News Release

Mount Rainier National Park Accessible to Public during Government Shutdown

Date: January 21, 2018
Contact: Lindsey Kurnath, 360-569-6510

Ashford, WA – During the shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. At Mount Rainier National Park, many areas will be accessible, but additional visitor services will not be available.

Acting Superintendent Tracy Swartout states that vehicle access will continue to be provided from the Nisqually entrance near Ashford to the Longmire area, as weather and normal winter conditions allow. Public vehicle access to Paradise will not be available. The Concessioner-operated National Park Inn at Longmire will remain open with overnight lodging, gift shop, and dining room, dependent upon road conditions.  

In other areas of the park, visitors may still access the Carbon River parking area and trails, as well as the park’s east and west side backcountry areas, as normal for this time of year but with reduced visitor services.

All park visitor centers, contact stations, and permit desks will be closed. Full-service NPS-maintained restrooms will not be available inside the park. In addition, all park programs and special events have been canceled. Visitor parking throughout the areas that are accessible may be reduced due to limited snow removal.

Park visitors are asked to use extreme caution if choosing to enter the park, as personnel will not be available to provide normal levels of assistance and emergency response. Cell phone coverage is not consistent within the park and in many places is unavailable. Entry during the federal shutdown is at visitors’ sole risk.

Because of the federal government shutdown, park websites and social media accounts are not being updated and may not reflect current conditions. For updates on the shutdown, please visit: www.doi.gov/shutdown.

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