Mount Rainier National Park announces winter recreation opportunities for the 2024-2025 season

The view from the Nisqually Vista Trail during a winter sunset / NPS

This week Mount Rainier National Park has announced updates to the winter 2024-2025 recreational access schedule.

Beginning Tuesday, November 12, the park will open vehicular access to the Paradise area four days a week, Friday through Monday. The road is closed to public traffic from Tuesday to Thursday. Park staff will continue to revise Paradise’s access schedule as staffing levels change during the winter season. The Longmire area remains open seven days a week, barring major storms or emergencies.

Winter camping in Paradise is only possible from Friday to Sunday evenings, conditions permitting. The toboggan runs at Paradise will not be open for the 2024-2025 winter season as available staff will focus on plowing roads and parking lots to maintain access to the area. Sledding is not permitted elsewhere in the park. More information about Paradise winter access is available at park website.

Access to winter recreation in the rest of the park remains unchanged. The annual winter season closures of state Routes 410 and 123 will soon go into effect at the northeast, east and southeast park boundaries. The east side of the park is open to visitors all winter, including winter overnight stays with a valid permit.

Information about the status of the gateway to Paradise can be found on the park pages Warnings section of the website. The National Park Inn and General store Longmire remain open daily for equipment rental, food and drinks. The park’s website provides information about winter activities in the park and at nearby areas outside the park. Safety objectives for staff and visitors are outlined in the 2018 document “Longmire-to-Paradise Winter Road Opening Matrix” on the park’s website.