Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

 

Park Notices

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

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• Stevens Canyon Road is partially closed for the season between Stevens Creek and Box Canyon to all access, including bicycling and hiking. During the closure, Box Canyon is only accessible from the east side (SR123/Stevens Canyon Entrance). Check the Stevens Canyon Road Rehabilitation Project page for the latest updates and detour maps.
• Grove of the Patriarchs - The Grove of the Patriarchs is closed to all public entry effective November 17, 2021 and until further notice, due to flooding which caused significant damage to the suspension bridge that provides the only safe access to the area (News Release, 11/17/21). See the attached emergency regulation signed by the Deputy Superintendent. The Grove will remain closed until the bridge can be replaced, which will first require engineers to reevaluate the changing river flow to ensure a safe bridge design. It is not expected to be open for the 2022 or 2023 summer seasons. The Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot and restrooms will have normal seasonal access, along with the Eastside and Silver Falls Trails.
• Carbon River Area - Mount Rainier National Park reopened public access 2/18/22 to the Carbon River area, reversing an emergency closure issued on November 15, 2021. Visitors to the Carbon River area should be prepared to navigate around road and trail washouts and expect to encounter normal hazards, including downed trees, snow, and changing weather conditions. News Release, 2/18/22
• 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 am and 4:30 pm at 360-569-6575 for more information. During the winter, check the Winter Trail Report for updates and  learn about  safe recreation in the park.  
• COVID-19 Visitor Guide for Healthy Access - 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.

 

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.

 

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.