MR Chipmunk Cabin

01/18/2025

We have views in every direction. 🏔️ ☀️

Discover the best attractions and viewpoints on a scenic 147-mile loop drive around Mount Rainier National Park, starting and ending in Enumclaw.

12/24/2024

🎄✨ Happy Holidays! ✨🎄

As 2024 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful guests, cherished family, and dear friends. We hope your holidays are filled with warmth, laughter, and treasured memories.

Here's to a bright and beautiful year ahead! Cheers to you and your loved ones! 🥂

12/03/2024

❄️🏔️🚶‍♂️Winter hiking safety tips!

“Snow what? Just another winter hike…” Hold on there, Yeti, are you properly prepared to travel on snow and ice? Here are a few tips to help you return home with all your furry toes and fingers intact:

• Wear warm and waterproof clothing. Make sure body parts most often affected by frostbite (nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, and fingers) are covered in warm, dry clothing.
• Listen for the muffled sound of running water under the snow. Falling through thin snow bridges is a hazard anywhere streams are snow-covered. Avoid walking in the bottom of snow-covered drainages.
• Snowshoes and traction devices are recommended on ice and snow.
• Know your route. Snow-covered landscapes look very different than in summer.
• Route-finding skills are important. In winter, trails are not marked or maintained. Don’t rely on others' tracks which can lead you astray.
• Check the weather forecast. Weather can change quickly.
• Be avalanche aware. Check the latest avalanche forecast. Never travel or camp in an avalanche zone.
• Always be willing to turn around. Or, in the event of a white out, sit tight until conditions improve.

Visit the park Winter Safety webpage for more on winter safety go.nps.gov/MORAWinterSafety.

NPS photo of volunteers marking trails a Paradise with orange snow poles on November 24, 2024.

11/21/2024

The National Park Service (NPS) announced Wednesday that the Ohanapecosh Campground will remain closed through the 2025 visitor season as part of a multipart plan to improve infrastructure in Mount …

11/14/2024

Friendly Friday Reminder: Bundle Up! ❄

As the weather turns colder, and we experience more precipitation like rain and snow especially in the higher elevations, it is important to remember the winter essentials. Make sure to check weather and road conditions before you head out and bring winter appropriate clothing on your explorations of the Forest. This includes multiple layers, appropriate footwear, hats, gloves, and sunscreen. Happy Exploring!

11/02/2024

Mount Rainier National Park announces winter recreational access for 2024-25 season: Paradise Road open to vehicles Fridays through Mondays starting November 12.

News Release: https://go.nps.gov/1qvv6g

Beginning Tuesday, November 12, the park will open vehicle access to the Paradise area four days per week, Fridays through Mondays. The road will be closed to public vehicle access Tuesdays through Thursdays. Park staff will continue to revisit the Paradise access schedule should staffing levels change during the winter season. The Longmire area will remain open seven days a week barring any major storm events or emergency situations.

Winter camping at Paradise will be available Friday through Sunday nights only, conditions permitting. The sledding runs at Paradise will not be open for the 2024-2025 winter season, as available staff members will be focused on plowing roads and parking lots to maintain access into the area. Sledding is not permitted elsewhere in the park. More information about Paradise winter access is available on the park website.

Winter recreation access in the rest of the park remains unchanged. Annual winter season closures of State Routes 410 and 123 will be enacted soon at the northeast, east, and southeast park boundaries. The east side of the park is open for visitor use throughout the winter, including overnight winter camping with a valid permit.

NPS Graphic

10/25/2024

Starting Saturday, October 26, 2024, the road to Paradise closes nightly at the gate at Longmire. The operating schedule for the winter season has not yet been announced; check Alerts daily for status of the Paradise Road: https://go.nps.gov/MountRainierAlerts

Gate Schedule:
- Gate opens 9:00 am
- Uphill gate closes 4:00 pm
- Downhill gate closes 5:00 pm**
**It is recommended to leave Paradise by 4:30 pm in order to safely drive down the hill and exit the gate at Longmire before it locks for the night.

The road may have a delayed opening, close early, or remain closed the entire day due to weather or staffing conditions, as determined by the Winter Road Opening Matrix: https://go.nps.gov/WinterRoadOpeningMatrix

Learn more about winter travel in Mount Rainier National Park at https://go.nps.gov/MORAWinterTravel

NPS Photo of the road to Paradise, May 2024.

10/18/2024

09/23/2024

Effective 12:01 A.M., Saturday, September 21, 2024, Lewis County Board of County Commissioners and Lewis County Fire Marshal will lift the current burn restrictions on outdoor burning by permit for all unincorporated lands regulated by Lewis County, Washington.

09/17/2024

Packwood makes the list as one of Washington’s best hike-friendly towns. 🤩🥾🚶‍♀️🏔️

These are some of the best hiking towns in Washington, each providing easy access to some of the state's most scenic and diverse trails!

08/24/2024

Friendly Friday Reminder

As you head out to the Forest this weekend, remember to check out the area you will be visiting and plan accordingly as best you can. Here are a few things to keep in mind and questions you can ask yourself before heading out.

1) Do some research - What is the weather going to be like? Are there any permits or fees to be aware of? Are there any restrictions like closures or fire restrictions?

2) Transportation - do you know what kind of roads you will be driving on and where you will be going?

3) Recreate Responsibly – Do you have water, snacks, and the appropriate essentials for your trip?

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a great place to visit and explore. For more information see the Forest homepage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot/

08/20/2024

08/12/2024

You don’t have to go on a long hike to enjoy subalpine wildflowers at Mount Rainier! Numerous flowers can be found blooming along roads and sidewalks in areas like Paradise and Sunrise. This patch of scarlet paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) was found right next to the Paradise lower parking lot. While there are several species of red paintbrush in the park, scarlet paintbrush can be distinguished by its lance-shaped leaves while other red paintbrush have lobed leaves. What wildflowers are you observing in the park?

Remember to always stay on trails to avoid trampling the wildflowers! There are many options for that perfect mountain + wildflower photo from the trail (or parking lot!) Help ensure wildflowers thrive so that you can enjoy them the next time you visit.

For updates on what’s blooming where visit https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflower

Unfamiliar with Mount Rainier’s wildflower species? Check out the wildflower guide at https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflowerGuide

NPS Photo of scarlet paintbrush blooming next to the Paradise lower parking lot, 8/7/24.

08/02/2024

Firefighters are making progress in containing the Retreat Fire near Rimrock Lake, but the damage to power infrastructure is severe. U.S. Highway 12 remains closed.

07/12/2024

Jump in a lake to beat the heat! 🌞

Summer is the perfect time to explore the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that Lewis County has to offer. With a variety of lakes each providing unique activities, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a guide to making the most of your summer at Mayfield Lake, Riffe Lake, Lake Sc...

07/06/2024

You can still reach snow during these hot days