Mount Rainier from near Emerald Ridge in June

The park saves approximately 30 percent of available wilderness permits to be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. These permits can be issued the same day your trip starts, or up to one day before your trip starts, but no sooner than one day. The only way to acquire a first-come, first-served permit is by coming to any Ranger Station in the park and attempting to get the permit, which is subject to availability. First-come, first-served permits cannot be issued over the phone.

When you come into the Ranger Station to attempt to get your permit, be sure to have the following information:

• An emergency contact phone number
• The license plate number of any vehicle being left overnight in the park
• The make, model and color of the vehicle

In the summer, Ranger Stations where you can acquire permits are: The Longmire Wilderness Information Center at Longmire, the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, the Ohanapecosh Vistor Center at Ohanapecosh, the White River Wilderness Information Center at the White River Entrance, the Sunrise Visitor Center at Sunrise and the Carbon River Ranger Station at the Carbon River Entrance. Note: there is no Ranger Station at Mowich Lake. The closest Ranger Station is at the Carbon River Entrance. For Ranger Station and WIC hours, travel here.

In the winter, permits are available at the Longmire Museum every day and the Jackson Visitor Center on weekends. Self-registration is available at the Carbon River Ranger Station, Ohanapecosh Ranger Station, and the Highway 410 entrance arch at the park's north boundary. For more information on winter camping, travel here.

The option to getting a first-come, first-served permit is to attempt to get a reservation. For more information on reservations, travel here.