Mount Rainier National Park

🌋Volcanic Lahar Hazard SafetyActive hazard zone▾

🌋 Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano and one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Cascades — not because of eruption risk alone, but because its massive glacial ice cap can mix with rock and ash to produce lahars (volcanic mudflows) capable of traveling up to ~45–50 mph down river valleys, with the Puyallup River valley as the primary risk corridor. USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and Pierce County jointly operate the Mount Rainier Volcano Lahar Warning System — Acoustic Flow Monitors paired with 40+ AHAB warning sirens in the valley below, tested at noon on the first Monday of most months. If you feel a prolonged or strong earthquake, notice a sudden change in a river's water level, or hear an unexplained roaring sound while in a valley or hazard zone, move to higher ground immediately — there is no time to drive away, and higher ground is the only reliable protection. NPS geohazards info ↗

Quick Stats

Highest Point14,411 ft

Largest GlacierEmmons · 4.3 sq mi

Hazard System40+ warning sirens

GuidanceMove to high ground immediately

🚫 A parkwide campfire ban is currently in effect due to dry conditions and downed trees in campgrounds — all campfires, charcoal grills, and wood/briquette fires are prohibited, including in developed campgrounds. Propane/gas stoves and lanterns are still allowed. NPS current conditions ↗

🪧Park Entrances & Fees3/4 open · $30▾

Nisqually Entrance Open Year-Round

SW · via SR-706, through Longmire & on to Paradise

The park's only entrance open year-round, and the busiest — leads directly to Longmire and Paradise, the main visitor hub.

💡 Arrive before 9 AM on summer weekends — Paradise parking fills fast and the entrance line can back up.

NPS directions ↗

White River Entrance Seasonal

NE · via SR-410, to Sunrise

Leads to Sunrise, the highest point in the park reachable by vehicle. Typically open only in summer/early fall depending on snowpack.

💡 Sunrise Rd is usually the last to open (often early July) and first to close for the season.

NPS directions ↗

Ohanapecosh / Stevens Canyon Seasonal

SE · via SR-123 & Stevens Canyon Rd

Connects the southeast corner of the park near Ohanapecosh to Paradise via Stevens Canyon Road — a scenic cross-park route, weather-dependent.

💡 Stevens Canyon Rd usually closes seasonally with the first heavy snow — check current road status before relying on this route.

NPS directions ↗

Carbon River / Mowich Lake Vehicle-Inaccessible

NW · normally via SR-165

This entrance is currently inaccessible by any vehicle due to the permanent closure of the Fairfax Bridge (SR-165) after its April 2025 structural failure.

⚠️ WSDOT is in a roughly 24-month planning phase (replace vs. remove the bridge) as of early 2026. Only reachable via the Wonderland Trail on foot currently.

NPS directions ↗

🧗 Planning to summit? Climbing above Camp Muir / the high routes requires a separate climbing permit — a ~$82/person annual climbing fee via Recreation.gov — distinct from regular park entrance and camping fees.

Entry Fees · 7-day pass · 2026

Vehicle$30

Motorcycle$25

Individual$15

Mt. Rainier Annual Pass$55/yr

Climbing Cost Recovery Fee$82/climb

Cashless · No nonresident surcharge

✅ Good news for 2026: the timed-entry reservation pilot tried in 2024–2025 has been officially cancelled and is not required this year — no advance reservation needed to enter the park.

River Conditions2 gauges▾

Nisqually River near National, WA ⏳

USGS 12082500 · near Longmire

-- cfs·-- ft·--°F

White River near Buckley (downstream) ⏳

USGS 12097850 · not directly in-park

-- cfs·-- ft

USGS Washington real-time streamflow ↗

🏕Campground Availability4 areas▾

Cougar Rock Reservation Only ▾

Sites179

Season~May 22 – Oct 12

Booking6-month rolling window

NotesNear Longmire, closest large campground to Paradise

Book on Recreation.gov ↗

Ohanapecosh Closed for 2026 ▾

StatusClosed all of 2026

ReasonMajor rehabilitation project

NotesDo not plan a visit here this season — check NPS for reopening updates

Campground details ↗

White River First-Come, First-Served ▾

Sites88

BookingScan-and-Pay via Recreation.gov

NotesNear Sunrise, no advance reservations — first-come only

Campground details ↗

Mowich Lake Free · First-Come ▾

SitesWalk-in, free

AccessVehicle-inaccessible

NotesFairfax Bridge closure — reachable only via the Wonderland Trail on foot

Campground details ↗

📍Landmarks & Areas6 areas▾

Paradise3 stops▾

Skyline TrailModerate-strenuous · 5.5 mi loop, iconic views of the summit~3-4 hrs

Paradise MeadowsFamous subalpine wildflower meadows, peak bloom late July–AugVaries

Jackson Visitor CenterMain south-side visitor center, ~5,400 ftDaily

Sunrise1 stop▾

Sunrise Visitor AreaHighest point in the park reachable by vehicle, ~6,400 ft · NE sideSummer only

Longmire3 stops▾

Longmire Historic DistrictOriginal park headquarters area, National Register districtDaily

Longmire MuseumPark history & natural history exhibitsDaily

National Park InnOnly in-park lodging open year-roundYear-round

Carbon River / Mowich (vehicle-inaccessible)1 stop▾

Carbon River RainforestTemperate rainforest zone, NW side · only reachable via Wonderland Trail on footTrail access only

Ohanapecosh / Grove of the Patriarchs2 stops▾

Grove of the Patriarchs TrailClosed since Nov 2021 flood damage to its suspension bridge — not expected before summer 2027Closed

Eastside Trail / Silver FallsParking lot & restrooms remain open in this areaOpen

Wonderland Trail1 stop▾

Wonderland TrailFamous ~93-mile trail encircling the entire mountain, typically 10-14 daysPermit req.

🍽️Concession Information4 locations▾

Rainier Guest Services4 locations▾

Paradise Inn121 rooms · historic 1917 lodge~May 18–Sep 30

Jackson Visitor Center CaféConcessions & café at ParadiseDaily

National Park InnOnly in-park lodging open year-round · LongmireYear-round

Sunrise Day LodgeSnack bar & gift shopSummer only

Rainier Guest Services ↗

🌙Stargazing & Night SkyNo DarkSky cert.▾

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Mount Rainier has no official DarkSky International certification, but the park is informally regarded as a strong stargazing location — high elevation, minimal nearby light pollution, and dramatic foreground views of the mountain itself make Paradise and Sunrise popular after-dark destinations. Note that Paradise averages an extreme ~640 inches of snowfall per year historically (the 1971–72 season set a world record at the time), so winter stargazing access is heavily weather- and road-dependent. Best on new-moon nights — bring a red flashlight to preserve night vision and dress for alpine cold even in summer. NPS night sky info ↗