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 Alerts prior to coming to the park as road conditions are subject to change.

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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: maps, road status, trail conditions, climbing permits, weather, and wilderness permits.

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Last Updated: September 29, 2025

All scheduled dates are weather dependent.

Visitor Centers	Dates & 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 Located at Longmire in the southwest corner of the park. [phone] Open year-round.	July 11 - October 6 9:00 am - 4:30 pm daily NOTE: The Longmire Plaza Comfort Station restrooms are open daily.
Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center Located at Paradise on the south side of the park. Open year-round, but weekends only in winter (generally October-May).	September 29 - October 13 10:00 am - 4:30 pm daily Paradise Water Supply Limited - Please help conserve water! After an outage of the Paradise water supply, some water service has been restored. There are limited flush restrooms available at Paradise. Porta-potties are available at Paradise & Narada Falls.
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center Located at Ohanapecosh in the southeast corner of the park. Generally open late June through mid-September.	CLOSED until summer 2026 due to the Ohanapecosh Campground construction project (News Release, 11/20/24). For more information, check the Park Construction FAQs.
Sunrise Visitor Center Located at Sunrise in the northeast corner of the park. Generally open July through mid-September.	CLOSED for the season.

 

Wilderness & Climbing Information Centers	Dates & Hours of Operation
Longmire Wilderness Information Center [phone] Located at Longmire. Generally open late May through mid October.	June - October 13 7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily Closed for the season October 14.
White River Wilderness Information Center [phone] Located at White River, en route to the Sunrise area in the northeast corner of the park. Generally open late May through mid October.	May - October 13 7:30 am - 5:00 pm daily Closed for the season October 14.
Carbon River Ranger Station [phone] Located on the Carbon River Road 5.5 miles east of the Mowich Lake (SR165) junction. Generally open year-round.	CLOSED - There is NO public access to Carbon River & Mowich Lake from SR 165. The bridge is closed to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and there is no alternate route: WSDOT News Release, 4/22/25. NOTE: For wilderness permits please go to one of the other open Wilderness Information Centers inside Mount Rainier National Park (Longmire & White River).
Paradise Wilderness Information Center / Guide House [phone] Backcountry & climbing permits, information. Located at Paradise across from the Paradise Inn. Generally open late May through early September.	CLOSED for the season. NOTE: Climbers self-register at the old Paradise Ranger Station.

 

Campgrounds	Current Status
Cougar Rock	OPEN Estimated to close for the season October 14, weather dependent.
Ohanapecosh	CLOSED for 2025 due to construction.
White River	CLOSED for the season.

NOTE: See the campground page for other campground updates.

 

Picnic Areas	Current Status
Cougar Rock	OPEN Estimated to close for the season mid-October, weather dependent.
Paradise	OPEN Estimated to close for the season mid-October, weather dependent. Paradise Water Supply Limited - Please help conserve water! After an outage of the Paradise water supply, some water service has been restored. There are limited flush restrooms available at Paradise. Porta-potties are available at Paradise & Narada Falls.
Sunrise	OPEN Estimated to close for the season 7:00 pm October 5, weather dependent.
Box Canyon	OPEN Estimated to close for the season mid-October, weather dependent. NOTE: No water or flush restrooms available.
Ohanapecosh Campground	CLOSED for 2025 due to construction.

NOTE: See the picnic area page for other picnicking options.

 

Food & Lodging	Hours of Operation
National Park Inn at Longmire Lodging, dining. Generally open year-round. Reservations: 360-569-2275 or mtrainierguestservices.com	OPEN Front Desk 7:00 am - 10:00 pm daily Dining Room September 2 - Fall Breakfast: 7:00 am - 11:00 am daily Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm daily Dinner: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Sun-Thurs, 8:00 pm Fri-Sat
Longmire General Store Adjacent to National Park Inn. Gifts & basic groceries. Firewood sales (summer only). Snowshoe rentals (winter only). Generally open year-round.	OPEN September 2 - Fall 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Paradise Camp Deli and Gift Shop in the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.	OPEN September 29 - October 13* 11:00 am - 4:15 pm daily *Dependent on Jackson Visitor Center hours. Paradise Water Supply Limited - Please help conserve water! After an outage of the Paradise water supply, some water service has been restored. There are limited flush restrooms available at Paradise. Porta-potties are available at Paradise & Narada Falls.
Paradise Inn Lodging, dining & gifts. Generally open May through September Reservations: 1-855-755-2275 or mtrainierguestservices.com	CLOSED for the season
Sunrise Day Lodge No overnight facilities. Food & gifts. Generally open early July to early September	CLOSED for the season NOTE: There is no food or water for purchase at Sunrise. Please plan ahead and bring any supplies you may need.
Firewood Sales	Available during the summer at Longmire General Store daily and Cougar Rock Campground, Thurs-Mon.

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