Mount Rainier National Park Wilderness Permits

Overview

Itinerary-based wilderness permit for Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. You build a night-by-night campsite itinerary from ~95 designated camps spanning old-growth forest valleys, subalpine meadows, alpine zones, and glacier approaches on the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S. (14,410 ft). Required year-round for all overnight backcountry stays. Camp types include trailside designated camps, alpine/cross-country zones, group sites, and climbing camps. The premier route is the Wonderland Trail -- a ~93-mile circuit around Mt. Rainier, typically requiring 7--14 days. Separate climbing permits are required for travel above 10,000 ft or on glaciers. Popular areas include the Wonderland Trail corridor, Camp Muir, Camp Schurman, Ingraham Flats, Summerland, Indian Bar, Mystic Lake, Carbon River camps, and Spray Park.

Bottom Line

The early-access lottery (February) is the only realistic path to a complete Wonderland Trail reservation. About 600 Wonderland trips can be reserved in advance per summer, with another ~300 issued as walk-ups -- demand far exceeds supply. Up to 1,800 lottery winners are given staggered access windows (March--April) to build one reservation each; earlier windows get the best pick. Even winners are not guaranteed their preferred itinerary. After April 25 general on-sale, most Wonderland and popular climbing dates are already booked. The realistic Wonderland season is mid-July through September (snow-free). Walk-up permits (~1/3 of all sites) are available in person up to 24 hours in advance -- arrive early, be flexible on dates/direction/trailhead. Midweek starts help. Cancellations return to recreation.gov immediately with no set schedule -- this is where alerts are most useful. Non-Wonderland camps and less popular trailheads have significantly better availability throughout the season.

Lottery and Reservations

Permit required year-round. Reservation season covers roughly June 1 -- October 10 (climbing camps from May 1). ~2/3 of summer permits are reservable in advance; ~1/3 held for walk-ups.

Early-access lottery:

• Application opens mid-February on recreation.gov (check for exact dates annually)
• $6 non-refundable application fee
• Up to 1,800 winners assigned staggered access windows between March and April
• Winners can view availability starting March 21 but book only during their assigned window
• One reservation per person during early access (additional trips allowed after April 25)
• No changes allowed during early access; changes permitted starting April 25
• Winning does not guarantee a complete Wonderland circuit

General on-sale (FCFS):

• Opens April 25 on recreation.gov for the full summer season
• No limit on reservations per person
• Most Wonderland and high-demand climbing dates will already be booked

Walk-up permits:

• Available in person at Wilderness Information Centers (Longmire, Paradise, White River)
• Can be obtained same day or up to 24 hours before trip start
• You must arrive with an itinerary in mind -- rangers will not plan your trip
• Walk-up Wonderland circuits are possible but require extreme flexibility

Other rules:

• Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance of trip start
• Must pick up permit in person at a Wilderness Information Center (not issued by phone/online)
• Permit canceled if you do not arrive by 12:00 PM on trip start day (call ahead if delayed)
• Start date cannot be changed -- must cancel and rebook
• Max 13 consecutive nights (14 days) per permit
• Max daily mileage between camps limited to 17.5 trail miles on recreation.gov (longer distances by phone after April 25)
• Off-season (Oct--May): walk-up or self-registration at trailheads/ranger stations

Wonderland Trail

• ~93-mile loop circumnavigating Mt. Rainier with ~22,000 ft cumulative elevation gain
• Typically 7--14 days depending on pace and side trips
• Realistic season: mid-July through September (snow-free); June/early July trips frequently get canceled
• ~600 advance-reservable trips per summer; ~300 walk-up trips
• ~4,000 total backpacking permits and ~2,000 climbing permits issued annually
• Food caches can be shipped to several locations along the route (Longmire, White River, Sunrise, Mowich Lake)
• Clockwise and counter-clockwise directions both viable; flexibility on direction improves walk-up odds
• Multiple trailhead starting points possible

Fees

• $6 non-refundable reservation/lottery application fee per permit
• $12/person/night wilderness recreation fee (youth 15 and under free)
• Walk-up permits: same fee structure ($6 + $12/person/night), credit/debit only, no cash
• Climbing Cost Recovery Fee required separately for summit attempts above 10,000 ft or on glaciers
• Cancel 4+ full days before start date for refund of recreation fees (minus $6 reservation fee)
• Separate park entrance fee required

Group Size and Rules

• Max party size 5--12 depending on camp (check NPS Wilderness Trip Planner)
• Parties of 6+ must use designated group sites
• Parties of 5 or fewer must not camp in group sites unless specifically indicated on permit
• Affiliated groups must camp and travel at least 1 mile apart
• Solo travel above high camps or on glaciers requires written permission from the Superintendent
• All food, garbage, and scented items must be hung from bear poles or stored in approved bear canisters at designated camps
• Bear canisters strongly recommended in cross-country/alpine zones where hanging is impractical (free loaners at WICs)
• No pets on trails, meadows, or undeveloped areas
• No vehicles, bicycles, or wheeled devices on trails
• No firearms in the national park
• Stock prohibited in most areas (allowed on Pacific Crest Trail and Laughingwater Creek Trail only)
• Winter group permits (13+ people) at Paradise require 5 ft consolidated snow depth