You May Need a Reservation for Mount Rainier This Summer. Here's How.

After seeking public input, Mount Rainier National Park will enact a reservation system for the first time this summer. Ticketing to the Washington destination was triggered by an ever-growing number of visitors.

In the past decade, visitation has increased by nearly 50%, from roughly 1.1 million entrants in 2013 to around 1.6 million in 2022. The National Park Service (NPS) notes that crowding mostly occurs in select areas, and 70% of visits happen between July and September.

“In recent years, it’s been too common for visitors to sit in idling cars for a couple of hours at the entrance stations and then make laps through the parking lots hoping for an empty parking space,” said Superintendent Greg Dudgeon in a recent NPS press release.

Dudgeon continued, “We are testing a system that will spread visitation out throughout the day and season to reduce crowding.”

Travel Lemming editor, Chelsea Booker during her hike in Mount Rainier — *Travel Lemming editor Chelsea hiking in Mount Rainier*

Clear blue sky over the Myrtle Falls — *Myrtle Falls* *in the park’s Paradise Corridor*

A reservation will be needed between 7 am and 3 pm at the following locations:

The Paradise Corridor via the Nisqually Entrance or Stevens Canyon Entrance (applies from May 24 – September 2)
The Sunrise Corridor via the White River Entrance (applies July 3 – September 2)

The two corridors will require separate reservations which can be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or via Recreation.gov. The online booking pages are currently inactive, but…

Mark these key dates on your calendar:

On February 21, get Paradise Corridor reservations for May 24 – July 31
On April 1, get Sunrise Corridor reservations for July 3 – July 31
On May 1, get reservations to either area for August 1 – September 2

Scenic view at the Christine Falls Bridge — *The Christine Falls Bridge in Mount Rainier National Park*

Tickets grant entry during a set two-hour period; there is no required exit time. In my opinion, it’s best to book as soon as possible. But last-minute planners might get lucky, as a portion of reservations will be released daily at 7 pm. They’ll grant access on the following day.

Reservations to Mount Rainier National Park are $2 each. Note that you must also purchase a standard entrance pass, which costs $30 per private vehicle.

You also might want to consider buying an America the Beautiful Pass for $80. It grants access to all US national parks for an entire year!

Clear blue sky over the Skyline Trail — *Views from Skyline Trail, a 5.5-mile hike in the Paradise area*

Only a few groups are exempt from reservation requirements. You do not need a timed entry ticket if you booked lodging or camping in one of the corridors. However, overnight guests cannot enter until 1 pm on the first day of their reservation.

Those with wilderness, special use, or research permits do not need reservations, either. The same applies to those with commercial use authorization.

Though the general visitor is affected by the new system, Mount Rainier isn’t the first national park to limit crowds. Eight other national parks require reservations as the popularity of outdoor recreation only continues to grow.

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