![]() NPS Photo The Mount Rainier Wilderness currently encompasses approximately 228,400 acres, or 97% of Mount Rainier National Park. Located in west-central Washington on the western slopes of the Cascade Range, the wilderness includes the tallest and most prominent peak in the Cascade Range and is 65 miles southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. It was congressionally designated as wilderness on November 16, 1988, by Title III of the Washington Park Wilderness Act, which required that the land be protected and managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. ![]() NPS photo Life flourishes throughout the Mount Rainier Wilderness. In addition to the glaciers and iconic mountain summit for which the park is known, the wilderness preserves powerful meteorological and geologic processes, diverse ecologies and species, evidence of a long human history, and a laboratory for discovery. These features are at the root of the land’s wilderness character, defining its vital spirit and inspiring visitors. Mount Rainier provides a refuge for visitors as well. Because the park is close to heavily populated metropolitan areas, the wilderness is an accessible retreat in which visitors can disconnect from the modern world and engage with a natural one. As a revered icon of the Pacific Northwest, the scenic grandeur of the wild peaks can be appreciated from roadsides, parking areas, and, when the weather clears, for hundreds of miles throughout the region. NPS photo The wilderness is a traditional use area for indigenous tribes. Six federally recognized tribes, the Cowlitz, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, and Yakama, have associations with the land because of its traditional and spiritual significance. The land that now composes Mount Rainier National Park was ceded through treaties such as the Treaty of Medicine Creek, Treaty of Point Elliot, and Treaty with the Yakama, or taken through colonization in the mid-1800s. The land itself serves as a time capsule of artifacts, slowly revealing remnants of human history, providing opportunities for discovery and learning that enhance our connection to past generations and ancestors. Recreational Use of WildernessWhen visiting Mount Rainier National Park wilderness, it is important to come prepared for minor injuries, sudden weather changes, and delays to your trip itinerary. Always carry the 10 essentials when visiting park wilderness:
Learn more about how to prepare for visiting the wilderness at Mount Rainier National Park. Wilderness Hiking, Camping, & Climbing
Information and permits for exploring Mount Rainier's backcountry. ![]() Wilderness Permits
A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping. Learn how to reserve a permit or acquire a first-come, first-served permit. |
Last updated: July 15, 2024