The coronavirus curtain has been lifted at Mount Rainier National Park, in time for visitors to enjoy its best weather months of the year.
In June, Nisqually to Paradise Road in the park’s southwest corner reopened, granting public access to the popular Longmire and Paradise recreation areas. Access to hiking and picnicking also increased for the park’s east side near the White River and Ohanapecosh campgrounds.
Certain activities and the use of some facilities remained limited, however. Park officials said overnight use of campgrounds will reopen in stages, with some sites available at the Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh campgrounds. Restrictions on restrooms and trailheads also were in place, and visitor centers and in-park lodging would remain closed until it is safe to reopen them. Climbing and other recreation at higher elevations of the mountain (above 10,500 feet) were scheduled to reopen on June 19 and expand during the summer based as coronavirus risks and park staffing allowed.
Updates about the park, what’s open, and guidelines for visitors are available at nps.gov/mora, 360-569-6575, and on Facebook and other social media sites.
The National Park Service is following guidance from the national Centers for Disease Control and state and local public health authorities when making decisions on public access and activities.
Mount Rainier’s backcountry became accessible in June for non-group hiking and winter recreation. Self-registration for wilderness permits is required at park entrances.
Park roads that were open in June included Nisqually to Paradise, Westside, State Route 123 to Cayuse Pass, StateRoute 410 to Chinook Pass, White River, and Stevens Canyon. (Stevens Canyon was open from the west to the Bench and Snow Lakes Trail, with access to Reflection Lakes; Grove of the Patriarchs Trail is accessible from the east).