Hiker Headlines: Last call for photo contest, free day, Mount Rainier winter road closure dates

It’s Oct. 8. This Saturday, Oct. 10, is World Mental Health Day, and parking fees will be waived at some trailheads. It’s your last chance to submit photos to our Northwest Exposure Photo Contest! The Beacon Rock trail will be closed every Tuesday to Thursday through spring 2027 for construction. Mount Rainier has shared when it expects seasonal roads to close. And some trails have reopened after wildfire closures. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Get your last-minute submissions into the Northwest Exposure Photo Contest; you've got until Oct. 12! Photo by Morgan Henderson. 

Fee-free day: This Saturday, Oct. 10, is World Mental Health Day! State-managed lands — those managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — won’t require Discover Passes at trailheads, and Forest Service lands won’t require Northwest Forest/America the Beautiful passes. 

Last call for photo contest: It’s your last opportunity to submit photos for our Northwest Exposure Photo Contest! We’ve got five main categories — Trailscapes, Hikers in Action, Trail Family, Flora and Fauna — and two bonus categories — Film Photography and Instagram. Enter today for the chance to win some great prizes! You’ve got until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 12. 

Beacon Rock trail closure: The Beacon Rock trail at Beacon Rock State Park will be closed every Tuesday through Thursday through May 2027 for trail decking replacement.

Mount Rainier road closures: Mount Rainier National Park has shared expected closure dates (subject to change) for seasonal park roads:

• Paradise Valley Road: Oct. 19
• Ricksecker Point Road: Oct. 20
• Stevens Canyon Road: Oct. 26
• White River Road to campground: Oct. 26 (Sunrise Road is already closed) 

Reduced fire closures: Due to cooling temperatures, some wildfire closure orders have been partially lifted: 

• The Sisi Fire closure order has been partially lifted. The Devore Creek, Swamp Creek and McGregor Mountain trails are no longer closed.
• The Sinlahekin Fire closure order has been partially lifted. The Chewuch, Middle Fork and Windy Peak trailheads are now open. Multiple campgrounds and campsites have also opened. 

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