What you need to know to visit Mount Rainier National Park this summer

*Jump to details on who needs a timed-entry permit and how to get one*

WTA believes everyone deserves to have opportunities to recreate outdoors, and a core part of that work is ensuring equitable access to Washington's iconic landscapes. 

Last summer, Mount Rainier National Park released a draft plan with the possibility of implementing reservations for park entry. WTA worked with our partners, hikers like you and the park’s management to highlight the equity concerns for a timed-entry reservation system. 

Mount Rainier National Park recently announced that reservations will be required for entrance to the park for most vehicles driving through the Nisqually, Stevens Canyon and White River entrances during the spring and summer of 2024. This is a pilot program being used to test a timed-entry reservation system.

We are committed to working with park staff to ensure the new system balances the park's goals of providing visitors with enjoyable experiences without reducing overall visitation to Mount Rainier.

Timed-entry systems require people to know in advance about access restrictions, and to understand and navigate a reservation system. We want you to have everything you need to know to use this pilot entry system. See below for more details and also view the park’s reservation information page.

Reservations Required

Beginning in May, each vehicle entering the Paradise Corridor (map below) will need a timed-entry permit as well as a National Park pass. These permits will be available on recreation.gov starting in February. In July, vehicles entering the Sunrise Corridor (map below) will need a timed-entry permit in addition to a National Park pass. The permits for the Sunrise Corridor will be available on recreation.gov starting in April.

• Entry times
• Visitors with timed-entry permits can enter the park anytime during their 2 hour window. So, if your entry window is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can enter any time between 11 and 1.

Visitors with lodging in the park (like Longmire and Paradise Lodge and froncountry campsites like Cougar Rock) do not need a timed-entry permit for the corridor their lodging is in. Visitors with in-park lodging may arrive at 1 p.m. the day of their reservation to enter the park.

Visitors staying in the park will need to get a timed-entry permit for access points outside the corridor they're staying in. Each reservation covers one private vehicle.

Timed-entry reservation locations in Mount Rainier National Park. Graphic courtesy National Park Service.

How do I make a reservation?

Timed-entry permits to enter Mount Rainier National Park will be released 90 days in advance of the day they are good for, beginning in late February.

That means on Feb. 21, reservations to visit Paradise from May 24 – June 30 will become available. Reservations for other time periods and park locations will be available starting on April 1 and May 1. Additionally, a limited number of next-day entry reservations will be available at 7 p.m. starting on May 24 for the Paradise Corridor and July 3 for the Sunrise Corridor.

• You can make reservations online at Recreation.gov, or by calling the reservation line at 877-444-6777 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific Time. Do not call Mount Rainier National Park to make reservations.
• In addition to a $2 reservation fee, visitors will need to pay standard park entrance fees. Visitors whose entry fee is covered by a pass (military pass, fourth grade student pass, senior pass, volunteer pass, annual park pass, etc.) will still need to pay the $2 reservation fee. 

What entrances does the reservation cover?

• The Paradise Corridor timed entry reservation can be used at both the Nisqually and Stevens Canyon park entrances.
• The Sunrise Corridor timed entry reservation can be used only at the White River park entrance.
• Timed-entry permits will be issued in 2-hour increments, and visitors can arrive anytime during the 2 hours specified on their reservation.

When will reservations be available? 

• Reservations open 90 days in advance of the day they are for, beginning on February 21.
• On a daily basis, limited additional reservations will be available at 7 p.m. for next-day entry starting on May 24 for the Paradise Corridor and July 3 for the Sunrise Corridor.

Who can visit without a reservation?

• Visitors entering the park before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to visit the Paradise and Sunrise Corridors do not need to reserve an entry time.
• Some areas of the park do not require an entry reservation, regardless of the time of day, but all park entrances do require an entrance fee or park pass.  
• If you have reservations to stay inside the park at the Paradise Inn or National Park Inn or for camping at Cougar Rock or White River Campgrounds, you can enter the park without an additional entry reservation any time after 1 p.m. the first day of your stay, and then throughout your stay.
• Other permit holders may enter the park without reservations as outlined in their wilderness permit, special use permit, research permit or commercial use authorization.
• Visitors entering on foot or on a bicycle do not need a reservation.

Where do I get more information?

• Check the park’s reservation information page and frequently asked questions about timed-entry reservations.