Last updated: January 2, 2024
Thing to Do
Climbing Mount Rainier
NPS Photo
Mount Rainier, the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, offers an exciting challenge to the mountaineer. Each year thousands of people successfully climb this 14,410-foot active volcano. There is access to over twenty different climbing routes and ski descents via four main trailheads to approach the mountain: Paradise, Westside Road, White River, and Mowich Lake.
Reaching the summit via any route requires a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 feet and traveling over ten miles in distance. Climbers must be in excellent physical condition and well prepared. Technical glacier-travel rope skills are also required to ascend and descend the mountain safely. Either independently or with a guide, climbing and skiing on Mount Rainier offers an unparalleled experience within the Pacific Northwest's Cascade Mountain Range.
COVID-19
Restrictions inside the park are in place due to COVID-19. See the park's COVID-19 Visitor Guide for more details. Changes affecting climbers include:
- Search and rescue response may be delayed due to restrictions and precautions our rangers are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Please stay home if you feel sick or are feeling any COVID-19 related symptoms.
- Maintain proper physical distancing between yourself and other climbing parties on the mountain.
Fees, Permits, and Reservations
Two things are required to climb Mount Rainier:
- Each individual must pay the Annual Climbing Fee each year (good for the entire calendar year). You can pay this BEFORE coming to the park online at Pay.gov.
- All climbing parties must obtain a Climbing Permit in-person at Mount Rainier National Park for their climb (one per party, up to 12 people per party).
About the Annual Climbing Fee:
The Annual Climbing Fee at Mount Rainier National Park helps provide for rangers to respond to search and rescue incidents, staff ranger stations and high camps to register climbers and provide up-to-date route conditions, and remove human waste from the mountain and dispose of it properly. Pay the Climbing Fee online through Pay.gov.
Physical climbing passes will NO longer be issued. Climbers need to print their confirmation email or save a copy to their device to show the rangers when registering for a Climbing Permit at a ranger station.
The Annual Climbing Fee changes with the Consumer Price Index every year. The fee is:
- $68 per person for all ages
Annual Climbing Fee Frequently-Asked-Questions
About the Climbing Permit:
Climbers must obtain a Climbing Permit in person at a ranger station. Climbers cannot obtain a Climbing Permit over the phone or online. A Climbing Permit is required for each party that skis or climbs on a glacier and/or ascends above 10,000 feet on Mount Rainier. While the Annual Climbing Fee only needs to be purchased once for the entire calendar year, a Climbing Permit is specific to the date range and party to which it is issued.
"Single-push" climbers and skiers are required to obtain a Climbing Permit.
A climber must be at least 18 years old to climb Mount Rainier. Anyone younger than 18 years of age must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian at the time of registration.
About Reservations:
Reservations for Climbing Permits can be made through the Recreation.gov website for Mount Rainier National Park Wilderness and Climbing Permits. Reservations are encouraged but not required, especially for people traveling long distances to get to the park, larger climbing parties, and those trying to climb over a holiday weekend. Only during high-use months (June through September) are reservations for Climbing Permits made available. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance of the trip start.
Only approximately 60% of the total Climbing Permits are available for reservation. The remaining permits are only issued at the ranger stations inside the park on a first-come, first-served basis.
October-April climbers can self-register at the Paradise Old Ranger Station. The Annual Climbing Fee is required for each climber before self-registration.
About Solo Climbing:
To climb or ski Mount Rainier without a partner requires a Solo Climbing Permit. All soloists must apply for the permit via the Solo Application Form. Note: all climbers, including approved soloists, must still pay the Annual Climbing Fee and obtain a Climbing Permit for each trip.
Weather and Conditions
Weather, snow, and route conditions can change rapidly, making the difference between a pleasant and rewarding experience or a tragedy. Before beginning a climb, obtain a current weather forecast. Rangers at both Camp Muir and Camp Schurman can give out updated forecasts before your summit attempt, but look for a general trend in the weather before arriving at the park.
During your climb, turn back if weather conditions deteriorate. Severe winter-like storms on the mountain are not uncommon during the summer. Poor weather often contributes to accidents and near-misses on the mountain. Here are some links to weather and avalanche resources for Mount Rainier National Park. For recent route conditions updates check out the Mount Rainier Climbing Blog.
Guide Services
Climbing instruction, multi-day summit climbs, multi-day climbing seminars, and private climbs are available through:
There are also 15 single-trip guide services authorized to perform only one guided trip per year. Check the list of current Commercial Use Authorizations for approved guide service companies.
Some guided climbs qualify as charities. This type of climb is allowed, but requires a Commercial Use Authorization. Paying the climbing fee is still required.
Engaging in any business in park areas except in accordance with the provisions of a permit, contract, or other written agreement is prohibited. Leading or participating in an unauthorized guided climb of Mount Rainier is illegal (Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations). Learn more about regulations for guiding on Mount Rainier.
Route Briefs
Route briefs are official in-depth descriptions of climbing routes on Mount Rainier. Use the Route Briefs to familiarize yourself with these four popular routes. Produced by the climbing rangers, they contain the information needed for planning your climb, including route statistics, common pitfalls, and some of the climbing history of the route.
Additional climbing resources, including information on requesting a copy of a summit register, is available on the climbing webpage.
Details
Duration
3-4 Days
Duration depends on route, current conditions, season, and other factors, and may be longer or shorter than 3-4 days.
Activity
Mountain Climbing
Age(s)
18 and Older
A climber must be at least 18 years old to climb Mount Rainier. Anyone younger than 18 years of age must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian at the time of registration.
Pets Allowed
No
Activity Fee
Yes
In addition to a park entrance fee, two things are required to climb Mount Rainier:
- Each individual must pay the Annual Climbing Fee each year (good for the entire calendar year). You can pay this BEFORE coming to the park online at Pay.gov.
- All climbing parties must obtain a Climbing Permit in-person at Mount Rainier National Park for their climb (one per party, up to 12 people per party).
About the Annual Climbing Fee:
The Annual Climbing Fee at Mount Rainier National Park helps provide for rangers to respond to search and rescue incidents, staff ranger stations and high camps to register climbers and provide up-to-date route conditions, and remove human waste from the mountain and dispose of it properly. Pay the Climbing Fee online through Pay.gov.
Physical climbing passes will NO longer be issued. Climbers need to print their confirmation email or save a copy to their device to show the rangers when registering for a Climbing Permit at a ranger station.
The Annual Climbing Fee changes with the Consumer Price Index every year. For 2022 the fee is:
- $53 for adults (26 years old and older)
- $37 for youth (25 years old and younger)
Reservations
No
Reservations for Climbing Permits can be made through the Recreation.gov website for Mount Rainier National Park Wilderness and Climbing Permits. Reservations are encouraged but not required, especially for people traveling long distances to get to the park, larger climbing parties, and those trying to climb over a holiday weekend. Only during high-use months (June through September) are reservations for Climbing Permits made available. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance of the trip start.
Only approximately 60% of the total Climbing Permits are available for reservation. The remaining permits are only issued at the ranger stations inside the park on a first-come, first-served basis.
Season
Spring, Summer
Climbing season is typically in the spring to early summer. Check the route briefs for details on seasons for specific routes.
Accessibility Information
Mount Rainier is a glaciated volcanic peak and climbers must be in excellent physical condition and well prepared. Reaching the summit via any route requires a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 feet and traveling over ten miles in distance. Check the route briefs for detailed descriptions of the main routes.