Mount Rainier National Park closed to the public to help slow spread of coronavirus
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Mount Rainier is the latest national park to close in hopes of slowing the spread of novel coronavirus.
The public will no longer be able to enter the park on foot or in a vehicle.
The Nisqually entrance near Ashford - the only one open in winter months - will be shut, and officials are asking people not to park in front of the gate.
Although visitors cannot access the park through the main entrance, they are still allowed to snowshoe and cross-country ski in accessible backcountry areas like off state Route 410 near Enumclaw or off SR 123 near Packwood.
“Mount Rainier National Park’s vast backcountry will remain accessible to the public for dispersed recreation in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance,” according to a news release.
Officials stressed that pets are still prohibited within park boundaries and ask that visitors maintain social distance and practice Leave No Trace principals.
Even though the park will be closed to the public, officials said they will “maintain critical systems and infrastructure.”
Restrooms are off limits and trash will not be collected.
Updates on the temporary closure will be posted on the park’s Twitter account, @MountRainierNPS.
Those looking for information on how to acquire backcountry and climbing permits can check www.nps.gov/mora.
Mount Rainier joins a growing list of national parks to close since the outbreak of COVID-19, including Yosemite National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
For those missing the outdoors, you can get your mountain fix by exploring the park with a virtual tour or checking the webcams.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Mount Rainier National Park closed to the public to help slow spread of coronavirus."
