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Accessibility
Although many of the developed areas at Mount Rainier National Park predate laws requiring fully accessible facilities, we are working to insure that all park visitors have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the park. If you have comments or suggestions for ways we can help, please let us know! If you have special needs or situations not explained in the information below, please call 360-569-2211 extension 3314 any day between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm to speak to a park ranger.
TDD users: call 360-569-2177
Accommodations / Lodging - Overnight lodging is available within the park at the Paradise Inn (summer only, elevation 5400 ft) and the National Park Inn at Longmire (year round, elevation 2761 ft). Both Inns offer several fully wheelchair accessible rooms; reservations are strongly advised.
Meals - The dining room in the National Park Inn at Longmire is fully accessible to those using wheelchairs. The dining room at the Paradise Inn (summer only) is accessible by a walkway leading from the lobby to the dining room. The Jackson Grill, in the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, is accessible to wheelchair users with help via steep paved ramps. The Sunrise Lodge snack bar is accessible by ramp.
Camping - Sunshine Point campground includes two wheelchair accessible campsites and an accessible restroom. Cougar Rock campground has five wheelchair accessible family sites and two accessible group sites. White River campground has two accessible family sites in Loop C. Restroom facilities are also accessible. Since the campgrounds operate on a first-come, first served basis, try to arrive early if you need a wheelchair accessible campsite.
Visitor Centers and Museums - The Longmire Museum is accessible by paved ramp. The information desk is accessible but passages through the interior exhibits are narrow.
The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is accessible to wheelchair users with help during the summer via steep paved ramps. The building may be accessible with help in winter if snow permits; however, the ramps will be snowy. When the snow is extremely deep the only entrance to the building requires the use of a stairway. The information desk, Jackson Grill, and restrooms are on the main level. The exhibits and the auditorium are on the second and third floors and are accessible by a series of long steep ramps; help is advised.
Wheelchairs may be borrowed for use within the Jackson Visitor Center. Please inquire at the front desk.
Large type scripts or captioning are available for all audiovisual programs shown in the Jackson Visitor Center auditorium. Please inquire at the front desk.
The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (summer only) and the Sunrise Visitor Center, (summer only) are accessible to wheelchairs. Doorways and passages are wide. Wheelchairs may be borrowed for short times at both Visitor Centers.
Restrooms - There are accessible restrooms at Sunshine Point Campground, Kautz Creek picnic area, Longmire, Cougar Rock campground and picnic area, the Paradise Plaza (upper parking lot near the Paradise Inn), inside the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise (access to Visitor Center may require help), the Ohanopecosh campground (D loop), and the White River campground (Loop C). Restrooms at the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center have limited access.
Picnic areas: Parking, restrooms, and picnic tables useable by those in wheelchairs can be found in the Kautz Creek and Cougar Rock picnic areas.
See the Hiking Page for Self-Guiding Trails with trail guides or signs, or trail accessible to wheel chair users.
Amphibians & Reptiles - See the Amphibians & Reptiles List for more information.
Avalanche Information An avalanche occurs when a layer of snow looses its grip on a slope and slides downhill. Although avalanches occur by the thousands every winter in mountainous terrain, almost all avalanches involving people are triggered by people. The more time you are engaged in winter activities, the greater your chances of being caught by an avalanche. See the Avalanche Guide for more information.
Basic Recommendations
I recommend that you plan your trip and the areas you would like to see and then go and relax and make a day of it. Go and see all that is in the area and enjoy it. You spend more quality time and learn and see more than you could ever imagine.
Mount Rainier National Park contains vast expanses of pristine old-growth forests, subalpine flower meadows, spectacular alpine scenery, and great opportunity for stimulating outdoor activities. Mount Rainier National Park is the fifth oldest national park in the United States. Mount Rainier has the greatest single-peak glacial system in the United States. Glaciers radiate from the summit and slopes of the 14,411 foot volcano.
Biking
Bicycles, Motorbikes, Roller skates, Skateboards Bicycles and Motorbikes may be operated in the campground on roadways only, in the same direction of travel as other vehicles. Motorcycles must be licensed for street use and drivers must have an operators license. Travel on trails with bicycles or motorbikes is not permitted. The use of skateboards and roller skates is not permitted in the park Bicyclists will find that there is little room to maneuver on park roads, which are narrow and winding. Gains in elevation range from 1,700 ft to 6,400 ft.
Camping
Mount Rainier National Park has six auto campgrounds providing almost 600 sites. Cougar Rock, Ipsut Creek, Mowich Lake, Ohanapecosh , Sunshine Point, and White River. These campgrounds are all open for your stay by the end of June through mid-September. Only one campground, Sunshine Point, is open for auto camping all year round. The other five campgrounds close in September and October, depending upon location and weather.
Backcountry camping is permitted through the park all year round by permit only. Sites at two of the six campgrounds are issued by reservation only from 01 July through Labor Day.
See the Camping Page for more information
Climbing Mount Rainier
Each year more than 4,500 people successfully climb to the 14,411 foot summit of Mount Rainier. Climbers need to be in top physical condition, since climbing to the summit is very strenuous, requiring a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 feet over a distance of 8 or more miles. Climbers should also be experienced in glacier travel and mountaineering skills. Mount Rainier, the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, offers an exciting challenge to the mountaineer who is totally prepared, but can be extremely dangerous for those who are inexperienced or unprepared.
See the Climbing Guide for more information.
| Individual Entry (Bike, Foot) | $ 5.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Private Non-commercial Vehicle | $ 10.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Annual Pass | $ 30.00 (Good For One Year) |
| Gold Access Passport (Blind or permanently disabled individuals) | Free (Lifetime - good in all national parks) |
| Golden Age Passport (one time fee - for those 62+ years young) | $ 10.00 (Lifetime - good in all national parks) |
| Golden Eagle Passport (good one year from date of purchase) | $ 50.00 (good in all national parks) |
Golden Access Passport
The Golden Access Passport is a free pass available to all permanent U.S. residents who are eligible to receive federal benefits based on disability, whether or not you are actually receiving them or not. This pass entitles the bearer, and immediate family or accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, to free admission to all U.S. National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and Historic Sites, as well as half price camping. Apply in person at any National Park Service or U.S. Forest Service area.
Food and Supplies
Limited camper supplies are available at the National Park Inn at Longmire, Sunrise Lodge, and in the communities surrounding the park.
Flowers of Mount Rainier see the Flower List
Lodging
Two hotels are located within the park, managed by Mount Rainier Guest Services, The National Park Inn at Longmire, The Paradise Inn at Paradise.
See the Lodging Guide for more information.
Mount Rainier National Park has six auto campgrounds providing almost 600 sites. Cougar Rock, Ipsut Creek, Mowich Lake, Ohanapecosh , Sunshine Point, and White River.
See the Camping Page for more information.
Mammals of Mount Rainier - See the Mammal List
Pet Information
Dogs, cats and other pets must be caged, on a leash or otherwise under physical restraint at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. Pets are not permitted in amphitheaters, buildings, on trails or in vegetated areas. They are permitted only in parking lots and roads open to vehicles.
Permits
Special Use Permits, Filming Permits and Commercial Use Permits are handled on an individual basis.
Summit Climbing permits include a $15.00 per person climbing fee ($25.00 annual fee for multiple climbs) is required.
Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry.
See the Permit Guide for more information.
Programs and Activities
Camping, hiking, backpacking, picnicking, observing wildflower meadows and wildlife from park trails, summit climbing, fishing, and horse use are some of the activities that visitors can enjoy when visiting Mount Rainier National Park.
Evening campfire programs, ranger-led interpretive walks, and children's programs, movies and slide programs are presented throughout the park during the summer months. Throughout the winter, guided snowshoe walks are conducted in the Paradise area on weekends. Visitors should check at information desks for current activity schedules.
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Reservations
Reservations are accepted for group campsites at Cougar Rock auto campgrounds, up to 90 days prior to the first night of camping. Reservations are accepted for group sites only, up to 90 days prior to first night of camping. All other campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click on Reservations for more information.
Stock Usage
The use of saddle and pack stock is permitted on more than 100 miles of trails.
Check on Stock Usage for more information.
Trees of Mount Rainier - See the Tree List
Visitor Center
Longmire Museum - open year round
Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center - Paradise - open daily mid Apr - Oct (weekends and holiday periods only Oct -Apr)
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center - open late May into Oct
Sunrise Visitor Center - open late Jun into Sep
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Visitor Impact
Most park roads are closed from October/November until late May due to snowfall. Temporary closure of the Nisqually to Paradise Road (SW entrance), which is open year round, may occur when heavy snowfall occurs and avalanche conditions become dangerous. In winter, vehicles should be equipped with all season tires, and carry tire chains. Recorded road and weather condition messages can be heard by dialing 360-569-2211.
Weather
Mount Rainier, 14,411 feet high, is often said to create its own weather. It reaches into the atmosphere and interrupts the flow of moist maritime air masses from the Pacific Ocean. This results in great amounts of rain and snowfall. The heaviest precipitation occurs between October and early May. During the winter of 1971-1972, 1,122 inches of snow fell at the Paradise weather station on Mount Rainier (5,400 foot elevation), which was a world record. Average summer temperatures can range from the upper 30's to mid-70's. Warm clothing, rain gear, and sturdy footwear are recommended.
See the Weather Page for current conditions, forecasts and other weather data.
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This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
