A $30 vehicle pass grants seven days of entry to Mount Rainier. The park gates stay open 24 hours a day year-round, but heavy winter snow forces nightly and seasonal closures on high-elevation routes to Paradise and Sunrise.
Mount Rainier National Park remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Access to specific areas depends heavily on the season and weather conditions. Winter snow closes the road to Sunrise entirely by mid-October, while the route from Longmire to Paradise shuts down nightly starting November 1.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 hours | The Longmire Wilderness Information Center operates daily from 07:30–17:00 between May 22 and October 12. |
Severe winter weather dictates access rather than standard holidays. The road to Sunrise closes entirely by mid-October, following nightly closures at the White River Campground junction that begin in late September. Plow crews lock the gate between Longmire and Paradise every night from November 1 through winter, reopening it each morning only after clearing the snow.
Vehicle entry costs $30.00 for a pass valid up to seven days. Entrance stations and campgrounds operate entirely cashless. Visitors paying with cash must pre-purchase passes at local businesses like the Ashford General Store before arriving at the gate.
Free entrance days in 2026 include February 16, May 25, June 14, July 3–5, August 25, September 17, October 27, and November 11.
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View All ToursJuly and August provide the most reliable access to Mount Rainier. Warm, dry weather melts the seasonal snowpack, exposing subalpine wildflowers and opening all visitor facilities. These two months also draw the largest crowds, making mid-week arrivals necessary to avoid long delays at the Nisqually and White River entrances.
A typical visit lasts one day for a quick highlights tour of Paradise, while exploring multiple regions like Sunrise and Ohanapecosh requires two to three days. Backpackers hiking the full Wonderland Trail need 10 or more days. Commercial bus tours from Seattle follow rigid schedules that restrict personal exploration time compared to driving yourself.
Arrive before 10:00 AM or after 2:30 PM to bypass heavy summer traffic at the Nisqually and White River Entrances. Midday queues back up quickly on weekends. Visiting mid-week provides easier parking and fewer cars on the road.
Mount Rainier entrance stations and campgrounds operate entirely cashless. Visitors carrying only paper bills must pre-purchase the $30 single-vehicle pass at local businesses en route. Stop at the Ashford General Store to secure your entry before reaching the gate.
All vehicles must carry tire chains inside the park from November 1 to May 1, regardless of four-wheel drive capabilities. Icy roads require strict adherence to the 35 mph speed limit. Winter visitors will find no food service at Paradise, so buy provisions at the Longmire General Store first.
High-elevation weather shifts rapidly from warm to freezing, creating severe hypothermia risks. Pack a headlamp, rain gear, and extra warm layers. Leave a detailed itinerary and a description of your clothing inside your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Thieves frequently target trailhead parking lots to steal bags, purses, and electronics. Transfer all valuables into your trunk before arriving at your destination. Never leave any personal items visible in the cabin while you hike.
Vehicle entry costs $30.00 for a one-to-seven day pass, while motorcycles cost $25.00. Individual pedestrians and cyclists aged 16 and older pay $15.00, and children under 16 enter free. All payments at entrances and campgrounds are cashless.
Mount Rainier National Park accepts only cashless payments at entrance stations and campgrounds. Cash users must buy a $30 single-vehicle pass beforehand at designated local businesses along the route, like the Ashford General Store.
No timed entry reservations are required for any part of the park in 2026. Park officials will manage peak-season congestion using parking management strategies instead. Arrive before 10:00 AM or after 2:30 PM to avoid long delays at the Nisqually and White River entrances.
The park remains open 24 hours a day year-round, but heavy snowfall forces major road and facility closures. The road from Longmire to Paradise closes nightly starting November 1, reopening each morning based on snow removal progress. All vehicles entering the park between November 1 and May 1 must carry tire chains.
Vehicles can typically drive to the 6,400-foot Sunrise area from July 1st through early September. Nightly closures at the White River Campground junction begin in late September. The entire road shuts down for the winter by mid-October.
Pets are prohibited on all park trails, in the backcountry, and on roads restricted to bicycles. You can bring dogs into picnic areas, campgrounds, parking lots, and roads open to public vehicles. They must remain on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.
All overnight stays in the backcountry require a wilderness permit year-round. You must obtain this permit through Recreation.gov before your trip. The park also requires special use permits for commercial photography, organized group tours, and weddings.
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