Operating Hours & Seasons

Mount Rainier National Park is open all year. Visitation is at its peak in July and August, when the weather is warm and dry and the wildflowers are blooming. Parking is limited in many areas of the park especially on busy summer weekends and holidays. If you are planning a summer trip to Mount Rainier, consider visiting mid-week, which is generally less crowded.

In spring, with ephemeral waterfalls and in autumn, with brilliant colors reaching deep into the valleys, visitors can enjoy a more leisurely vacation in the park. During these seasons, weather may determine the availability of facilities in certain areas of the park. Before making any plans check the current status of roads, campgrounds, trails and activities.

Vehicle access to Mount Rainier in the winter is only available from the Nisqually Entrance, in the southwest corner of the park on the way to Paradise. The Carbon River Entrance is open but the road within the park boundary is limited to foot and bicycle traffic. Check the road status prior to coming to the park as road conditions are subject to change.

---

Information and operating hours for visitor centers, wilderness information centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, lodging and food are located below. Other important web pages to consider when planning your trip are: road status, trail conditions. and climbing permits.

---

 

Last Updated: May 24, 2013
All scheduled opening dates are weather dependent.

VISITOR CENTERS	DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION Call the park at 1-360-569-2211 to confirm road and facility status or check the website for current information.
Longmire Museum [phone] Open year-round	April 30 - June 30 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily July 1 - September 2 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise [phone] Open year-round, but weekends only in winter (generally October-May)	May 4 - June 14 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily June 15 - September 1 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center [phone] Generally open late May through early October.	CLOSED for 2013 due to budget cuts. See below for Ohanapecosh Campground information.
Sunrise Visitor Center [phone] Generally open July through early September.	CLOSED for the season. Scheduled to open July 3.

Return to top of page

 

WILDERNESS & CLIMBING INFORMATION CENTERS	DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION
Longmire Wilderness Information Center [phone]	May 24 - October 14 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
White River Wilderness Information Center [phone]	7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat.
NEW Carbon River Ranger Station [phone] Located on the Carbon River Road 5.5 miles east of the Mowich Lake (SR165) junction.	8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wed - Sun The road is open to the park entrance. The road is closed to vehicles beyond the entrance. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic is permitted beyond the entrance.
Paradise Guide House (Climbing Information Center) [phone]	May 11 - September 30 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Return to top of page

 

CAMPGROUNDS	CURRENT STATUS
Cougar Rock	CLOSED for the season. Estimated opening June 27 - September 29.
Ohanapecosh	OPEN May 24 - September 29
White River	CLOSED for the season. Estimated opening June 28 - September 29

Return to top of page

 

PICNIC AREAS	CURRENT STATUS
Cougar Rock	CLOSED for the season. Projected opening TBA, weather dependent.
Paradise	CLOSED for the season. Projected opening June 21, weather dependent.
Box Canyon	OPEN
Ohanapecosh Campground	OPEN

Return to top of page

 

FOOD & LODGING	DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION
National Park Inn at Longmire Lodging, dining. Generally open: all year	Open Year Round Hotel Front Desk: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily Dining Room: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Fri/Sat/holidays
Longmire General Store Adjacent to National Park Inn. Gifts & basic groceries. Firewood sales (summer only). Snowshoe rentals (winter only). Generally open: all year	April 30 - June 13 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily June 14 - September 1 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. daily
Paradise Camp Deli and Gift Shop in the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise	May 4 - June 14 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily June 15 - September 1 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily
Paradise Inn Lodging, dining & gifts. Generally open: May through September	OPEN Front desk open 24 hours daily.
Sunrise Day Lodge No overnight facilities. Food & gifts. Generally open: early July to early September	CLOSED for the season. Beginning July 3 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily

More information on dining in the park
More information on lodging in the park
Return to top of page