Mount Rainier National Park

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Mount Rainier National Park

The Official Mount Rainier National Park page. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here.

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09/01/2026

On today's episode of Law & Order: Meadow Victims Unit, we remember the wildflowers whose lives were cut tragically short.

Case: Dead Bouquets.
Cause of death: Picked and discarded.
Suspect: Human interference.

They had plans. They had pollinators to feed. Seeds to spread. Many more summers to bloom. Instead, they became bouquets. Souvenirs that wilted almost as soon as they were picked. This outcome was entirely preventable.

Please do not pick wildflowers. Leave them where they bloom so that the meadows continue to thrive.

NPS Video / Filo Merid. For an audio described version, visit: youtube.com/shorts/JewpKfwCQgs

08/31/2026

POV: You came for that iconic bear photo but became a pro at marmot sploot photography!

No worries, it happens to the best of us. Maybe we idolize the marmot lifestyle--splooting (stretching out on their bellies) on rocks for hours in the sun, screaming for full dramatic effect whenever they are alarmed, and eating all summer and fall to get through a winter’s hibernation. Now, that’s the life!!!

Whether you took wildlife photos, wandered through old-growth forest, or hiked the Wonderland Trail, we want to hear what you’ve been up to! Drop your latest Mount Rainier adventures in the comments below!

Finally, photographers, protect wildlife by using a telephoto lens, ditching the flash, keeping a safe distance, and never altering animal behavior or habitats. For good measure, avoid crushing delicate life underfoot or under a tripod.

NPS photo

08/31/2026

August 31, 2026, update on the wildfires burning in and adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park.

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀:
North side closures due to Grand Park 2 & Wonderland Complex Fires:
- Sunrise Road
- White River Road
- All trails originating from the Sunrise and White River Roads, and all trails in the Grand Park area.
- Northern Loop Trail & associated backcountry camps
- Wonderland Trail from Carbon River Suspension Bridge to White River Campground & associated backcountry camps.

South side closures due to Plummer Peak Fire:
- Butter Creek Research Natural Area is CLOSED south of Pinnacle Peak Trail to the southern park boundary.
- Pinnacle Peak Trail is open as of 8/31/26.
- Stevens Canyon Road remains open.

𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀
The Wonderland Complex initially included five fires on the northeast side of the park within the West Fork of the White River drainage: Sluiskin, West Fork, White River, Garda Falls, and Pigeon Fires. As of 8/26/26, the White River and Sluiskin fires were absorbed into the West Fork fire.
- Combined Size: 378 acres (West Fork: 299 acres, Pigeon: 8 acres, Garda Falls: 69 acres)
- Containment: 0%
- Date of Origin: 8/24/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲
The Grand Park 2 Fire is approximately three miles north of the Sunrise Visitor Center in the Grand Park area of Mount Rainier National Park.
- Size: 168 acres
- Containment: 88%
- Date of Origin: 8/7/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲
The Backbone Fire is burning just south of the southeast park border in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- Size: 17 acres
- Containment: 89%
- Date of Origin: 8/5/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲
The Plummer Peak Fire is burning near Pinnacle Peak Trail on the southern border of the park.
- Size: 0.5 acres
- Containment: 100%
- Date of Origin: 8/23/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

For more information about fires in the park: https://go.nps.gov/MountRainierFire

08/30/2026

You never know who's watching from the shadows of the forest!

This photo was captured just before this bull elk moved deeper into the trees. Although elks' bodies are a lighter tan, their dark legs and necks provide natural camouflage by mimicking the vertical shadows of the forest. This contrast breaks up their silhouette against the forest floor, making them much harder to spot. Combined with their tendency to freeze when they sense danger, their coloring helps them blend into their surroundings.

Have you seen wildlife that seemed to disappear into the scenery? Share your encounter below!

NPS photo

08/28/2026

August 28, 2026, update on the wildfires burning in and adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park.

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
North side closures due to Grand Park 2 & Wonderland Complex Fires:
• Sunrise Road
• White River Road
• All trails originating from the Sunrise and White River Roads, and all trails in the Grand Park area.
• Northern Loop Trail & associated backcountry camps
• Wonderland Trail from Carbon River Suspension Bridge to White River Campground & associated backcountry camps.

South side closures due to Plummer Peak Fire:
• Pinnacle Peak Trail and the surrounding area, including the ridge from Lane Peak to Foss Peak across the ridge and from Stevens Canyon Road to the southern park boundary.
• Stevens Canyon Road is NOT closed.

𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀
The Wonderland Complex initially included five fires on the northeast side of the park within the West Fork of the White River drainage: Sluiskin, West Fork, White River, Garda Falls, and Pigeon Fires. As of 8/26/26, the White River and Sluiskin fires were absorbed into the West Fork fire.
— Combined Size: 314 acres (West Fork: 350 acres, Pigeon: 2 acres, Garda Falls: 2 acres)
— Containment: 0%
— Date of Origin: 8/24/26
— Cause of Origin: Lightning

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲
The Grand Park 2 Fire is approximately three miles north of the Sunrise Visitor Center in the Grand Park area of Mount Rainier National Park.
— Size: 168 acres
— Containment: 82%
— Date of Origin: 8/7/26
— Cause of Origin: Lightning

𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲
The Plummer Peak Fire is burning near Pinnacle Peak Trail on the southern border of the park.
Size: 0.5 acres
Containment: 100%
Date of Origin: 8/23/26
Cause of Origin: Lightning

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲
The Backbone Fire is burning just south of the southeast park border in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
— Size: 17 acres
— Containment: 89%
— Date of Origin: 8/5/26
— Cause of Origin: Lightning

For more information about fires in the park: https://go.nps.gov/MountRainierFire

08/27/2026

“VIP” may be an acronym for "very important person", but it also means Volunteers-In-Park! In 2025, Mount Rainier National Park VIPs contributed over 61,000 hours of service. Some individuals report for a single day while others work full-time (32 hours per week).

This year, VIPs have assisted in a variety of park projects, including trail maintenance along the Skyline Trail and removing invasive plants in Longmire. They have participated in citizen science projects like monitoring long-term trends in plant phenology and butterfly species populations. VIPs also staff park visitor centers, patrol trails, and so much more.

Join us in thanking them the next time you see a volunteer in the park!

Photos:
Volunteer trail work on East Skyline, 7/30/26 (NPS/VIP Photo).
Mount Rainier National Park Associates removing invasive plants roadside, July, 2026 (NPS/J. Rand Photo).
A volunteer presents a White River Evening Program, July 2026 (NPS/VIP Benthuysen Photo).

08/27/2026

Help conserve water! Mount Rainier National Park’s water supply is limited due to the combined effects of a reduced winter snowpack, warm dry weather, and large numbers of summer visitors enjoying their public lands.

The park relies on treated surface water, which comes from snowmelt, to provide services including drinking water, restrooms, fire suppression, and cooking, laundry, and showers for people visiting or staying overnight in the park. In 2025, people at Paradise used over 93,000 gallons of water in one day.

The park needs your help to conserve this precious resource. What can you do?
- Bring your own water with you. Any water brought into the park reduces the demand for drinking water inside the park. Consider bringing a cooler to keep drinking water cool and refreshing on hot days.
- Use restroom facilities before you enter the park or use vault toilets that do not use water. Vault toilets are located at Kautz Creek, Grove of the Patriarchs, & Tipsoo Lake.
- If you plan to overnight in the park, follow the water conservation guidelines posted by the National Park Inn and Paradise Inn. Limit showers to 5 minutes or less.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, shaving, and washing dishes.
- Stop leaks. If you see a leaky faucet or water line in the park, please let park staff know.

Every gallon that is saved helps support public safety, provide visitor services when you need them, and reduces the pressure on the streams that wildlife depends upon to survive.

NPS Photo of Edith Creek at Paradise, October 2019.

08/26/2026

Are ducks and beavers friends?
One of the best things about watching wildlife is being reminded that there is so much we don't know about other species. These unanswerable questions sometimes get answered, raising other questions. Observation requires no tools or special training. By waiting from a distance, and not interfering, we glimpse a tiny bit of the unknowable. Have you seen any interesting animal behavior in the park?

NPS video
Video description:
A large beaver, a brown furry rodent, sits on the bank of a pond grooming itself, surrounded by green reeds. Nearby floats a brown-feathered duck with an orange beak, also grooming itself. After a while, the large rodent slips into the water and swims across the pond, followed by the duck.

08/26/2026

Mount Rainier Wildfire Updates – August 26, 2026
There are several wildfires burning in or adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park.

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀:
North side closures due to Grand Park 2 & Wonderland Complex Fires:
o Sunrise Road
o White River Road
o All trails originating from the Sunrise and White River Roads, and all trails in the Grand Park area.
o Northern Loop Trail & associated backcountry camps
o Wonderland Trail from Carbon River Suspension Bridge to White River Campground & associated backcountry camps.

South side closures due to Plummer Peak Fire:
o Pinnacle Peak Trail and the surrounding area, including the ridge from Lane Peak to Foss Peak across the ridge and from Stevens Canyon Road to the southern park boundary. Stevens Canyon Road is NOT closed.

Wonderland Complex Fires
The Wonderland Complex initially included five fires on the northeast side of the park within the West Fork of the White River drainage: Sluiskin, West Fork, White River, Garda Falls, and Pigeon Fires. As of 8/26/26, the White River and Sluiskin fires were absorbed into the West Fork fire.
- Combined Size: 354 acres (West Fork: 350 acres, Pigeon: 2 acres, Garda Falls: 2 acres)
- Containment: 0%
- Date of Origin: 8/24/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

Grand Park 2 Fire
The Grand Park 2 Fire is approximately three miles north of the Sunrise Visitor Center in the Grand Park area of Mount Rainier National Park.
- Size: 168 acres
- Containment: 78%
- Date of Origin: 8/7/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

Plummer Peak Fire
The Plummer Peak Fire is burning near Pinnacle Peak Trail on the southern border of the park.
- Size: 0.5 acres
- Containment: 100%
- Date of Origin: 8/23/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

Backbone Fire
The Backbone Fire is burning just south of the southeast park border in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- Size: 17 acres
- Containment: 40%
- Date of Origin: 8/5/26
- Cause of Origin: Lightning

For more information about fires in the park: https://go.nps.gov/MountRainierFire

08/26/2026

Use caution when hiking to Camp Muir. Changing weather has resulted in dangerous conditions. Hikers may go up during relatively good weather, only for their descent to be complicated by poor visibility. Melt and slush have contributed to a lack of a clear boot path in sections.

There are reports of the sound of "rushing water" under snow, which indicates danger of falling through thin ice to water below. Hikers are advised to avoid glissading unless they can see the bottom of the route and be VERY ready to quickly bail out because of melted areas leading to rocks. If you are not experienced at glissading, do not attempt.

Be prepared when hiking to Muir. Microspikes and trekking poles are advised for icy sections. There is no public shelter when the weather gets bad; it can be quite cold and windy up at Muir, even when it's calm and warm at Paradise. Bring extra water, food, a headlamp, insulated clothing, and footwear with traction. There is no water available, and all trash must be packed out.

NPS photo

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55210 238th Avenue East
Ashford, WA
98304

Telephone

+13605692211

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http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm, https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/management/social-media-policy.htm

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