Stevens Canyon Road Rehabilitation Project

Stevens Canyon Road has suffered extensive damage over the years. Rehabilitation efforts will include the replacement and repair of stone guard walls, drainage grates, and the road surface itself.

NPS photo

A multiyear rehabilitation project on Stevens Canyon Road, the only east-west thoroughfare in the park, is underway. The popular Stevens Canyon Road has suffered extensive damage over the years and is in dire need of an overhaul. Contractors will be working on replacing stone guard walls, repairing drainage grates along the roadway, patching holes in the road surface, and more. This is a multi-year project that is anticipated to last through summer 2024.

Stevens Canyon Road is the only road inside the park that connects the west side of the park (Paradise and Longmire) to the east side (Ohanapecosh and White River). A detour has been in place since the beginning of summer 2022 due to ongoing construction in the area. Visitors must drive around the park via Highway US-12 through Morton and Packwood to travel between these areas.

 

Detour Map

Stevens Canyon Road is closed on weekdays from Stevens Creek to Grove of the Patriarchs. The detour routes outside of the park via US-12 to travel between Paradise and Ohanapecosh.

Download the Detour Map

 

2023 Stevens Canyon Road Visitor Access Schedule:

(last updated 9/21/23)

• From the east side, Stevens Canyon Road is OPEN from Stevens Canyon Entrance to the Grove of the Patriarchs parking area. NOTE: The Grove of the Patriarchs vault toilets are open but the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail remains closed. The Eastside and Silver Falls Trails are open.
• From the west side, Stevens Canyon Road is OPEN from Paradise Road wye to Stevens Creek, with access to Reflection Lakes and Bench & Snow Lakes Trailhead.
• The middle portion of Stevens Canyon Road from Stevens Creek to Grove of the Patriarchs is OPEN on weekends & holidays ONLY according to the following schedule:
  • Open on weekends from Friday at 8:30 pm to Monday at 6:00 am and holidays.
  • Closed for construction weekdays from Monday at 6:00 am to Friday at 8:30 pm from Stevens Creek to Grove of the Patriarchs parking area. NOTE: For your safety, all vehicles MUST leave by 6:00 am Monday before the gates lock for the week (including the Box Canyon parking lot and all other parking lots and pullouts).
  • NOTE: On Saturday, September 23, from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm there will be single lane closures with up to 30 minute delays on Stevens Canyon Road due to paving work in the construction zone between Stevens Creek to about a mile before the first tunnel.

What to expect:

• When closed for construction, Stevens Canyon Road is closed to ALL use, including walking and bicycling.
• Expect delays at traffic lights on two sections in the upper portion of the road (west end).
• The surface of the lower section (east end) will be rough, but passable.
• Check the road status page for updates on road openings outside of the affected areas.

Western Federal Lands Highway Division Weekly Reports

• Weekly Report June 5, 2023
• Weekly Report July 10, 2023
• Weekly Report July 28, 2023
• Weekly Report August 14, 2023
• Weekly Report August 28, 2023

 

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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For more information on road, visitor center, and campground status visit:

• Road Status Page
• Hours of Operation
• @MountRainierNPS on Facebook
• @MountRainierNPS on Twitter