Accessibility

Although many of the developed areas at Mount Rainier National Park predate laws requiring fully accessible facilities, we are working to ensure that all visitors can experience and enjoy the park. If you have special needs or situations not explained in the information below, call [phone] [TDD users call [phone]], any day between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm to speak to a park ranger. If you have comments or suggestions, please email us.

National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Access Pass

The Access Pass is a free, lifetime admission pass issued to U.S. citizens or persons who permanently reside in the United States and who have a medical determination and documentation of blindness or permanent disability. The pass is valid at National Park Service sites and other areas. Learn more about the Access Pass.

Park Brochure

The park brochure is available in a variety of formats, including audio description and braille.

Service Animals

A service animal is allowed on trails and in park facilities if the animal has been trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Under the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, "therapy animals" providing emotional support do not qualify as service animals. Note that pets are not allowed inside buildings, on trails, or in the backcountry even when these areas are snow covered. Learn more about service animals in national parks.

Accessible Facilities

Click on the areas of the park listed below to learn more about accessible facilities in those areas.

Paradise
Longmire
Ohanapecosh
Sunrise
Kautz Creek
Cougar Rock
White River
Mowich Lake
Stevens Canyon

 

PARADISE

Lodging
The Paradise Inn (open summer only, elevation 5400') offers several wheelchair accessible rooms. Reservations are strongly advised: call [phone] Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. More information is available at Rainier Guest Services.

Dining
The dining room in the Paradise Inn is fully accessible (summer only). The Jackson Visitor Center dining area is accessible.

Picnic Area
Accessible picnic tables are available in the Paradise Plaza (upper parking lot near the Paradise Inn) and Paradise picnic area.

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are available at the Paradise Plaza (upper parking lot near the Paradise Inn) and at the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.

Visitor Center
The new Jackson Visitor Center is accessible to wheelchairs. The exhibits, theater, dining area, restrooms and general services are accessible. In the case of an emergency, wheelchair users should meet in the area of refuge located in the first window bay by the stop of the stairs and wait for assistance.

The Jackson Visitor Center exhibits can be explored with an audio description tour. Listening devices for the tour can be checked out at the front desk.

The park film and exhibit videos in the vistor center are captioned. Assistive listening devices for the film can be checked out at the front desk.

For more information about the Jackson Visitor Center, please call [phone].

Trails
Wheelchair users can, with assistance, reach the lower meadows via either a gravel ramp or a steep paved ramp leading from the main trailhead at the upper parking lot. Upper trails are very steep. Use caution.

Wheelchair Loans
Wheelchairs are available for short term loan at the Jackson Visitor Center for use inside the visitor center.

Top of page

 

LONGMIRE

Lodging
Wheelchair accessible rooms are available at the National Park Inn at Longmire (open all year, elevation 2761'). Reservations are strongly advised: call [phone] Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. More information is available at Mount Rainier Guest Services.

Dining
The dining room in the National Park Inn is fully accessible for wheelchairs.

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located next to the Longmire Museum.

Visitor Center
A paved ramp leads to the Longmire Museum. In the museum, the information desk is accessible, but passages through the exhibits are narrow.

Trails
The Trail of the Shadows: With a round trip length of .7 mile, this trail begins across the park road from the National Park Inn. Approximately half of the trail is suitable for wheelchair users with help. Signs along the trail describe the early homesteading and development of the mineral springs.

Top of page

 

OHANAPECOSH

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located at the Ohanapecosh campground in D loop. Restrooms at the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center have limited accessibility.

Camping
Ohanapecosh has two accessible campsites in Loop D. Restroom facilities are also accessible. An Access Pass (Golden Access Cards still honored) is required for these sites.

Picnic Area
Accessible picnic tables are available in the Ohanapecosh picnic area.

Visitor Center
The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (summer only) is accessible to wheelchairs. Doorways and passages are wide.

Top of page

 

SUNRISE

Dining
The Sunrise Lodge snack bar is accessible by ramp.

Visitor Center
The Sunrise Visitor Center (summer only) is accessible to wheelchairs. Doorways and passages are wide.

The Sunrise Visitor Center exhibits can be explored with an audio description tour. Listening devices for the tour can be checked out at the front desk.

Trails
Sourdough Ridge Trail: Beginning at the north side of the parking area at Sunrise, this trail makes a 1 mile loop through the Sunrise Meadows. On clear days, a gentle climb to the top of the ridge offers breathtaking views. A booklet explains the fragile environment and some of the life forms found there. Although not accessible to wheelchairs, this trail is used by many families with strollers.

Wheelchair Loans
Wheelchairs are available at the Sunrise Visitor Center for short term loan.

Top of page

 

KAUTZ CREEK

Picnic Areas
Kautz Creek picnic area has accessible parking, restrooms, and picnic tables.

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located in the Kautz Creek picnic area.

Top of page

 

COUGAR ROCK

Picnic Areas
Cougar Rock picnic area has accessible parking and picnic tables.

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located at the Cougar Rock campground.

Camping
Cougar Rock campground has four wheelchair accessible sites. An Access Pass (Golden Access Cards still honored) is required for these sites.

Top of page

 

WHITE RIVER

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located at the White River campground (Loop C).

Picnic Area
White River picnic area has accessible picnic tables and restrooms.

Top of page

 

MOWICH LAKE

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located at the Mowich Lake campground and Paul Peak trailhead.

Picnic Area
Mowich Lake picnic area and Paul Peak trailhead has accessible picnic tables.

Top of page

 

STEVENS CANYON

Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located at the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead and Box Canyon overlook.

Picnic Area
Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead and Backbone Ridge picnic area has accessible picnic tables

Top of page