NPS/Kevin Bacher Get Your Permit The Park’s permitting process has changed for the 2020 season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instructions for applying for a permit reservation are detailed below.



A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping and climbing in the wilderness of Mount Rainier National Park. Start planning your wilderness trip using the Wilderness Trip Planner. NOTE: The wilderness trip planner has not been updated to reflect changes in response to COVID-19 restrictions.



The traditional advance reservation period started on March 15 and was closed on May 22. Reservation requests opened again in mid-June. Permit requests will not be accepted after October 10, and all permits after that date will be at self-registration stations. How to Apply for a Wilderness Permit Reservation No walk-up permits are available for the 2020 season. BACKPACKING: Permits are by advance reservation only. Due to the large volume of reservation requests, requests must be made at least one week (7 days) in advance of the desired trip start date and no more than one month (31) days in advance of the desired trip start date. Requests submitted outside of this window will not be reviewed. Trips starting after October 10 will be by self registration only. Backpackers can self register at Longmire, Paradise, and White River. CLIMBING: For the remainder of September 2020, climbers can self-register on WEEKDAYS (M, Tu, W, Th) outside the Paradise, Longmire, or White River WICs. Climbers who wish to climb on WEEKENDS (F, Sa, Su), including single-push climbers, must submit a reservation application at least 2 DAYS prior to their trip start date and receive their permit via email . ALL climbers must pay the annual climbing fee. All climbing permits after Sunday 9/27/20 will be by self-registration.

The park is no longer accepting Wonderland Trail applications for the remainder of the 2020 season . The Wonderland has been completely booked on reservation for 2020; there is no walk-up availability. Backpackers who are interested in the Wonderland are encouraged to apply for the 2021 lottery in the winter of 2021. Applicants can still apply for more than one wilderness permit for destinations other than the Wonderland Trail circuit for 2020.

. The Wonderland has been completely booked on reservation for 2020; there is no walk-up availability. Backpackers who are interested in the Wonderland are encouraged to apply for the 2021 lottery in the winter of 2021. Applicants can still apply for more than one wilderness permit for destinations other than the Wonderland Trail circuit for 2020. Download a copy of the Wilderness Trip Planner. Check the Wilderness Alerts page.

Check CAMPSITE AVAILABILITY (last updated 09/20/20). Availability is updated a few times a week. Rangers process reservation applications in the order that they are recieved , and this calendar may not reflect current availability. NOTE: campsite availability is not viewable via smart phone.

Rangers process reservation applications in the order that they are recieved and this calendar may not reflect current availability. NOTE: campsite availability is not viewable via smart phone. Permit requests will only be accepted through the online reservation application form below . The park will not accept requests by standard mail, fax, or other delivery methods.

. The park will not accept requests by standard mail, fax, or other delivery methods. Park rangers will review and approve or deny submitted requests within 2-4 days , and send a confirmation of your itinerary if your reservation was approved. Instructions for fee payment and permit activation will be included with your reservation confirmation email. If you recieve a rejection notice, it is most likely because the sites on your requested itinerary were already full for the dates you requested.

submitted requests within , and Instructions for fee payment and permit activation will be included with your reservation confirmation email. If you recieve a rejection notice, it is most likely because the sites on your requested itinerary were already full for the dates you requested. Confirmed reservations cost $20 per trip (up to 14 consecutive nights). After a reservation is confirmed, applicants must pay the non-refundable application fee and obtain a confirmation code no more than 48 hours after their reservation is confirmed, or the reservation will be canceled. Payments are made online through a secure government portal at Pay.gov. Process for paying the application fee: Submit your reservation fee once you receive a confirmation letter. The confirmation letter will have a payment link within your reservation confirmation letter. All payments are non-refundable. Each Pay.gov Tracking ID can be used only once. Your trip will be denied if a duplicate ID has been used.

After paying the reservation fee, no additional wilderness permit fee is due, other than the climbing cost recovery fee, if applicable.

The permit is not effective until it is activated. See below for next steps once you have paid for your reservation. Wilderness Reservation A Wilderness Permit is required for all backcountry camping and climbing at Mount Rainier National Park. After reading the instructions above, submit a reservation request form. Go to Reservation Request Form The historic Longmire Administration Building, home to the Longmire Wilderness Information Center. NPS Photo Activating your Permit Once your permit request is successfully processed you will be contacted by a ranger up to one week before the start of you trip in order to activate and issue your permit. The ranger will confirm: An emergency contact phone number for a friend or family member not on your trip

The color, make, model, and license plate number of any vehicle being left overnight in the park

Current safety, food storage, and route information You will then receive an email with a printable copy of your permit and a list of permit conditions. Print the permit at home and carry it with you on your trip . Rangers in the field may request to verify your permit during your trip. First-come, First-served "Walk Up" Permits are not currently available Some park facilities are currently closed because of public health concerns. The park will engage in a phased reopening. The possibility remains that the burden of disease could increase or more restrictive guidelines could be implemented. For 2020 only, in order to make the permitting process more predictable and accessible, all wilderness camping and climbing permits will be obtained in advance. “Walk-up” permits will not be issued at the Wilderness Information Centers, Visitor Centers, or Ranger Stations, until it is safe and reasonable to do so. NPS/Daniel Keebler Find a Ranger Station Ranger Stations are currently closed, and will reopen when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Ranger Stations where you can normally acquire permits and information are: The Longmire Wilderness Information Center at Longmire.

at Longmire. The Paradise Wilderness Information Center (formerly the Climbing Information Center) at Paradise. Note: The Jackson Visitor Center will not process wilderness permits.

(formerly the Climbing Information Center) at Paradise. Note: The Jackson Visitor Center will not process wilderness permits. The White River Wilderness Information Center at the White River Entrance.

at the White River Entrance. The Carbon River Ranger Station located 2.5 miles before the Carbon River Entrance. Note: There is no Ranger Station at Mowich Lake or Ipsut Creek. The closest Ranger Station is the Carbon River Ranger Station. In the winter, permits are available at the Longmire Museum every day and the Jackson Visitor Center on weekends. Self-registration is available at the Carbon River Ranger Station, Ohanapecosh Ranger Station, and at the Highway 410 entrance arch at the park's north boundary. Learn more about winter recreation. Most Ranger Stations are open seasonally, so make sure to check their hours of operation.



For any further questions, please call 360-569-6650.