Ranger-led Programs

An early ranger leading a campfire program.

NPS Photo

Since the early days of the National Park Service, rangers have shared their knowledge through the presentation of interpretive programs – guided walks, talks, and campfire programs for visitors of all ages. Today, that long-standing tradition continues.

Please join the Mount Rainier interpretive staff for a variety of free programs, ranging from informal talks at park visitor centers to junior ranger programs for kids to evening campfire programs. Topics vary from day to day, and may include geology, wildlife, ecology, mountaineering, or park history. Most programs are available from late-June until Labor Day. Schedules are posted throughout the park. Details and short descriptions of some evening programs are also available in the calendar of events.

 

Find the program to fit your visit

Most ranger-led programs are offered in the summer months, typically July to September, in locations throughout the park. However, guided snowshoe walks and other programs are offered in the winter at Paradise.

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Summer Programs

Summer ranger programs are typically July to September.
Days and times are subject to sudden change. Call the Longmire Museum day-of at 360-569-6575 to check on scheduled program availability.

Location	Program	Days	Times	Duration
Paradise Meet on the first floor of the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise or just outside the visitor center.	Ranger Pop-Up Programs Explore Mount Rainier at a staffed or unstaffed "pop-up" program. These are usually table based pre-made programs that you can explore on your own. Inquire at the information desk for more information.	Daily	Times vary	Durations vary
Paradise Meet in the plaza by the Paradise Visitor Center	Plaza Program Join a Ranger for a stationary program. Topics vary by day and Ranger, so check at the front desk for today's subject!	Daily in September 2024	11 am	15 minutes, approximately
Paradise Meet by the flagpole in the plaza next to the Paradise Visitor Center	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.	Daily in September 2024	1 – 2:30 pm	60 – 75 minutes: Hike up with the ranger. 20 – 30 minutes: return solo. Up to 1.5 miles roundtrip.
Paradise Meet in the plaza by the Paradise Visitor Center	Night Skies Program (weather permitting) Everyone's invited to a star party at Paradise! Explore the value of a dark night sky as you tour the universe with our "Dark Sky Rangers" using telescopes and binoculars (and even lasers). Meet in the plaza outside the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. If weather makes viewing difficult, Dark Sky Rangers will be available for questions and to help make "Star Finders" that you can use on the next clear night. Call the Astronomy hotline at 360-569-6230 for scheduling updates.	Friday – Sunday Nights in September 2024	8:30 – 10:30 pm	2 hours
Paradise Meet in the plaza by the Paradise Visitor Center	Junior Ranger Programs Children ages 6 to 11 are invited to join a ranger to explore, learn about, and help protect Mount Rainier. Check signboards or ask a ranger on arrival. Parents, please stay with your Junior Rangers.	Thursday – Sunday in September 2024	Check back soon	30 – 60 minutes
Longmire / Cougar Rock Campground Meet at the Cougar Rock Campground Amphitheater	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. Parking at the campground is limited. If you attend the program but are not camping, please park in the Cougar Rock Picnic Area across the park road from the campground.	Saturday Evenings	8:00 – 8:45 pm	45 minutes
Sunrise Meet at the Flagpole outside of the Sunrise Visitor Center	Talks, Walks, Guided Hikes Join a ranger for a short talk, walk, or guided hike, depending on scheduling and availability. Check in at the front desk for the latest information.	Check back summer 2025	10 am and 2 pm	20 – 30 minutes
Sunrise Meet outside the Sunrise Visitor Center	Sunrise Junior Ranger Programs Children ages 6 to 11 are invited to join a ranger to explore, learn about, and help protect Mount Rainier. Check signboards or ask a ranger on arrival. Parents, please stay with your Junior Rangers.	Check back summer 2025	Approximately 30 minutes	Check back summer 2025
Sunrise Meet at the Sunrise Picnic Area	Special Lunch Hour Ranger Program Dig into some copper legends based in the dramatic wilderness with a special lunchtime Ranger program. Note: food is not provided. Pack your own lunch or snack and claim a spot at the Sunrise Picnic Area for an engaging lunchtime program. All events are weather permitting; check in at the Sunrise Visitor Center for the latest updates.	Check back summer 2025	12 – 1 pm	60 minutes
Ohanapecosh Meet at the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center	Junior Ranger Program Children ages 6 to 11 are invited to join a ranger to explore, learn about, and help protect Mount Rainier. Check signboards or ask a ranger on arrival. Parents, please stay with your Junior Rangers.	Check back summer 2025	Check back summer 2025	Check back summer 2025
Ohanapecosh Meet at the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center	Patio Talk A basic geology discussion.	Check back summer 2025	Check back summer 2025	Check back summer 2025
Ohanapecosh Meet at the Ohanapecosh Camphitheater	Evening Program Join the Ohanapecosh Rangers for evening fun. Friday and Sunday evenings feature a singalong and time for questions. Themes vary. Arrive early for a pre-show Parks Quiz. The campitheater has no benches. Please bring chairs, blankets, a flashlight, food, and non-alcoholic beverages.	Check back summer 2025	Check back summer 2025	Check back summer 2025

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Winter Programs

Winter ranger programs are typically July to September.
Days and times are subject to sudden change. Call the Longmire Museum day-of at 360-569-6575 to check on scheduled program availability.

Location	Program	Days	Times	Duration
Paradise Meet inside the Jackson Visitor Center near the Information Desk.	Guided Snowshoe Walks (first-come, first served) 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. Sign-ups begin one hour in advance of scheduled time; all snowshoe walk participants must be present at sign-up. Limit 25 people.	Check back winter 2024	Check back winter 2024	2 hours
Longmire Meet at the Longmire Museum.	Guided Walk Join a park ranger for a walk on the 3/4-mile Trail of the Shadows. Foot traction devices usually recommended due to compact snow and ice on the trail in winter. Snowshoes provided if needed.	Check back winter 2024	Check back winter 2024	75 – 90 minutes
Longmire Meet at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center	Interpretive Talk Explore questions about the the park's natural and/or cultural resources with a park ranger.	Check back winter 2024	1 – 2:30 pm	30 minutes
NOTES Snowshoes for ranger-led walks are provided by the park. An optional $5.00 donation from each snowshoe walk participant helps the park provide snowshoe walks, and repair and replace snowshoes. Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, layers of warm cloths, hats, mittens, and suitable boots. You will sink into the snow even with snowshoes on. The park also offers snowshoe walks to school groups by reservation only. Call [phone] for school group reservations.

 

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Winter Programs

Winter programs depend on snow conditions and can change unexpectedly due to weather. The Longmire-Paradise road closes nightly during the winter so make sure to check the road status before heading out. Winter ranger programs are generally offered late December to March on weekends and holidays. Learn more about winter recreation.

Location	Program	Days	Times
Paradise	Guided Snowshoe Walks - First-come, First-served 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. Meet inside the Jackson Visitor Center near the Information Desk. Sign-ups begin one hour in advance of scheduled time; all snowshoe walk participants must be present at sign-up. 2 hours/1.8 miles. Limit 25 people.	Check back winter 2024	Check back winter 2024
Longmire	Guided Walk Join an park ranger for a walk on the 3/4-mile Trail of the Shadows in Longmire. Foot traction devices usually recommended due to compact snow and ice on the trail in winter. Snowshoes provided if needed. Meet at the Longmire Museum. 75-90 minutes.	Check back winter 2024	Check back winter 2024
Longmire	Interpretive Talk Explore questions about the the park's natural and/or cultural resources with a park ranger. Meet at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center. 30 minutes.	Check back winter 2024	Check back winter 2024
NOTE Snowshoes for ranger-led walks are provided by the park. An optional $5.00 donation from each snowshoe walk participant helps the park provide snowshoe walks, and repair and replace snowshoes. Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, layers of warm cloths, hats, mittens, and suitable boots. You will sink into the snow even with snowshoes on. The park also offers snowshoe walks to school groups by reservation only. Call [phone] for school group reservations.