| THE VITALS | |
| WHERE: | The snowplay area is located north of the upper parking lot at Paradise |
| WHEN: | Historically the snowplay area opens when weather conditions permit in late December and would usually close late March, depending on seasonal conditions. |
| WHAT: | “Soft” sliding devices such as flexible sleds, inner tubes, and saucers are allowed. No hard toboggans or runner sleds. |
| RENT: | Inside the park, plastic sleds are for sale at the Longmire General Store (open daily) and at the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise (open weekends and holidays during the winter season). Outside the park, sleds and inner tube rentals are available at Whittaker’s Mountaineering in Ashford. |
| MAP: | Map, Rules & More Info Here |
| COST: | Other than the fee to enter the national park, there is no additional fee to use the sledding or tubing area or to park at Paradise. |
Snapshot:
Families looking for fun winter activities in Mt Rainier National Park, such as sledding and snowshoeing, can bundle up and head to the Snowplay Area at Paradise. Open during weekends and school breaks in winter, the Snowplay Area is the one established area in the park where sledding is permitted.
From the upper parking lot, you’ll need to walk up a short hill to the Snowplay Area above the historic Paradise Inn and the newly remodeled Jackson Visitor Center. There you’ll see folks of all ages zooming down the runs in plastic sleds, saucers, and inner tubes. For safety, no hard toboggans or runner sleds are allowed.
With our bright yellow sled in hand, my husband, son, and I lined up at the top of the two runs. Our son Finn, two years old, enjoyed his first time sledding. He laughed with delight as we sped down the run, several hundred feet in length. On the run beside us, a group of teenagers cheered each other on.
Q: Do we need to make reservations to use the sledding/tubing area?
A: No, reservations to go sledding are not required.
Q: Does using the sledding/tubing area at Mount Rainier cost extra money to use snowplay or park our vehicle at Paradise?
A: No, once you pay to enter Mount Rainier National Park you do not need to pay any extra fees to use the snowplay area. Access to the sledding/tubing area and parking are included.
Q: Is there a public restroom near the sledding area?
A: Yes there is, however it is not heated.
Q: Do I need chains for my vehicle, even if I have an SUV?
A: Yes, all vehicles are required to carry chains or traction devices when entering Mount Rainier National Park during the period of November 1 thru May 1. Review the Tire Chain Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Q: What is the address of the sledding area? I want to plug it into my GPS.
A: There isn’t a physical address of the snowplay area. Your best bet is to use this address which will get you to the Nisqually Entrance of the park 39000 State Route 706 E. Ashford, WA 98304. Once in the park follow the road to Longmire, and then continue up to Paradise. The snowplay area is easily seen from the parking lot next to the Henry M. Jackson visitor center.
Snow play at Paradise © Deby Dixon
Q: Can we rent tubes or sleds at snowplay?
A: No. You’ll need to bring your own inflatable, plastic, or other soft-sided sleds with you. There are no rentals available at Snowplay.
Q: What are the hours of snowplay? When does it open and when does it close?
A: There isn’t a published operating schedule for the sledding and tubing area because the status of snowplay is dependent on weather, road, and safety conditions.
Q: Where’s the nearest lodging to the sledding area?
A: That would be the National Park Inn at Longmire. For additional cabins and lodging options outside the park in the Ashford area click here.
Q: If I arrive at snowplay and find it’s really busy is there an alternative sledding area at the park that I can go to?
A: No, there is no other area in Mount Rainier National Park where sledding or tubing is allowed. The official snowplay at Paradise is the only area to sled or tube at Mount Rainier. To be clear, do not attempt sledding or tubing in any other area at Mount Rainier National Park, it is unsafe and not permitted.
Q: Who can I call if I have questions about the sledding area?
A: You could call the Mount Rainier National Park general information line at (360) 569-6575 or use the email form to submit a question to the park. https://www.nps.gov/mora/contacts.htm
Photo from the archives Paradise Snowplay Photo © Jeff Cavern