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
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
