The station marks the beginning of the Mather Memorial Parkway, 50 miles of the most scenic section of the Chinook Pass Highway, set aside by Congress March 24, 1931.

Mount Rainier, its snow and ice glittering in bright sunlight, appears close enough to touch. Light-colored granite has replaced the brown lava cliffs and the glacial drift with the foaming White River appearing through openings in the woods.