Mount Rainier National Park
Lodging & Dining
Due to a two-summer, planned rehabilitation, the Paradise Inn will be closed, but the National Park Inn is open year-round. Because of limited space, book as far in advance as possible, especially in summer. Package plans are available from mid-May to mid-June. The National Park Inn at Longmire offers winter packages from November through April. Only guests with reservations (Fri.—Sun.) are able to access Longmire until road repairs are completed. Guests with reservations meet a shuttle van in Ashford to be conveyed to and from the Inn via the park's service road. Contact Mt. Rainier Guest Services, Inc., P.O. Box 108, Ashford, WA 98304; call (360) 569-2275, www.guestservices.com/rainier. The reservations office is open daily from May 1 to October 1, and Monday through Friday from October to April. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Major credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted at both lodges.)
Paradise Inn
Built in 1917 and currently undergoing extensive renovations, this massive wooden lodge is on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the park's National Historic Landmark District. The Inn is expected to reopen in the summer of 2008.
National Park Inn
Nestled in the forest at Longmire, the Inn was completely renovated in 1990 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Accommodations include 25 rooms, two of which are accessible to visitors with disabilities and 17 of which have private baths. The Inn's general store is located in a vintage 1911 log cabin nearby. The north porch offers a stunning view of Mount Rainier at sunset.
It is open year-round and features a dining room, a general store and winter cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals. Overnight guests are served afternoon tea in the cozy guest lounge featuring an oversized stone fireplace. There are pay phones in the lobby, but no phones or TVs in the guest-rooms. This is a nonsmoking facility. Call (360) 569-2275 or visit www.guestservices.com/rainier. -
Dining: A charming, family-style dining room complements the outstanding menu and service. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Dress is casual and no reservations are required. (Major credit cards accepted.)
OTHER SERVICES
Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center
The center's fast food snack bar offers hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches and drinks. It is open daily from May through September and is open weekends and holidays from October through April. This is a nonsmoking facility. (Major credit cards are accepted.) -
Sunrise Day Lodge
The lodge's cafeteria serves hamburgers, hot dogs, chili and snacks. It is open from early July to early September. This is a nonsmoking facility (cash only). -
Lodging is also available in surrounding communities. Please contact the Mount Rainier Visitors Association at (877) 617-9950 (toll-free); the Enumclaw Area Chamber of Commerce at (360) 825-7666; or the Seattle Visitors Bureau at (206) 461-5840 for more information.
Mt. Rainier In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
