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Mount Rainier National Park is open all year, but access is limited in winter. In winter, access is by the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park only. Most visitors come on sunny summer weekends and holidays. Try to schedule your visit mid-week in summer, if possible, since parking is limited in many areas of the park. Many of the park facilities are accessible.

Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is open October 11 – April — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekends & holidays only; and May – June — 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. It is closed weekdays from mid-October to late April. You will find A/V programs, walks and talks on a variety of natural and cultural resource topics, and Jr. Ranger programs. There are evening programs offered at the Paradise Inn in summer. Snowshoe walks are offered from Dec. 26 to early-April, call (360)569-2211 x. 3314 for information and reservations. Exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the park can also be found here. A/V programs includes the 25-minute “Rainier: THE Mountain” movie. Jackson Grill (food service), gift shop, and book sales are open in the winter from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekends and holidays only. Climbing permits are available when the Paradise Ranger Station is closed.

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center is open May 28 – June 18 — 9 am – 5 pm, Fri – Sun & Holiday and June 23 – September 24 — 9 am – 5 pm daily. It is located in the SE corner of the park, off Hwy. 123 at an elevation of 1900′. This facility is closed in the winter. Walks and talks on a variety of natural and cultural resource topics are offered in the vicinity during the summer months. Jr. Ranger programs are offered on Saturday’s beginning in late June. Evening programs are offered at the Ohanapecosh Campground amphitheater in summer. Exhibits on old growth forest ecology and human history are to be seen. Available facilities include information, exhibits, book sales, and nature trails. There is an amphitheater located nearby in Ohanapecosh Campground.

Sunrise Visitor Center is open July 1 – September 10 — 9 am – 6 pm daily and is located at Sunrise, in the NE part of the park at an elevation of 6400′. It is closed in winter. Walks and talks on a variety of natural and cultural resource topics are offered in summer. Jr. Ranger programs are offered on Saturdays. Evening programs are offered at White River Campground on Thursday through Saturday evenings (summer only). Exhibits on the natural resources of the park can be seen here. Available facilities include information, exhibits, book sales, and restrooms.

Carbon River Ranger Station is open May – June 1– 8:30am – 4:30 pm daily and
June 2 – June 30 — 8:30am – 4:30pm, Mon – Thurs; 7:30am – 6pm Fri –Sun. It is located inside the northwest park entrance on Carbon River Road. The ranger station issues backcountry camping and north-side climbing permits. Carbon River Rainforest Interpretive Trail and restrooms can be found here.

The Climbing Information Center at the Paradise Guide House is open May 26 – September 4 — 7am – noon Sun – Fri and 6 am – 3 pm Sat. It is located at Paradise at an elevation of 5400′. It is closed late Sept. – early May (obtain permits at the Longmire Museum, open daily or self register at the Paradise Ranger Station) and may close for training or during search and rescue operations in summer. They issue climbing permits for routes from Paradise.

The Longmire Museum is open October 11 – April — 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily and
May – September — 9 am – 5 pm daily. It is located in the Longmire Historic District, in the SW corner of the park, six miles east of the Nisqually Entrance at an elevation of 2700′. One of the oldest museums in the National Park Service (established in 1928), it has exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Mount Rainier National Park. The museum collection illustrates the development and management of Mount Rainier National Park over its 100+ year history. The collected artifacts and specimens record not only the park’s flora, fauna, and geology but also document how people have interacted with these natural resources over time. A Transportation exhibit is located in the historic Longmire Gas Station nearby. Available facilities include trailheads nearby as well as food, lodging, and gift shop available at the National Park Inn year-round. A book sales area is located in the Museum. Wilderness camping and climbing permits are available when Longmire Wilderness Information Center is closed.

Longmire Wilderness Information Center is open May 26 – September — 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. It is located in the Longmire Historic District, in the SW corner of the park, six miles east of the Nisqually Entrance at an elevation of 2700′. Wilderness Reservations are available between April 1 – September 30 by fax (360) 569-3131 and mail only. Reservations are not available by phone. There is a large relief map of Mount Rainier National Park here. Leave No Trace and Wilderness Safety exhibits are also here. Wilderness camping reservations/permits are available for the entire park. Obtain climbing permits for routes off the Westside Road here; Paradise Ranger Station issues climbing permits for all other south side climbs.

White River WIC is open May 26 – September — 7:30 am – 4:30 Sun-Thurs; 7am-8pm Fri; and 7am-5pm Sat. It is located at the White River Entrance Station, just west of Hwy. 410 at an elevation of 3500′. It is closed in winter and may close during search and rescue operations in the summer. Leave No Trace and Wilderness Safety Exhibits are found here. The facility issues wilderness camping permits, climbing permits for the east side and north side climbing routes and offers area information, general information and provides an accessible restroom.

Established on March 2, 1899, Mount Rainier National Park encompasses 235,625 acres on the west-side of the Cascade Range, and is located about 100 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Mount Rainier National Park is approximately 97 percent wilderness and 3 percent National Historic Landmark District. It was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1997 as a showcase for the “NPS Rustic” style architecture of the 1920s and 1930s.

Mount Rainier National Park maintains active relations with six Indian tribes located in its vicinity: the Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, Muckleshoot, Yakama, and Cowlitz. All but the Cowlitz trace their modern tribal identity to one or more of three treaties signed in 1854 and 1855. The Upper Cowlitz, or Taidnapam, did not sign a treaty with the United States, but like the treaty tribes, maintained traditional ties to landscapes that later became part of Mount Rainier National Park. Tribal people journeyed to the park in the summer and early fall to hunt and to gather berries, medicinal plants and other resources of use to them throughout the year. They continued to pursue these activities even after the park was created in 1899, and the mountain remains important to them to this day.

Because of the park’s growing archaeological record, we know that the ancestors of modern tribal people ranged widely over the mountains mid to upper elevation landscapes. We also know that, as early as 15,000 to 10,000 years ago, when Mount Rainier was largely draped in ice and permanent snow pack, people lived in the plains and valleys within its view. Sometime between about 9,000 and 8,500 years ago the mountain’s mid-slope settings became free of permanent snow pack and developed plant and animal communities similar to modern subalpine parklands. From limited archaeological testing, they have learned that, by 4,000 years ago, Indian people were hunting and gathering at places like Sunrise and other park mid to upper elevation landscapes. They do not yet know how early this use began, but it is reasonable to believe that it began as early as productive plant and animal populations became established on the mountain about 8,500 years ago.

It was once widely believed that Indian people seldom used Mount Rainier’s imposing mountain landscapes. That view began to change in 1963 with the discovery of the park’s first archaeological site –a rock shelter later found to be about 1,200 years old and containing charred goat, mountain beaver, deer, elderberry and wild hazelnut remains in association with pit features, fire cracked rock, broken projectile points, and profuse stone tool re-sharpening flakes and debris. Archaeological studies at Mount Rainier began in earnest in the late 1990s with completion of the park’s first systematic survey and archaeological overview, and development of a permanent position to oversee protection of the park’s prehistoric and more recent historical cultural resources. In addition, an archaeological field school conducted by Central Washington University (CWU) between 1997 and 2001 provided valuable insight into the use of the northeastern portion of the park.

The present understanding of prehistoric Mount Rainier is based on systematic surveys and small to moderate size testing projects such as these. Site specific reconnaissance projects and geological studies also are made possible by construction and maintenance activities in the park. At present, approximately 3.5% of the park’s land area has been inventoried for archaeological remains. These inventories have documented over 75 prehistoric sites and isolated artifacts. These are predominantly lithic scatters, collections of debris from the manufacture and re-sharpening of chipped stone tools. Patterned variation in artifact content and setting suggest that different sites were used for long-term base camps, short-term hunting camps, kill sites, and butchering sites. Other sites include places where cedar bark was stripped from trees, places food was stored in talus slope pits, and places where tool stone was extracted.

Inventoried archaeological remains at Mount Rainier also include over 35 historic period sites and isolated artifacts. Most of these represent late 19th to early 20th century mining, recreation and early park development, and consist of old camp sites, trash, abandoned roadbeds, mine adits, and remnant structural remains.

You can play a significant role in the protection of archeological resources on public land by sharing your observations with park staff. If you find an artifact (or think it might be an artifact) during your visit to Mount Rainier, please leave the object where you find it. Record the approximate location of the object (on a map if you have one or in relation to a nearby landmark) and try to describe the object (color, size, shape, material). Photographs of the object and the area where it was found are also very helpful. Take this information to a ranger or other National Park Service employee. Be sure to give them your name, address and phone number, and any other information about your find. They will forward the information to the Cultural Resource Specialist who will investigate further and will see to it that you are credited with the find. But please remember that it is illegal to collect, remove, damage or alter archeological resources on federal and Washington state lands without a permit.

At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range. It dominates the landscape of a large part of western Washington State. The mountain stands nearly three miles higher than the lowlands to the west and one and one-half miles higher than the adjacent mountains. It is an active volcano that last erupted approximately 150 years ago. Volcanic activity began between one half and one million years ago. At one time, lava flows on opposite sides of the mountain probably projected more than 1,000 feet above the present summit at Columbia Crest which rises 14,410 feet above sea level on the rim of the recent lava cone. The upper portion of the volcano’s cone was likely removed by explosions and landslides.

The mountain is a volcano born of fire and built up above the surrounding country by repeated eruptions and successive flows of lava. It is a relatively young volcano, only about one million years old. By contrast the mountains of the Cascade Range that Mount Rainier looks down upon are at least 12 million years old, created by the folding, buckling, and uplifting of the Earth’s surface. Mount Rainier is not an isolated volcano, for from Lassen Peak in California to Mount Garibaldi in British Columbia an entire line of volcanoes defines the north-south march of the Cascades. These peaks dominate the skyline, ever a reminder that they are only dormant and may at any time, like Lassen Peak in 1914-21, and Mount Saint Helens in 1980, erupt in fury and rage at the fragile world built by humans. One of the unexpected side benefits of these eruptions has been the deposition of ash and pumice layers that are rich in nutrients and support the abundance of wild flowers throughout the mountainous Pacific Northwest.

The park contains 26 named glaciers across 9 major watersheds, with 382 lakes and 470 rivers and streams, several unique mineral and thermal springs, and over 3,000 acres of other wetland types. The glacial system on Mount Rainier is the largest single mountain system in the contiguous 48 states and consists of 26 major glaciers covering 35 square miles and creating most of 470 mapped rivers and streams that occur within the park. Streams and rivers within MORA have been altered very little by humans and represent outstanding examples of pristine aquatic ecosystems of North America. Both glacially influenced and nonglacial drainages originate on the slopes of Mount Rainier.

Glaciers are among the most conspicuous and dynamic geologic features on Mount Rainier in Washington state. The Emmons Glacier has the largest area (4.3 square miles) and Carbon Glacier has the lowest terminus altitude (3,600 feet) of all glaciers in the contiguous 48 states. Mount Rainier’s glaciers are important indicators of climatic change, major visitor interpretive objects, sources of water for park aquatic systems, and hydroelectric and recreation pursuits outside of the park. To the casual observer, glaciers may seem to be rigid and unchanging but in fact, they deform and flow continuously. Glaciers flow under the influence of gravity by the combined action of sliding over the rock on which they lie and by deformation, the gradual displacement between and within individual ice crystals. Maximum speeds occur near the surface and along the center line of the glacier. During May, 1970, Nisqually Glacier was measured moving as fast as 29 inches per day. Flow rates are generally greater in summer than in winter, probably due to the presence of large quantities of meltwater at the glacier base.

Geologists can determine the former extent of glaciers on Mount Rainier by mapping the outline of glacial deposits and by noting the position of trim lines, the distinct boundaries between older and younger forests or between forests and pioneering vegetation. Geologists determine the age of some of the deposits by noting the age of the oldest trees and lichens growing on them and the degree of weathering on boulders.

Between the 14th century and A.D. 1850, many of the glaciers on Mount Rainier advanced to their farthest went down valley since the last ice age. Many advances of this sort occurred worldwide during this time period known to geologists as the Little Ice Age. During the Little Ice Age, the Nisqually Glacier advanced to a position 650 feet to 800 feet down valley from the site of the Glacier Bridge, Tahoma and South Tahoma Glaciers merged at the base of Glacier Island, and the terminus of Emmons Glacier reached within 1.2 miles of the White River Campground.Retreat of the Little Ice Age glaciers was slow until about 1920 when retreat became more rapid. Between the height of the Little Ice Age and 1950, Mount Rainier’s glaciers lost about one-quarter of their length. Beginning in 1950 and continuing through the early 1980′s, however, many of the major glaciers advanced in response to relatively cooler temperatures of the mid-century. The Carbon, Cowlitz, Emmons, and Nisqually Glaciers advanced during the late 1970′s and early 1980′s as a result of high snowfalls during the 1960′s and 1970′s. Since the early-1980′s and through 1992, however, many glaciers have been thinning and retreating and some advances have slowed, perhaps in response to drier conditions that have prevailed at Mount Rainier since 1977.

The topography of the park is rugged and precipitous, consisting mainly of peaks and valleys. Nine major rivers and their tributaries drain the flanks of the mountain. These include the Nisqually, Puyallup, Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. The Ohanapecosh and Huckleberry are the only non-glacial rivers. All but two park rivers empty into Puget Sound near Tacoma, Washington. The Muddy Fork and Ohanapecosh Rivers are the exception, flowing into the Cowlitz River outside the park, which drains into the Columbia River and on to the Pacific Ocean. Each major river occupies a deep canyon whose floor is 1,000 to 3,000 feet below the adjacent divides. Valley floor gradients are steep and increase markedly upstream.

The Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1988 identified the park as having significant thermal features. These include the hot springs at Ohanapecosh and on the flanks of the mountain near the Paradise and Winthrop glaciers, mineral springs at Longmire, and a thermal lake inside the firn caves on the summit crater of Mount Rainier. Very little information exists on the chemical, physical and biological characterization of these unique water resources.

The park is part of a complex ecosystem. Vegetation is diverse, reflecting the varied climatic and environmental conditions encountered across the park’s 12,800-feet elevation gradient. Approximately 58 percent of the park is forested, 23 percent is subalpine parkland, and the remainder is alpine, half of which is vegetated and the other half consists of permanent snow and ice. High annual snowfall is the limiting factor to plant distribution and growth at higher elevations. Forest ages range from less than 100 years old on burned areas and moraines left by receding glaciers to old-growth stands 1,000 or more years. Some alpine heather communities have persisted in the park for up to 10,000 years.

Species known or thought to occur in the park include more than 800 vascular plants. The streamside forests represent old-growth and mature forests that were established in the region before European settlement. In addition, one of the last remnants of rain forests in the Cascade Mountain Range occurs in the park. Low elevation forests are distributed from the park’s boundary at 1,700 ft to about 2,700-ft elevation and are dominated by western hemlock, Douglas fir, and western red cedar. Mid-elevation forests extend upward to 4,000 to 6,000 ft elevation and contain Pacific silver fir, Alaska yellow cedar, western white pine, and noble fir. Above 4,500 ft, trees become less dense as the forest grades in the subalpine parkland.

The subalpine parkland covers approximately 23 percent of the park; vegetation in this zone is a mosaic of tree clumps and herbaceous meadows extending from 5000 ft to about 7000-ft elevation. Tree cover in this zone is limited by the depth and duration of the snow pack. Dominant tree species in the subalpine zone are subalpine fir, mountain hemlock, and Alaska yellow cedar. Whitebark pine and Englemann spruce are present on drier sites on the east side of the park.

The park is known for the great display of subalpine meadow flowers. During July and August the lush subalpine meadows of Mount Rainier host a display of flowers unequaled anywhere. Some flowers bloom at the edge of the melting snow pack in late June, while others wait to bloom in August. In these meadows more than 30 flower species provide a rainbow of colors: blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow in a lush green background. Mount Rainier’s wildflower meadows are found at elevations between 4,000 and 6,500 feet above sea level throughout the park. Some of the best locations are Paradise Valley, Tipsoo Lake, and Yakima Park (Sunrise). Many other areas are reached by trail. The timing and quality of the floral display will be determined by the amount of snowfall and summer temperatures. Each season is different, as is each area of the park.

The alpine zone extends from tree-line to the mountain’s summit. Approximately 50 percent of the zone is covered by permanent snow and ice and the remainder by alpine vegetation. Talus slopes and snow beds have small, well-spaced groups of plants that are often overlooked by park visitors and casual observers. Vegetation types and species distribution in the alpine zone are controlled by length of the growing season, slope, and aspect. Talus slopes and ridge tops are among the first areas free of snow and thus have the longest growing season. Snow beds have the shortest growing season and may not be snow-free every year. Fellfields and heather communities have an intermediate growing season. Fellfields are areas with gentle slopes covered by small rocks and small, dispersed groups of plants such as sedges, penstemons, and asters. The heather types are the oldest known communities in the park.

Illustrated talks, campfire programs, and conducted walks are presented by park interpreters from mid-June to early September. See park bulletin boards at visitor centers, ranger stations, and campgrounds for details. Self-guiding nature trails and wayside exhibits are located throughout the park. Tahoma News, the park newspaper, is published summer and winter and offers detailed information on activities and programs.

Special Junior Ranger programs are offered throughout the park on summer weekends (daily at Paradise in summer). A Junior Ranger Activity Book is available year-round. For more information contact the Longmire Museum at 360-569-2211 ext. 3314 or e-mail MORAInfo@nps.gov. Guided snowshoe walks are offered in winter and may be suitable for families with children 8 and up. Some trails are accessible for strollers and small children, including Trail of the Shadows (Longmire), Grove of the Patriachs (near Ohanapecosh), and Emmons Vista (Sunrise). Ask a ranger for additional suggestions.

Mount Rainier National Park offers over 240 miles of maintained trails for your enjoyment. Trails lead through the peacefulness of the old-growth forest of the river valleys and the high subalpine meadows of the high ridges. From the trails you can explore and experience the forests, lakes, and streams and view the fields of wildflowers and network of glaciers. If you’re looking for easy and enjoyable trails that the whole family can experience together, consider the following trails. Rain forests seldom occur far from coastal areas; thus, the forest that grows in this valley is special. Explore the only true inland rain forest at Mount Rainier along Carbon River Rain Forest Nature Trail. For a close-up look at a glacier, Carbon Glacier Trail is the best trail. The trail follows the Carbon River through the forest all the way to the snout of the glacier. Beware of falling rocks from the glacier snout. Do not approach glacier — enjoy the view from the constructed trail. Bench and Snow Lakes Trail has two lakes on one trail. In the summer this area is an excellent place to see bear grass and other meadow flowers. The trail is a succession of gradual ups and downs crossing low ridges, reaching Bench Lake after 3/4 mile, then continuing another 1/2 mile to Snow Lake. Below are some accessible trails, but these lists are not all inclusive-there are many miles of trails to choose from.

Self-Guiding Trails with trail guides or signs are accessible to wheel chair users. Kautz Creek Trail is a very short fully accessible trail that leads from across the road from the Kautz Creek picnic area to an overlook of the 1947 debris flow. The Trail of the Shadows at Longmire is a .7 mile round trip distance, beginning just across the park road from the National Park Inn. Half of the trail is passable by wheelchairs with some help. This is an excellent trail for families with children. Strollers can be used with a few short carries required. Signs describe the early homesteading and development of the mineral springs. The Nisqually Vista Trail, beginning just west of the visitor center, leads to an overlook above the Nisqually Glacier at Paradise. Pick up a trail guide from the box at the top of the staircase above the parking lot. Although not accessible to wheelchairs, this trail is used by many families with strollers. The Grove of the Patriarchs Trail leads 1 mile round trip to an island in the Ohanapecosh River and a grove of ancient trees. Signs en route explain the forest environment. Although not accessible to wheelchairs, this trail is used by many families with strollers. The Ohanapecosh Hot Springs Trail begins and ends at the Ohanapecosh Campground, behind the Visitor Center. Round trip distance is .5 mile. Signs describe the early use and development of the area. Although not accessible to wheelchairs, this trail is also used by many families with strollers. The Sourdough Ridge Trail at Sunrise begins at the north side of the parking area at Sunrise and makes a 1 mile loop through the Sunrise Meadows. On clear days, a gentle climb to the top of the ridge offers breathtaking views. A booklet explains the fragile environment and some of the life forms found there.

“Winter” lasts nearly nine months in Mount Rainier National Park and throughout most of the Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon. Plan accordingly. Snow covers popular hiking trails in subalpine areas (5,000- 7,000 feet in elevation) well into June or July. Then there is a brief, usually pleasant “summer” before the snow begins falling again sometime in October.

Mount Rainier is a popular place to enjoy winter activities. The mountain receives abundant snowfall and the scenery is spectacular. Snows usually begin in earnest in late October or early November. Camping on snow is allowed almost anywhere in the park once enough snow has accumulated to protect vegetation. This means when snow has reached a depth of five feet at Paradise and two feet elsewhere in the park. A snow depth of 8′ is recommended before constructing snow caves at Paradise.

When there is sufficient snow, Park Rangers or volunteers mark some trails for ski touring and snow shoeing. Check the Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast web site before starting on your trip, whether it is just for the day or for a week. If you will be camping overnight, a Wilderness Permit is required. Highway 123 north to Steven’s Canyon Road offers a gentle 2-mile ski trip. The highway continues northward through Cedar Flats, a stretch of roadway frequented by elk in winter. Skiing is not recommended beyond the Shriner Peak trailhead 5 miles north of Ohanapecosh, because of increased avalanche danger. The Stevens Canyon Road is a more challenging ski trip, climbing over Backbone Ridge to Box Canyon. A beautiful view from Backbone Ridge is worth the effort to reach it. Overnight camping is permitted in this area, with permits available at the Ohanapecosh Ranger Station. Travel beyond Box Canyon is not recommended because avalanche danger increases on the upper portion of the road.

A map of trails and other unmarked ski routes is available at the Jackson Visitor Center. Join a Park Ranger/Naturalist for an exciting introduction to the art of snowshoeing and find out how the plants and animals adapt to world record snowfalls at Paradise.

Snowboarding is allowed in the park when a sufficient amount of snow is on the ground to prevent damage to vegetation and soils. Avoid damaging exposed vegetation such as tree foliage. Building snow jumps is permitted as long as there is sufficient snow to protect plants and soil. Please ensure that trenches (formed with repeated use) don’t expose vegetation or bare ground. Snow skiing, both downhill and cross-country are also popular and you will find plenty of paths for all skill levels.

The Snowplay Area is immediately north of the upper parking lot at Paradise. It is normally supervised by park rangers on weekends and holiday periods only. It does not open for the season until there’s at least 5′ of compact snow on the ground. Normally the runs are open by mid-December and close in late March or early April. Sliding and sledding in the park is permitted ONLY in this designated area. For more information, contact the Longmire Museum at 360-569-2211 ext. 3314 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily). Because of the high potential for personal injury and frequency of accidents, no other area of the park is ever open to sliding activities (except skiing and snowboarding). Use only inner tubes, plastic sleds, saucers, or other soft sliding devices. No wooden toboggans, runner sleds with metal edges or other hard devices are permitted.

In the southwest corner of the park, snowmobiles are permitted for 6.5 miles along the Westside Road from its junction with the main park road as far as Round Pass. Beyond Round Pass, the Westside Road is closed to snowmobile use. Snowmobiles are also permitted on all the road loops of Cougar Rock Campground. The campground is closed to overnight use during winter and the roadway is left unplowed. Snowmobiles are permitted on the 12-mile section of unplowed road from the North Park Boundary on Highway 410 to the White River Campground. Be aware of avalanche danger and forecast. In the southeast corner of the park snowmobiling is allowed on the Stevens Canyon Road from the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the road tunnel at Box Canyon. Contact a park ranger at the Longmire Museum for maps and additional snowmobile information.

Mount Rainier, the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, offers an exciting challenge to the mountaineer. This 14,410 foot active volcano is successfully climbed each year by thousands of people. Reaching the summit requires a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 feet over a distance of eight or more miles. Common climbing routes are Ingraham Glacier and Disappointment Cleaver Routes with an elevation gain of 9,000 feet, Emmons Winthrop Glacier Route with an elevation gain of 10,000 feet to Columbia Crest, and Liberty Ridge with an elevation gain of 10,500 feet to Liberty Cap. Most can be traversed May through September, but Liberty Ridge is May to mid July.

Climbers must be in good physical condition and well prepared. Proper physical conditioning can offset the effects of fatigue that lead to mistakes and injuries. Conditioning climbs on similar glaciated peaks and participation in mountaineering schools are essential for building experience and good judgment. Avalanche awareness and training in rescue and first aid are vital. Don’t depend on someone else to help you. Be prepared!

Glaciers are among the most interesting aspects of the park to view and provide climbing options. Nisqually Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers on Mount Rainier. It can be viewed readily from Nisqually and Glacier Vistas located less than 1-mile from Paradise visitor facilities. Nisqually Glacier advanced and retreated three times between 1965 and 1992. The most recent period of retreat occurred between 1985 and 1991 during which time the glacier thinned by 52 feet in the region immediately west of Glacier Vista. The retreat that has been occurring since the late 1980′s may be slowing.

Cowlitz-Ingraham Glacier is best seen from the upper slopes of the mountain, either from Cowlitz Rocks (above Paradise Glacier) or from the summit climbing route by way of Camp Muir. At its farthest extent perhaps more than 35,000 years ago, the Cowlitz-Ingraham Glacier terminated approximately 65 miles down valley of the mountain near the town of Mossyrock, Washington. The Cowlitz-Ingraham Glacier made a notable advance in the mid-1970 and continued to advance slowly until the mid-1980. It is currently thinning and retreating.

Emmons Glacier, on the east slope of Mount Rainier, has a surface area of 4.3 square miles, the largest area of any glacier in the contiguous United States. A 0.2-mile walk to Emmons Vista is rewarded with an excellent view of Emmons Glacier. For a closer look, hike the 1-mile trail from White River Campground to the end of the lateral moraine. In 1963, a rock fall from Little Tahoma Peak covered the lower glacier with rock debris. The debris cover insulates the ice from melting. As a result of decreased melting, the glacier advanced rapidly in the early 1980′s. That advance continues today, but at a slower rate. Ice beneath the rock debris is melting irregularly and forming a vast hummocky area.

Carbon Glacier has the greatest measured thickness (700 feet) and volume (0.2 cubic miles) of any glacier in the contiguous United States. It is best viewed via a 4-mile trail from Ipsut Creek Campground on the north side of Mount Rainier. The glacier has retreated less than 0.6 miles since the Little Ice Age. The glacier terminus is at a relatively low elevation and is surrounded by mature forest and shrubbery. During the advance of this heavily debris-laden glacier in the late 1970′s, visitors watched vegetation being crushed by rocks rolling off the advancing terminus. Currently, the Carbon Glacier terminus is undergoing a minor retreat.

Bicycles are allowed on the roads in the park and cyclists will find both challenging and scenic cycling opportunities. Bicycles are not permitted on any of the foot trails and there are no designated bike trails. Bicycling equipment in or near the park is very limited. Cyclists are advised to be equipped to make needed repairs themselves. Helmets are essential. Be sure to check current road status when planning your route. September and early October are generally excellent times for cyclists to visit Mount Rainier as there are fewer vehicles on the roads. This enhances the opportunity to enjoy the fall colors, although many facilities and services are reduced or discontinued in scope after Labor Day.

Road and touring cyclists will find park roads quite challenging as they are steep, narrow, winding and have unpaved shoulders. There are several significant elevation gains and losses. The road from the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park to Paradise is 19 miles one way with a gain in elevation of 3,400 feet. Travel from the northeast park boundary to Sunrise is 20 miles with an elevation gain of 3,650 feet. Use exceptional care on the descents as excess speed can make the winding roads quite dangerous. The Redmond Cycling Club sponsors RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier One Day), an annual bicycle ride in July in which 750 cyclists test themselves on the 154 mile course with 10,000 feet of total elevation gain.

Mountain bikers have three areas to choose from in the park. The Westside Road is just inside the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park. The entire length is unpaved and provides an exceptionally scenic challenge. The first three miles of the road are open to all vehicles. There is a small parking area at the end of this three mile section and many mountain bikers choose to leave their cars at this point. The 9 1/4 mile stretch to Klapatche Point is restricted to cyclists and hikers. There are two challenging climbs and the views offered are spectacular.

The Carbon River Road is in the northwest corner of the park is approximately 5 miles long. It provides an opportunity to ride through a rain forest. Use caution as there is vehicle traffic on the road and the road is subject to flooding. It could close at any time. Check current road conditions when planning your trip. The Mowich Lake Road is also in the northwest corner of the park at the end of Highway 165. This dirt road is about 5 miles long and leads to a beautiful sub-alpine lake.

A third option for mountain bikers is the road behind the old campground in Longmire. Vehicle parking and access to this road are at the Community Building in Longmire. This road accesses Forest Service Road 52 (Skate Creek or Kernahan Road) and makes a loop back to the park via Ashford.

Each year thousands of visitors come to the park to camp in the auto campgrounds. There are six developed campgrounds as well as trailside camping, cross-country camping and alpine camping. Camping is limited to no more than 14 days during July and August. Many trailheads start around the campgrounds.

The park isn’t known for its fishing, so don’t be disappointed if you fail to catch fish, or if the fish are small. Fish are not native to park lakes, but some still survive as a result of past fish stocking efforts. Consequently, there are no limits on the number of fish that can be taken from park lakes. Even though fish were not native to park lakes, at least 27 lakes still contain reproducing populations of fish including eastern brook trout, rainbow and cutthroat stocks. Native fish are found in park streams and you are encouraged to use barbless hooks and artificial lures and to release uninjured fish. Non-motorized boating is permitted on all lakes except: Frozen Lake, Reflection Lakes, Ghost Lake and Tipsoo Lake. Most lakes are ice-free only mid-July through October. Lakes and ponds open the last weekend in April through late October. Rivers, streams and beaver ponds open late May or early June through late October. Please check the Washington State Fishing Regulations for exact dates and more detailed information. No license or permit is required in the park. The Ohanapecosh River and its tributaries are open to fly fishing only. The use of bait or other lures except artificial flies is not permitted. Overnight Anglers making overnight trips into the backcountry must have a wilderness camping permit which may be obtained from any Ranger Station.

Mount Rainier is a Class I air quality area. The Clean Air Act requires federal land managers to protect park air quality related values, which include scenic, natural, and cultural resources. Air quality impacts have occurred in the park due to recreational use and are a concern, as are regional effects on the park.

Mount Rainier National Park is located downwind of a number of urban and industrial areas to the northwest and southwest and is not isolated from the by-products of industrialization. Manmade air pollutants are transported long distances and have been detected through air quality monitoring programs. A number of stationary and mobile sources of pollutants affecting the park include a variety of sources in the Puget Sound region as far north as Vancouver, and as far south as Portland, Oregon. Pollutants traveling across the Pacific Ocean from Asia, and including pollutants from Europe and eastern North America that circumnavigate the globe, are deposited in lakes, streams and on land within the Cascade mountain range at high elevations. National parks over 6,000 acres and national wilderness areas over 5,000 acres that were in existence before August 1977, are designated as Class I areas. Mount Rainier National Park and some of the surrounding U.S. Forest Service wilderness areas are Class I areas. Areas designated as Class I receive the highest level of air-quality protection. Consequently, Mount Rainier National Park staff is very involved in the National Park Service’s comprehensive air resources management program, designed to assess air pollution impacts and protect air quality related values. Air quality related values include scenic vistas, sensitive natural ecosystem processes, functions and components and cultural resources, The air resources management program at Mount Rainier includes monitoring, research, and regulatory interaction with local, state and federal agencies. Long-term monitoring programs include monitoring for gaseous pollutants such as ozone, visibility impairment, and atmospheric depositions.

Mount Rainier is an active volcano that presents considerable hazards to park visitors, employees, and infrastructure. The primary geologic hazard is from debris flows. Many of the park’s developed sites are located on debris flow deposits in valley bottoms. Other potential hazards are pyroclastic flows, ash fall, and lava flows (if Mount Rainier erupts), as well as snow avalanches, rock falls, and landslides.

About 149 exotic (nonnative) plant species are found in the park. Most nonnative species grow in disturbed habitat below 5,500 feet. Their presence is the result of human intervention, not natural migration. About 10% of the species are aggressive, capable of invading undisturbed natural areas and dominating native plant communities. The water resources in the park are protected and managed under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, and the Clean Water Act of 1977. NPS Management Policies also require the protection and conservation of water quality in the park.

Cows no longer graze among the grasses and wildflowers at Paradise and campers no longer drive Tin Lizzies across the vegetation to park in front of rented tent cabins, however, Mount Rainier’s delicate subalpine meadows still face many challenges to their survival beyond those caused by harsh environmental conditions.

The most serious threat comes from the concentration of people who gather in a few, easily accessible subalpine areas. Recent scientific studies have shown that as few as fifteen people walking the same route through a subalpine meadow can cause noticeable damage to soils and vegetation. The subalpine areas are especially vulnerable during late spring and early summer when hidden shoots of young plants are starting to grow under the thinning snow pack. When these young plants first appear along a snow bank’s retreating edge or through a thin place in the snow pack, the plants are vulnerable to many a careless hiker’s boot and can be crushed before being seen.

The flagging, yellow or brown rope, and “Closed–Meadow Repair” signs that hikers see when the meadows are still partially snow-covered are all methods that resource managers use to help define the trails and protect the meadows from crushing footsteps. Staying on the melted trails where possible and following flagging where trails are still snow-covered will demonstrate your appreciation for the beauty of this park. To enhance protection of the most vulnerable subalpine areas (Paradise, Sunrise and Tipsoo Lake) the National Park Service REQUIRES that people stay either on constructed trails or on continuous snow cover while visiting those meadows. Avoid the temptation to leave the trail to reach snow patches. If you wish to play in snow, keep hiking until you reach a snow patch that intersects the trail. Violators may be cited.

Even though the National Park Service actively attempts to protect and revegetate areas damaged by concentrated use and off-trail trampling of fragile vegetation, their ability to repair such damage is limited. Your cooperation and support is needed! Your caring attitude and responsible actions will make a difference! Encourage others to help protect the meadows by wearing a “Don’t Be a Meadow Stomper” resource awareness button. Buttons are available for a 50-cent donation in the visitor centers at Paradise and Sunrise.

Mount Rainier is a climate of extremes. It can snow at higher elevation (above 5,000′) any day of the year. High winds and heavy rains are also common throughout the year. Expect snow on trails May through June. Weather patterns are strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, elevation, and latitude. The climate is generally cool and rainy, with summer highs in the 60s and 70s. While July and August are the sunniest months of the year, rain is possible any day, and very likely in spring, fall, and winter.

As one of the snowiest places on Earth, Paradise is worthy of a winter visit. From November to late May, expect to find 10 to 20 feet of snow on the ground. Approximately 630″ of snow falls in an average winter at Paradise–in the winter of 1971-72, Paradise established a world’s record with 1,122″ of snow!

Current Park Weather

Longmire Village and the Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, White River, Ipsut Creek, and Sunshine Point front-country campgrounds are all vulnerable to geologic hazards. Although eruptive events are usually preceded by an increase in earthquake activity, other geologic hazards (e.g., debris flows and glacial outburst floods, with the added hazard of rock fall at White River campground) can occur without warning.

Park employees and visitors may have insufficient warning to safely leave the area should an event occur. Although Longmire and the front-country campgrounds will be open for use according to the posted spring opening schedule, individuals must decide if they will assume the personal risk of spending time in these potentially dangerous locations. If you choose to stay, be sure to review posted geologic hazard, evacuation and escape information.

Never walk or ski on the road. Snow plows work overnight and early in the morning. Drivers will not be able to see you in time to stop. Do not drive in or enter the Paradise parking lot or drive on the road until you are certain it has been opened to traffic. At Paradise, park rangers will open the road and remove the “Road Closed” sign in the parking lot. Until the sign is removed, travel is unsafe.

Be aware that mountain weather changes rapidly – -a pleasant outing can quickly be transformed into a survival ordeal. Navigation in harsh winter conditions can be extremely difficult. It is usually better to camp and wait for clearing weather than it is to go on and risk getting lost. Obtain a current weather forecast before beginning a climb. Turn back if weather conditions deteriorate. Severe winter-like storms on the mountain are not uncommon during the summer. Winter storms on Mount Rainier are frequent and severe, with high winds, deep snow, and extremely poor visibility. Winter conditions generally exist from mid-September to mid-May. All parties attempting a winter ascent should be experienced in winter mountaineering, avalanche forecasting and rescue, and be familiar with the intended routes of ascent and descent. The maximum party size for winter climbing is 12. A party size of at least 4 is recommended.

Avalanches are most common during or immediately after a storm. Learn how to recognize avalanche terrain and avoid it. Traveling or camping in avalanche zones could result in a tragic end to your trip. Contact a ranger for daily weather and avalanche hazard forecasts, maps of areas to avoid, and general avalanche information.

At Mount Rainier, the avalanche danger is forecast daily for the Paradise area. Familiarize yourself with what these danger levels mean. Learn the terrain and weather factors that influence avalanche danger. Put that knowledge to good use when selecting the route you will travel, or even if you will travel. Knowledge can help you avoid being caught by a snow avalanche and will help you survive if you are caught. Snow falling at the rate of 1″ per hour, or more, rapidly increases avalanche danger. Storms starting with low temperatures and dry snow, followed by rising temperatures and wetter snow, are more likely to cause avalanches. Rainstorms or spring weather with warm winds and cloudy nights can warm the snow cover resulting in wet snow avalanches. Wet snow avalanches are more likely on south slopes and under exposed rock. Snow avalanches are most common on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. Check out the Avalanche article on Adventure-Space for more information on avalanches.

Proper bearings alone will not ensure a safe trip. Camp Muir and the Muir Snowfield are nearly surrounded by glaciers: the Nisqually to the west, the Cowlitz to the north and east and the Paradise to the south and east. A minor error in navigation may lead you onto these glaciers with their hidden crevasses and other hazards. To stay on course you may have to correct your direction of travel to the windward of prevailing winds.

Always beware of steep cliffs to the east from Camp Muir to Anvil Rock and to the east of McClure Rock. These cliffs, obscured by snow and cornices in the winter, have been the sites of mountaineering tragedies. Panorama Point is a dangerous avalanche area.

While traversing the Muir Snowfield, approach rock islands with care because of holes which form around them as snow melts. Crevasses occasionally open up on the Snowfield in the vicinity of Anvil Rock in late summer and may be hidden by new snow.

Hypothermia has often been called the “killer of the unprepared”. A combination of cold weather, wet snow, and wind can easily rob a person of essential body heat. If left untreated, hypothermia can lead to unconsciousness and death. Make sure your group is adequately clothed and prepared to prevent hypothermia. This means wearing wool or synthetics like pile or polypropylene (never cotton!) to help retain body heat when clothing gets wet, having adequate wind and rain protection, wearing waterproof boots, eating frequently, avoiding exhaustion and seeking shelter.

Snow caves, tents, and igloos can all be excellent shelters from the hostile weather outside, but they can also become killers themselves. Make sure that whatever shelter you’re in; you have adequate ventilation to prevent being overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning. It is especially important to maintain good ventilation while cooking, since cooking in shelters will consume oxygen rapidly. During snowy, windy conditions this means going outside to dig out your tent or clear igloo vents. Collapse igloos and snow caves after use.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a hazard in recreational vehicles. Keep at least two windows or vents open to assure cross ventilation. Charcoal should not be used for heating or cooking in trailers, tents, or campers. Check your exhaust system regularly for leaks and do not run the engine when the vehicle is not moving. Keep gas appliances properly cleaned.

Pets are not allowed in the wilderness, on trails, off roads, on snow, or in buildings or amphitheaters. Basically, your pet can only go where your car can go (service animals excepted). If you plan to hike, someone will need to stay behind with the pet. Exception: Dogs are allowed on a leash (not more than 6′ long) on the Pacific Crest Trail. Pets need to be on a leash (not more than 6′ long) or in a cage. They must be under your physical control at all times. Do not leave your pet unattended at any time. Pets are an attractant for cougars. Leaving your pet tied at a campsite is illegal and dangerous.

May and June hikers and backpackers often encounter hazardous snow bridges over streams, steep snow-covered slopes where ice axes are advised, fallen trees across trails, washed-out bridges, and long stretches of snow-covered trail where route finding will be difficult. Unless you are specifically intending to hike, climb, or camp in the snow, plan your trip for that part of the year when trails are free or mostly free, of snow and when such trails are visible and can be followed. Those months are generally July, August, September, and early October. Long distance backpacking on such trails as the around-the-mountain Wonderland Trail (90 miles long) is best done within this window of opportunity. By contrast, visitors interested in climbing Mount Rainier are advised to do it in early summer when route conditions are best.

Calendar dates and snow depth affect campsite options. Obtain a topographic map or hiking guide to help you choose your destination and route. Use this planning map to pick your campsites. When selecting your route, consider the mileage and elevation gain involved. Be sure each member of your party is prepared for the choices you make. Please note the group-size restrictions for any camp you consider. Be flexible and have a second choice for your wilderness site(s). If solitude or getting your first-choice campsite is important, consider that July and August are the busiest months.

Never hike or camp alone. Always let someone know where you will be and when you will be returning so they will know to alert someone if you do not come home. Be prepared ahead of time for the environment you will be in and for any possible contingency. A good, albeit not complete, backpacking checklist is: backpack, tent with rainfly, sleeping bag and mat, camp stove, fuel, matches or fire starter, food, water or purification system, collapsible water container, 1-2 quart water bottle, first aid kit, extra medications, multipurpose tool or knife, toilet kit, topographical map, compass, GPS system, signal mirror or whistle, extra clothing suitable for climate, good hiking boots, flashlight with extra batteries and bulb, cooking utensils, eating tools, sunglasses, sunscreen, wide brimmed hat, garbage bags and animal proof food container.

Specialized equipment will be needed for climbing. Following is a list of recommended equipment for both individuals and teams. Equipment is useless if you do not know how to use it! Become familiar with every article of equipment before leaving home.

Individual Equipment: map & compass, knife, matches/lighter, sunglasses and/or ski goggles (dark lenses), sunscreen and lip balm, first aid kit, food (extra food for emergencies), headlamp and extra batteries, altimeter, signaling device (whistle and/or mirror), gloves and mittens, winter hat, sun hat, down or synthetic parka, wool or synthetic layered clothing, waterproof/breathable parka, waterproof/breathable pants or bibs, sleeping bag – comfortable to 10F, ensolite pad, ice axe, carabiners (minimum 4), Prussik Slings (3) or Ascenders, chest and seat harness, helmet, boots and gaitors, crampons, and picket (1) or other appropriate protection device.

Team Equipment: rope, 40 m, 9 or 11mm diameter, pickets or ice screws (as appropriate for route and conditions), pulleys, stove and fuel, extra fuel for emergencies, tent or tarp shelter, and wands. Additional winter equipment for team could be: food and fuel for two extra days, wands, minimum 200, expedition type tent, and additional rope. Individual extras may include: down parka, pants, and mittens, double boots or over boots, avalanche beacon & probe, snow shovel and snowshoes or skis.

Blue bags for human waste can be obtained from the ranger station or visitor center. Using blue bags requires maturity and a commitment to protecting the park. They contain one clear bag, one blue bag, and twist ties. To use the “Blue Bag,” defecate on the snow away from the climbing route and rest areas. Collect the waste using the light blue bag like a glove. Turn the blue bag inside-out and secure with a twist tie. Place the blue bag in the clear bag and secure with a twist tie. Deposit them in labeled collection barrels at Camp Muir, Ingraham Flats, Camp Schurman, Emmons Flats, below Camp Hazard at 7,500 feet, the tunnel outside Paradise Comfort Station, White River Campground, Ipsut Campground and on Westside Road. DO NOT drop used blue bags in trash cans!

When you use blue bags with your group, please explain carefully how to use them and why: blue bag use helps keep water pure, protects fragile vegetation from digging, and allows more people to use this area without impacting it. You are responsible for properly disposing of human waste. Pack out everything you bring in. Trash is buried by subsequent snowfall in winter, but melts out in early summer to form unsightly piles of Debris.The Park recommends that day hikers limit their party size to no more than 12 people per group. Day hikers are also encouraged to stay on designated trails throughout the park, and are required to do so in the heavily used Paradise, Sunrise, and Tipsoo Lake meadows. Please choose a spot for a lunch stop carefully. Avoid fragile flower fields and stream banks. Day hikers are advised to keep hiking plans flexible because some trailhead parking lots may be full, and overflow parking is not permitted, in order to avoid impeding traffic and to provide a less crowded, higher quality experience for hikers. Alternative trailheads may have space available.

Climbers must register to travel above 10,000 feet or onto glaciers. Anyone planning to hike or climb on glaciers or above Camp Muir and Camp Schurman must obtain a climbing permit. Climbers pay a $30 per person per calendar year, Mountaineering Cost Recovery fee upon arrival in the park in order to obtain their Climbing Permit, which also serves as their Wilderness Camping Permit. Note: If climbers make a reservation for a climb, climbing fees are due at the time of the reservation. Backpackers, and anyone else who camps outside of auto campgrounds, must obtain a free Wilderness Camping Permit before camping. Permits are required year-round and are issued in person only after you arrive in the park. The permits may be obtained at the Wilderness Information Centers at Longmire and White River, or at any ranger station during the summer. Winter permits are available at the Longmire Museum.

Glacier Travel: Climbers should be roped together in the appropriate style for travel on glaciers and crevassed snowfields. This includes the carrying of snow anchors by each climber and the equipment for individual or team self-rescue from a crevasse fall. Party Size: A minimum of two people is required. A team of three people is better able to affect a rescue or obtain help. For winter climbs, a minimum of four people is recommended. Maximum party size is 5 people camping on bare ground and 12 if camping on snow. The safest routes are on ridge tops and slightly on the windward side of ridge lines, away from cornices. If you can’t travel on ridges, the next safest routes are out in the valleys, far from the bottom of slopes. Solo travel above high camps or anywhere on glaciers is not permitted except with prior written permission from the Superintendent. Anyone younger than 18 years of age must have permission of his/her parent or legal guardian before climbing above normal high camps.

Climbers must follow low impact camping regulations. In snow camping, you choose your own campsite, but the site must be a minimum of 300 ft. from plowed roads and parking areas (to avoid being buried by snow blowers), marked routes, trails, and buildings and at least 100 ft. from a water source. Camping is permitted only on permanent snow or ice or on bare ground areas previously used as campsite. Do not clear tent sites on rocky or snow-free areas! Alpine plants depend on the shelter of rocks to survive. Of particular concern is the area within the boundaries of the Muir snowfield between Pebble Creek and Anvil Rock.

Each year thousands of persons register for summit climbs of Mount Rainier. Another several thousand people day hike to Camp Muir. Each generates trash and human waste. Climbers and hikers are responsible for carrying all trash (including fruit peels) off the mountain and disposing of their garbage in trash containers at parking lots. Do not put litter or trash in toilets. Be responsible: Carry out everything you brought in with you. The removal of trash and human waste from the upper mountain is an expensive operation. Putting trash and human waste in crevasses or burying it in the snow will only delay the problem to be solved by others.

If you plan to camp overnight you must park your vehicle in the designated overnight parking areas at Paradise, Narada Falls or Longmire. These areas are signed and maps are available. If designated areas are full, contact a ranger. Parking outside these areas will impede snow plowing operations, could cause an accident and will definitely result in you having to dig your car out of the snow. Remember, camping in vehicles anywhere except in drive-in campgrounds (e.g., Sunshine Point Campground) is prohibited. Regardless of where you park, avoid setting your emergency brake if possible – it may freeze solid.

State law requires that all vehicles carry tire chains when traveling in the mountains in winter. The road between Longmire and Paradise is open daily, weather permitting. At 4:30 p.m., the gate is closed to uphill traffic at Longmire and locked to all traffic at 6:00 p.m. This procedure facilitates snow removal the next morning. As the days lengthen toward spring, a later closing time will be posted.

Most trails above 4,000 feet are snow-covered until early July; route finding can be difficult to impossible before melt out. Many major glacial rivers may have washed-out bridges; all glacial river volumes rise and fall each day. Expect fallen trees across many trails. Be prepared for wet, cold weather at any time; snow can fall during any month of the year. Boil or otherwise treat all water before drinking. Mount Rainier trails have much exposed rock and tree roots which may be slippery.

If your Wilderness trip requires food caches, plan to mail or drop off your supplies. By caching food and supplies at designated Ranger Stations along the Wonderland trail you can reduce the weight of your pack, and increase the ease of your outdoor adventure. If you cache food and supplies remember that there is no guarantee that staff will be available at the time and day you arrive for the pickup. It would be a good idea to contact the park and check about the time you plan to make a cache drop off or pickup. This may save you time and frustration.

All caches must be packed in rodent proof containers (sealed hard plastic preferred). All caches must be dropped off or sent to stations listed below only; caches will not be transported from one area to another. Fuel cannot be mailed as it is flammable and it cannot be stored at any Ranger Station. The only place to purchase fuel in the park is at the Longmire Gift Shop.

Longmire, Sunrise and Mowich Lake are near the Wonderland Trail for easy cache pickup. The Ohanapecosh and White River Ranger Stations are not along the Wonderland Trail and require a side trip to reach a cache at these locations
All caches must have the following information printed on the outside (away from the shipping label)-FOOD CACHE FOR: (part leader’s name); FOR PICK-UP AT: (name of cache station); and FOR PICK-UP ON: (date).

Caches stored at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center can be dropped off or picked up during normal business hours at the center from Memorial Day Weekend to September 30. At all other times food caches should be dropped off or picked up by contacting a ranger at the Longmire Museum, 360-569-2211 ext. 3314. Send caches to Longmire via UPS, FedEx or US Mail: Mount Rainier National Park, Longmire Wilderness Information Center, and General Delivery
Longmire, WA 98397. Call 360-569-HIKE beginning Memorial Day Weekend for further assistance.

Caches stored at both the Sunrise and White River Ranger Stations may be dropped off or picked up during normal business hours. The Sunrise Ranger Station is near the Wonderland Trail; however, Sunrise has a short season. Sunrise Ranger Station normally opens around July 1st and closes around September 30th. Early and late season hikers should use the White River Ranger Station for their cache. Call ahead to check with the staff about operation schedule- 360-663-2425 (Sunrise) or 360-569-6030 (White River).

Caches for Sunrise may be sent to the White River Ranger Station to be held until the Sunrise Ranger Station opens. In this case, a cache must arrive at the White River Ranger Station a minimum of one week prior to the hiker pick-up date at Sunrise. Send caches for Sunrise or White River via UPS, Fed Ex or US Mail to: Mount Rainier National Park, Sunrise Ranger Station (or White River Ranger Station), 70002 SR 410 East, Enumclaw, WA 98022.

The cache for Wonderland Trail backpackers in the northwest portion of the park is normally the Mowich Lake patrol cabin. Although the Wonderland Trail passes through the Mowich Lake area, backpackers are cautioned that there is no formal mail delivery to Mowich Lake and packages may be later than expected arriving there. Furthermore, staffing levels are such that there may be no ranger there when you arrive. The primary ranger station in the Carbon River and Mowich Lake areas is Carbon River Ranger Station. Note: Snow usually lingers at Mowich Lake until late June or early July. The Mowich Lake patrol cabin is usually not staffed until mid to late June. If you are planning a June hike of the Wonderland Trail, there is no guarantee that you will be able to pick up a food cache at Mowich Lake. It is difficult to deliver caches to Mowich Lake before July. The telephone for Carbon River Ranger Station is 360-829-9639.

Send caches for Mowich Lake via UPS or US Mail: Mount Rainier National Park, Carbon River Ranger Station, Fairfax Forest Reserve Rd East (for UPS/FedEx delivery), Carbonado, WA 98323, P.O. Box 423 (for US Mail delivery) Wilkeson, WA 98396.

Camping must be done within the design capacity of each site with a maximum of 6 persons per site unless the camping party is immediate family. Parking is limited to the designated parking areas, and parking is not allowed on vegetation. A maximum of two tents are permitted at each site. A 14-day camping limitation applies to all camping. Keep fires small and within the closed grating provided. Do not burn trash or leave trash in the grate. Do not leave fires unattended. To preserve the integrity of the forest, collection of wood is not permitted. Leaving this material in place to decompose creates nourishment for the trees and preserves the quality of the forest. Firewood may be purchased from private wood concessionaires at the Longmire General Store, Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River Campgrounds, or you may bring your own firewood.

To help prevent thefts, lock your possessions in the vehicle trunk and keep wallets, purses and cameras with you. When leaving your campsite for any period of time, be sure to lock your vehicle and lock all valuables in the vehicle trunk or recreation vehicle.

All vehicles (cars, trucks, RV’s, tent-trailers and utility trailers) must be parked on the gravel or paved area of your site and not beyond the barriers. If you are leaving your vehicle for more than 24 hours and you are staying within the park, report your intentions to the campground ranger so it will not be considered abandoned property. No utilities or connections of any kind are available.

Travel on trails with bicycles or motorbikes are not permitted. The use of wheeled vehicles (such as skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, scooters, etc.) is not permitted in the park.

To preserve the natural features of the park, driving nails into trees and creating ditches around tents are not permitted. Picking or cutting flowers, gathering or digging plants and trees are not permitted.

Species known to occur in the park include 159 birds, 63 mammals, 16 amphibians, 5 reptiles, and 18 native fishes. Of these vertebrates, there are 4 federally listed threatened or endangered species known to occur in the park, including 3 birds and 1 fish. Four other species historically occurred in the park, but their present status is unknown including: gray wolf, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, and Chinook salmon.

An elevation difference of approximately 13,000 feet creates a variety of habitats and life zones in Mount Rainier that remain protected. You’ll likely see different animals at each life zone change. This diversity provides for a broad assortment of invertebrates, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

The highly visible Columbian black-tailed deer, Douglas squirrels, noisy Stellar’s jays and common ravens are animals that many people remember. The most diverse and abundant animals in the park, however, are the invertebrates – the insects, worms, crustaceans, spiders- to name a few – that occupy all environments to the top of Columbia Crest itself.

About half of the birds observed in the park nest here and many are migrants that winter in the southern United States or Central America. The distribution of birds in the park can be broken into the life zones of the park, which is highly dependent on the elevation. The lowest areas of the park (below 3,500 feet) are characterized by having mature forests of Douglas-fir, western red cedar, grand fir and western hemlock. This zone provides suitable habitat for northern spotted owl, and marbled murrelet. The distribution of either of these threatened birds is not well documented in the park. Many other birds occur in this zone which are seasonal visitors or year around residents. The next zone of the park (3,500 to 5,000 feet) is characterized by its mixed forests of western white pine, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir. Many birds occur in this zone depending on weather, food sources, migration, and breeding time. The elevational zone in the park which attracts numerous visitors in the summer is between 5,000 and 6,500 feet, this is where Paradise and Sunrise are located. This zone is characterized by mixed forest and subalpine meadows. The trees are primarily subalpine fir, mountain hemlock, Alaska yellow cedar, and whitebark pine and they tend to grow in clumps. There are many birds found in this, especially in the summer. Over 80 square miles of Mount Rainier is above 6,500 feet. This zone is characterized by snowfields, glaciers and bare rock outcrops. There are many plant communities associated with these exposed areas. Insects and spiders are found at these elevations due to wind dispersal onto snowfields and glaciers. These organisms serve as food for numerous birds which visit the snowfields.

The northern spotted owl is the only bird species listed on the USFWS list of threatened and endangered species that permanently inhabits the park. Marbled murrelets have been observed inside and outside the park and nest in the park. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons are also listed species, but probably just migrate through the park. They have been sighted in the park but there is no record of either species nesting in the park. There are several bird species found in the park which are sensitive species, including the northern goshawk, Harlequin duck, and little willow flycatcher.

Some of the more popular mammals like elk and black bear range in many habitats throughout the summer. Mountain goats typically remain in alpine or subalpine life zones. The highly visible Columbian black-tailed deer and Douglas squirrels seem to be what people remember seeing in the park.

Resident amphibians can be found in both aquatic environments or on land and reptiles are typically found in upland habitats. Amphibians serve as good bioindicators as they live in contact with both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Amphibians constitute a major portion of animal biomass in many habitats. In forested areas, they exceed the combined weight of all vertebrates. Amphibians play a key food chain role because of their large numbers and also because they occupy a high position in the food chain. Ten amphibian taxa associated with aquatic systems have been documented in the park. These include the tailed frog (tributaries), the Pacific giant salamander (rivers), Cascade frog (ponds), red legged frog (ponds), northwest salamander(ponds and lakes), long toed salamander (ponds and lakes), roughskin newt (ponds), Western toad (wetlands, ponds), and Van Dyke’s salamander (terrestrial breeder but found in stream sides and seeps). Two other terrestrial breeding salamanders also occur in the park: red-back salamander and Larch Mountain salamander.

Reptiles found in the park are, northwest garter snake, common garter snake, Puget Sound garter snake, rubber boa, and northern alligator lizard.

The present status of native fish populations in the park is not well understood due to construction of dams outside the park, and previous stocking activities. Mud Mountain Dam on the White River also blocks fish passage, but anadromous fish (Chinook, Coho, and steelhead) are transported around the dam, thereby allowing access to the upper White River, West Fork of the White River, and Huckleberry Creek basins. The State of Washington has also stocked Huckleberry Creek with steelhead a short distance from the park boundary. Chinook salmon have been observed in the White River within the park. Salmon migration in the Cowlitz and Ohanapecosh Rivers are blocked by dams at Riffe Lake and Mayfield Lake. However, Coho salmon are still transported around the dams. The Carbon River is the only major drainage without man-made dams blocking fish passage. Both steelhead and Coho are found in the upper Carbon River. However, the present distribution of anadromous and resident fish in these rivers within the park boundary is unknown. Fish were not native to any park lakes. All of the larger park streams were repeatedly stocked with native and non-native species. Stocking was halted after 1972 consistent with new NPS management policies. Non-native species introduced include brook trout, which are widely distributed; hatchery strains of rainbow trout, and several varieties and species of cutthroat trout including Yellowstone and West Slope cutthroat. Reproducing populations of non-native trout still survive in at least 28 lakes in the park.

Do not feed any wildlife (including birds) in the park. Human food can cause digestive problems and may result in their death and/or an injury to you. Always be on the lookout for wildlife on the roads. Driving too fast or being inattentive is never safe, but doubly so in the park as humans invade the natural resident’s space; namely the many forms of wildlife that call Mt. Rainier their home. Hundreds of thousands of people visit Mt. Rainier every year, and do so safely; enjoying the wildlife from a safe distance as they respect one of Nature’s most beautiful regions. See the Wildlife Precautions page for further animal safety tips.

Entrance fees for all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle car/truck/van) are $15.00 for 7 days.

Entrance fees for an individual traveling on foot, bicycle, horseback, motorcycle, or individuals traveling together as a non-commercial, organized group are $5.00 for 7 days.

There is no individual fee charged for persons with a disability, persons with a valid pass, or persons under 16 years of age.

Mount Rainier Annual Pass is $30.00 and covers entrance fees to Mount Rainier National Park for one year from the month of purchase. This does not cover camping fees. It is also valid at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Whitman Mission National Historic Site. It is non-transferable, non-refundable.

Regular sites may be reserved from late June through Labor Day. Those who arrive without a reservation will need to check-in at the ranger station to register for a site if one is available. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served base, but these sites can be expected to fill quickly.

Group sites are reservable up to five months in advance from the last Friday of May through Columbus Day. On the 5th of each month, reservations can be made up to 5 months in advance of the camping date. Online requests are at National Park Reservation Service (http://reservations.nps.gov). Phone requests (call 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST):1-800-365-CAMP (2267) within USA; 1-888-530-9796 TDD; and 1-301-722-1257 International. Written requests are at National Park Reservation Service, P.O. Box 1600 Cumberland, MD 21502. Types of acceptable payment include VISA, MasterCard, Discover, money order or check.

Cancellation Policy: All changes of a reservation will be considered a cancellation and charged a $13.65 cancellation fee. For cancellations prior to the scheduled day of arrival call 1-800-388-2733. Cancellations on the day of arrival can only be done at the campground and will be charged an additional one-night camping fee.

Cougar Rock Campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. It is located in the SW corner of the park, 2.3 miles NE of Longmire. Elevation is 3,180′ with 173 individual sites (4 Accessible) + 5 group sites. There is drinking water, flush toilets, trailer dump station, fire grates, tables, refuse and recycling cans, and an amphitheater. No RV hookups or showers are available. Maximum RV length is 35 feet and maximum trailer length is 27 feet, making it suitable for RVs and tents. Fees for late June – Labor Day: $15; remainder of the season: $12. Group sites $40 to $64.

Ipsut Creek is open all year, but may close due to flooding of the Carbon River Rd. Call 360-569-2211 for road status. It is located in the NW corner of the park, 5 miles E of the Carbon River Entrance. Elevation is 2,300′ with 28 individual sites + 2 group sites. Tables, fire grates, and pit toilets are available and it is suitable for RVs and tents, but no RV hookups are present. No potable water available. Fees are $8 per site. Group sites are $20 & $25.

Mowich Lake is open late June through early October weather permitting. Located in the NW corner of the park, at the end of SR 165 (unpaved road), it sits at an elevation of 4,950′. No reservations are needed, sites are first come, first serve. There are 30 walk-in sites. There are no RV hookups. Pit toilets, tables, refuse bin, and hiking trails are available. No potable water is available and no fires allowed.

Ohanapecosh is open Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. It is located in the SE corner of the park, 11 miles NE of Packwood on SR 123 with an elevation of 1,914′. There are 188 individual sites (2 Accessible) + 1 group site. Regular sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis from Friday of Memorial Day weekend until late June and from Labor Day until Columbus Day. Register at campground. Site-Specific reservations are available and recommended from late June through Labor Day. Group Camping sites are available through reservation from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend until Columbus Day. Drinking water, flush toilets, dump station, fire grates, tables, refuse and recycling cans, visitor center, hiking trails, fishing and amphitheater are available. It is suited for RV or tent camping. Maximum RV length is 32 feet and maximum trailer length is 27 feet. There are no RV hookups or showers. Fees from late June – Labor Day are $15; remainder of the season is $12. Group site: $40.

Sunshine Point is open all year. Located in the SW corner of the park, 0.25 mile E of the Nisqually Entrance, it sits at an elevation of 2,000′. There are 18 individual sites (2 Accessible). No reservations are needed. Register at the campground. Drinking water, fire grates, tables, refuse and recycling cans and pit toilets are available. It is suitable for RVs and tents, but no hookups are available. Fees are $10 per site.

White River is open early July through late September. Located on the E side of the park, 5 miles W of the White River Entrance, it sits at an elevation of 4,400′. There are 112 sites. No reservations needed. Register at campground. Drinking water, flush toilets, fire grates, tables, refuse and recycling cans, hiking trails, and a small amphitheater are available and it is suitable for RVs and tents. No RV hookups available. Fees are $12 per site.

Trailside Camping along trails is confined to designated trailside camps only. A trailside camp has from one to eight improved sites, each of which will accommodate one “individual” party of 1-5 people. Individual sites will hold at most 2 tents. Parties requiring space for 3 or more tents must camp in a group site. Many of the trailside camps also have a group site for “group” parties of 6-12 people. These sites will typically hold 3-5 tents. Cross-country zone use limits pertain between May 15 and September 30, and whenever less than 2 feet of protective snow cover exists. All cross-country sites must be at least 1/4 mile away from any road or established trail. Camps must also be at least 100′ from lakes, streams, and other wetlands. Mount Rainier has 21 wilderness group sites. All camps have a primitive toilet and a nearby untreated water supply. Most camps have food storage poles (“bear poles”) for hanging backpacker food and garbage. Group shelters are available at Indian Bar Camp, Summerland Camp, South Mowich River Camp, and Lake George. The condition of shelters is variable.

Backpackers may choose to venture into rough trailless areas, far away from maintained trails, and choose their own location to camp, using “leave no trace” camping ethics and camping where there are no improved campsites out of sight and sound of other parties. These vast areas are segmented into zones for management purposes, and each zone has a capacity for numbers of allowable parties per night camped in that zone. Party size may not exceed 5. Choose Cross-country Camping only if you are adept with map and compass and in excellent physical condition for enduring the additional challenge of cross-country travel. There are both lower forest and subalpine cross-country zones.

Alpine Camping sees mountain climbers generally choosing to camp in the tree-less, snow- and ice-covered areas on the slopes of Mount Rainier itself. Like cross-country areas, the alpine area is also segmented into zones, which have capacities on the number of parties camped per night. Party size may not exceed 12 if camping on snow. If camping on bare ground, party size may not exceed 5. Within the alpine zones, there are two popular high camps on the two most popular climbing routes (Camp Muir and Camp Shurman). Each camp and the adjoining alpine zones have capacities based on allowable people per night. Camp Muir is located at 10,080 ft. and has facilities that include a Ranger Station, solar toilet, and the Muir Public Shelter which will accommodate approximately 25 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Camp Schurman is located at 9,440 ft. with facilities that include a Ranger Station and a solar toilet. Climbers must melt snow for drinking water at both high camps. Treat or boil water.

Never camp on exposed vegetation or the partially vegetated “islands” of rare alpine plants as these plants struggle to survive here. In particular, camping is illegal in the Muir “fellfields” on either side of the Muir Snowfield, which leads to Camp Muir. Never build windbreaks of rocks, as moving rocks exposes fragile roots of alpine plants and causes the plants to die. It is permissible to use existing established rock windbreaks.

Klondike Gold Rush – Seattle Unit National Historical Park is 100 miles away. North Cascades National Park is 150 miles away. Olympic National Park is 155 miles away. San Juan Island National Historical Park is 200 miles away. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is 180 miles away. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is 300 miles away. Whitman Mission National Historic Site is 320 miles away. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is 100 miles. Snoqualmie National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Wenatchee National Forest and Yakama Indian reservation are also all nearby.

The closest airports served by major airlines are Seattle, WA (85 miles), Yakima, WA (115 miles), and Portland, OR (168 miles). Mileages are one-way, to/from Ashford, WA. Rental cars are available at airports.

By car, year-round access to the park is via SR 706 to the Nisqually Entrance in the SW corner of the park. Limited winter access is available via Hwy. 123 in the SE corner of the park. Travelers coming from east of the Cascades may enter the park directly during the summer, but Chinook Pass (SR 410) and Cayuse Pass (SR’s 123 410) are closed in the winter. Travelers coming from the east may access the park via I-90 and US 12 in the winter. The Carbon River/Mowich Lake area (NW corner) is accessed via SR 165 through Wilkeson. Summer access is available via Hwy. 410 on the N and E sides of the park.

There is no public transportation to or in Mount Rainier National Park. Parking can be difficult or impossible to find on sunny summer weekends at Paradise, Sunrise, Grove of the Patriarchs, and at trailheads between Longmire and Paradise. Try to visit these areas on weekdays, arrive early in the day, and carpool to the park. Parking is not permitted along road edges.

Park roads are winding and road shoulders are narrow. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph in most areas. Allow plenty of travel time during your visit.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Mount Rainier National Park:

By Car:

Seattle, WA – 93.06 miles

Spokane, WA – 298.54 miles

Pasco, WA – 172.69 miles

Bellevue, WA – 91.89 miles

Portland, OR – 143.86 miles

Paulina, OR – 339.56 miles

By Plane:

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – 80.34 miles

Portland International Airport – 144.04 miles

Rental cars are available at airports.

Mount Rainer National Park, Tahoma Woods, Star Route, Ashford, WA 98304-9751
Headquarters 360-569-2211
Headquarters (TDD) 360-569-2177
Visitor Information 360-569-2211 x. 3314
By Fax 360-569-2170
Maps and Books
Northwest Interpretive Association, General Delivery, Longmire, Washington 98397
360-569-2211, ext. 3320#

Map