Welcome to a mountain wonderland famous for dense forests, dazzling wildflower meadows, tremendous snowfields, rugged glaciers, and an active volcano! Mount Rainier National Park is the 5th oldest national park in the nation, and celebrates its 100th anniversary this year! Join us in person or on line as we examine our past and prepare for the future. See our New Web Site for complete information!

Mount Rainier receives about 2 million visitors annually. Visitation is always highest on sunny summer weekends and holidays. Try to schedule summer visits on weekdays. May, September and October, while cooler and more prone to rain, offer quieter roads and trails and fewer visitors. Snow can occur at higher elevations as late as April or as early as October. Winter visitors should be prepared for snowy conditions and icy roads. Check your tires before you visit. All season radials, snow tires, or chains are often required to drive to Paradise during the winter months. For more information, click on "Park Management" on the "Current Information" menu of our New Web Site and check out "Visitor Use Statistics."

The park is located in west-central Washington, approximately two hours driving time from Seattle.

Mount Rainier National Park
Tahoma Woods, Star Route
Ashford, WA 98304-9751
E-mail Address: MORAinfo@nps.gov

The main switchboard number for Mount Rainier National Park is 360-569-2211. Your call will be answered by our automated information menu. When you know the extension you want to reach, enter that extension number followed by the pound key (#). For more park numbers, see Contact the Park under "FAQs/Search/Misc." on our New Web Site.

The park is open 24 hours/day year-round, but access is limited in winter. Winter access is by the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park only. The Longmire Museum operates daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with longer hours in summer. The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is open daily from early May through early October, and weekends and holidays only the rest of the year. For current information on various aspects of the park, check out the "Current Information menu on our New Web Site.

July and August are generally sunny and mild, with the chance of showers. The rest of the year is usually quite rainy, with heavy snowfall from November through April. Raingear is recommended year round. Trails are steep and well maintained in summer and snow covered and difficult to follow in winter. For current weather conditions, go to Weather at Mount Rainier on the "Current Information" menu of our New Web Site.

For directions to most points in the park from Tacoma, Seattle, Yakima and Portland, see Getting Here under "Planning Your Visit" on our New Web Site. A map is also available online!

There is no regularly scheduled public transportation to the park. International airports are located in Portland and Seattle/Tacoma. AMTRAK trains stop in Seattle, Tacoma, Centralia and Portland on north-south routes and Seattle, East Auburn, Ellensburg, and Yakima on east-west routes. Greyhound/Trailways provides bus service to the major cities and towns in the area. Gray Line Seattle (800-426-7505) offers sightseeing and package tours to the park. Rainier Shuttle (360-569-2331) and Overland Shuttle (360-569-2604) provide shuttle service from Sea-Tac Airport.

Single non-commercial vehicle passes valid for 7 days cost $10; individuals on non-commercial buses or vans, on foot, or bicycle cost $5/person. Annual passes and lifetime passes are available; ask at park entrance stations. For information on commercial fees, call 360-569-2211, ext. 2390#. For the latest information on park fees and our Fee Demonstration Program, go to Entrance Fees under the "Planning Your Visit" menu on our New Web Site. A large percentage of fees collected at Mount Rainier remain within the park to fund backlogged projects.

For complete fee information, read Entrance Fees under the "Planning Your Visit" menu on our New Web Site.

Mount Rainier National Park encompasses 378 square miles (980 square kilometers or 235,612.5 acres).

Visitor Centers and Exhibits

Longmire Museum SW corner of the park): Open year round

Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise (south side of the park): Open daily mid-April into October, weekends and holidays only October through April

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (SE corner of the park): Open late May into October

Sunrise Visitor Center NE corner of the park): Open late June into September

The park's 240 miles of trails are generally accessible mid to late June or early July, depending on snow depths. A great deal of information on park trails is available on our Day Hiking page under "Recreation/Activities" on our New Web Site. You will find information on Trail Conditions under "Current Information" on our New Web Site.

The road from the Nisqually Entrance to Paradise (SW entrance) is open year round (daylight hours only in winter), although snow or avalanche conditions may cause temporary closures. During the winter months, vehicles should be equipped with all season tires and carry tire chains, in case of inclement weather. Road condition information is available from our Road Conditions page under "Current Information" on our New Web Site.

During the summer, park rangers conduct interpretive nature programs, evening programs at campgrounds, childrens' programs, and guided walks park wide. During the winter months, guided snowshoe walks are conducted in the Paradise area on weekends. Consult our page on Interpretive Programs under "Planning Your Visit" on our New Web Site.

Two hotels, both on the National Register of Historic Places, are located within the park. The National Park Inn at Longmire is open year round. The Paradise Inn at Paradise is open mid-May to early October. For reservations call 360-569-2275 or contact Mount Rainier Guest Services, P.O. Box 108, Ashford, WA 98304.

Other accommodations are listed under Lodging & Dining under "Planning Your Visit" on our New Web Site.

IN PARK: Six campgrounds provide approximately 600 individual and 5 group sites. For specifics on individual campgrounds, including reservation availability and fees, see Camping under "Recreation/Activities" on our New Web Site.

Length of stay: There is a 14-day limit during July and August.

Campground Fees: Fees range from $10 to $14 per night, depending on the campground.

Reservations: Reservations are required at the Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh Campgrounds between June 28 and Labor Day and can be made online up to five months in advance through the National Park Reservation Service. You may reserve a site when you arrive if space is available. No utility hookups are available in campgrounds. All other campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis.

NEARBY CAMPGROUNDS OUTSIDE THE PARK: Other campgrounds are located on federal, state and private lands surrounding the park. See U.S. Forest Service Campgrounds for more information.

BACKPACKING: Backpackers have a wide range of opportunities within the park. Wilderness permits are required. See Wilderness Centers and Backpacking under "Recreation/Activities" on our New Web Site.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING: Climbing is popular and challenging for climbers who are fit, experienced in glacier travel, and well equipped for safety. Registration prior to climbing is required. You'll find lots of information under Climbing under the "Recreation/Activities" menu on our New Web Site, including information on several guide services that operate on Mount Rainier.

Dining rooms or snack bars at the National Park Inn at Longmire, the Paradise Inn (summer only), the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise (limited hours in winter), and the Sunrise Lodge (summer only) provide hot meals and snacks. Find information on Lodging and Dining under "Planning Your Visit" on our New Web Site. It includes information on options in the communities surrounding the park. Limited camper supplies are available at the National Park Inn at Longmire, Sunrise Lodge, and in the communities surrounding the park.

Visitor centers are accessible or accessible with help. The National Park Inn at Longmire and Paradise Inn at Paradise have accessible rooms. Reservations are strongly recommended. Limited accessible camping and picnic facilities are available. See Accessibility at Mount Rainier or consult a park ranger. you can also call our TDD Telephone Number: 360-569-2177.

The Northwest Interpretive Association offers publications, maps, slides, posters, videos, and other informational materials at the Park Store. Call 360-569-2211, ext. 3320#.

Washington's National Park Fund is a non-profit organization established to create supportive partnerships with public and private entities to secure funding and volunteer support for specific projects within Washington's three national parks. Contact

Jen Benn, Executive Director
Washington's National Park Fund
2112 Third Avenue, Suite #501
Seattle, WA 98121
Tel. 206-770-0627
Fax. 206-770-0694

The Mount Rainier National Park Associates was founded in 1985 to support Mount Rainier National Park.

Mount Rainier National Park is part of the Columbia Cascades Cluster of the National Park Service.

Mount Rainier National Park offers a wide variety of recreational and educational activities, from easy guided walks with park rangers to mountain climbing to car touring. Backpacking and photography are also popular summer activities, while winter offers winter camping, tubing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities.

• For information on car camping reservations, see our Car Camping page under "Recreation/Activities" on our New Web Site.
• For information on wilderness permits and reservations, see our Backpacking page under "Recreation/Activities" on our New Web Site.
• For information on accommodations in the area around Mount Rainier National park, see Lodging and Dining under "Planning Your Visit" on our New Web Site.

Other permits: Special Use, Commercial Photography and Commercial Use permits are handled on an individual basis. For additional information concerning Special Use, Commercial Photography and Commercial Use permits, call 360-569-2211, extension 2330#.

If you have only one day in the park, try to visit one higher elevation area (Paradise or Sunrise) and one low elevation forested area (Longmire, Ohanapecosh or White River.) See Day Hiking under "Recreation/Activities" on our New Web Site. Consider joining a short interpretive program offered during the summer months. Check the current interpretive program schedule.

If you have more than one day in the park and enjoy hiking, consider spending one entire day at Paradise or Sunrise (summer only), and portions of other days in low elevation forested areas. Watch an interpretive evening program presented at a location near your accommodations.

1999 is Mount Rainier National Park's 100th anniversary year! See our Centennial Events page under "Current Information" on our New Web Site. It includes a complete schedule of events and numerous links to special centennial web sites.

Most park roads are closed due to snow from October or November until late May. The Nisqually to Paradise road in the southwest section of the park, normally open year round, may close temporarily when heavy snow and avalanche conditions become dangerous. Vehicles should be equipped with all season tires and carry tire chains during winter.

Current road conditions and weather information are available on our new web site on the "Current Information" menu. Current conditions are also available on a recorded message by dialing 360-569-2211.

Volcanic hazards (GeoHazards): Recent research indicates volcanic hazards, including unpredictable mud flows and glacier generated floods, are more likely than previously thought. Be alert, especially when in river valleys. If you hear an increasingly loud rumbling or notice a rapid rise in water levels, move to higher ground immediately. Do not run downstream. All park campgrounds and the Longmire Historic District are in potential flood zones. You must decide if you are willing to assume the risk of spending time in these areas. Check with park staff for more information. More information is available on our New Web Site on the Volcanic Activity page under "Science & History."

• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Amboy, WA. Click to see the Live Volcano Cam from the Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
• Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Eatonville, WA
• Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad, Elbe, WA
• Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
• Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, WA
• North Cascades National Park, Sedro Woolley, WA
• Whitman Mission National Historic Site, Walla Walla, WA
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Seattle, WA
• Fort Clatsop National Memorial, Astoria, OR
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver, WA