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Mount Rainier National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: Washington

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.

🌤 Weather Information

Weather patterns at Mount Rainier are strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and elevation. The climate is generally cool and rainy, with summer highs in the 60s and 70s. While July and August are the sunniest months of the year, rain is very likely in spring, fall, and winter. Visitors should be aware that mountain weather is very changeable. In the higher elevations, like Paradise, winter can last from November to May with many feet of snow on the ground.

🚗 Directions

Mount Rainier National Park is located in west-central Washington state. Several major cities in Washington- Seattle, Tacoma, and Yakima- and Portland, Oregon, are within 200 miles of the park. For GPS to Nisqually Entrance use: 39000 State Route 706 E, Ashford, WA 98304.

Images

A purple and pink streaked sky over a mountain peak and forested valley.

The Silver Forest Trail at Sunrise features spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the White River valley.

Credit: JD Hascup Photo

Climber on glacier steps downward with icy crags in background.

Summiting Mount Rainier involves climbing a volcano, scaling glaciers, dealing with high elevations and much more. Almost 10,000 people a year attempt to summit.

Credit: NPS Photo

Towering cedars and douglas-firs reach skyward while a beam of sun breaks through the canopy.

With some of the few remaining old-growth forests in the Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier National Park protects native plants great and small in places like the Grove of the Patriarchs.

Credit: NPS Photo / Emily Brouwer

A hoary marmot with white frosted fur rests on a rock beside white flowers in a meadow.

From small amphibians and hoary marmots to the black bears and elk, many animals call the wild places of Mount Rainier home.

Credit: NPS Photo

Two children hike on trail through wildflower meadow with Mount Rainier above them.

Enjoying the outdoors through recreation is a big part of many visitors' experiences.

Credit: NPS Photo / Steve Redman

Sunset paints the glaciers of Mount Rainier in pink and gold.

Every scenic overlook shows a different side of Mount Rainier. Viewed from Gobblers Knob Lookout at sunset, the glaciers covering the mountain turn pink and gold.

Credit: NPS Photo / Emily Brouwer

The historic National Park Inn covered in a foot of snow.

For thousands of years, people have traveled up to, over, and around Mount Rainier. Today the park strives to preserve this history while providing a chance for new generations to find their own adventures.

Credit: NPS Photo

Purple lupine and white bistort bloom in a meadow alongside a sign for the Wonderland Trail.

Both the Wonderland Trail and subalpine meadows encircle Mount Rainier. Summertime blooms splatter the hillsides with color.

Credit: NPS Photo/ K. Loving

A glaciated mountain framed by forested hillsides reflects in a still mountain lake.

Aurora Lake in Klapatche Park on the west side of Mount Rainier.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
Grants unlimited entry for one vehicle and passengers for seven consecutive days. Vehicle must be private, noncommercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.
$30.00
Entrance - Per Person
Walk-up or single bicycle fee. Grants unlimited entry for seven consecutive days.
$15.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Grants unlimited entry for one motorcycle and passenger for seven consecutive days.
$25.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle. For sedan with 1 to 6 seats, the fee is $30 + $15 per client.
$30.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle.
$75.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle.
$100.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
These fees are charged only to commercial organizations, such as tour companies. This fee is determined by the seating capacity of the vehicle. NOTE: There are no current road restrictions for unmodified motor coaches of the standard length in the park. However, be aware that roads in the park are steep, narrow, and winding. In particular, it is recommended that RVs and vehicles with trailers longer than 25 feet LOA not travel up the Sunrise Road beyond the White River Campground intersection.
$200.00
Timed Entry Reservation - Location
A timed entry reservation is required only for the Sunrise Corridor in the northeast corner of the park from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily from July 11-Sept 1, 2025, then on weekends and holidays from Sept 2 through end of the season (typically mid-October).
$2.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Grants unlimited entry for one year to pass owner and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. This pass does not cover camping fees and is non-transferable and non-refundable. If you already own a valid annual or lifetime pass (Interagency Senior, Annual, Military, etc) you do not need to purchase this pass. NOTE: The Discover Pass is for Washington State Parks only and does not cover Mount Rainier National Park.
$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Sunday, Jun 21

Sunny

Sunny

High: 74.4°F | Low: 43.9°F

Humidity: 43%

Wind: 6.5 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 8.7

Sunrise: 05:11 AM

Sunset: 09:04 PM

Moon: First Quarter (48%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 48.8°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Jun 22

Sunny

Sunny

High: 79.8°F | Low: 42.3°F

Humidity: 40%

Wind: 8.3 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 8.8

Sunrise: 05:12 AM

Sunset: 09:05 PM

Moon: First Quarter (59%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 49.7°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Jun 23

Sunny

Sunny

High: 82.4°F | Low: 49.2°F

Humidity: 39%

Wind: 8.7 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 7.8

Sunrise: 05:12 AM

Sunset: 09:05 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (69%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 53.5°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Winter camping currently closed at Paradise. Information
Winter camping is currently not permitted in the Paradise area until the snowpack reaches the required depth. Backcountry camping is allowed in other park areas with a wilderness permit.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Gate CLOSED at Nisqually Entrance. Park Closure
01/07/2026 The road is closed at the Nisqually Entrance and will reopen when it is safe to do so. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them.

More Info

SR 410/123 closed for the season; recreation on roads not allowed through Friday. Park Closure
11/04/2024: State Routes 410/123 within park boundaries are closed for the season. NOTE: Recreation, including hiking/bicycling, is NOT allowed on the roadways through Friday 11/8 while crews work on the road to finish closing it for the season.
Melting snow bridges and high streamflows create hazards for hikers, skiers, and snowshoers. Caution
Be aware of hidden- and potentially fatal- hazards created by snow bridges and high streamflows on Mount Rainier.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire, projected to open tomorrow Park Closure
1/15/2026 The road is open to Longmire. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them. The gate at Longmire to Paradise is closed for the night to support public safety and is projected to open, conditions permitting, tomorrow, Thursday 1/16/2026

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Gate at Longmire CLOSED today for public safety Park Closure
1/9/2026 The road is open to Longmire. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them. The gate at Longmire to Paradise will remain closed today for public safety.
Expect long lines at entrances on weekends. Information
Lengthy delays are likely at the southwest park entrance on SR706 on weekends. Check Google Maps for backup (represented by the orange/red line) at link below. Please do not block driveways or roads while in line outside the park.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire, projected to be closed Park Closure
03/12/2026 The road is open to Longmire. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them. Tire chains are required for all vehicles beginning at Nisqually and continuing up to Longmire. The gate at Longmire to Paradise is closed for the night to support public safety and is NOT projected to open tomorrow, Friday 03/13/2026.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Gate at Longmire CLOSED today for public safety. Park Closure
03/12/2026 The road is open to Longmire. The gate at Longmire to Paradise will remain closed today for public safety. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them; today, tire chains are required to be used on all 2-wheel drive vehicles beginning at the Nisqually Entrance.
Winter Season Closures Information
The following regular winter season road closures are in place: Paradise Valley Road, Stevens Canyon Road, White River Road, Sunrise Road, State Routes 410/Chinook Pass (between Crystal Mountain Blvd. & Morse Creek) and 123/Cayuse Pass (at the park boundary).

More Info

Water available at Paradise & Narada Falls. Information
After essential repairs of the water main, service has been restored to the water system at Paradise & Narada Falls, with drinking water and flush restrooms available. Please continue to help conserve water.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Early Morning Update Park Closure
04/02/2026 The road is open to Longmire and the gate at Longmire to Paradise is expected to open at 10 a.m. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them. The gate at Longmire to Paradise will close to uphill travel at 4 p.m. and downhill travel at 5 p.m. to support public safety.
Regular nightly closures of the Longmire gate have ended for the season. Park Closure
05/17/2026 The gate at Longmire to Paradise may still close for the night to support public safety depending on conditions. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Early Morning Update Park Closure
02/02/2026 The road is open to Longmire and the gate at Longmire to Paradise is expected to open at 11 a.m. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them. The gate at Longmire to Paradise will close to uphill travel at 3 p.m. and downhill travel at 4 p.m. to support public safety.
Nisqually Entrance temporarily closed starting 4 pm today, 3/11/26 Park Closure
Nisqually Entrance temporarily closed for public safety starting at 4:00 pm, Wednesday 3/11/26, until further notice due to forecasted blizzard conditions. The blizzard warning includes projected high winds, increasing the risk of falling trees, as well as high snow amounts.
Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire, check tomorrow for status. Park Closure
04/15/2026 The road is open to Longmire. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them. The gate at Longmire to Paradise is closed for the night to support public safety. Check in the morning for updated status of the gate at Longmire, Thursday 04/16/2026

More Info

Water temporarily unavailable at Narada Falls. Information
Water and restrooms are temporarily unavailable at Narada Falls. The closest restrooms are at Paradise.
Your GPS May Be Wrong Information
There are five entrances to the park. GPS may take you to the wrong entrance or attempt to follow the most direct route, which could lead to closed gates. It can take hours to reroute to the correct entrance. Check directions & maps, not just your GPS.

More Info

Wonderland Trail closed between Narada Falls Trail & Stevens Canyon Road. Park Closure
Due to unusual bear activity, the Wonderland Trail is temporarily closed between Narada Falls Trail and Stevens Canyon Road.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire, check tomorrow for status. Park Closure
03/04/2026 The road is open to Longmire. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them. The gate at Longmire to Paradise is closed for the night to support public safety. Check in the morning for updated status of the gate at Longmire, Thursday 03/05/2026

More Info

Regular nightly closures of the Longmire gate have ended for the season. Park Closure
The gate at Longmire to Paradise may still close for the night to support public safety depending on conditions. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them until May 1.

More Info

Paradise Road Status: Gate at Longmire CLOSED today. Park Closure
01/10/2026 The road is open to Longmire. The gate at Longmire to Paradise will remain closed today for public safety. All vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, must carry tire chains and be ready to use them.
SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake. Park Closure
There is NO public access to Carbon River & Mowich Lake from SR 165. The bridge is closed to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and there is no alternate route.

More Info

Limited access to some trails due to washouts from winter storms. Information
The following trails have been impacted by winter storms: Carter Falls Trail footbridge over the Nisqually River has been dislodged and there is no safe water crossing; Kautz Creek Trail is impassable one mile from the trailhead due to a washout. There may be other trails with unreported storm impacts around the park.

More Info

Ohanapecosh Campground area closed for construction in 2026. Information
The entire Ohanapecosh Campground area is CLOSED for the duration of the construction project, including all campsites, visitor center, restrooms, picnic area, & Ohanapecosh river access.

More Info

Park Events

Snowshoe Guided Experience
Join a park ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to the challenging winter conditions at Mount Rainier. On this guided snowshoe experience, you will be led by park staff through lush evergreen forests and sweeping vistas in a winter wonderland. 
  • Meet inside Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise at the information desk.
  • Sign-ups begin one hour in advance of scheduled time; all participants must be present at sign-up.
  • Ages 8+ suggested.
  • Limit 25 people.
  • Days: Saturday and Sunday
  • Times: 11:00 am
  • Duration: 2 hours/1.5 miles
NOTES
  • Snowshoes for ranger-led walks are provided by the park.
  • Don't forget sunscreen/sunglasses, layers of warm cloths, hats, mittens, and suitable boots. You will sink into the snow even with snowshoes on.
  • Walks may be canceled at any time due to safety concerns or operational priorities. 

Location: Meet at the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.

Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Apr 13, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Fee Free Day - President's Day

All entrance fees are waived in recognition of President's Day (Washington's Birthday). 

Date: Feb 16, 2026 12:00am to Feb 16, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Snowshoe Guided Experience
Join a park ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to the challenging winter conditions at Mount Rainier. On this guided snowshoe experience, you will be led by park staff through lush evergreen forests and sweeping vistas in a winter wonderland. 
  • Meet inside Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise at the information desk.
  • Sign-ups begin one hour in advance of scheduled time; all participants must be present at sign-up.
  • Ages 8+ suggested.
  • Limit 25 people.
  • Days: Daily April 6-10 for Spring Break
  • Times: 11:00 am
  • Duration: 2 hours/1.5 miles
NOTES
  • Snowshoes for ranger-led walks are provided by the park.
  • Don't forget sunscreen/sunglasses, layers of warm cloths, hats, mittens, and suitable boots. You will sink into the snow even with snowshoes on.
  • Walks may be canceled at any time due to safety concerns or operational priorities. 

Location: Meet at the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.

Date: Apr 6, 2026 12:00am to Apr 6, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Paradise - Plaza Program

Join a ranger for a stationary program. Topics vary by day and ranger, so check at the front desk inside the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise for today's subject! 

 

Location: Meet in the plaza by the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. 

Date: May 6, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Longmire/Cougar Rock - Evening Program

Explore questions about Mount Rainier's human and/or natural history. Join a ranger and other visitors to discuss and learn about the park. If you attend the program but are not camping, please park in the Cougar Rock Picnic Area across the park road from the campground. Parking at the campground is limited. 

 

Location: Meet at the Cougar Rock Campground Amphitheater.

Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to Jul 5, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Fee Free Day - Memorial Day

All entrance fees are waived in recognition of Memorial Day. 

Date: May 25, 2026 12:00am to May 25, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Fee Free Day - Flag Day

All entrance fees are waived in recognition of Flag Day (President Trump's Birthday). 

Date: Jun 14, 2026 12:00am to Jun 14, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Paradise - Ranger Guided Walk

Join a Ranger to Discover Paradise. Explore questions about the human and/or natural history of the park on this easy to moderate walk. Up to 1.5 miles roundtrip, on a paved trail.

Location: Meet by the flagpole in the plaza next to the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.

Date: Jun 15, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Longmire/Cougar Rock - Junior Ranger Program

Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to join a ranger to explore, learn about, and help protect Mount Rainier. Parents or guardians must stay with your Junior Rangers. An easy 0.25-mile paved walk in the campground might be included. 

Location: Meet at the Cougar Rock Campground Amphitheater.

Date: Jun 15, 2026 12:00am to Jul 6, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Paradise - Evening Program

Explore questions about Mount Rainier's human and/or natural history. Join a ranger and other visitors to discuss and learn about the park. 

Location: Meet in the lobby of the Paradise Inn. The Paradise Inn is on the east side of the upper parking lot at Paradise.

Date: Jul 3, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
55210 238th Avenue East
Ashford, WA 98304

🏤 Mailing Address:
55210 238th Avenue East
Ashford, WA 98304

📞 Voice Phone: 3605692211

📞 Fax Phone: 3605696519

📞 TTY Phone: 3605692177

✉️ Email: morainfo@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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