Alerts & Conditions

 

Temporary Closure of Park Facilities and Roads

Last Updated: 5/21/20

May 21, 2020 Update:

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has opened State Routes 410 and 123 between Enumclaw and Packwood, to include Cayuse Pass. Visitors can now access the trailheads along these roads and hike in the park. Park with care in designated roadside parking areas. SR410 East over Chinook Pass (to Yakima) remains closed. Visitors can access the Ohanapecosh area for walk-in day use recreation. Visitors should expect limited restroom facilities and be prepared to pack out their trash. Visitors are encouraged to #Recreate Responsibly.

Some park roads, parking areas and trailheads (including the Nisqually Entrance, Paradise and Longmire areas) remain closed to private vehicles. The park is planning for access to Longmire and Paradise to be restored through the Nisqually Entrance when Washington State moves to Phase Two, which is expected in early June.

The park will continue to evaluate updated health guidance and will reopen to vehicles in a phased approach when it is safe to do so. The safety of our park visitors, employees and partners remains Mount Rainier National Park's top priority.

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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

• Some park roads closed to vehicle access including cars, buses, & motorcycles. While currently closed to motorized vehicles, park roads (except for the Nisqually Road to Paradise) are open to non-motorized vehicles like bicycles unless snow plowing or otherwise posted. During snow plowing operations or when otherwise posted, park roads are closed to all use, including hiking, skiing, snowmobiles, and bicycling.
• Nisqually Entrance/Road is also closed to pedestrian traffic on the road. Pedestrians may enter the park as long as they travel on the road shoulder out of the lane of traffic. Road shoulder is narrow so please walk single file and use caution.
• Park visitor centers
• The National Park Inn and gift shop; visit mtrainierguestservices.com for updates on Inn operations
• Some Restrooms
• Recreation above 10,500 feet.

Open

• The park backcountry is accessible for dispersed recreation such as hiking and winter recreation.
• SR 123 to Cayuse Pass is open. There is no vehicle access to the Ohanapecosh Campground & Vistor Center; walk-in only.
• SR 410 is open from the north boundary to the Cayuse Pass/SR123 junction. SR410 remains CLOSED from Cayuse Pass east to Chinook Pass. No access to Tipsoo Lake.
• Recreation up to high camps (10,500 feet) - Camp Muir and Camp Schurman.
• Dispersed recreation at Carbon River. Self-register for wilderness permits at the Carbon River Ranger Station. NOTE: Fairfax Forest Reserve Road E. remains closed at the Forest Service Road 7810 Bridge outside of the park just before the Carbon River Entrance. Park at your own risk before the closure.

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 winter 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.

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.

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.