Alerts & Conditions

 

Temporary Closure of Park Facilities

Last Updated: 1/22/21

Public access is based upon updated risk assessments and staffing availability. Note that many facilities and roads normally close for the winter. Visitors are encouraged to #Recreate Responsibly. The safety of our park visitors, employees and partners remains Mount Rainier National Park's top priority.

Latest News Release: Paradise Sledding Area Reopens at Mount Rainier National Park, 1/10/21

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Following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health authorities in consultation with NPS Public Health Service Officers, the following facilities and services are suspended until further notice:

Closed

• Park visitor centers. Look for rangers at outdoor information stations near Longmire Museum (daily) and Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise (weekends only).
• Sunrise and Ohanapecosh facilities, which normally close for the winter.
• The Paradise Inn; visit mtrainierguestservices.com for updates on Inn operations.
• All campgrounds are closed for the winter.
• Most park roads, including Sunrise/White River, SR410, SR123, and Mowich Lake Roads, close for the winter. Go to Road Status for details.

Open

• NOTE: Due to a large number of fallen trees, the Carbon River Trail (former road) is temporarily impassible for bicyclists and challenging for hikers. Thanks for your patience while crews work to clear the road. (updated 1/22/21)
• Sledding/snowplay at Paradise. The official Snowplay Area is the safest and only location that sledding is permitted in Mount Rainier National Park. More on winter recreation.
• Restrooms and trailheads along open road corridors. Restrooms in areas that normally close during the winter are closed; check operating hours for details.
• Nisqually Entrance to Paradise road is open; the section from Longmire to Paradise closes nightly. Go to Road Status for details and learn more about Winter Travel. Other park roads are closed due to normal winter season closures. Roads can also close unexpectedly due to weather conditions. Check @MountRainierNPS on Twitter for updates (account not required to view).
• The park backcountry is accessible for dispersed recreation such as hiking and backcountry camping. Wilderness permits are required for all overnight use. During the winter, all permits are by self registration only.
• The National Park Inn in Longmire for overnight guests. Hot grab and go food is available through the dining room. Visit mtrainierguestservices.com for updates on Inn operations.
• Longmire General Store providing gifts and grab-and-go food options.
• Climbing and upper mountain recreation to the summit. Check the climbing page for more information.

Updates to this temporary closure will be posted here and on Twitter @MountRainierNPS.

All regulations concerning backcountry access use apply. Check updates on obtaining backcountry and climbing permits and  learn about  safe recreation in the park.  

People visiting the park’s backcountry during this pandemic should adhere to guidance from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, visitors should practice  Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe. Visitors are urged to  plan ahead,  hike smart,  pack the Ten Essentials, and have an  emergency plan. Consider learning CPR and basic wilderness first aid, especially if you are planning to hike in the backcountry.

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Enjoy Mount Rainier National Park from home through these online experiences:  

• Explore the park from home through the newly released Mount Rainier National Park Virtual Tour! This interactive map reveals many wonders of this iconic park.

• Check the webcams for a mountain fix.

• Follow @MountRainierNPS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

• Explore the Mount Rainier National Park website.

• Take in some amazing views through 360 video.

• Find your favorite photos in our online galleries on the website and Flickr.

• And, finally, share and search other #ShareMyRainier experiences on social media.

Visitors can call our information line at [phone] with questions or for help with planning future trips or email.

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The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Mount Rainier National Park is our number one priority. The NPS is taking extraordinary steps to implement the latest guidance from state and local authorities, which support the  Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s  (CDC) efforts to promote social distancing and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that you take extra caution and follow  CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.

 

Park Notices

Updates about current park conditions. Updates are also posted by MountRainierNPS on Twitter.

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• Please remain alert to your surroundings at all times and be aware of geohazards. Report any unusual stream flow or conditions to a park ranger.

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Planning Your Visit
Conditions can change rapidly on Mount Rainier. Before heading to the park, make sure to check the following:

• Weather - View the Mount Rainier Recreation Forecast, along with a variety of other weather reports.
• Webcams - See current conditions for yourself! Webcams at Paradise and Longmire are live year-round; webcams at Camp Muir, Camp Schurman, and Sunrise are available during the summer season.
• Road Status - Most roads in the park close for the winter. Open roads can still close at any time due to weather or conditions. Check twitter for road condition updates (account is not required to view).
• Operating Hours & Seasons - Find out operating dates & hours for park visitor centers, ranger stations, Inns, and other facilities. Many park facilities close for the winter.
• Trail Conditions - It is recommended to check with a ranger for the most recent conditions before heading out on a trail. You can also call the Longmire Museum between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 360-569-6575 for more information.

 

Laws and Policies

Please note several laws and policies relating to Mount Rainier National Park that may affect your visit. The full park compendium is available on the park management page.

Marijuana on Federal Lands
Mount Rainier National Park would like to provide clarification regarding the use and possession of marijuana on Federal lands. The recently passed Washington State law, which allows for limited recreational marijuana use under certain conditions, has no bearing on Federal laws which continue to identify marijuana as a Schedule I illegal drug, and prohibit its use. Possession of marijuana or use of any amount of marijuana is still prohibited in Mount Rainier National Park, its facilities, concessions, and campgrounds, and in the surrounding National Forest Lands. Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both (16 U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).

Drones
Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park services within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park is prohibited (36 CFR 1.5 (a)(1) Superintendent's Compendium).

This restriction is to protect the public from hazards and preserve the park's natural, aesthetic, and scenic values. The use of unmanned aircraft devices, such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones, has the potential to interfere with public safety by posing an in-flight hazard to other legal aircraft use in the park. The use of these devices also has the potential to disrupt wildlife by interrupting migration, nesting, mating, and hunting activities to include, but not limited to protected species such as the Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelets, and Peregrine Falcon, as well as native birds and mammals. This restriction is in accordance with NPS Management Policy 8.2 which prohibits recreational uses that conflict with the scenic, natural, and historic values the park was designated to protect, and the associated activities in which individuals seek solitude and tranquility with an expectation of privacy. 97% of Mount Rainier National Park is designated Wilderness. Launching and landing of UAS's in the park can invite violations to the Wilderness Act, which prohibits the operation of motorized vehicles or mechanized transport.