Do I need a permit to climb Mount Rainier?

What the Mount Rainier permit costs and covers

Fee

$82 per person climbing fee + $12 per person per night wilderness permit + $6 reservation fee

Group size limit

12 people

Applications open

February 10, 2026 (early-access lottery, 7 a.m. PT)

Applications close

March 3, 2026 (7 p.m. PT)

Results

March 14, 2026

Season starts

Late May

Season ends

October 12

What the rules require

• A permit is required to be on a glacier or above normal climbing high camps, roughly 10,000 feet (36 CFR 7.5(b))
• You must be at least 18 or have permission from a guardian to apply
• A party must consist of at least two people; soloing requires specific authorization via the Solo Application Form
• Maximum party size is 12; NPS recommends a minimum of four for winter climbs
• Each climber pays $82 at Pay.gov before arriving in the park, in both the winter self-registration and summer walk-up seasons
• A wilderness permit is required May 1 to September 15 at $12 per person per night, even for single-push climbs that never camp
• Reservations are held until noon on the start date and are cancelled after that unless you email morawildernessreservations@nps.gov or call 360-569-6650
• The person named on the reservation must activate the permit in person at a ranger station with photo ID, an off-trip emergency contact, and details of any vehicle left overnight
• Guided climbs must go through an authorized guide service; leading or joining an unauthorized guided climb is illegal

Published rules for the Mount Rainier Climbing Permit, quoted as written.

Getting one

Lottery winners cancel and miss payment deadlines, and those dates go back into the booking system through the season. PermitSnag watches Mount Rainier Climbing Permit and sends you an alert the moment one reappears.

Common questions about the Mount Rainier permit