Last updated: February 29, 2024
Place
Timed Entry Reservations at Mount Rainier
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Mount Rainier National Park has experienced an approximate 40% increase in visitation over the last 10 years, leading to overcrowding during the summer and damage to fragile ecosystems. In 2024, Mount Rainier National Park will implement a pilot timed entry reservation system to improve the visitor experience to the park by reducing wait times, congestion, and resource impacts on trails caused by overcrowding.
A timed entry reservation is required for two areas of the park: (1) Paradise Corridor coming from the southwest (near Ashford, WA) or southeast (near Packwood, WA), and (2) Sunrise Corridor coming from the northeast (via Enumclaw, WA) from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Each corridor requires a separate vehicle reservation. Timed entry reservations are for good a single day, per vehicle, and are required in addition to an entrance fee or park pass.
What You Need
- May 24 through September 2 timed entry reservations are required to enter the Paradise Corridor on the south side of the park from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- July 4 through September 2 timed entry reservations are required to enter the Sunrise Corridor on the northeast side of the park from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- Visitors entering the park in a vehicle or on a motorcycle in one of these areas during these dates need two things:
- A timed entry reservation OR service reservation (lodging, camping, wilderness permit, etc.), AND
- Park Entrance Fee OR valid Park Pass (Annual, Senior, Military, etc.). See the FAQ page for details.
- The park is open 24/7 and visitors may enter timed entry reservation areas before 7:00 am or after 3:00 pm without a reservation.
Already booked a reservation or permit?
- Visitors with reservations at the National Park Inn in Longmire, Paradise Inn, or Cougar Rock Campground within the Paradise Corridor can use proof of their reservation for entry after 1:00 pm on the day of their reservation instead of using a timed entry reservation to gain access to the Paradise Corridor. See the FAQ page for details.
- Visitors who acquire a first-come first-served permit at White River Campground within the Sunrise Corridor can use their camping permit instead of using a timed entry reservation to gain access to the Sunrise Corridor. See the FAQ page for details.
- Visitors with Wilderness Permits or Special Use Permits can use their permits instead of using a timed entry reservation to gain access to the associated corridor of their permit. Check your permit carefully for instructions for your specific permit; access varies. See the FAQ page for details.
Timed Entry Reservation Release Dates
A portion of timed entry reservations will be available 90 days or approximately three months in advance in blocks:
Paradise Corridor |
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Booking window opens for advance reservations |
Reservation Date Range |
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February 21, 2024 |
May 24 – June 30, 2024 |
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April 1, 2024 |
July 1 – July 31, 2024 |
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May 1, 2024 |
August 1 – September 2, 2024 |
Sunrise Corridor |
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Booking window opens for advance reservations |
Reservation Date Range |
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April 1, 2024 |
July 4 – July 31, 2024 |
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May 1, 2024 |
August 1 – September 2, 2024 |
- Next day timed entry reservations will be available at 7:00 pm Pacific Time (PT) for next-day entry starting on May 24, 2024, for the Paradise Corridor and July 4, 2024, for the Sunrise Corridor on a daily rolling basis.
- Timed entry reservations can only be booked on Recreation.gov.
Timed Entry Reservation Areas
In 2024, a timed entry reservation is required for two areas of the park: (1) Paradise Corridor coming from the southwest (near Ashford, WA) or southeast (near Packwood, WA), and (2) Sunrise Corridor coming from the northeast (via Enumclaw, WA) from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Each corridor requires a separate vehicle reservation. Please see the details of each area below. Maps of the timed entry reservation corridors are available in the photo gallery or on the main timed entry webpage.
Paradise Corridor Timed Entry Reservations
Valid for 1 day. Required for each vehicle going through the Nisqually Entrance AND the Stevens Canyon Entrance, May 24 through September 2, 2024, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.The Paradise Corridor Timed Entry Reservation works for BOTH the Nisqually Entrance and the Stevens Canyon Entrance.
- Reserve on Recreation.gov.
- Nisqually Entrance - Located in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park near Ashford, WA, the Nisqually Entrance is the oldest and most popular entrance to the park. It is open year-round, providing access to Longmire and Paradise. The section of road between Longmire and Paradise closes nightly during the winter. Typically 24-hour summer access to Paradise starts in late April to early May, depending on weather. Check alerts and road status for current conditions of the Nisqually-Paradise Road
- Stevens Canyon Entrance - Stevens Canyon Entrance is located along SR123 near Ohanapecosh and Packwood, WA, in the southeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park. Stevens Canyon Road is the only east-west road in the park, connecting from Ohanapecosh in the east to the Paradise Road in the west. Stevens Canyon Road is closed for the winter from SR123 to the junction with the Paradise Road. Typically, Stevens Canyon reopens for the summer in mid-May, depending on weather. Check road status for current conditions of the Stevens Canyon Road. Note that Stevens Canyon Road has two tunnels, height limit 12' 6"
- Recreation along the Paradise Corridor
The Paradise Corridor offers many opportunities for adventure. Scenic destinations and amenities along the Nisqually-Paradise Road and Stevens Canyon Road include:- Westside Road, including Gobblers Knob Fire Lookout
- Kautz Creek
- Longmire, including the Longmire Museum, Longmire Wilderness Information Center, and National Park Inn
- Cougar Rock Campground
- Christine Falls
- Ricksecker Point
- Narada Falls
- Paradise, including the Jackson Visitor Center and Paradise Inn
- Box Canyon
- Reflection Lakes
- Trailheads: Twin Firs, Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground, Eagle Peak, Trail of the Shadows, Rampart Ridge, Wonderland Trail, Carter Falls, Comet Falls, Skyline Trail at Paradise, Wonderland Trail to Indian Bar, Wonderland Trail from Lake Louise to Box Canyon, Bench & Snow Lake, Pinnacle Peak, Lakes Trail around Reflecton Lakes.
Sunrise Corridor Timed Entry Reservations
Valid for 1 day. Required for each vehicle going through the White River Entrance, July 4 through September 2, 2024, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- Reserve on Recreation.gov.
- White River Entrance - In the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park, the White River Entrance is located along SR410 which connects from Enumclaw, WA, in the north to Yakima, WA, to the east. From the entrance, the White River Road travels west to the White River Campground. Branching off White River Road, the Sunrise Road climbs up the slopes of Mount Rainier to Sunrise at 6,400 feet. Both roads close for the winter, with the Sunrise Road typically reopening for the summer in early July, depending on weather. Check road status for current conditions of the White River and Sunrise Roads
- Recreation along the Sunrise Corridor
The White River and Sunrise Roads provide access to many opportunities for recreation from low elevation forests to subalpine meadows. Scenic destinations and amenities along the corridor include:- White River Wilderness Information Center
- White River Campground
- Sunrise Point
- Sunrise, including the Sunrise Visitor Center and Sunrise Day Lodge
- Trailheads: Owyhigh Lakes, Wonderland Trail to Summerland, Glacier Basin, Palisades Lakes, Sourdough Ridge, Mt Fremont Fire Lookout, and Burroughs Mountain.
Explore without a Timed Entry Reservation
ALL areas of the park require a park entrance fee or park pass to enter. Timed entry reservations are only required between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm to enter the Paradise and Sunrise Corridors. Outside of that period, visitors can enter without a timed entry reservation. Some areas of the park do not require a timed entry reservation at any time. These are:
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SR410 and SR123 on the east side of the park.
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Ohanapecosh, including the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and Ohanapecosh Campground, in the southeast corner of the park.
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Tipsoo Lake on the eastern border of the park along SR410.
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Carbon River, including the Carbon River Ranger Station, at the northwest corner of the park.
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Mowich Lake in the northwest corner of the park along SR165.