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By Car
Always check the road status page before planning a trip to the park. Unexpected road closures may occur at any time due to the dynamic nature of Mount Rainier.
Southwest - Year round access to the park is via SR 706 to the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park. The road from the entrance to Longmire remains open throughout winter except during extreme weather. The road from Longmire to Paradise closes nightly from November 1 through winter. It reopens the following morning pending snow removal. Even though roads will be open, some facilities may not be available.
Northwest - Carbon River in the northwest is also open year round via SR 165 through Wilkeson, but vehicle access is permitted only to the ranger station. Beyond this point the Carbon River Road is open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Another access point in the northwest is Mowich Lake. Due to heavy snowfall it is only open in the summer and closes mid-October or with the first snowfall.
Southeast - Spring through fall road closures depend on snowfall and its removal from the roadways. Ohanapecosh on SR 123 is generally open via Hwy 12 from Yakima or Packwood from late May to early November. Access to other areas of the park from Ohanapecosh may be closed during the early and later seasons so please check road status while making your plans.
Northeast - Sunrise, White River and southbound SR 123 are accessed via SR 410 from Enumclaw. The road to Sunrise is usually open by July 1st through early September, as is the visitor center and other facilities. The road to Sunrise closes at the junction with White River Campground every night beginning in late September. It reopens each morning as conditions permit. The entire road from the junction with SR 410 to Sunrise and White River is closed for winter on October 14 or earlier with the first heavy snowfall.
To reach the Southwest Corner of the park (Nisqually, Longmire and Paradise) from Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima, or Portland:
From Seattle
South on I-5 to SR 512 (exit 127). East on SR 512 to SR 7. South on SR 7 to SR 706 in Elbe. East on SR 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance.
From Tacoma
East on SR 512 to SR 7. South on SR 7 to SR 706 in Elbe. East on SR 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance.
From Yakima
In Summer: West on US 12 to SR 123. North on SR 123 to the Stevens Canyon Entrance. Follow Stevens Canyon Road west to Paradise and Longmire.
In winter: West on US 12 to SR 7 in Morton. North on SR 7 to Elbe. East on SR 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance and Longmire/Paradise.
From Portland
North on I-5 to US 12 (exit 68). East on US 12 to SR 7 in Morton. North on SR 7 to SR 706 in Elbe. East on SR 706 to the Nisqually Entrance.
To reach the East Side of the park (Ohanapecosh, Sunrise and White River) from Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima, or Portland:
In the summer, travelers coming from east of the Cascades can enter the park using Chinook Pass (SR 410) and Cayuse Pass (SRs 123 & 410) or via I-90 and US 12. In winter, however, SR 123 and SR 410 are closed. For winter access to the east side of the park, visitors must use I-90 and US 12.
From Seattle
To White River/Sunrise: South on I-5 to I 405 (exit 156). East on I 405 to SR 167. South on SR 167 to SR 410. East on SR 410 to the White River Entrance.
To Ohanapecosh: During the summer of 2007, continue south from White River on 410 east to US 12. Turn right on US 12 and travel west to SR 123. Turn right on SR 123 and travel north. Follow signs into park and Ohanapecosh. This route is open summer only.
From Tacoma
To White River/Sunrise: East on SR 512 to SR 167. North on SR 167 to SR 410. East on SR 410 to the White River Entrance and Sunrise.
To Ohanapecosh: South on IS 5 to US 12 (exit 68). East on US 12 through Morton, Randle, and Packwood to SR 123 north. Follow SR 123 north into Mount Rainier National Park and the Ohanapecosh area.
From Yakima
To White River/Sunrise: West on US 12 to SR 410. West on SR 410 over Chinook and Cayuse Passes to the White River Entrance.
To Ohanapecosh: West on US 12 to SR 123. Turn right on SR 123 and travel north into Mount Rainier National Park. Follow the signs to Ohanapecosh.
From Portland
To White River/Sunrise: North on I-5 to SR 167 (exit 135) in Tacoma. Travel east on 167 to SR 410. Travel east on SR 410 to Mount Rainier National Park and White River/Sunrise area.
To Ohanapecosh: North on I-5 to US 12 (exit 68). East on US 12 to SR 123. North on SR 123 to Mount Rainier National Park and the Ohanapecosh area.
By Plane
Three airports, served by major airlines are located near Mount Rainier:
is located in Seattle, Washington. The one-way distance from the Seattle to the town of Ashford, located just outside the Nisqually entrance in the southwest corner of the park, is 85 miles.
is located in Yakima, Washington. The one-way distance from the Yakima to town of Ashford, located just outside the Nisqually entrance in the southwest corner of the park, is 115 miles.
Portland International Airport is located in Portland, Oregon. The one-way distance from the Portland to town of Ashford, located just outside the Nisqually entrance in the southwest corner of the park, is 168 miles.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to or in Mount Rainier National Park.
From May 1 to September 30, Gray Line Tours offers daily trips from Seattle to Mount Rainier National Park. For more information, call Gray Line Tours at (800)426-7532 or visit the .
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