Hiker Headlines: Paradise Access Changes, Christmas Tree Permits, Outdoor Recreation Economy Report
Access to Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park is now restricted to the weekends. Grab a permit online if you're interested in cutting your own Christmas tree from a national forest. The Kraus Ridge Trail is temporarily closed for most of December, and Mount Teneriffe trailhead is closed for snow. The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released an outdoor recreation economy report for the United States. And, a snowstorm has hit Washington!
It’s December 1. Access to Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park is now restricted to the weekends. Grab a permit online if you're interested in cutting your own Christmas tree from a national forest. The Kraus Ridge trail is temporarily closed for most of December. The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released an outdoor recreation economy report for the United States. And, a snowstorm has hit Washington! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
Although Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park will only be accessible on the weekends, Longmire will continue to be open every day. Photo by Jesse Gold.
Paradise access changes: Access to the road from Longmire to Paradise and the Paradise recreation area at Mount Rainier National Park (MRNP) is now restricted to Saturdays and Sundays for the public due to staffing limitations. The Longmire recreation area will stay open all days of the week. Camping will only be allowed on Saturday nights at Paradise, and the sledding runs are closed this season. If you plan to head over to MRNP, be sure to bring your tire chains, regardless of the weather.
Christmas tree permits: With the holidays approaching, those who are looking to cut their own Christmas trees from a Washington national forest can grab a Christmas tree permit from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Colville National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Olympic National Forest and Umatilla National Forest for $5 a tree, and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for $10 a tree.
Closures: The Kraus Ridge Trail in Gifford-Pinchot National Forest is temporarily closed through Dec. 23. The Mount Teneriffe trailhead is closed due to hazardous road conditions. Trails on the Mount Si/Mount Teneriffe network are still open and can be accessed from Mount Si or Little Si trailheads, though high clearance and 4WD vehicles are recommended for the trailhead. The upper Mailbox Peak trailhead is closed.
Outdoor recreation economy report: The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released a report of statistics related to the 2021 outdoor recreation economy for the United States, both nationally and by state. In 2021, outdoor recreation generated more than $12 billion for Washington’s economy and helped generate over 114,000 jobs.
Let it snow: You’ve likely heard about — or seen for yourself — all the snow in Washington this week, and the forecast says there’s more to come! Be sure to check for road or trail closures — our Hiking Guide and trip reports are great resources — and park visitor center information, and check out our resources on winter hiking to get some tips on staying safe, snowshoeing and more. And if you’re seeking some respite from the snow this weekend, check out the “high point” filter in the left sidebar in our Hiking Guide to find some lowland hikes.
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