Mt Rainier NP Visitor Location Information
MPG V2.8, January 2012

Guide to Map
January 1, 2012

Advisories about Google map display and about the Carbon River Road.

Information

 The road (uphill) from Longmire to Paradise is controlled at the gate just east of longmire. The gate is closes 4-5 pm daily and opens in the morning between 8-11 am or remains closed for the day based on weather and road conditions. You can check the NP's Twitter page for the latest information about the gate and road.

As of December 1st all the winter closures and restrictions are in place throughout the NP including for the two eastside highways, 410 in the northeast from the NP boundary to the summit of Cayuse and Chinook Passes and 123 in the southeast from the NP boundary to the summit with highway 410. These highways are closed for the season by the Washington Department of Transportation.

January-February News:
The weather is winter at the all elevations with sunny and clear and periods of clouds or overcast with snow;
The day and night temperatures are consistently cold;
The people will be few in numbers except weekends and holidays.

Paradise snowplay and winter camping areas.-- The Paradise snowplay and winter camps areas will open when there is at least 5 ft of snow, check the NPS Web page for winter recreation. Winter camping is open where there is more than 2 ft of snow in the designated camping areas

All the trails have snow through the winter above 2,500 feet and for periods below 2,500 feet. You should always check the most recent trail conditions for the trails you're interested during your visit but still be ready for unexpected weather and trail conditions.

This means you should still plan, get the most recent information, be prepared for quick and severe changes in the weather and conditions and be flexible with your plans and schedules, especially when and where the NPS issues advisories or implements emergency rules.

Location Guide

Locations are catagorized as:

   Visitors Center, for information, restaurants, museums, and other tourist interests;

   Park Entrance, highway access to the different areas of the National Park;

   Campground, established campground for camping, campers and recreational vehicles;

   Highway, state highways through the National Park.

Access

The following is a summary of access to Mt. Rainier National Park from their Web page of the current conditions in the National Park. It summarizes the basic information in a simplier form, and you can go to the NPS Web page for more and detailed information. The locations are listed by their respective name on the above map. It is important to note that winter rules now apply for the entire NP.

Nisqually Entrance, is open to Paradise. The Paradise loop road is closed for the season. The Jackson visitors center is open (10 am to 5 pm) weekends and holidays. The Paradise Inn and Mountain Guide Center are closed for the season. Sunshine Point Campground is permanently closed and the Cougar Rockcampground is closed for the season.

Carbon River Entrance, is open at the NP Boundary to hikers and bikers to the Ipsut Campground. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays.

Mowich Lake Entrance, The road is closed to vehicles for the season at the NP boundary and open hikers and snow travellers. The campground is open to winter camping with a permit.

Ohanapecosh Entrance, Highway 123 to Cayuse pass is closed for the season at the NP boundary. The Stevens Canyon Road between Paradise and the junction with highway 123 is closed for the season. The Ohanopecosh visitors center and campground are closed for the season.

White River Entrance, Highway 410 to the summit at Cayuse pass and Chinook Pass to eastern Washington is closed for the season at Crystal Mountain Boulevard. The White River road and White River campground are closed for the season. The road to the Sunrise area area and facilities are closed for the season.

Advisories

Advisory about Guns.-- Beginning February 22, 2010, openly carrying guns in the NP is legal and concealed with a legal permit. However, there are a number of conditions, which you can find here with links to additional information.

It is illegal to carry a gun indoors and it is illegal to use or fire a gun anywhere in the NP.

This is especially important in the visitors areas, the campgrounds, on the trails, and in the backcountry. You can only openly carry a gun or concealed with the proper (state permit) and nothing else. You can not unholster, use or discharge the weapon anytime or anywhere in the NP. The NPS has trained and instructed the park and backcountry rangers to treat all visitors as if they are carrying a gun unless it is clear the visitor is not carrying a gun.

Please use the contact link to send e-mail.