THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Mount Rainier National Park, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, will begin construction activities for the Fryingpan Creek Bridge Replacement Project on Sept. 28. The multiyear project will replace the existing bridge, improve visitor access and address long-term infrastructure needs in the area.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration’s Western Federal Lands Highway Division, is inviting the public to learn about plans to replace the historic Grove of the Patriarchs suspension bridge and restore trail access to the ancient old-growth forest loop.
Official NPS sourceEmergency personnel from the U.S. Forest Service & U.S. Wildland Fire Service, are responding to an active wildfire in Mount Rainier National Park designated as the Grand Park 2 Fire.
Official NPS sourceSuperintendent Greg Dudgeon announced today the park will accept Commercial Use Authorization applications through the National Park Service’s online portal starting September 1, 2026 for Bicycle Tours, Camping – Backcountry (formerly Summer Backpacking), Camping – Frontcountry (formerly Drive-in Camping), Guided Motorized Tour – 15 passengers or less, Hiking – Backcountry (formerly Summer Day Hiking), Road-based Commercial Tour, and Transport (non-tour) activities.
Official NPS sourceBeginning Friday, June 26, 2026, until lifted, Mount Rainier National Park will implement a parkwide fire ban. All campfires and the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills will be prohibited. This ban is in place to reduce the risk of human-caused wildland fire.
Official NPS sourceState Route 410/Chinook Pass and SR 123/Cayuse Pass through Mount Rainier National Park will reopen for the season by 8 a.m. Friday, May 22, in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Washington State Department of Transportation are seeking public input on a proposed project to reduce flooding and erosion risks to a section of State Route 410 adjacent to the White River in Mount Rainier National Park.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park will not implement a timed entry reservation for any portion of the park in 2026. The park will use parking management strategies to maximize available capacity and remains committed to ensuring visitor access while protecting park resources and maintaining safe, enjoyable experiences.
Official NPS sourceSearch and rescue operations at Mount Rainier National Park concluded with the recovery of two climbers from the Wilson Glacier area at approximately 9,600 feet in elevation.
Official NPS sourceAll water sources at Paradise are shut down at Paradise and Narada Falls including restrooms, water fountains, sinks, etc., after a heavy rain event affected the water system, resulting in a total loss of water.
Official NPS sourceA portion of State Route (SR) 123 located within Mount Rainier National Park will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles from 6:00 am Tuesday, September 2 through 6:30 pm Tuesday, September 30.
Official NPS sourceSuperintendent Greg Dudgeon announced today the park will accept Commercial Use Authorization applications through the National Park Service’s new online portal starting September 1, 2025 and Special Use Permits in lieu of Commercial Use Authorizations applications starting October 1, 2025 for Photography Instruction and Guided Mountaineering (formally Single Trip Guided Climb) activities.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park will implement a parkwide fire ban beginning Tuesday, June 10. All campfires and the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills will be prohibited. This ban is in place to reduce the risk of human-caused wildland fire.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) is starting a 30-day civic engagement period to share information and gather public input on a proposed project to rehabilitate a wastewater collection system and treatment plant located in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park.
Official NPS source
Park rangers at Mount Rainier National Park are encouraging visitors to review current weather forecasts and guidance for having a safe and enjoyable visit to the park. Several incidents in March demonstrate the potential hazards of high-elevation activities and the complexity of search and rescue operations in the park. Rescue is not guaranteed.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are seeking public input on a proposed project that would reduce the risk of flooding and erosion to a segment of State Route 410 (SR 410) adjacent to the White River in Mount Rainier National Park.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park has changed its wilderness permit fee structure from a flat $20 per trip to $10 per person per night. A $6 fee for trips reserved through Recreation.gov remains unchanged.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park is seeking properties to lease for use by park employees for the spring, summer, and fall seasons (March to November) 2025.
Official NPS sourceTwo major Mount Rainier National Park construction projects starting in 2025 will replace decades-old crumbling infrastructure in the park’s popular Ohanapecosh Campground and improve travel through the park on State Route 123.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park announced updates today to the winter 2024-25 recreation access schedule. Beginning Tuesday, November 12, the park will open vehicle access to the Paradise area four days per week, Fridays through Mondays.
Official NPS sourceThe White River Road to the White River Campground area will close for the winter at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024. Deployment of Mount Rainier National Park staff to the Hurricane Helene recovery effort necessitates the change to the new closure date from the prior estimated closure date of October 20, 2024. The Mowich Lake Road will close at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park has lifted the parkwide fire ban after consultation with federal fire management officials. Campfires are permitted at the park’s three campgrounds, including the Ohanapecosh Campground, the Cougar Rock Campground, and the White River Campground.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park is asking the public for feedback on the timed entry reservation pilot program for visits to the Paradise and Sunrise Corridors that was unveiled this summer and will last through Labor Day 2024.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park reminds park visitors considering coming to the park to view the Perseid meteor shower to plan ahead, be prepared to pack out trash, and to stay on park trails and avoid trampling fragile high elevation subalpine meadows.
Official NPS sourceDue to updated information on regional fire risks, Mount Rainier National Park will implement a parkwide fire ban starting Saturday, August 10, 2024. The press release dated August 7, 2024, instituting a fire ban only at the White River Campground starting Friday, August 9 has been rescinded.
Official NPS sourceBeginning Friday, August 9, 2024, until rescinded, Mount Rainier National Park will implement a fire ban for the White River Campground. All campfires and the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills will be prohibited.
Official NPS sourceSuperintendent Greg Dudgeon announced that the park will accept Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) applications starting September 1, 2024, and Special Use Permits in lieu of Commercial Use Authorizations (SUPilCUA) applications starting October 1, 2024.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier has inspired people for centuries, with artists of all backgrounds seeking to capture the mountain’s awe-inspiring landscape. Ada Limón, the country’s 24th Poet Laureate, will celebrate that legacy at a special event at Paradise, in Mount Rainier National Park, on Friday, June 21 at 5 p.m.
Official NPS sourceA team of park rangers recovered the body of a deceased female skier from the base of Pebble Creek’s Moraine Falls above Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park on June 8.
Official NPS sourceAs a part of the activities honoring the 125th anniversary of the park’s establishment, Mount Rainier National Park is teaming up with composer Stephen Lias to capture some of the park’s history, scenic beauty, and recreational wonders in a forthcoming musical work for symphony orchestra. Mr. Lias will share his unique process of translating his experiences in national parks into music in a multimedia presentation at the Paradise Inn in Mount Rainier National Park at 7 pm Wednesday, June 5.
Official NPS source
One of Mount Rainier National Park’s most scenic roads has reopened after an extensive $43-million, two-year rehabilitation project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund. The project repaired and restored nine miles of the iconic Stevens Canyon Road, which travels through the heart of the park and offers visitors breathtaking views of the rugged alpine landscape.
Official NPS sourceMount Rainier National Park timed entry reservations for visits to the popular Paradise Corridor start Friday, May 24, 2024, and run through Monday, September 2, 2024.
Official NPS source