Operating Hours & Seasons

Mount Rainier National Park is open all year, 24 hours a day. Visitation is at its peak in July and August, when the weather is warm and dry and the wildflowers are blooming. If you are planning a summer trip to Mount Rainier, consider visiting mid-week, which is generally less crowded. Parking is limited in many areas of the park. Wait times at the Nisqually and White River Entrances can be over an hour on the very busiest summer weekends and holidays. Entering the park before 10:00 am or after 2:30 pm can help avoid delays when visitation is heavy. Plan ahead and follow these tips to avoid summer congestion.

In spring, with ephemeral waterfalls and in autumn, with brilliant colors reaching deep into the valleys, visitors can enjoy a more leisurely vacation in the park. During these seasons, weather may determine the availability of facilities in certain areas of the park. Before making any plans check the current status of roads, campgrounds, trails, and activities.

Vehicle access to Mount Rainier in the winter is only available from the Nisqually Entrance, in the southwest corner of the park on the way to Paradise. The Carbon River Entrance is open but the road within the park boundary is limited to foot and bicycle traffic. Check the road status webpage or at MountRainierNPS on Twitter prior to coming to the park as road conditions are subject to change (account not required to view).


Information and operating hours for visitor centers, wilderness information centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, lodging and food are located below. Other important topics to consider when planning your trip are: road status, trail conditions, climbing permits, weather, and wilderness permits.


Last Updated: June 2, 2023
All scheduled dates are weather dependent.

VISITOR CENTERS

DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION
Call the park at 360-569-2211 to confirm road and facility status or check the website for current information.

Longmire Museum
(360) 569-6575
Open year-round.

May 30 - June 16
Closed
June 17 - Fall
9:00 am - 4:30 pm daily

NOTE: The Longmire Plaza Comfort Station restrooms are open.

Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise

Open year-round, but weekends only in winter (generally October-May).

May 6 - June 17
10:00 am - 4:30 pm daily

NOTE: The Paradise Plaza Restrooms are open 24 hours daily, located adjacent from the visitor center on the north side of the upper parking lot. Learn more about the Paradise area on the Paradise Visitor Guide page.

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center

Generally open late June through mid September.

CLOSED for the season
Estimated to open for the season mid-June.
NOTE: Restrooms outside of the visitor center are open.

Sunrise Visitor Center

Generally open July through mid September.

CLOSED for the season
Estimated to open for the season July 10.

 

WILDERNESS & CLIMBING INFORMATION CENTERS

DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION

Longmire Wilderness Information Center
(360) 569-6650
Generally open late May through mid October.

May 26 - September
7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily

White River Wilderness Information Center
(360) 569-6670
Generally open late May through mid October.

May 26 - September
7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily

Carbon River Ranger Station
(360) 829-9639

Located on the Carbon River Road 5.5 miles east of the Mowich Lake (SR165) junction.
Generally open year-round.

April 21 - Summer
8:30 am - 5:00 pm Thurs-Sat
7:30 am - 5:00 pm Sun - Wed

NOTE: Visitors to the Carbon River area should be prepared to navigate around road and trail washouts.

Paradise Wilderness Information Center / Guide House
(360) 569-6641
Backcountry & climbing permits, information.
Generally open late May through early September.

May 26 - September
7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily

Climbers can self-register at the Old Paradise Ranger Station when the WIC is closed.

 

CAMPGROUNDS

CURRENT STATUS

Cougar Rock

OPEN

Ohanapecosh

OPEN

White River

CLOSED for the season
Estimated to open for the season June 23.

NOTE: See the campground page for details on open/closed loops and other campground updates.

 

PICNIC AREAS

CURRENT STATUS

Cougar Rock

OPEN

Paradise

CLOSED for the season
Estimated to open for the season June 30.

Box Canyon

OPEN on weekends ONLY.
Stevens Canyon Road is closed for construction on weekdays. Check the Stevens Canyon Road Rehabilitation Project page for additional information.

Ohanapecosh Campground

OPEN

 

FOOD & LODGING

DATES and HOURS OF OPERATION

National Park Inn at Longmire

Lodging, dining.
Generally open year-round.
Reservations:
360-569-2275 or
mtrainierguestservices.com

OPEN
Dining Room Hours through June 16

Breakfast: 7:30 am - 11:00 am daily
Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm daily
Dinner: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Sun-Thurs, 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Fri-Sat

Dining Room Hours June 17 - September 3

Breakfast: 7:00 am - 11:00 am daily
Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm daily
Dinner: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm daily

Front Desk

7:00 am - 10:00 pm daily

Longmire General Store
Adjacent to National Park Inn.
Gifts & basic groceries. Firewood sales (summer only). Snowshoe rentals (winter only).
Generally open year-round

OPEN
May 27 - June 16
10:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
June 17 - September 3
9:00 am - 7:00 pm daily

Paradise Camp Deli
and Gift Shop

in the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.

OPEN
May 6 - June 17
11:00 am - 4:15 pm daily

Paradise Inn
Lodging, dining & gifts.
Generally open May through September
Reservations: 1-855-755-2275 or
mtrainierguestservices.com

Open May 20 - October 1
Front desk open 24 hours
Dining Room

Breakfast 7:00 am - 9:30 am daily
Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm daily
Dinner 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm daily; 8:30 pm starting June 17

Tatoosh Cafe 9:00 am - 10:00 pm daily
Gift Shop 9:00 am - 8:00 pm daily, 8:00 am starting June 17

Sunrise Day Lodge
No overnight facilities.
Food & gifts.
Generally open early July to early September

CLOSED for the season
Open early July - September 10

Firewood Sales

Available during the summer at Longmire General Store.

More information on dining in the park
More information on lodging in the park

Last updated: June 2, 2023

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

55210 238th Avenue East
Ashford, WA 98304

Phone:

360 569-2211

Contact Us