Mount Rainier Fees & Reservations

Man skiing, Mount Rainier National Park

Just look at that . . . wonderful

The best things in life are free, but some of the best things in life will cost you just a little, and why not, it’s what helps to keep them accessible for future generations. So what will a visit to Mount Rainier National Park cost you?

  • Private, non commercial vehicles have to pay $15 entrance fee into Mount Rainier National Park, this will cover you for a 7 day period.
  • Walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists and horseback riders have to pay $5 each, well, if they’re over 16 years of age they do anyway, again for a period of 7 days.
  • If you want to visit Mount Rainier National Park for more than 7 days, then $30 will buy you an annual pass which covers entrance to the park for the pass holder as well as accompanying passengers. You can buy these passes at any of the entrances to Mount Rainier National Park.

More current news and information on the Mount Rainier National Park Facebook page.

Special Events & Passes to Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is also a great potential venue for lots of other activities, but for these you do need to get special permission with a Special Permit issued by the National Park Service staff, once they’re happy that whatever you’ll be getting up to won’t impair the park in any way, or the resources of the park or spoil the park for other visitors. These special activities include;

  • Filming and photography – not just taking a few private snaps, but if you want to do any really serious filming in the National Park.
  • Getting hitched – if you wanna’ get married in Mount Rainier National Park then you’ve got to get permission, plus another half willing to join you in the ceremony.
  • Scattering of ashes – Mount Rainier National Park is a very special place for very many people, but if your loved one dreams of having their ashes scattered close to some favorite viewpoint then you’ve gotta’ get special permission.
  • Military operations – it might look like there’s plenty of room at Mount Rainier National Park for military operations to go on without even being noticed, but that is not the case, and any military operations do need to have special permissions before they are allowed to proceed.
  • First Amendment activities – even for activities to do with the First Amendment, you’ve gotta’ get the relevant permission.
  • Sporting events, mountaineering training events, rallies etc all need special permits before they can go ahead in Mount Rainier National Park.

Fantastic.

 

Climbing Reservations & Fees

If you plan to travel onto the glaciers at Mount Rainier National Park, or climb higher than 10,000 feet then you’ve gotta’ buy a Climbing Pass, which you must show when you register for your climb. You can buy them in advance on the internet or alternatively they can be purchased in person from the White River Wilderness Information Center, Paradise Ranger Station or the Carbon River Ranger Station. The fees for a climbing pass start at $43 per day for an adult of 25 years or older, and $30 per day for any adult who is less than 24 years or age.

NB – these prices are correct right now, today, but I’m not sure when you’ll be reading this, so best check it out in case you don’t read this information for another 5 years and the prices have changed.

Campground Reservations & Fees

Camping at Mount Rainier National Park is on a first come, first served basis, but you can reserve sites at Cougar Rock and at Ohanapecosh, and if you’re planning on camping on either site between late June and early in September then you’re highly recommended to make a reservation. Let’s look at each individual campground for a little more detail;

  • Cougar Rock Campground, Mount Rainier National Park – one of three auto camping sites in Mount Rainier National Park, with 173 individual sites. The individual site fee is between $12 and $15 per night, and the group site fee (there are 5 group sites) is between $40 and $64.  Opening season largely depends on the weather, but it’s generally between late May and early October.
  • Ohanapecosh Campground, Mount Rainier National Park – 188 individual sites costing between $12 and $15 per night. There is one group site available here which will set you back $40 per night. Again, this campsite will be open (unless it’s closed) between late May and early October.
  • White River Campground, Mount Rainier National Park – has 112 individual sites for the bargain price of only $12 per night. It’s usually open between late June and the middle of September, but there are no group camping sites available, so if you’re in a group you’ll have to make a reservation at either Cougar Rock or Ohanapecosh.
  • Ipsut Creek, Mount Rainier National Park – is available for walkers and cyclists only, there is no charge for this back-country camping ground but you will need a Wilderness camping permit (which is free) to be allowed to stay here. Theoretically it’s open all year round, but you know the drill by now, you’d better check out the weather before you leave home.
  • Mowich Lake, Mount Rainier National Park – is open from July to mid-October for walkers and cyclists only. There are 30 walk in sites available.

 

 

 

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