Operating Hours & Seasons

Mount Rainier National Park is open all year, 24 hours a day. Visitation is at its peak in July and August, when the weather is warm and dry and the wildflowers are blooming. If you are planning a summer trip to Mount Rainier, consider visiting mid-week, which is generally less crowded. Parking is limited in many areas of the park. Wait times at the Nisqually and White River Entrances can be over an hour on the very busiest summer weekends and holidays. Entering the park before 10:00 am or after 2:30 pm can help avoid delays when visitation is heavy. Plan ahead and follow these tips to avoid summer congestion.

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 webpage or Alerts prior to coming to the park as road conditions are subject to change.

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

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Last Updated: September 16, 2024
All scheduled dates are weather dependent.

VISITOR CENTERS	DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION Call the park at 360-569-2211 to confirm road and facility status or check the website for current information.
Longmire Museum Located at Longmire in the southwest corner of the park. [phone] Open year-round.	September 5 - October 6 9:00 am - 4:30 pm daily October 7 - October 14 Closed. Permits and information available at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center. October 15 - October 18 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Tues-Fri NOTE: The Longmire Plaza Comfort Station restrooms are open daily.
Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center Located at Paradise on the south side of the park. Open year-round, but weekends only in winter (generally October-May).	September 5 - September 30 9:30 am - 5:30 pm daily October 1 - October 14 10:00 am - 4:30 pm daily
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center Located at Ohanapecosh in the southeast corner of the park. Generally open late June through mid-September.	CLOSED for the season
Sunrise Visitor Center Located at Sunrise in the northeast corner of the park. Generally open July through mid-September.	CLOSED for the season

 

WILDERNESS & CLIMBING INFORMATION CENTERS	DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION
Longmire Wilderness Information Center [phone] Located at Longmire. Generally open late May through mid October.	May 24 - October 14 7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily CLOSED for the season October 15. NOTE: Wilderness permits are available at the Longmire Museum when the WIC is closed.
White River Wilderness Information Center [phone] Located at White River, en route to the Sunrise area in the northeast corner of the park. Generally open late May through mid October.	May 24 - October 14 7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily CLOSED for the season October 15.
Carbon River Ranger Station [phone] Located on the Carbon River Road 5.5 miles east of the Mowich Lake (SR165) junction. Generally open year-round.	May 28 - September 7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily NOTE: Visitors to the Carbon River area should be prepared to navigate around road and trail washouts.
Paradise Wilderness Information Center / Guide House [phone] Backcountry & climbing permits, information. Located at Paradise. Generally open late May through early September.	CLOSED for the season NOTE: Climbers can self-register at the Paradise Ranger Station or get permits at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center.

 

CAMPGROUNDS	CURRENT STATUS
Cougar Rock	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 15.
Ohanapecosh	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 15.
White River	OPEN Estimated to close for the season September 23.

NOTE: See the campground page for other campground updates.

 

PICNIC AREAS	CURRENT STATUS
Cougar Rock	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 15.
Paradise	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 14.
Sunrise	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 8.
Box Canyon	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 14.
Ohanapecosh Campground	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 15.

NOTE: See the picnic area page for other picnicking options.

 

FOOD & LODGING	DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION
National Park Inn at Longmire Lodging, dining. Generally open year-round. Reservations: 360-569-2275 or mtrainierguestservices.com	OPEN June 15 - Fall Dining Room Breakfast: 7:00 am - 11:00 am daily Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm daily Dinner: 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm daily Front Desk 7:00 am - 10:00 pm daily
Longmire General Store Adjacent to National Park Inn. Gifts & basic groceries. Firewood sales (summer only). Snowshoe rentals (winter only). Generally open year-round	OPEN June 15 - Fall 9:00 am - 7:00 pm daily
Paradise Camp Deli and Gift Shop in the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.	OPEN June 17 - September 30* 11:00 am - 5:15 pm daily* October 1 - October 14* 11:00 am - 4:15 pm daily* *Dependent on Jackson Visitor Center hours.
Paradise Inn Lodging, dining & gifts. Generally open May through September Reservations: 1-855-755-2275 or mtrainierguestservices.com	OPEN Front Desk May 18 - September 30 Open 24 hours Dining Room Hours September 2 - September 30 Breakfast Buffet: 7:00 am - 9:30 am daily Lunch: 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm daily Dinner: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm daily Tatoosh Cafe May 18 - September 30 9:00 am - 10:00 pm daily
Sunrise Day Lodge No overnight facilities. Food & gifts. Generally open early July to early September	CLOSED for the season
Firewood Sales	Available during the summer at Longmire General Store daily and Cougar Rock Campground, Thurs-Mon.

More information on dining in the park
More information on lodging in the park