As of Wednesday afternoon, there were almost 70 inches of snow on the ground. Park officials like to wait until there is at least 60 inches to protect the fragile subalpine vegetation in the meadow areas.
Snow must be 96 inches deep before campers are allowed to build snow caves.
When selecting a campsite, campers must be at least 300 feet from plowed roads and parking areas, marked trail routes, trails and buildings. The site almost must be at least 100 feet from water. The maximum group size is 12 people.
Overnight parking for campers in the Paradise area is allowed in the lower parking lot or the upper parking lot across from Paradise Inn. Other overnight parking spots are at Narada Falls and Longmire.
Camping permits are available each day at the Longmire Museum. On weekends and holidays, permits can be obtained at the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise.
Parties of 13-100 must camp in one of the designated group camping areas at Paradise and must pre–register.
To make group reservations, call 360-569-6575 Mondays-Fridays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) at least two weeks in advance. Provide group name, leader name, party size, date requested and a call back phone number. Pre–registered permits will be available for pick up at the Longmire Museum on the day of arrival to camp.
Hard-sided food storage containers are required in all Paradise area winter camping zones. Wildlife-resistant food containers are available for loan. Ask a ranger when obtaining the camping permit.
For more information on winter camping at Mount Rainier, go to nps.gov/mora.
At Olympic National Park, overnight wilderness camping is allowed in the Hurricane Ridge area with advance registration. Campsites must be at least one-half mile from the Hurricane Ridge parking area. Overnight parking is not permitted at Hurricane Ridge. Parking and shuttle options will be explained when you register. More information is available by calling the park’s Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100 or the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at 360-565-3130.
New webcam
A new webcam at Mount Rainier National Park went online last week, showing a view of Longmire. The camera is mounted in the conference room on the second floor of the Administration Building. It looks toward the Longmire Museum and the road leading up from the Nisqually Entrance, with the National Park Inn hidden behind the trees in the distance. You can find the new camera at nps.gov/mora/ photosmultimedia/ longmire-webcam.htm. There also are six webcams at Paradise and one at Camp Muir.
