Do I Need a Timed Entry For Mount Rainier

Do I need a timed entry for Mount Rainier for 2025?

Yes! If you plan to visit the Sunrise Corridor between July 11 and September 1. And for weekends from Sept. 2 - seasonal closure (usually October). You do not need a timed entry if you visit the park with an approved tour operator.

No! If you plan to visit the Nisqually Entrance.

We’ve all been waiting on pins and needles for the announcement from Mount Rainier National Park regarding the 2025 season. And the answer is…mixed.

Mount Rainier debuted a pilot program in summer 2024 that required timed entry reservations via recreation.gov. In 2024, those timed entries were required for both the White River/Sunrise Entrance and the Nisqually Entrance to Paradise.

For 2025 they are only implementing the timed entry system for the Sunrise Corridor which includes such popular hikes as Burroughs Mountain and Fremont Fire Lookout. And it will only be in place from July 11 - September 1.

Are there any exceptions to a timed entry if I want to visit the Sunrise Corridor?

Yes! You can enter before 7 am or after 5 pm (July 11 - September 1). Or weekdays after September 1 until the road closes for the season. You can also enter on foot or by bike.

You can also book our Mount Rainier hike and the hike includes your entry to Mount Rainier National Park. Meaning you don’t have to worry about getting a timed entry. As a licensed operator in the park, we are able to enter the Sunrise Corridor with our commercial use permit.

Do I need a Timed Reservation to visit Paradise?

No. But keep in mind that with the closure of the Carbon River entrance (Carbon River/Mowich Lake) this year that more people will be funneled to the Nisqually Entrance. Expect long lines at the gate and avoid traveling to the park on weekends.

When is the Best Time to See Wildflowers on Mount Rainier?

Mount Rainier Wildflowers

You can picture it - the perfect day hiking. The skies above are a rich summer blue and the trail before you stretches off into the distance as a carpet of wildflowers spreads out on either side. Bird calls break the tranquil silence and a gentle breeze dries the sweat on your brow.

But how do you know when to visit Mount Rainier to make your hiking dreams come true? The answer, unfortunately, is…it depends.

Because of Mount Rainier’s high elevation in the Cascade Mountains, the wildflower bloom is directly dependent upon the retreating snows. If there was a large snowpack on the mountain over the winter, then it takes longer to melt, and the wildflowers are a bit delayed in making their appearance. Particularly in those high mountain meadows we all dream of.

If it was a light snowpack with a warm spring then the flowers are quick to get busy. Wildflowers at Mount Rainier have an incredibly short growing season. They must grow, bloom, and seed all in between the time of the snows melting in late June, to the snows returning in late September. Leaving just three months to do their business.

When is the best time to visit Mt. Rainier for best wildflower viewing?

Ideally, the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park for wildflowers is in July and August. Although you will see wildflowers throughout the summer months of late June, July, August and early September depending on the type of flower and on the elevations you visit.

Our hikes take place at 6,400’ and above so what we’ll see as the snow first retreats is the explosion of lupine first (those tall purple flowers), and then quickly followed by the stunning mountain heather in pink, white and yellows. Bear grass also is quick to make an appearance before it’s seed heads and the plant become almost unnoticeable.

The stunning red Indian Paintbrush and Magenta Paintbrush tends to hang around most of the summer, accompanied by purple aster. Phlox and purple rock penstemon blanket the ground. These are the hardy wildflowers that cling to rocks on the windswept high subalpine tundra.

Late in the summer in September pearly everlasting attracts a plethora of butterflies to it’s delicate white flowers.

Lower elevations that hold more moisture from melting snows is where you’ll find the more delicate flowers. Trillium, avalanche lilies and tiger lilies enjoy the moist ground the retreating snows leave behind. Look for avalanche lilies in - you guessed it - avalanche chutes. Comet Falls is at a lower elevation and in June we’ll find loads of avalanche lilies. Their white pedals chasing the dirty, old snow away. Their bloom is short and they usually don’t last into July.

Where is the best location at Mt. Rainier for wildflowers?

Ideally you are looking for meadows and areas where the trees have not choked out all the vegetation. These beautiful flowers need sunlight and pollinators such as flies, butterflies and bees to help them in their journey. Meadows abound at Mount Rainier and those with the easiest access are as follows:

Sunrise: Burroughs Mountain and Sunrise Loop through Shadow Lake. Can also head to Berkley Park from Sunrise for a longer hike.

Paradise: Skyline Trail, Glacier Vista Trail, High Lakes Trail

Mowich Lake: Spray Park (usually accessible in July) UPDATE APRIL 20, 2025. The Mowich Lake and Carbon River Entrance to Mount Rainier are not accessible via vehicle. The bridge to access is permanently closed. Read about it here.

Others worth mentioning: Van Trump Park accessible above Comet Falls.

Now you certainly can see flowers in other locations as well but these are the most accessible and highly concentrated areas of wildflowers for most of us that are just doing day hikes on the mountain.

The Many Moods of Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is moody. There’s just no other way to describe her. And yes, she’s a her. When I look at the mountain I just can’t see her as a he. Perhaps it’s the whole Mother Earth and Father Time thing.

When you go up on her flanks as often as we do, and see her each day standing as a sentinel, you start to develop a certain affinity and affection for her. The locals use her as a weather vane - is she out? Or is she hiding?

Does she have round, alien ship clouds floating above her indicating inclement weather on the way?

She’s tough and gritty, icy. A secure presence anchored in the Cascade range. She’s fickle and feisty, offering sun and warmth before cloaking you in her own blanket of clouds, mist and cold.

She’s a tease. Playing peak-a-boo in the clouds.

She’s hard. Taking lives from those that dare to challenge her. But offering triumph to those that are brave enough to try.

The stars in the heavens are her crown, the snow and ice coat her in diamonds and the foothills adorn her in emerald evergreens.

She’s constant. Always present, even as she hides among the clouds.

And we can’t help but love her. She was here long before us and she’ll be here long after we are gone.

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