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Contact: Mount Rainier Press Information Line, 360-569-6510
Ashford, Wash. – Mount Rainier National Park announced updates today to winter 2022-23 recreational access, including changes to the Paradise access schedule. Beginning today, November 29, the park will maintain public vehicle access to Paradise on Saturdays and Sundays, but due to staffing limitations the road will be closed to public access during the week. The Longmire area will continue to be open seven days a week barring any major storm events. Park staff will continue to revisit the Paradise access schedule should staffing levels change during the winter season.
“Mount Rainier National Park offers terrific winter recreational opportunities and making this access change will help visitors make plans knowing that weather permitting, the road to Paradise will be open on weekends when the most visitation typically occurs,” said Greg Dudgeon, park superintendent. “The park did not make this decision lightly, but safety is at the forefront of everything we do. We believe these winter access changes are the safest choice for our staff and visitors during the winter season.”
Daily snowplowing will continue seven days a week between the Nisqually Entrance and Longmire. Snowplow operators will also attempt to plow the 12 miles of road to Paradise to a minimum level throughout the week to limit snow accumulation and make road access more attainable on the weekends. While this effort will allow park employees with appropriate equipment to access the area in emergencies, minimal weekday plowing and staffing levels will not be sufficient to allow safe public access.
The sledding runs at Paradise will not open this year, and sledding is not permitted elsewhere in the park. Winter camping at Paradise will be available Saturday nights only, conditions permitting. More information about Paradise winter access is available on the park website.
Winter recreation access on the east side of the park remains unchanged. State Routes 410 and 123 are closed to vehicles at the northeast, east, and southeast park boundaries. The east side of the park is open for visitor use throughout the winter, including overnight winter camping with a valid permit. State Route 410 from the north park boundary and White River Road are open to snowmobiles up to the White River Campground. Last week the park reopened the Carbon River area to parking after recent road repairs stabilized access. The National Park Inn and Longmire General Store remain open daily for equipment rentals, food, and beverages. Information on winter activities within the park and nearby areas outside the park is available on the park website.
For more information about Mount Rainier National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/mora.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Last updated: November 29, 2022