Park Construction

 

Mount Rainier National Park is actively improving roads, buildings, and campgrounds through a series of construction projects aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility, and overall visitor experience. Due to heavy winter snowfall, most of this essential work is limited to the short summer season.

Construction can shift day-to-day on park roads and parking lots and is especially weather dependent. Please expect traffic disruptions during this time.

• Some roads, parking areas, or pullouts may close entirely.

We appreciate visitors' patience as we work to make improvements to park infrastructure. These efforts will improve safety, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience. Please examine the schedule below to plan ahead.

Last Updated: October 1, 2025

 

Road Status Map

For the best viewing experience, click on the "View full screen" link in the lower left corner of the map. Click on any section of road or notification symbol for more information.

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State Route 123 (SR 123) Rehabilitation

SR 123 travels north-south along the east side of the park from the southeast entrance near Packwood, WA, to the junction with SR 410 at Cayuse Pass. The rehabilitation project will work on a 2.8 mile section of SR 123 from Laughingwater Creek Bridge (milepost 2.5) to Panther Creek Bridge (milepost 5.2). The project will replace substrate to level the road, rehabilitate ditches, and replace/upsize 18 culverts.

• Project Dates: September 2024 - October 2025
• News Release: Mount Rainier National Park announces State Route 123 construction closure starting September 2, 2025, 8/27/2025
• SR 123 Closure: Suggested Detour Map
• Park Construction Frequently Asked Questions

Dates	SR 123 Work	Impact
October 1, 2025 - Winter Closure	Major construction on SR 123, including installation of a new road substrate for leveling, rehabilitation of ditches, and replacement or upsizing of 18 culverts, has been completed. The road is now open to through traffic with one lane available, while asphalt paving and striping work continue.	One lane closure. One lane open for intermittent traffic. Expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

 

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Stevens Canyon Road: Backbone Ridge Viaduct Project

This project will involve geotechnical drilling to assess the Backbone Ridge Viaduct, a type of bridge consisting of a series of arches that supports Stevens Canyon Road across the side of Backbone Ridge. The work is required to prepare for a planned rehabilitation of the Backbone Ridge viaduct in future years.

Dates	Road Work	Impact
Monday, October 6 - Friday, October 17, 2025	Geotechnical drilling at Backbone Ridge Viaduct, a 500-foot section of Stevens Canyon Road, located 5 miles east of Box Canyon along Backbone Ridge.	Expect work from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday - Saturday (no work Sunday, October 12). Work includes Columbus Day holiday, Monday, October 13. Schedule is subject to change due to weather. One lane closures with cumulative delays of no more than 20 minutes. Please observe posted speed limits and drive mindfully; blind curves may make it difficult to see traffic building up in advance. Give construction crews plenty of space to work.

 

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Ohanapecosh Campground Construction Project

Ohanapecosh is a developed area in the southeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park. Work will include the rehabilitation of 185 campsites and nine restroom buildings, replacing the wastewater collection system, upgrading electrical and water systems, road repairs, and accessibility improvements.

• Project dates: February 2025 - End of 2025
• Ohanapecosh Construction FAQs

Dates	Ohanapecosh Closures	Impact
February - End of 2025	The entire Ohanapecosh Developed Area is CLOSED for the duration of the construction project, including all campsites, group camping sites, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Designated Use Area, visitor center, restrooms, auditorium, Ohanapecosh river access, picnic area and parking facilities.	No vehicle access. No pedestrian access, including with pets, to any part of Ohanapecosh, including roads, trails, visitor center, auditorium, day use areas, & campground. No recreational access, including bicycling and camping. No visitor center services, including permits. No public WiFi. No restrooms. No water fountains/potable water.
	The Silver Falls Trailhead located in the Ohanapecosh Campground is closed.	No access to the Silver Falls Trail from the Ohanapecosh Campground. Silver Falls can be accessed from the Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot via the Eastside Trail. There is additional parking and access to Silver Falls from the Cowlitz Divide Trailhead along Stevens Canyon Road. NOTE: The portion of the trail connecting to the Ohanapecosh Campground is closed and the Silver Falls Trail cannot be hiked as a loop. The two sides of the trail on either bank of the Ohanapecosh River can be hiked as out-and-back routes only.

 

Pavement Preservation Project

Pavement preservation work will include patching, resurfacing, and striping all roads, pullouts, and parking areas on the west side of Mount Rainier National Park.

Dates	Pavement Preservation Work	Impact
Monday, May 5 - Monday, September 26, 2025	Construction work has completed.	The following roads, parking areas, and pullouts are no longer impacted by construction work: Nisqually-Paradise Road Longmire Area Cougar Rock Campground Paradise Area, including parking lots & picnic area Paradise Valley Road Stevens Canyon Road to Stevens Canyon Entrance