Mount Rainier National Park Permits
Yes, you need a wilderness permit for every overnight stay in the Mount Rainier backcountry, all year. The Wonderland Trail loop and every other trip are booked on Recreation.gov, starting with an early-access lottery that opens in February and then a general on-sale in spring.
About two thirds of summer permits can be reserved ahead. The other third are issued first come, first served at the wilderness information centers, no more than one day before you start. Canceled reservations return to Recreation.gov through the season, and PermitSnag alerts you when one opens.
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in Mt. Rainier
Wonderland
“A 93-mile loop all the way around Mount Rainier, with 27,000 feet of climbing and 27,000 feet of descent, booked one named camp at a time.”
Rainier Wilderness
“One permit covers every night you spend in Mount Rainier's wilderness: 5 people to a trailside site, 12 if you are on snow in an alpine zone, and a fire that is banned parkwide right now.”
All Permits
Select a permit to learn more and set up alerts
Wonderland Trail permit
The legendary 93-mile loop circumnavigating Mount Rainier through alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and pristine wilderness.
Mount Rainier Wilderness permit
Overnight backcountry and climbing permit for Mount Rainier National Park. Cancellations return to Recreation.gov through the season, after an early-access lottery in winter and the public on-sale in spring.
Other National Parks Areas
Explore more wilderness permits in the region
Olympic permits
6 permits
Yellowstone permits
4 permits
Grand Teton permits
4 permits
Rocky Mountain permits
5 permits
Permit guides for Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier Permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to backpack in Mount Rainier National Park?
Yes, all year, for every overnight stay in the backcountry. Travel above 10,000 feet or on a glacier also needs a climbing permit.
Which Mount Rainier permit do I need for my trip?
Every overnight trip in the park needs a wilderness permit. The full Wonderland Trail, the 93-mile loop around the mountain, camps in designated camps only and has its own page here. Any other overnight trip is the general Mount Rainier wilderness permit.