Mount Rainier National Park seeks feedback on timed entry policy

Washington state’s Mount Rainier National Park is asking the public for feedback on the timed entry reservation pilot program for visits to the Paradise and Sunrise Corridors that was unveiled this summer and will last through Labor Day 2024.

The pilot system is currently required for visitors coming into the park between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and is intended to distribute visits more evenly during the busiest times of day. The goal is to reduce crowding, provide a better visitor experience, improve safety, and reduce impacts to park resources as visitation to the park continues to increase.

Visitation grew from just over 1.1 million in 2013 to about 1.6 million in 2022. Most of those visits occurred between July and September and were concentrated in a small number of destinations, including Paradise and Sunrise.

“We are eager to learn what visitors think of the pilot timed entry system we are testing out this summer,” said Superintendent Greg Dudgeon. “We want to hear how the pilot did or did not work for people before we finalize our long-term visitor use management plan for the Nisqually to Paradise Corridor at Mount Rainier National Park.”

Starting today, you can submit your comments online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/MountRainier2024 until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Sept. 15.

Visiting the park

Before entering the park, make your reservations online at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations cannot be made at the park entrance station. Advance reservations are available now and additional reservations are released daily at 7 p.m. for the next day. There is a $2 reservation fee in addition to the park entrance fee requirement.

Entrance passes are required for all visitors accessing any area in the park, regardless of the day and time.

Each reservation is for one personal vehicle. The reservation provides a two-hour entry window. For instance, visitors with a 9 a.m. reservation could enter the park between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is no required departure time.

Visitors with in-park reservations for lodging at the Paradise Inn, National Park Inn, or camping in Cougar Rock Campground do not require an additional timed entry reservation and can enter the Paradise Corridor any time after 1 p.m. the first day of their reservation and throughout their stay. Other valid permit holders may enter the park without reservations as outlined in their wilderness permit, special use permit, research permit, or commercial use authorization.

The timed entry reservation pilot is in place through Monday, September 2, 2024. Detailed information about the pilot reservation system is located here.

##RVT1171b