Visiting Mount Rainier this winter? Here’s how to plan a safe trip to the park
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mount Rainier access limited to Nisqually entrance; Carbon River remains closed.
- Park enforces tire chain rules Nov. 1 to May 1; check traction status before travel.
- Rangers may meter Paradise parking; bring fuel, food and the Winter 10 Essentials.
The new year will bring snow, ice and frost – and anyone thinking of visiting Mount Rainier needs to be prepared.
Mount Rainier National Park is in the thick of winter season, which means road closures, chain requirements and more. Here are some basics to help visitors plan their trips to the park this time of year.
To learn more about skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ranger-guided walks and more, visit the “Winter Recreation” page at nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.
What is open at Mount Rainier this time of the year?
According to the park’s Winter Travel page, guests can only reach the Longmire and Paradise areas through the Nisqually entrance at the southwest corner of the park. The Carbon River entrance is usually open during this time of year, but is closed indefinitely due to the April closure of the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge.
The following seasonal closures are in place:
- Westside Road
- Paradise Valley Road
- Stevens Canyon Road
- White River Road
- Sunrise Road
- State Route 410/Chinkook Pass, between Crystal Mountain Boulevard and Morse Creek
- State Route 123/Cayuse Pass at the park boundary
- Westside Road, Paradise Valley Road, Stevens Canyon Road, White River Road, Sunrise Road, State Routes 410/Chinook Pass (between Crystal Mountain Boulevard and Morse Creek) and 123/Cayuse Pass (at the park boundary)
The Longmire gate typically opens at 9 a.m. each day, with the uphill road closing at 4 p.m. and the downhill road closing at 5 p.m.
“The Paradise Road is assessed daily for public safety following the Longmire-to-Paradise Winter Road Opening Decision Matrix to determine if the gate at Longmire can be opened for the day,” the webpage says. “The gate can open late, close early, or remain closed for the day due to factors like weather, avalanche conditions, and road conditions.”
Guests can check alerts at nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/conditions to see the status of Paradise Road.
“It is recommended to leave Paradise by 4:30 p.m. in order to safely drive down the hill and exit the gate at Longmire before it locks for the night,” the page says. “While you’re waiting for the road to open in Longmire, please park in the parking lot, not in a traffic lane.”
Driving safely
All vehicles in the park are required to carry tire chains between Nov. 1 and May 1. Guests should follow posted traction requirements:
- Approved Traction Tires Advised: This means the road has snow and ice on the surface, and vehicles should have “approved all-season tires, snow tires, or chains on the drive wheels.” Approved tires have “M-S,” “M/S,” “*-*” or “All Season” on the sidewalls.
- Chains required Except 4WD: This means the road “is snow-packed or icy and drivers can expect some difficulty.” Vehicles must have tire chains on the drive wheels, unless you’re driving an AWD and 4WD vehicle. AWD and 4WD vehicles can drive without chains if there are snow tires on all four wheels and the vehicle is in four wheel drive with a set of chains in the vehicle.
- Chains required for all vehicles: All vehicles, including AWD and 4WD, must have chains.
Guests can check road conditions at nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/road-status and webcams at www.nps.gov/mora/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.
If parking lots fill up in the Paradise area, rangers might implement a practice called “metering,” which means allowing one vehicle up the road to Paradise for every vehicle that comes down.
“The goals of metering are to ensure that all visitors to Paradise have a place to park, to reduce vehicle congestion, and to provide a safe visitor experience,” the website says.
Guests should travel with a full tank of gas and pack extra food and fuel, as well as the “Winter 10 Essentials”:
- A shovel
- A full-length, insulated sleeping pad
- Stove and fuel
- Heat packs
- Goggles and a wool/pile Hat
- Gloves
- Avalanche transceiver
- Avalanche probe
- Map, compass and GPS with extra batteries
- “Ability to assess mountain weather and avalanche hazards”
When driving, be extra aware of poor visibility and drive slow, the webpage says. Keep your headlights on, allow extra distance between vehicles and use low gears – especially when driving downhill.
Other tips include:
- Brake sparingly to avoid skidding.
- Stay well back when traveling near snow plows.
- Drive in the appropriate lane and avoid the center line.
- Don’t set your emergency brake when parking, as it might freeze.
“Stop in a chain-up area, pullout, or parking lot to install, adjust, or remove tire chains,” the website says. “Shady areas and bridge surfaces can be treacherously icy even when other sections of roadway are not.”
You can find more tips for winter safety at www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-safety.
This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
