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Mount Rainier National Park |
Description:
Established in 1899. 235,625 acres (97% is designated Wilderness). Includes Mount Rainier (14,410'), an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows.
Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1997 as a showcase for the "NPS Rustic" style architecture of the 1920s and 1930s.
Whether hiking on its flanks, climbing its summit, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on its slopes, camping along its glacier-fed rivers, photographing wildflower displays in subalpine meadows, or just admiring the view, nearly two million people come to enjoy the grandeur and beauty of Mount Rainier each year.
Designations:
National Park (March 2, 1899)
Wilderness (November 16, 1988)
National Historic Landmark District (March 1997)
Accessibility:
TDD: 360-569-2177
Most comfort stations, visitor centers, picnic areas, and designated campsites are accessible or accessible with help for wheelchair users. Accessible lodging is available in the park and in local communities.
In the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, written information, exhibits, and scripts for uncaptioned audiovisual programs are available.
An accessible boardwalk at Kautz Creek (3 miles SW of Longmire) leads to an overlook of the 1947 debris flow and a view of the mountain (trail may not be accessible when snow-covered).
For additional information accessible facilities, please call 360-569-2211 ext. 3314, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
Getting Around:
There are 147 miles of roads and 240 miles of maintained trails in the park.
There are five areas which serve as bases for exploration:
- Longmire (southwest corner)
- Paradise (south side)
- Ohanapecosh (southeast corner)
- Sunrise/White River (east side)
- Carbon River/Mowich Lake (northwest corner).
Parking can be difficult or impossible to find on sunny summer weekends at Paradise, Sunrise, Grove of the Patriarchs, and at trailheads between Longmire and Paradise. Try to visit these areas on weekdays, arrive early in the day, and carpool to the park. Parking is not permitted along road edges.
Park roads are winding and road shoulders are narrow. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph in most areas. Allow plenty of travel time during your visit.
Activites:
Auto_Touring | Biking | Camping | Climbing | Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Horseback Riding | Wilderness Area | Wildlife Viewing | Snow Skiing | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Restaurant or Snack Bar | Lodging | CampGrounds | Picnic Areas | Groceries or Supplies | Comfort Stations | And more.
Nature: Geysers HotSprings | Volcanoes | Glaciers | And more.
Directions to Mount Rainier National Park
Plane:
Closest airports served by major airlines are Seattle, WA (85 miles), Yakima, WA (115 miles), and Portland, OR (168 miles). Mileages are one-way, to/from Ashford, WA. Rental cars are available at airports.
Car:
Year-round access to the park is via SR 706 to the Nisqually Entrance in the SW corner of the park. Limited winter access is available via Hwy. 123 in the SE corner of the park. The Carbon River/Mowich Lake area (NW corner) is accessed via SR 165 through Wilkeson. Summer access is available via Hwy. 410 on the N and E sides of the park.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to or in Mount Rainier National Park.
Private carriers provide bus and van service. Gray Line Tours (800-426-7532 or 206-626-5208) offers daily trips from Seattle to Paradise from May 1 to September 30. Rainier Shuttle (360-569-2331) offers daily shuttle service from SeaTac Airport to Ashford or Paradise from May 3 to October 10. Ashford Mountain Center (360-569-2604) offers shuttle services from June through September to/from Sea-Tac airport and destinations within the park.
Attractions:
Klondike Gold Rush NHP
Phone:206-553-7220
Olympic National Park
North Cascades National Park
Phone:360-856-5700
San Juan Island National Park
Phone:360-378-2240
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Phone:360-247-3900
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Contact Information for Mount Rainier National Park
Tahoma Woods, Star Route
Ashford, WA
98304-9751
Phone: 360-569-2211
Fax: 360-569-2170
Located in Ashford, WA
For more information on Mount Rainier National Park
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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Washington Road Maps (WA Maps)
Washington Photos