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Contact: Longmire Museum, 360-569-6575
Due to recent snow events, Mount Rainier National Park anticipates opening the snowplay area at Paradise this Friday, December 23. The Jackson Visitor Center will also open for daily operations starting Wednesday, December 21 through Monday, January 2.
The Paradise snowplay area is the only location in the park where visitors are allowed to use soft-sided sliding devices, such as 100% plastic sleds and discs. Sufficient snowpack depth has now developed in the area and park crews have begun grooming the sled runs in advance of the opening. A minimum of five feet of snow depth is needed across the entire sledding area to prevent resource damage from the grooming equipment and sledding activity. In some areas slightly more than five feet is needed to clear vegetation. Current snowpack is also adequate for visitors to enjoy snowshoeing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and other backcountry uses. At Paradise, the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center is open weekends only, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with additional days of operation on December 21-January 2, January 16, and February 20. Ranger guided snowshoe walks at Paradise are scheduled to begin December 23, 2016 through March 26, 2017. The walks will be offered on weekends and holiday periods when the visitor center is open, at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and last two hours each. Sign-ups are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and begin one hour in advance of each walk at the Jackson Visitor Center information desk. Participants should dress warmly (layers), wearing warm hats, gloves, and waterproof footwear suitable for snowshoes. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and water are also advised. On January 7, snowshoe walks for organized groups of 15 to 25 visitors begin. Group snowshoe walk reservations can be made by calling 360-569-6575 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If the gate opening between Longmire and Paradise is delayed, snowshoe walk times may be adjusted or led from the Longmire Museum. The Longmire area is open seven days a week, unless major storm events require closure. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Longmire Museum provides general park information, winter activity guidance, backcountry permits, and Discover Your Northwest books and maps for sale. The historic National Park Innprovides lodging, food, gifts, and snowshoe/ski rentals. For reservations, call 360-569-2275 or visit mtrainierguestservices. The main gate at the southwest entrance to the park will remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless conditions require a temporary closure. The higher elevation gate, located on the road between Longmire and Paradise is closed nightly to ensure visitor and staff safety, with uphill access closing at 4:00 p.m. to allow for visitors and staff to exit safely. Each morning, rangers and road crew staff evaluate road, weather, avalanche, and equipment conditions to determine when it is safe to open the road above Longmire. Unexpected staffing shortages due to illness or injury can also impact projected opening times. While park staff understand that visitors are disappointed when the gate is opened later than projected, in all cases, public and staff safety is the highest priority. Webcam viewers should note that a clear parking lot at Paradise doesn’t mean road conditions between Longmire and Paradise are safe. Standard open hours of this road are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.with daily road opening and closing updates posted to Twitter. Follow the feed at twitter.com/MountRainierNPS Visitors are reminded that all vehicles (including 4WD) are required to carry tire chains or other state-approved traction devices when traveling in the parkfrom November 1 – May 1. Road conditions can deteriorate quickly at any time and mandatory chain use may be required even for 4WD vehicles. Tire chains are available in Ashford and at the National Park Inn in Longmire. Overnight winter camping is allowed in many areas throughout the park with a valid permit; however, access is dependent on road conditions and snow depth, as follows:
Campers should plan travel with gate closures in mind. Overnight camping in vehicles is not allowed in the park. For camping reservations, call 360-569-6575 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Backcountry travelers are encouraged to get updates on weather conditions, current and projected snow, and avalanche conditions before coming to the park. Additionally, backcountry travelers must heed warnings, and come prepared to survive winter conditions. Vehicle access to other areas of the park is closed for the winter, but the following areas remain open for recreation. Please note that temporary closures may become necessary due to changing conditions:
Information on current park road closures and weather conditions can be obtained by calling the park at 360-569-2211 for recorded information that is updated regularly. Park information, announcements, and the Mount Rainier webcams are available on the park’s official website, nps.gov/mora.
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Last updated: December 22, 2016