Do I need a permit or reservation to visit Mount Rainier?
To visit Mount Rainier National Park, you may need a permit or reservation, in addition to paying the park entrance fee, depending on your activity. To determine what you need ask yourself the questions below:
Campgrounds are open during the summer season only. If you want to camp in one of the three vehicle campgrounds, you may need a camping reservation through Recreation.gov. Some campsites may be available first-come, first-served, but reservations are recommended.
If you want to stay in the National Park Inn or Paradise Inn (summer only), make a reservation with Rainier Guest Services.
If you want to backcountry camp in the wilderness, you need a wilderness permit. Some walk-up permits are available, although reservations are strongly encouraged during peak summer season.
Only official concessions or companies with Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) are permitted to operate within the park (with the exception of vehicle tours, which pay the commercial tour fee). Check to ensure your activity provider is a current CUA holder.
What about non-profits? Organized groups in which participants exchange money for a service within Mount Rainier National Park are required to get a Special Use Permit in lieu of a CUA (SUPilCUA). This includes organizations that are non-profit; city, state, and collegiate recreational programs; military morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) programs; or those that offer fundraising climbs.
A CUA is required if you provide goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public which:
take place at least in part on lands managed by the National Park Service,
use park resources, and
result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.
The CUA holder is required to pay entrance fees on a per-person basis.
Groups from qualified education institutions are eligible for a fee waiver if they are coming to study park resources.
Fee waivers must be applied for at least one month prior to your planned visit.
Complete an Educational Fee Waiver application and email to mora_fee_waiver@nps.gov. Applications accepted by email ONLY; no fax or mail-in applications
Click on "View full screen" under the map for the best experience. Use the + or - toggle in the upper left corner of the map to zoom into an area. Use the tabs at the top of the map to switch between locations for weddings and film and still photography and locations for scattering ashes. A toggle on the lower left of the map will switch the view to summer versus winter locations (when this toggle is turned on drag the transition bar left to right to see the different locations available in the park in each season). You can also filter locations by specific location, area, or trail.
NOTE: Much of the park closes during the winter and there are fewer permit locations available during the winter season. Check road conditions for current status.
Use the map above to search for locations for weddings, film and still photography, and scattering ashes that require a special use permit. Search for a location by:
Point, refers to a specific location in the park.
General Area, such as the Upper Mountain Area.
Mount Rainier Guest Services Operated Facility, such as the Paradise Inn.
Trails, indicated by black lines.
Green shaded areas for authorized locations to scatter ashes with a permit.
Tan shaded areas for locations where scattering ashes is prohibited except at specified roadside locations.
NOTE: Click on any these icons on the map, including trails and shaded areas, for more information.
Special Use Permits
Mount Rainier National Park, a recognizable national landmark with inspiring vistas and natural settings, is an ideal spot for a variety of special activities. Most special events and activities held within Mount Rainier National Park require a Special Use Permit. These permits are issued and approved only after National Park Service staff determine that the activity will not impair park values, resources, and visitor enjoyment.
A Special Use Permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large and for activities that require some degree of management by the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest.
Please allow four weeks for the processing of permit applications. First Amendment applications will receive an application review within two business days.
Please read this legal notice regarding payment of fees by check.
For information on Special Use Permits or to email in your application, please contact the Special Use Permit Coordinator at mora_special_use@nps.gov or via phone at 253-307-6361. For Fee Waiver inquiries contact mora_fee_waiver@nps.gov. Applications accepted by email ONLY; no fax or mail-in applications.
Activities and events that require Special Use Permits include:
Other Special Events (Rallies, Sporting Events, etc.): Application ($300)
Fundraiser Climbs: Applicants interested in conducting a fundraising climb may apply using the CUA Application Form 10-550, found on the Commercial Services page.
Permit for Organized Group Recreation
Organized gatherings of a group of people for recreation within the park may require a Special Use Permit. “Groups” are any organized gathering of people, including (but not limited to):
Clubs/meet-up groups
Church groups
Scouts
School groups
Mountaineering groups
Youth groups
For most recreational activities, a permit is required if group size is greater than 24.
Location options for activities may be restricted, depending on group size.
On trails or in wilderness, groups must break into parties of 12 or less and maintain separation by staggering start times by at least 20 minutes, paying close attention to route selection and pace. Groups must not merge along the route or gather at any time.
Competitive events are not allowed in park wilderness.
We are unable to close areas for events, including roads.
The permittee must obtain all necessary wilderness and/or climbing permits prior to the activity. Entrance fees will not be waived.
Mountaineering training (maximum 60 people) is permitted only at Paradise winter camping zones and Nisqually Glacier. Only one group per day is allowed to conduct training at these locations.
Activity monitoring and cost-recovery charges may be required. Permit coordinators can help determine potential costs, if any, for the activity.
Complete an application form and email it to mora_special_use@nps.gov.
Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $250 application fee online.
Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
Permit for Still Photography
All Still Photography requires a permit. “Still Photography” for permitting purposes is defined as the digital or film recording of a visual image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience. This includes recordings such as those used for a documentary, television or feature film, advertisement, or similar project. Portrait subjects, such as wedding parties and high school graduates, are not considered models, if the image will not be used to promote or sell a product or service.
In some cases, still photography does not require a permit. A permit is required for still photography only when:
1. the activity takes place in an area closed to the public; or
2. the activity uses a model, set, or prop; or
3. the National Park Service would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.
A “model” means a person or object that serves as the subject for still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Models include, but are not limited to, individuals, animals, or inanimate objects, such as vehicles, boats, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products.
97% of Mount Rainier National Park is designated Wilderness and restrictions on photography may be issued dependent upon requested actions.
Visitor access may not be restricted from any location; short interruptions to normal visitor use patterns are only allowed if specified in the approved permit.
The permit does not include authority to film or photograph individuals. Model releases are the responsibility of the permittee.
On-camera appearances by employees must be approved by park management as a condition of the permit.
Coverage of breaking news does not require a permit, but is subject to restrictions and conditions to protect park resources.
The park cannot sign a location release supplied by the permittee.
All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, scouting locations, monitoring, or otherwise supporting the still photography activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit. As authorized by 54 U.S.C. § 103104 or 54 U.S.C. § 100905 and in accordance with other applicable law and policy, the National Park Service will recover all costs of providing necessary services associated with this permit, including the costs of administering the permit and monitoring the permitted work or activities. The non-refundable application fee covers initial processing and issuance of a Still Photography permit. Fees associated with Still Photography Permits will not be waived.
Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met. The required amount of insurance will be determined by the potential risk to park resources and the complexity of activities.
General commercial liability insurance must be issued by a United States company. “United States Government” must be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the United States Government as “certificate holder” only are not acceptable.
Still Photography and Audio Recording Location Fees
1-10 people - $50/day
11-30 people - $150/day
Over 30 people - $250/day
Location fees are charged per location per day.
Complete an application form and email it to mora_special_use@nps.gov.
A minimum of 90 days is required to process the application and issue a permit. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than 90 days advanced submission).
Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $275 application fee online.
Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
Permit for Commercial Filming
All commercial filming requires a permit. "Commercial filming" means the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, and documentaries. Commercial filming may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props.
97% of Mount Rainier National Park is designated Wilderness and restrictions on filming may be issued dependent upon requested actions.
Visitor access may not be restricted from any location; short interruptions to normal visitor use patterns are only allowed if specified in the approved permit.
The permit does not include authority to film or photograph individuals. Model releases are the responsibility of the permittee.
On-camera appearances by employees must be approved by park management as a condition of the permit.
Filming by news organizations does not require a permit unless necessary to protect natural or cultural resources, avoid visitor use conflicts, ensure public safety, or authorize entrance into closed areas.
The park cannot sign a location release supplied by the permittee.
All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, scouting locations, monitoring, or otherwise supporting the filming activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit. As authorized by 54 U.S.C. § 103104 or 54 U.S.C. § 100905 and in accordance with other applicable law and policy, the National Park Service will recover all costs of providing necessary services associated with this permit, including the costs of administering the permit and monitoring the permitted work or activities. The non-refundable application fee covers the initial processing and issuance of a Commercial Filming permit. Fees associated with Commercial Filming Permits will not be waived.
Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met. The required amount of insurance will be determined by the potential risk to park resources and the complexity of activities.
General commercial liability insurance must be issued by a United States company. “United States Government, National Park Service” must be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the United States Government as “certificate holder” only are not acceptable.
1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day
1–10 people - $150/day
11–30 people - $250/day
31–49 people - $500/day
Over 50 people - $750/day
Location fees are charged per location per day.
Complete an application form and email it to mora_special_use@nps.gov.
A minimum of 90 days is required to process the application and issue a permit. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than 90 days advanced submission).
Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $375 application fee online.
Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
Permit for Weddings
A permit is required for all wedding ceremonies held within Mount Rainier National Park. Most ceremonies in the park are brief and simple; elaborate ceremonies do not work well in the park’s natural setting. Weather in the park is unpredictable. At higher elevations such as Paradise and Sunrise, snow often remains on the ground well into July.
Party size determines which locations may be used for wedding ceremonies. Please visit the Special Use Permits Location Map for more information.
1-12 participants: may use certain pre-determined locations, which may include select trails, picnic areas, roadside locations, and campground amphitheaters.
13-24 participants: may use certain pre-determined locations, which may include picnic areas, roadside locations, and campground amphitheaters.
25-60 participants: may use certain pre-determined locations, which may include roadside locations and campground amphitheaters.
60 + participants: may use campground amphitheaters.
Ceremonies may not:
Impede the activities of other park visitors.
Areas may not be roped off or blocked in any way to the general public.
Include the throwing of rice, confetti, etc.
Include seeding flowers, or any plants on the WA State noxious weed list.
All equipment must be requested and pre-approved.
Ceremony and photography must occur on durable surface (such as trail, rock, snow, or pavement) to avoid erosion or damage to fragile meadows.
Outdoor areas will not be closed off during ceremonies and parking cannot be reserved.
Complete an application form and email it to mora_special_use@nps.gov.
Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $250 application fee online.
Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
Permit to Scatter Ashes
Human ashes may be scattered in Mount Rainier National Park with a permit.
Party size determines which locations in the park may be used for the spreading of ashes. Please visit the Special Use Permits Location Map for more information.
1-12 participants may use wilderness and primitive areas as well as many roadside locations.
13-24 participants may not use wilderness or primitive locations, but may use certain pre-determined locations as identified in the map linked above.
25-30 participants are limited to locations identified in the map linked above.
If group size is over 12, this activity may not take place at Paradise or Sunrise between the hours of 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm on weekends due to congestion.
Ceremonies may not impede the activities of other visitors. Outdoor areas will not be closed off during ceremonies and parking cannot be reserved.
Cremated remains must be pulverized and fully dispersed. Ashes may not be dispersed within 100 yards of any body of water, trail, roadside, or in a developed area.
No container, urn, flowers, or memorial markers may be left within park boundaries.
Ashes may not be spread within half a mile of Tipsoo Lake or Reflection Lake. These areas are not available for scattering of ashes due to the fragile ecosystems.
Scattering of ashes at any location above 10,000 ft will be dispersed as airborne, and not into crevasses, vents, on to snow, glacial ice, or any ground surface.
Complete an application form and email it to mora_special_use@nps.gov.
Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advanced submission).
Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $150 application fee online.
Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
Permit for Military Activities
Special Use Permits are required for all military uses. Determining when and where military units may conduct activities within park areas is a discretionary decision made by the park superintendent.
Military exercises may be allowed only if they relate to usual and normal park activities such as search and rescue, outdoor survival, and events not simulating conditions encountered in combat situations.
Military ceremonies are allowed in certain areas, depending on audience size and equipment needs.
From June through September, military activities may be restricted to Tuesday through Thursday depending on location.
The permittee must obtain all necessary wilderness and/or climbing permits prior to the activity. The per-person fee for these permits will not be waived.
Location of activities may be restricted, depending on group size and day of the week.
On trails or in wilderness, groups must break into parties of 12 or less and maintain separation by staggering start times by at least 20 minutes, paying close attention to route selection and pace. Groups must not merge along the route or gather at any time.
No weaponry will be carried, displayed, or used, except for ceremonial purposes, authorized public demonstrations, or in accordance with existing special park legislation. Weapons are not allowed in buildings.
A liaison officer will be designated by the military organization to be available to the superintendent throughout the permitted activity.
Complete an application form and email it to mora_special_use@nps.gov.
Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
Application fees are not charged for military activities, but cost-recovery charges may be required.
Permit Coordinators can help determine potential costs, if any, for the actual activity.
