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Mount Rainier National Park

Ashford, WA

Established in 1899. 235,625 acres (97% is designated Wilderness). Includes Mount Rainier (14,410'), an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows.

Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1997 as a showcase for the "NPS Rustic" style architecture of the 1920s and 1930s.

Whether hiking on its flanks, climbing its summit, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on its slopes, camping along its glacier-fed rivers, photographing wildflower displays in subalpine meadows, or just admiring the view, nearly two million people come to enjoy the grandeur and beauty of Mount Rainier each year.

CONTACTS

Email - MORAInfo@nps.gov

Fax- 360-569-2170

Write to
Tahoma Woods, Star Route
Ashford, WA 98304-9751

Phone
Headquarters - 360-569-2211
Headquarters (TDD) - 360-569-2177
Visitor Information - 360-569-2211 x. 3314

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Mount Rainier National Park is open all year, but access is limited in winter.

Facilities at Longmire are open daily year-round. Facilities at Paradise and Ohanapecosh are open daily from late-May to mid-October. Facilities at Sunrise are open July to early-October.

In winter, access is by the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park only. The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is open weekends and holidays in winter.

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.

Getting There
PLANE - 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.

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. 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.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to or in Mount Rainier National Park.

Private carriers provide bus and van service. Gray Line Tours (800-426-7532 or 206-626-5208) offers daily trips from Seattle to Paradise from May 1 to September 30. Rainier Shuttle (360-569-2331) offers daily shuttle service from SeaTac Airport to Ashford or Paradise from May 3 to October 10. Ashford Mountain Center (360-569-2604) offers shuttle services from June through September to/from Sea-Tac airport and destinations within the park.

Weather & Climate
Weather patterns at Mount Rainier 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 1122" of snow!

Accessibility
TDD: 360-569-2177

Most comfort stations, visitor centers, picnic areas, and designated campsites are accessible or accessible with help for wheelchair users. Accessible lodging is available in the park and in local communities.

In the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, written information, exhibits, and scripts for uncaptioned audiovisual programs are available.

An accessible boardwalk at Kautz Creek (3 miles SW of Longmire) leads to an overlook of the 1947 debris flow and a view of the mountain (trail may not be accessible when snow-covered).

For additional information accessible facilities, please call 360-569-2211 ext. 3314, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

Getting Around
There are 147 miles of roads and 240 miles of maintained trails in the park.

There are five areas which serve as bases for exploration: - Longmire (southwest corner) - Paradise (south side) - Ohanapecosh (southeast corner) - Sunrise/White River (east side) - Carbon River/Mowich Lake (northwest corner).

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.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
INDIVIDUAL
$5.00 for 7 Days
Covers one person (on foot, on a bus, or on a motorcycle or bicycle) for one week. Does NOT cover camping fees.

VEHICLE
$10.00 for 7 Days
Covers everyone in a single, non-commercial vehicle for one week. Does NOT cover camping fees.

Activity Fee
CLIMBING COST RECOVERY FEE
$15.00
Per person/per climb fee for climbing Mount Rainier.

Local Passport
CLIMBING ANNUAL PASS
$25.00 for Annual
Covers Climbing Cost Recovery Fees for those climbing Mount Rainier for one year from the date of purchase.

GOLDEN ACCESS PASSPORT
Free!
Free lifetime entrance to Federal fee areas for U.S. residents with permanent disabilities. Reduces camping fees by 50%. Non-transferable.

GOLDEN AGE PASSPORT
$10.00
Free lifetime entrance to all Federal fee areas for U.S. residents age 62 and over. Reduces camping fees by 50%. Non-transferable, non-refundable.

MOUNT RAINIER ANNUAL PASS
$30.00 for Annual
Covers entrance fees to Mount Rainier National Park for one year from the month of purchase. Does NOT cover camping fees. Non-tranferable, non-refundable.

NATIONAL PARKS PASS
$50.00 for Annual
New pass! Covers entrance fees to all 379 areas/sites managed by the National Park Service for one year. Does NOT cover camping fees. Non-transferable, non-refundable. May be upgraded to cover entrance fees to all federal fee areas for an additional $15.00 (Golden Eagle upgrade sticker).

CAMPING

Cougar Rock
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Closed for Season
Located in the SW corner of the park, 2.3 miles NE of Longmire. Elevation 3180'. 173 individual sites (4 Accessible) + 5 group sites. Drinking water, flush toilets, dump station, amphitheater. Suitable for RVs and tents.

Ipsut Creek
Open All Year
Located in the NW corner of the park, 5 miles E of the Carbon River Entrance. Elevation 2300'. 31 individual sites + 2 group sites. Pit toilets. Suitable for RVs and tents. No potable water. ROAD IS SUBJECT TO FLOODING--CHECK CURRENT STATUS.

Mowich Lake
Closed for Season
Located in the NW corner of the park, at the end of SR 165 (unpaved road). Elevation 4950'. 30 walk-in sites. Pit toilets. NO POTABLE WATER. NO FIRES.

Ohanapecosh
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Closed for Season
Located in the SE corner of the park, 11 miles NE of Packwood on SR 123. Elevation 1914'. 188 individual sites (2 Accessible) + 1 group site. Drinking water, flush toilets, dump station, amphitheater. Suited for RV or tent camping.

Sunshine Point
Open All Year
Located in the SW corner of the park, 0.25 mile E of the Nisqually Entrance. Elevation 2000'. 18 individual sites (2 Accessible). Drinking water, pit toilets. Suitable for RVs and tents.

White River
Closed for Season
Located on the E side of the park, 5 miles W of the White River Entrance. Elevation 4400'. 112 sites. Drinking water, flush toilets, small amphitheater. Suitable for RVs and tents.

LODGING

National Park Inn
Open All Year
Located in the Longmire Historic District in the SW corner of the park. Elevation 2,700'. 25 guest rooms, full service restaurant, gift shop, post office. Mount Rainier Guest Services Website: http://www.guestservices.com/rainier
For More Information on this lodging please call 360-569-2275

Paradise Inn
Closed for Season
Historic Inn built in 1917. Located at Paradise. Elevation 5,400'. 117 guest rooms, full service restaurant, snack bar, lounge, gift shop, post office. Mount Rainier Guest Services Website: http://www.guestservices.com/rainier
For More Information on this lodging please call 360-569-2275

FACILITIES

Ranger Stations
PARADISE RANGER STATION
Phone - 360-569-2211 x. 2314
Location - At Paradise. Elevation 5400'.
Closures - Closed Oct. - early May (obtain permits at the Longmire Museum, open daily). May close for training or during search and rescue operations in summer.
Available Facilities - Issues climbing permits for routes from Paradise. Jackson Visitor Center and Paradise Inn located nearby.

Visitor Centers
JACKSON VISITOR CENTER--PARADISE
Phone - 360-569-2211 x. 2328
Location - Paradise, at 5400' elevation.
Closures - Closed weekdays in from mid-October to late April.
Special Programs - A/V programs, walks and talks on a variety of natural and cultural resource topics, and Jr. Ranger programs. Evening programs offered at the Paradise Inn in summer. Snowshoe walks offered from Dec. 26 to mid-April, call (360)569-2211 x. 3314 for information and reservations.
Exhibits - Exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the park. A/V programs, including the 25-minute "Rainier: THE Mountain" movie.
Available Facilities - Jackson Grill (food service), gift shop, book sales. Open in winter from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekends and holidays only.

LONGMIRE MUSEUM
Open All Year
Phone - 360-569-2211 x. 3314
Location - Located in the Longmire Historic District, in the SW corner of the park, six miles east of the Nisqually Entrance. Elevation 2700'.
Exhibits - One of the oldest museums in the National Park Service (established in 1928). Exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Mount Rainier National Park. A Transportation exhibit is located in the historic Longmire Gas Station nearby.
Available Facilities - Trailheads nearby. Food, lodging, and gift shop available at the National Park Inn year-round. Book sales area located in the Museum.

OHANAPECOSH VISITOR CENTER
Phone - 360-569-2211 x. 2352
Location - In the SE corner of the park, off Hwy. 123. Elevation 1900'.
Closures - Closed in winter.
Special Programs - 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 Saturdays beginning in late June. Evening programs offered at the Ohanapecosh Campground amphitheater in summer.
Exhibits - Exhibits on old growth forest ecology and human history.
Available Facilities - Information, exhibits, book sales, nature trails. Amphitheater located nearby in Ohanapecosh Campground.

SUNRISE VISITOR CENTER
Location - At Sunrise, in the NE part of the park. Elevation 6400'.
Closures - Closed in winter.
Special Programs - Walks and talks on a variety of natural and cultural resource topics are offered in summer. Jr. Ranger programs offered on Saturdays. Evening programs offered at White River Campground on Thursday through Saturday evenings (summer only).
Exhibits - Exhibits on the natural resources of Mount Rainier National Park.
Available Facilities - Information, exhibits, book sales. Restrooms.

Wilderness Information Centers
LONGMIRE WIC
Phone - 360-569-HIKE (4453)
Location - Located in the Longmire Historic District, in the SW corner of the park, six miles east of the Nisqually Entrance. Elevation 2700'.
Closures - Closed from October to May. Wilderness Reservations may be made by phone, fax, or mail from April 2 - May 20, 2001
Exhibits - Large relief map of Mount Rainier National Park.
Available Facilities - Issues backpacking permits. Longmire Museum and National Park Inn located nearby.

WHITE RIVER WIC
Phone - 360-663-2273
Location - At the White River Entrance Station, just west of Hwy. 410. Elevation 3500'.
Closures - Closed in winter. May close during search and rescue operations.
Available Facilities - Issues permits for backpacking and eastside climbing.

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