Latest news with #timedentry
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mount Rainier scaling back reservations for 2025 season in WA
The Brief Mount Rainier National Park will again require timed-entry reservations during peak periods to manage increased visitation. The NPCA supports the system but calls for broader implementation and better staffing. Increased visitation has caused traffic, crowding, and environmental issues. SEATTLE - Officials with Mount Rainier National Park will again limit the number of visitors to certain areas of the Washington park this year. MRNP has introduced a limited timed-entry reservation system for its peak 2025 visitation season, addressing the challenges posed by a significant increase in visitor numbers over the past decade. Timeline The new system requires reservations for visitors entering the Sunrise Corridor from the northeast between July 11 and Sept. 1, as well as on weekends and holidays in September and October. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been advocating for the implementation of such systems at Mount Rainier. The organization hoped park managers would build on their 2024 strategy. The park's previous pilot program in 2024, which included more dates and covered the popular Nisqually and Stevens Canyon entrances, was well-received by local community members, the State of Washington Tourism, outdoor retailers, and park visitors. However, efforts to expand the program were delayed by the Trump administration. What they're saying Rob Smith, NPCA Northwest Regional Director, spoke about the scaled-back reservation plan, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive system that could have been implemented earlier and in more areas of the park. "It's frustrating to settle for a scaled back reservations plan when a more commonsense system prevailed at Mount Rainier last year and could have easily returned earlier and in more areas of the park this year." Dig deeper The introduction of the reservation system comes in response to a nearly 40% increase in visitation to Mount Rainier over the last decade. This surge has resulted in traffic congestion, long lines for services, trash accumulation, trail crowding, and disturbances to wildlife, according to the NPCA. Park advocates have raised concerns about the gradual degradation of the park's high-altitude wildflower meadows due to social trails and roadside parking outside designated areas. The situation is reportedly exacerbated by the closure of the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge, which limits access. Smith highlighted the importance of smarter staffing levels to ensure the success of reservation systems at Mount Rainier and other national parks, noting ongoing challenges posed by staffing cuts and uncertainty. The Source Information for this story came from the National Parks Conservation Association. Viral TikTok warns women of convicted rapist released in Seattle Over 100 Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores to close, including 8 in WA Seattle Seahawks 2025 schedule released, here are all 17 matchups Marymoor Park announces 2025 summer concert series lineup in Redmond, WA Viral TikTok captures truck break-in after Seattle Mariners game, despite police presence Bryan Kohberger back in court for pretrial hearing in Idaho students murder case 'Scared of accountability': Crowd calls out West Seattle leaders at public safety meeting FBI nabs Thurston County, WA fugitive hundreds of miles from crime scene To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Visiting popular Mount Rainier entrance requires a reservation this summer
If you plan to drive to the Sunrise Corridor of Mount Rainier National Park this summer, you will have to jump through some hoops to get there. In an announcement on its Instagram page Thursday afternoon, the park said visitors wanting to access Sunrise during select hours will need to make a reservation online to get in. 'Mount Rainier National Park will pilot the second year of a timed entry reservation system in summer 2025 for most private vehicles accessing the Sunrise Corridor,' the post said. Between July 11 and Sept. 1, reservations are required for those who wish to enter Sunrise between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day. Between Sept. 2 and the end of the season, reservations are required between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. 'The system is intended to reduce wait times for visitors entering the corridor by car, reduce roadway congestion, ease parking issues, and reduce peak foot traffic along narrow trails which is causing resource damage,' the post said. 'The system is designed to disperse visitors more evenly throughout the day and across the park. The pilot will continue to inform management options for a possible longer-term system.' The News Tribune reached out to spokesperson Terry Wildy with Mount Rainier National Park to ask additional questions about the reservation system, but did not get an immediate response Friday. Mount Rainier National Park first implemented timed reservations for Sunrise and Paradise last year. The program is an attempt to address long lines at park entrances and parking challenges that visitors have encountered as the popularity of the park has grown. Reservations won't be required for Paradise this year because of construction, the Instagram post said. 'Timed entry in the park's Paradise Corridor will be paused in 2025 due to major construction projects and closures in the park that would make implementation of a timed entry reservation system challenging from both a public access and operational perspective,' the post said. A reservation at Sunrise is not required if you are entering the park on foot or on bike, the post said, or if you drive to the park before 7 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Exceptions will also be made for those with 'a wilderness, research, commercial, or special use permit.' If you plan to visit Sunrise between July 11 and 31, you can book your reservation starting May 16 at 8 a.m. Reservations for Aug. 1 to Sept. 1 will be available on June 6 at 8 a.m. The park will also release reservations at 7 p.m. every day for the following day, the post said. To make a reservation, residents can go to or call 877-444-6777. There is a $2 fee to make a reservation. 'You will need both a timed entry reservation and a standard park pass or pay an entry fee,' the post said. 'Passes are available at the entrance and at vendors outside the park.'
