+---------------------------+--------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service     | Mount Rainier      |   | 55210 238^th^     |
|                           | National Park      |   | Ave. E            |
| U.S. Department of the    |                    |   |                   |
| Interior                  |                    |   | Ashford, WA 98304 |
|                           |                    |   |                   |
|                           |                    |   | 360-569-2211      |
|                           |                    |   | phone             |
|                           |                    |   |                   |
|                           |                    |   | 360-569-2170 fax  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Mount Rainier National Park** News Release

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

November 16, 2007

For Immediate Release

Alison Bullock, 360-569-2211, ext. 2336

Lee Taylor, 360-569-2211 ext. 3312

**Winter Schedules Take Effect at Mount Rainier National Park**

Winter is setting in on Mount Rainier with the first significant winter
storm hitting the park earlier this week. Snow accumulations are growing
on the mountain as the park transitions to a winter operations schedule.

**PARK ACCESS**

Park visitors are advised to use the Nisqually Entrance during the
winter season. The Nisqually Entrance to Longmire is open year round.
The Park maintains access to Paradise throughout the winter from
Longmire. The road above Longmire closes nightly to motor vehicles
through the winter and reopens around 9am each morning pending snow
removal. Uphill access generally closes around 4:30 pm with motorized
access in both directions closing at approximately 6:00 pm.

[]{.mark}

**[Roads scheduled to close on December 1 or first heavy
snowfall:]{.underline}**

-   Highway 123 (South Park boundary to Cayuse Pass)

-   Highway 410 and Chinook Pass

-   Westside Road may close to vehicles at any time due to snow
    conditions. This road is generally closed to vehicles during the
    winter months.

[]{.mark}

**[Park Roads Closed for the Winter:]{.underline}**

-   Carbon River Road

-   Mowich Lake Road

-   Stevens Canyon Road

-   Sunrise Road

-   White River Road

[]{.mark}

**[Parking]{.underline}**

On weekdays (Monday through Friday) no parking is available in the upper
Paradise lot due to construction activities at the Paradise Inn and new
Visitor Center.

On weekends and holidays, parking will be provided in both the Jackson
Visitor Center parking lot and the upper Paradise Inn parking area. Due
to construction activities at the Paradise Inn and new Visitor Center,
parking in this area will be limited. Weekends are Saturday and Sundays
only and Holidays include Thanksgiving season from November 22-25,
Christmas to New Years season from December 22-January 2, Martin Luther
King Birthday from January 18-21, Presidents Day weekend from February
15-18, and Spring Break from March 31-April 4.

**[Winter Snow Play to Begin Soon]{.underline}**

Many park visitors are anticipating the return of snow play and winter
activities at Mount Rainier.

Reservations are now being accepted for organized group snowshoe walks
to be led at 10:30 a.m. daily December 22-January 1 and every Saturday
and Sunday thereafter until early April. Groups are limited to 25
people. To make a reservation, call (360) 569-2211, extension 3314.

[**Winter Camping**]{.underline}

Winter camping also returns this year at Paradise. Camping areas will be
limited due to construction at the Paradise Inn. Camping will be allowed
once snow levels reach 5 feet at Paradise. Permits are required and
overnight parking for winter camping is substantially limited due to
construction activities at the Paradise.

[]{.mark}

**[Jackson Visitor Center]{.underline}**

The Jackson Memorial Visitor Center is open to visitors only on weekends
and holidays during the winter. The Jackson Memorial Visitor Center will
be open daily 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. during the holidays November 22-25,
December 22-January 2 and weekends throughout the remainder of the
winter. Gift shop and grill hours are from 11 a.m. to 4:45.

**[Longmire Museum Hours]{.underline}**

Open daily from 9am to 4pm.

**[Lodging]{.underline}**

The National Park Inn at Longmire is open year round. For reservations,
contact the National Park Inn at 360-569-2275. Hotels and inns outside
the park also offer accommodations throughout the winter.

**[Winter Driving Conditions]{.underline}**

With winter storms now dropping snow on Washington's mountains, visitors
to Mount Rainier must be prepared for winter driving conditions. The
gate at Longmire opens each morning as soon as road conditions permit
and closes each evening at 6 p.m. Uphill access from Longmire will be
gated at 4:30 pm each day. "Be prepared. Carry chains and know how to
install them," said Superintendent Uberuaga.

For additional information about the park, and to check current road and
weather conditions call (360) 569-2211, then press 1, or visit the park
web site at [www.nps.gov/mora](http://www.nps.gov/mora). Visitors can
also tune in to 1610AM radio in Elbe for current information as they
approach the park.

-NPS-