The Mountaineers
Summer is arriving at Mount Rainier National Park, and with it comes a season of change - and challenge. As the iconic peak draws crowds from across the country, Park officials are rolling out new visitor access policies, temporarily closing roads and campgrounds, and navigating staffing shortages. If you’re planning to explore Rainier’s natural beauty this summer, some extra preparation will go a long way. Here’s what you need to know before you hit the trail.
This summer, Mount Rainier National Park is implementing a timed entry pilot with several key changes from last year’s reservation system. During the initial 2024 pilot, timed entry reservations were required for both the Paradise and Sunrise corridors. But due to major construction projects and closures along the Paradise corridor, a timed entry reservation will only be required for the Sunrise corridor this year.
From July 11 through September 1, visitors will need a timed entry reservation to access the park via the White River entrance between 7am and 5pm daily. After Labor Day, from September 2 through the end of the season (expected to be mid-October), reservations will only be required on weekends and holidays during those same hours. A valid park entry pass will still be required as well.
How Do I Make a Reservation?
Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov in advance or the night before your trip:
- Advance reservation schedule:
- Friday, May 16 release at 8am for July 11 - July 31, 2025
- Friday, June 6 release at 8am for August 1 - September 1
- Day-before reservations will also be available each evening to provide an opportunity for people who did not secure an advance reservation.
- For weekends and holidays from September 2 to the end of the season, reservations will only be available starting at 7pm the day before.
The timed entry pilot is part of the Park’s continued effort to test solutions for managing congestion in high-use areas during the busiest times of year. Following the 2024 pilot, our community provided robust feedback to the Park Service, and The Mountaineers submitted an organizational comment letter to Park leadership on behalf of our members. We anticipate there will be another opportunity to offer feedback on this year’s program later this fall.
Over the past several years, The Mountaineers and our members have also actively engaged in the Park’s broader visitor use management planning process. This summer’s timed entry pilot is one of several strategies proposed during that process and is now being tested in real-time to assess its effectiveness. We continue to expect the Park to release its final Visitor Use Management Plan and remain committed to ensuring our community’s voice is reflected in that outcome.
Roadwork Ahead: Closures Will Reshape Summer Access
If you're heading to the Paradise Corridor this summer, it’s critically important to plan ahead, as major construction will reshape access to this iconic area of the park. State Route 123 - the scenic road linking the southeast entrance near Ohanapecosh to Stevens Canyon - is undergoing significant rehabilitation. Between April and October, expect single-lane traffic and delays of up to 30 minutes. And from September 2–30, the stretch between Stevens Canyon Road and Panther Creek will close entirely to vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians for culvert installation.
The Ohanapecosh Campground and Visitor Center will also be closed all season for a complete rehabilitation, including improving 185 campsites and nine restroom buildings. This project is funded in part by the Great American Outdoors Act, a historic piece of legislation that The Mountaineers and our community advocated for in 2020.
Adding to the changes this year is the long-term closure of the historic Fairfax Bridge, which provided access to the northwest side of the park from State Route 165. Due to structural instability, the 103-year-old bridge was permanently closed in April 2025. The Washington State Department of Transportation determined that the bridge could collapse without warning. This closure is a huge loss for our community. In addition to losing recreation access by vehicle in the Mowich and Carbon River areas, the closure cuts off access to our Irish Cabin property.
The Mountaineers has joined several meetings with the Governor’s office, and a meeting with Park leadership, about this closure and its impacts. We’ll keep our community abreast of any updates, but unfortunately, no timeline or funding currently exists for the bridge’s replacement
Staffing Challenges May Impact Summer Operations
Like many national parks across the country, Mount Rainier is feeling the effects of a shrinking federal workforce. Typically, the Park hires between 170 and 200 seasonal employees each summer, but delays in the federal hiring process have made it unlikely that a full cohort will be brought on this year. To help bridge the gap, the Park is offering permanent staff the opportunity to dedicate a portion of their full-time schedules to cover seasonal operational needs. This is a significant shift that underscores the challenge of keeping core visitor services running smoothly.
The good news is that the northwest side of the park - including Mowich Lake - will still be open and staffed, even though the area will be closed to vehicle traffic. Search and rescue operations will continue, as will ongoing trail maintenance, custodial work, and natural resource research. Park leadership has expressed openness to creative access solutions for the Carbon River Corridor, so there may be opportunities for alternative ways to visit these quieter corners of the park.
Know Before You Go
For those of us who love exploring the mountain, these changes serve as an important reminder of the balancing act required to protect and maintain access to such a beloved place. The ongoing infrastructure work represents efforts to improve long-term access and sustainability, ensuring that future generations of Mountaineers can continue to find inspiration and adventure on Rainier’s slopes.
We encourage visitors to Mount Rainier to plan ahead and check for the latest updates from the Park. Recreating responsibly will also be particularly important this summer due to the reductions in the Park Service’s workforce. As always, we’re here to support you in making the most of your adventures - see you on the trails!
