Longmire has been the gateway to Mount Rainier since James Longmire opened a mineral springs resort here in the 1880s. The historic village was designed to blend harmoniously with its natural setting and is part of the Mount Rainier National Historic District. It is a starting point for exploring both natural and human history, with the Trail of the Shadows passing through forests and meadows, the Rampart Ridge Trail leading through forest to views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually River, and the Longmire District Walking Tour and nearby trails connecting the village with its historic setting. The area also faces natural hazards, as debris flows and glacial outburst floods can occur at any time, eroding stream banks and scouring everything in their path, including rocks and trees, and during earthquakes or prolonged rumbling, the safest response is to move quickly uphill, away from rivers and streams.