COVID-19 Visitor Guide for Healthy Access

The National Park Service is working to gradually increase access and services across all units of the National Park Service, including at Mount Rainier National Park. We are opening recreational access and services through a phased approach that aligns with guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local, state, and national opening plans. Due to COVID-19 related employee housing limitations and revenue reductions, the park is working with approximately half of its regular summer workforce. The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners remains our top priority. We are also working to ensure that our actions support local community public health objectives outside the park.

• CDC Guidance on How to Protect Yourself & Others
• National Park Service Public Health Update

As our facilities reopen, please remember to recreate responsibly and work together to protect each other in the outdoors during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. We appreciate your patience and your support of the national parks.

 

Key Changes for the 2020 Summer Season

• Download the Summer 2020 Visitor Guide for details about park areas, activities, safety information, and more. Copies also available at park entrances.
• Expect limited services. Many facilities may be closed. Make sure to check hours of operation.
• Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping in the park's backcountry and must be obtained in advance. At this time, we anticipate continued access to the Mount Rainier Wilderness during the summer season, but walk-up permits will not be offered until it is safe and practical to do so. For details on reserving a wildeness permit, see the wilderness permit page.
• Anticipate obstacles on trails. This is an above average year for trees across the trail and you may encounter scouring and other water damage on trails due to heavy rains associated with the landslide events this winter. Trail crews are working hard to repair these issues, but due to the COVID-19 response, summer trail crew workers were brought on 6 weeks later than in a "normal" year and due to housing and fee revenue related funding constraints there are fewer summer trail crew workers than in the last few years.
• Please wear face coverings on more popular trails so that it is safer to stay on the trail as you pass other visitors. Stepping off trail trammels sensitive species along the trails and causes costly trail damage and eyesores in our treasured landscapes. Now, more than ever, is a time to be courteous, considerate, and patient with other hikers on our trails.

 

Plan Your Visit

• 

  Can you get to where you're going?

  Road Status

  Find out current road conditions.

• 

  What's open where

  Operating Hours & Seasons

  Hours of operation for park visitor centers, inns, ranger stations, and other facilities.

• 

  Do you have a wilderness permit?

  Wilderness Camping

  Only a small part of the park can be reached by vehicles. Explore the rest through hiking and wilderness camping.

 

Duration:

4 minutes, 2 seconds

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, things are different this year. We invite you to enjoy Mount Rainier National Park but ask that you recreate responsibly. Help ensure a safe visit for you and your family as well as for the Mount Rainier community.

 

Recreate Responsibly Sticker Graphic

Graphic by recreateresponsibly.org

Help protect yourself, protect others, and protect Mount Rainier National Park by recreating responsibly: https://www.recreateresponsibly.org.

• Know Before You Go - Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it's crowded, have a Plan B.
• Plan Ahead - Prepare for facilities to be closed, pack lunch and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face covering.
• Practice Physical Distancing - Keep your group size small. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth and give others space. If you are sick, stay home.
• Play It Safe - Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue operations and health care resources are both strained.
• Explore Locally - Limit long-distance travel and make use of local parks, trails, and public spaces. Be mindful of your impact on the communities you visit.
• Leave No Trace - Respect public lands and communities and take all of your garbage with you.
• Keep it Inclusive - Be an active part of making our nation’s parks and public lands safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.

 

NPS Recreate Responsibly