Normal Services Resume at Mount Rainier After Government Shutdown Ends

Posted

Regular operations resumed at Mount Rainier National Park earlier this week after a three-day shutdown of the federal government came to an end on Monday evening.

That suspension of “non-essential” government operations meant that National Park staff were left home over the weekend and Monday. While access to the park was never completely closed during the shutdown, the gate to Paradise was locked, as were some restrooms, all visitors centers and other amenities while park rangers were kept away.

A press release from the National Park Service noted that Mount Rainier National Park employees were happy to return to work protecting public lands and serving park visitors.

“We would like to thank Rainier Guest Services staff who kept the National Park Inn open and donated time to service the public restrooms at Longmire during the shutdown,” said acting Superintendent Tracy Swartout, in the press release.



Access to Paradise was still restricted midweek, and due to ongoing winter storms, the public is advised to check the park website for up to date conditions before heading up the mountain. Park staff evaluate road and weather conditions each morning in order to determine access to the road above Longmire. The road is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except for during hazardous conditions. Uphill access is closed at 4:30 p.m. in order to allow time for visitors and staff to exit safely. All vehicles, including four-wheel drive vehicles, are required to carry tire chains or other state approved traction devices within the park between Nov. 1 and May 1.

The National Park Service employs more than 20,000 employees at 417 national parks across the country. Additional information on the parks can be found online at nps.gov/mora, or at twitter.com/MountRainierNPS.