photo post(Lynx rufus)
- Bushy-tailed Woodrat(Neotoma cinerea)
- California Myotis(Myotis californicus)
- Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel(Spermophilus saturatus)
- Cascade Red Fox Photo post(Vulpes vulpes cascadensis)
- Coast Mole(Scapanus orarius)
- Coyote Photo post(Canis latrans)
- Creeping Vole(Microtus oregoni)
- Deer Mouse(Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Douglas’s Squirrel(Tamiasciurus douglasii)
- Dusky Shrew(Sorex monticolus)
- Elk Photo post(Cervus elaphus)
- Ermine(Mustela erminea)
- Fisher(Pekania pennanti)
- Heather Vole(Phenacomys intermedius)
- Hoary Bat(Lasiurus cinereus)
- Hoary Marmot(Marmota caligata)
- Keen’s Mouse(Peromyscus keeni)
- Little Brown Bat(Myotis lucifugus)
- Long-eared Myotis(Myotis evotis)
- Long-legged Myotis(Myotis volans)
- Long-tailed Vole(Microtus longicaudus)
- Long-tailed Weasel(Mustela frenata)
- Marsh Shrew(Sorex bendirii)
- Marten(Martes americana)
- Mink(Neovison vison)
- Mountain Beaver(Aplodontia rufa rainieri)
- Mountain Goat Photo post(Oreamnos americanus)
- Mountain Lion Photo post(Puma concolor)
- Mountain Water Shrew(Sorex palustris)
- Mule Deer Photo post(Odocoileus hemionus hemionus)
- North American Porcupine Photo post(Erethizon dorsatum)
- Northern Flying Squirrel(Glaucomys sabrinus)
- Northern Pocket Gopher(Thomomys talpoides)
- Pacific Jumping Mouse(Zapus trinotatus)
- Raccoon(Procyon lotor)
- River Otter(Lontra canadensis)
- Shrew Mole(Neurotrichus gibbsii)
- Silver-haired Bat(Lasionycteris noctivagans)
- Snowshoe Hare(Lepus americanus)
- Southern Red-backed Vole(Clethrionomys gapperi)
- Striped Skunk(Mephitis mephitis)
- Townsend’s Big-eared Bat(Plecotus townsendii)
- Townsend’s Chipmunk(Tamias townsendii)
- Townsend’s Meadow Vole(Microtus townsendii)
- Trowbridge’s Shrew(Sorex trowbridgii)
- Virginia Opossum(Didelphis virginiana)
- Wandering Shrew(Sorex vagrans)
- Western Spotted Skunk(Spilogale gracilis)
- Western Water Vole(Microtus richardsoni)
- Yellow-pine Chipmunk(Tamias amoenus)
- Yuma Myotis(Myotis yumanensis)
No mammals match.
Mount Rainier National Park Birds
145 species
- American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- American Dipper(Cinclus mexicanus)
- American Goldfinch(Carduelis tristis)
- American Kestrel(Falco sparverius sparverius)
- American Pipit(Anthus rubescens)
- American Robin Photo post(Turdus migratorius caurinus)
- American Three-toed Woodpecker(Picoides dorsalis fasciatus)
- American Wigeon(Anas americana)
- Baird’s Sandpiper(Calidris bairdii)
- Bald Eagle Photo post(Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus)
- Band-tailed Pigeon(Patagioenas fasciata monilis)
- Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)
- Barred Owl(Strix varia)
- Barrow’s Goldeneye(Bucephala islandica)
- Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon)
- Bewick’s Wren(Thryomanes bewickii calophonus)
- Black Swift(Cypseloides niger)
- Black-backed Woodpecker(Picoides arcticus)
- Black-billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia)
- Black-capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus occidentalis)
- Black-headed Grosbeak(Pheucticus melanocephalus)
- Black-throated Gray Warbler(Dendroica nigrescens)
- Brewer’s Blackbird(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
- Brown Creeper(Certhia americana)
- Brown-headed Cowbird(Molothrus ater)
- Bufflehead(Bucephala albeola)
- Bushtit(Psaltriparus minimus)
- California Gull(Larus californicus)
- California Quail(Callipepla californica)
- Calliope Hummingbird(Stellula calliope)
- Canada Goose(Branta canadensis)
- Canada Jay(Perisoreus canadensis obscurus)
- Canyon Wren(Catherpes mexicanus)
- Caspian Tern(Sterna caspia)
- Cassin’s Finch(Carpodacus cassinii)
- Cassin’s Vireo(Vireo cassinii)
- Cedar Waxwing(Bombycilla cedrorum)
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee(Poecile rufescens rufescens)
- Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina arizonae)
- Cinnamon Teal(Anas cyanoptera)
- Clark’s Nutcracker(Nucifraga columbiana)
- Common Goldeneye(Bucephala clangula)
- Common Loon Photo post(Gavia immer)
- Common Merganser(Mergus merganser americanus)
- Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor)
- Common Raven(Corvus corax)
- Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas)
- Cooper’s Hawk(Accipiter cooperii)
- Dark-eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis oreganus)
- Downy Woodpecker(Picoides pubescens)
- Dusky Flycatcher(Empidonax oberholseri)
- European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris)
- Evening Grosbeak(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
- Fox Sparrow(Passerella iliaca)
- Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos canadensis)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet(Regulus satrapa olivaceus)
- Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch(Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis)
- Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias)
- Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus)
- Greater Yellowlegs(Tringa melanoleuca)
- Green-winged Teal(Anas crecca)
- Hairy Woodpecker(Picoides villosus)
- Hammond’s Flycatcher(Empidonax hammondii)
- Harlequin Duck Photo post(Histrionicus histrionicus)
- Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus)
- Hermit Warbler(Dendroica occidentalis)
- Hooded Merganser(Lophodytes cucullatus)
- Horned Lark(Eremophila alpestris alpina)
- House Wren(Troglodytes aedon parkmanii)
- Hutton’s Vireo(Vireo huttoni)
- Killdeer(Charadrius vociferus)
- Lewis’s Woodpecker(Melanerpes lewis)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow(Melospiza lincolnii)
- Long-eared Owl(Asio otus)
- MacGillivray’s Warbler(Oporornis tolmiei tolmiei)
- Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)
- Marbled Murrelet(Brachyramphus marmoratus)
- Merlin(Falco columbarius columbarius)
- Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides)
- Nashville Warbler(Vermivora ruficapilla ridgwayi)
- Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus cafer)
- Northern Goshawk(Accipiter gentilis atricapillus)
- Northern Harrier(Circus cyaneus)
- Northern Pintail(Anas acuta)
- Northern Pygmy-Owl(Glaucidium gnoma grinnelli)
- Northern Saw-whet Owl(Aegolius acadicus)
- Northern Spotted Owl(Strix occidentalis caurina)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher(Contopus cooperi)
- Orange-crowned Warbler(Vermivora celata lutescens)
- Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)
- Pacific Wren(Troglodytes pacificus pacificus)
- Pacific-slope Flycatcher(Empidonax difficilis difficilis)
- Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
- Pileated Woodpecker(Dryocopus pileatus)
- Pine Grosbeak(Pinicola enucleator)
- Pine Siskin(Carduelis pinus)
- Prairie Falcon(Falco mexicanus)
- Pygmy Nuthatch(Sitta pygmaea melanotis)
- Red Crossbill(Loxia curvirostra)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta canadensis)
- Red-breasted Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus ruber)
- Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus)
- Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis)
- Red-winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus caurinus)
- Rough-legged Hawk(Buteo lagopus)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula cineraceus)
- Ruffed Grouse(Bonasa umbellus sabini)
- Rufous Hummingbird(Selasphorus rufus)
- Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk(Accipiter striatus)
- Snow Bunting(Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis)
- Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria cinnamomea)
- Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia morphna)
- Sooty Grouse(Dendragapus fuliginosus)
- Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius)
- Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus oregonus)
- Steller’s Jay Photo post(Cyanocitta stelleri)
- Swainson’s Hawk(Buteo swainsoni)
- Swainson’s Thrush(Catharus ustulatus ustulatus)
- Townsend’s Solitaire(Myadestes townsendi)
- Townsend’s Warbler(Dendroica townsendi)
- Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor)
- Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
- Varied Thrush(Ixoreus naevius naevius)
- Vaux’s Swift(Chaetura vauxi)
- Vesper Sparrow(Pooecetes gramineus)
- Violet-green Swallow(Tachycineta thalassina lepida)
- Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola)
- Warbling Vireo(Vireo gilvus swainsoni)
- Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana occidentalis)
- Western Grebe(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
- Western Meadowlark(Sturnella neglecta)
- Western Screech-Owl(Megascops kennicottii kennicottii)
- Western Tanager(Piranga ludoviciana)
- Western Wood-Pewee(Contopus sordidulus)
- White-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis)
- White-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii)
- White-tailed Ptarmigan(Lagopus leucura rainierensis)
- White-winged Crossbill(Loxia leucoptera)
- Willow Flycatcher(Empidonax traillii brewsteri)
- Wilson’s Snipe(Gallinago delicata)
- Wilson’s Warbler(Wilsonia pusilla chryseola)
- Wood Duck(Aix sponsa)
- Yellow Warbler(Dendroica petechia)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler(Dendroica coronata auduboni)
No birds match.
Mount Rainier National Park Reptiles
5 species
- Common Garter Snake(Thamnophis sirtalis)
- Northern Alligator Lizard(Elgaria coerulea principis)
- Northern Rubber Boa(Charina bottae)
- Northwestern Garter Snake(Thamnophis ordinoides)
- Terrestrial Garter Snake(Thamnophis elegans)
No reptiles match.
Mount Rainier National Park Amphibians
14 species
- Cascades Frog(Rana cascadae)
- Coastal Giant Salamander(Dicamptodon tenebrosus)
- Cope’s Giant Salamander(Dicamptodon copei)
- Larch Mountain Salamander(Plethodon larselli)
- Long-toed Salamander(Ambystoma macrodactylum)
- Northwestern Salamander(Ambystoma gracile)
- Oregon Ensatina(Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis)
- Pacific Treefrog(Pseudacris regilla)
- Red-legged Frog(Rana aurora)
- Rough-skinned Newt(Taricha granulosa)
- Tailed Frog(Ascaphus truei)
- Van Dyke’s Salamander(Plethodon vandykei)
- Western Red-backed Salamander(Plethodon vehiculum)
- Western Toad(Anaxyrus boreas)
No amphibians match.
Mount Rainier National Park Fish
15 species
- Brook Trout(Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Bull Trout(Salvelinus confluentus)
- Chinook Salmon(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
- Coastal Cutthroat Trout(Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii)
- Coho Salmon(Oncorhynchus kisutch)
- Mountain Whitefish(Prosopium williamsoni)
- Pink Salmon(Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
- Prickly Sculpin(Cottus asper)
- Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Shorthead Sculpin(Cottus confusus)
- Sockeye Salmon(Oncorhynchus nerka)
- Threespine Stickleback(Gasterosteus aculeatus)
- Torrent Sculpin(Cottus rhotheus)
- Westslope Cutthroat Trout(Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi)
- Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout(Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri)
No fish match.
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Mount Rainier National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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