RailCycle Mt. Rainier: Exciting Train Bike Adventure With Kids

Sunny summer and early fall weekends are the ideal time for an adventure with the kids that veers off the beaten path. At the start of every summer, my family and I make a bucket list that’s jam-packed with all the stuff we want to do each weekend.

This summer, the new RailCycle Mt. Rainier tour was at the top of the list. The family attraction kicked off earlier this year, and it’s like no other adventure ride we’ve been on.

On this outing, families roll through the forest on a unique rail bike while catching glimpses of the Nisqually River and majestic Mount Rainier. If you’re looking for a unique and relaxing excursion with kids, this new attraction is well worth checking out.

What is a rail cycle?

A rail cycle, or rail bike, is a specially designed human-powered vehicle that runs on railroad tracks. It’s sort of a cross between a bicycle and an old-fashioned railroad handcar, with a bit of pedal boat thrown in. A rail cycle is propelled by pedaling, and one rail cycle can accommodate as many as four riders at once.

A rail cycle tour, with the power of riders’ legs as the engine, carries families on a journey through serene landscapes. Traveling on train tracks allows riders to take in scenes that would otherwise remain hidden from regular tourist routes.

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad operates RailCycle Mt. Rainier. This organization previously offered train excursions in the same area — and will again this fall (more on that below). The rail cycle tour follows an isolated track, upon which there is no chance of a train running. The tour departs from a spot near Eatonville, Wash., and takes riders on a 1.5-mile pedal through the forest.

Is RailCycle Mt. Rainier suitable for young kids?

My kids are 5 and 7 years old, and we were excited to try out this novel way of traveling. When we arrived, the company had booster seats available for us to use. These booster seats are easily strapped onto the yellow plastic seats of the rail cycles. With the booster, my 7-year-old was all set to pedal along with us, joining in the fun — and contributing some of the power.

My 5-year-old, however, couldn’t reach the pedals even with the booster. Fortunately, it wasn’t a problem. She absolutely loved the ride and was thrilled to be a part of the adventure, even without pedaling.

The rest of us — my husband, our son and I — worked together and had a blast pedaling our rail cycle, while our daughter enjoyed the ride. We spotted a couple with a young baby in a carrier on the tour, and they also seemed to be having fun. (According to the RailCycle Mt. Rainier website, babies weighing less than 25 pounds may ride with an adult in a front-style harness or carrier, so long as parents can buckle their seatbelt.)

All in all, there were people of all ages on the tour, and everyone appeared able to keep up.

Safety first

Before we hopped on our rail cycle, our guides first gave us a quick and clear safety briefing. They told us about the route we would be taking, the planned stops along the way and the importance of maintaining a safe distance from other rail cycles.

As soon as the briefing wrapped up, we adjusted our seats to ensure comfort, hopped on and started pedaling away, eager to begin our adventure through the scenic surroundings.

First impressions

The initial part of the ride was a downhill stretch, making it superfast and requiring minimal pedal power. I was surprised by how noisy the rail cycles were, making it difficult to chat with my kids. Nevertheless, it turned out to be an exhilarating experience as we sat back and took in the wonderful views, sounds and scents of the forest while whooshing along the rails.

I found the route remarkably unspoiled, offering beautiful vistas of the countryside, with colorful wildflowers and fluttering butterflies. Although we caught a fleeting glimpse of Mount Rainier, it was somewhat obscured by the trees. Fair warning: If you go in expecting breathtaking views of the mountain, you might be a little disappointed. There is a nice view of Mount Rainier from the rest stop at the beginning of the tour if you are really hoping for that photo!

The rest stop

After approximately 30 minutes of riding, we reached the turnaround point of the tour and took a break at some picnic tables in the forest. There is one camp toilet here, but note that there are no other facilities available at this spot. You will want to come prepared with snacks, water and sunscreen. Luckily, there is ample space on your rail cycle to accommodate a backpack in which you can tote snacks and water for the journey. (Additionally, there is a store at the check-in desk that offers a few snacks for purchase.)

During this 35-minute break, the employees turned our rail cycles around for the return trip. While it was a necessary task, it did take a fair amount of time. At this point, I couldn’t help but wish that an extra staff member was present to engage us with interesting facts about these railroad tracks, Mount Rainier, or the local area’s history and industry. The rest stop was fine, but it seemed to me that the time spent waiting could have been better used.

The journey back

The journey back required a lot more pedal power. That said, it was nice to have that slower pace to appreciate the wildflowers, the elk and the cattle grazing in the fields — not to mention the gorgeous mountains. The slower pace meant it was a little less noisy and it was easier to take photos and converse. We saw that other riders even picked wildflowers on the route back.

The verdict from the backseat

The kids absolutely adored this one-of-a-kind way of exploring the countryside. My son loved pedaling our rail cycle, while my daughter, although unable to reach the pedals this time, is already looking forward to next year when she hopes to join in on the pedaling fun.

The verdict from the front seat

Overall, the tour was well-organized and an enjoyable experience. The tour is relatively short if you are driving all the way from Seattle, but I think it’s probably long enough if you have young kids.

The only thing I felt was missing was a little more interactivity. At the check-in center, there was a poster with a QR code providing details about railroad history, which was a nice touch. I think it would be fantastic if, during the rest stop, someone from the staff could share this information in a more engaging and interactive manner, bringing the area’s history alive for us.

Despite that minor criticism, the entire experience was memorable, and the kids’ excitement and enjoyment made it a day well spent on our RailCycle Mt. Rainier adventure.