Planning a visit to Mount Rainier National Park? You won’t need to book an entry time this year. According to a post from Visit Rainier, the park will no longer use a timed entry reservation system in 2026. “The National Park Service will continue monitoring congestion and parking conditions throughout the park, but visitors will not need a timed entry permit to enter,” the post stated.
The timed entry system was introduced as a pilot program in 2024. During the past two summers, visitors were required to reserve a specific entry time before arriving at the park. The initiative was designed to distribute visitation more evenly throughout the day and reduce crowding, particularly during the busy summer season.
Park officials pointed to a 70% increase in visitation over the last decade as the motivation for testing the program, citing concerns about trail congestion, traffic backups, and challenges such as managing growing amounts of trash. With the timed entry requirement ending in 2026, visitors will once again be able to visit Mount Rainier more spontaneously—though they should be prepared for the possibility of heavier traffic and limited parking.
Note that all visitors must purchase one of these entrance passes for admission to a national park:
- Standard Pass: $15–$30
- Annual Pass: $55
- America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes): Free to $250
On a budget? There is free national parks admission to US citizens and residents on certain dates each year (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates in 2026:
- February 16: Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
You can find more information about visiting Mount Rainier National Park on the official NPS website.