Fees & Passes
Get ready for an extraordinary adventure at Mount Rainier National Park! To make the most of your visit, we strongly encourage you to plan ahead and purchase your pass online in advance prior to arrival. By doing so, you’ll help expedite the entry process. With your advance pass in hand, when it’s your turn at the entrance station you’ll breeze through. Seize the opportunity to get your pass online today!
The Mount Rainier National Park entrances are staffed during daylight hours, and in some cases, even earlier or later based on staffing levels. If you plan to enter the park outside of daylight hours, you’ll need to purchase an online pass in advance.
Mount Rainier National Park has transitioned to a cashless payment system at all entrances and campgrounds within Mount Rainier National Park. This change not only helps the park save money but also enhances safety, security, and efficiency. The park accepts most credit cards and digital forms of payment, including Discover, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diner’s Club, JCB, Union Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.
For visitors who prefer to use cash
The NPS works with external partners who are interested in selling park passes. Prior to entering the park, you can purchase a $30 single-vehicle entrance pass, valid for 7 days, at the following locations:
Locations accepting cash en route to the Nisqually Entrance, in the southwest corner of the park:
- Ashford Creek Pottery
- Ashford Valley Grocery
- Ashford General Store
- Whittaker Mountaineering
Locations accepting cash en route to the Stevens Canyon Entrance SR123/South Entrance, in the southeast corner of the park:
- Blanton’s Market
Additional locations accepting cash will be announced in the coming weeks, particularly along the route to the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park and the SR123/South Entrance in the southeast corner.
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Mount Rainier National Park while ensuring a hassle-free visit. Plan ahead, purchase your pass, and embark on an unforgettable adventure today.
| Fee Type | Current Fee |
|---|---|
Mount Rainier Annual Pass
|
$55 |
Mount Rainier Single Vehicle Fee
|
$30 |
Mount Rainier “Per Person” Fee
|
$15 |
Mount Rainier Motorcycle Fee
|
$25 |
Campground Fees – Camping Information
|
$20 |
Campground Fees – Groups
|
$60 |
Other Fees & Permits
Campgrounds
Learn more about camping reservations, regulations, and fees.
Permits & Reservations
Information about Special Use Permits, Wilderness Reservation Permit, Climbing Pass, and Scientific Research & Collecting Permit.
U.s. Forest Service Lands
USFS trailheads in Washington and Oregon with developed facilities (toilet, picnic table, etc.) charge a user fee. This includes many trailheads in the Cascades and Olympics. A list of sites is here. Many other undeveloped trailheads do not require a pass in the National Forest region.
National Forest Recreation Day Pass: $5/car
Allows you to park at trailheads for one day. You can purchase several day passes ahead of time and write the dates on them as you use them. The pass is available at National Forest offices and visitor centers, via private vendors or online. Beginning April 1, 2014, you can purchase the day pass online and print it at home. Note that WTA and some other vendors listed do not carry day passes.
Northwest Forest Pass: $30
An annual pass honored at all Forest Service day-use or entrance fee sites in Washington and Oregon. The pass is available at National Forest offices and visitor centers and via private vendors or online. Passes may also be purchased at the WTA office or online.
America The Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass: $80
This pass provides entrance to all Forest Service, national park and other federal site charging fees for one year. Purchase at a National Forest office or online. Details here.
Interagency Senior Pass: $80
This is a lifetime pass for persons 62 years old and older, honored nationwide at any federal site charging entrance fees. The Senior Pass allows cardholder, plus up to 5 persons per vehicle to enter. Check out the details here.
Mount St. Helens National Monument
Mount St. Helens, managed by the USFS, charges on a per-person fee basis. Entry to the Coldwater or Johnson Ridge sites are $8 per person for those 16 and older (free for kids). They will honor Interagency Annual and Senior passes for named pass-holders, and a Northwest Forest Pass will gain entry for one person. Details.
WA State Public Lands
Discover Pass
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington state Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Washington state Department of Natural Resources (DNR). One pass can be transferred between two vehicles. The fees are as follows (transaction and dealer fees may apply):
- Annual pass: $35
- One-day pass: $11.50
Exemptions
Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, you do not need to purchase the pass under the following circumstances:
camping or renting overnight accommodations
If you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, including vacation houses, environmental learning centers, yurts, and cabins, you will not need a Discover Pass for access to the state park where you are staying for the duration of your stay. If you visit other state parks in the area or other state recreation lands managed by WDFW or DNR, a Discover Pass will be required.
Disabled veterans and other Washington state Parks pass holders
Disabled veterans and other Washington state Parks pass holders registered through Washington state Parks do not need to purchase a Discover Pass for access to Washington state parks. You will need to purchase the Discover Pass for access to lands managed by WDFW and DNR. To apply for a State Parks pass, complete and submit the appropriate pass application.
You will not need a Discover Pass to launch your boat
You will not need a Discover Pass to launch your boat from a state park boat launch if you have the annual Natural Investment Permit. You will need the Discover Pass for boat launches managed by DNR and WDFW.
Sno-Park seasonal permit holders
Sno-Park seasonal permit holders do not need a Discover Pass to use a designated Sno-Park between November 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities. The Sno-Park permit exemption does not apply to non-winter recreation activities.
Fish and Wildlife Vehicle Use Permit/Vehicle Access Pass (VAP)
Previously available for purchase, the complimentary VAP is provided to those who purchase hunting and fishing licenses. This pass only provides access to WDFW lands.
Washington state Parks Car Tab renewal donation
We encourage you to continue to donate $5 to State Parks when renewing your annual vehicle license tabs. However, this is not the same as the Discover Pass.
Winter Recreation – Washington Sno-parks
Sno-Parks (from WA State Parks)
The Winter Recreation Program manages Sno-Parks (cleared parking areas) in close proximity to groomed and backcountry trails.
Snowmobile Sno-Parks are open to both motorized and non-motorized winter recreation.
Non-motorized Sno-Parks are only open to winter recreation sports such as cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and snow play.
PASS & PERMIT INFO
Sno-Park permits are available online from November 1 through April 30.
Visitors to Washington state parks and state recreation lands managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington state Department of Natural Resources are required to display the Discover Pass on their vehicles.
Exemption: If you have a current seasonal Sno-Park permit, you will not need to purchase a Discover Pass to use a designated Sno-Park between November 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities. However, your Sno-Park permit may not be used to access other state recreation lands.
Please note: If using a daily Sno-Park permit, you also will need a one-day or annual Discover Pass when visiting Crystal Springs, Easton Reload, and Hyak Sno-Parks; Fields Spring, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, and Mount Spokane state parks; and the Department of Natural Resources’ Mount Tahoma Trail System. For more information or to purchase an annual Discover Pass, click here.
SnoPark Pass Vendors
| Ashford Valley Grocery – 4 N 29716 SR 706 E Ph: 360-569-2560 | Ashford, WA 98304 |
| Whittaker Mountaineering 30027 SR 706 E Ph: 360-569-2142 | Ashford, WA 98304 |
| Wapiti Outdoors 58414 E. State Route 410 Ph: 360-663-2268 | Greenwater, WA 98022 |
| Slims Market-Quick Market Inc. 9951 U.S. Highway 12 Ph: 509-653-2268 | Naches, WA 98937 |
| The Little Red School House 12691 U.S. Highway 12 Ph: 509-653-2041 | Naches, WA 98937 |
| Whistlin’ Jack Lodge 20800 SR 410 Ph: 509-658-2433 | Naches, WA 98937 |
| Fischer’s Market 9790 U.S. Highway 12 Ph: 360-497-5355 | Randle, WA 98377 |