Navigating Mount Rainier's Timed Entry for Your Photoshoot
As you might have heard, Mount Rainier National Park is implementing a timed-entry reservation system for part of the 2024 season. Understandably, this has many people concerned about what this can mean for their upcoming elopements and other photo sessions. This new system even has some couples and families re-thinking their location choice.
We’ve done our research and spoken with the National Park Service directly and want to alleviate your concerns by keeping you well-informed. While this season will be different, there’s no reason the timed entry system should prevent you from getting the photos you’ve been dreaming about! In this article, we’ll discuss how the timed-entry system works, and how it will affect your elopement/photo session!
Timed Entry Basics
Before jumping into how to navigate this new system in regard to your photo session or elopement, let’s start by discussing the basics. A lot of clients are asking me ‘why is Mount Rainier implementing a timed entry reservation system?’. The short answer is overcrowding and subsequent damage to the ecosystems within the park. The hope is that visitors will see reduced wait times and general congestion during their visit.
This year is considered a trial run of the timed entry system. While temporary, the data collected this year will be used to determine whether they will continue to require timed entry during the peak season.
Where You Need a Reservation
Two park areas will require a timed entry reservation: Paradise and Sunrise. The entry to the Paradise Corridor is along the south side of the park near Ashford while the entry to the Sunrise Corridor is to the southeast near Packwood. If you make a reservation for the Paradise Corridor, it will allow you to enter either the Nisqually Entrance or the Stevens Canyon Entrance.
Popular Paradise Locations
- Cougar Rock Campground
- Longmire
- Myrtle Falls
- Narada Falls
- Paradise Visitor Center
- Reflection Lakes
- Skyline Trail
Popular Sunrise Locations
- Glacier Basin
- Mt. Freemont Lookout
- Pinnacle Peak
- Sourdough Ridge
- Sunrise Visitor Center
- White River Campground
When You Need a Reservation
As I mentioned, you will only need a reservation for part of the year and only for entry between the hours of 7:00am and 3:00pm. If you plan on entering the park outside of these hours, no reservation is required.
For Paradise, a reservation is needed from May 24th, 2024 through September 2nd, 2024.
For Sunrise, a reservation is needed from July 4th, 2024 through September 2nd, 2024.
You’ll need one reservation per day of your visit as well as one for each of the two corridors if you plan on visiting both in the same day. This will give you a two-hour window to enter the park. Below you’ll find the Timed Entry Reservation Release Dates table for 2024 — this table was taken directly from the National Park Service’s website. You can book here. There is a $2 non-refundable fee per reservation.
You’ll also be able to make a next-day timed entry reservation starting at 7:00pm PST the night prior to your visit.
So, how does all of this information affect those of you looking to get pictures taken within the park this summer? Well, it depends on the occasion.
Elopements & Timed Entry Reservations
I’ll start with the easiest one — elopements.
If you’re planning a Mount Rainier National Park elopement for the summer of 2024, you’ll need a Special Use Permit. The Special Use Permit is not a new requirement, so you should already have plans to obtain this if you don’t already have one in hand. The Mount Rainier National Park Service recommends obtaining your permit at least 90 days in advance, but have occasionally been able to approve permits with shorter windows (however, it’s best to not take the risk if you can avoid).
The great news is that with a Special Use Permit you won’t need to make a timed entry reservation. You’ll just show your permit at the gate as normal and you’ll be able to access the park. However, the permit will only gain you access to the associated corridor listed on the permit (Paradise or Sunrise).
Likewise, if you have a reservation for the National Park Inn, Paradise Inn, or Cougar Rock Campground, you do NOT need a timed entry reservation. You’ll just need proof of your reservation. (Tip: make sure to print or screenshot your reservation/permit as there is very limited cell service in the park).
Portrait Sessions & Timed Entry Reservations
When it comes to portrait sessions such as engagements or family sessions, you will need to make a reservation to gain access to the park. If you don’t have flexibility in your schedule, you can schedule your entry as soon as you have your date(s) squared away and the schedule for your timeframe is open. At the time of writing this, reservations are available from May to June, 2024.
If you have flexibility or concerns regarding weather, I recommend waiting at least one week prior to your shoot to narrow down a date. If there is still early availability, you’ll be able to book in advance.
Otherwise, you’ll need to make your reservation the night prior.
High-Demand Hours
The biggest unknown factor is the demand for these timed entry reservations. After speaking with the Park Service, they don’t anticipate obtaining a reservation to be a difficult task. While certain dates and times are starting to fill up, there are still plenty of available options. So far, the most popular days are Saturdays and Sundays, especially the 9:00am-11:00am time slot, which is to be expected. Regardless, we can plan our timeframe according to the demand of the day and find the options that work best for you.
No Timeslots Available?
The worst-case scenario is that you’re unable to snag the entry time that you want, but don’t worry! While that can change what your day will look like, it doesn’t mean we can’t still proceed with your photoshoot.
For my clients, I almost always recommend shooting during golden hour for the best light depending on the weather that day. Golden hour is the hour just after sunrise and just before sunset. For example, mid-July this would be around 6:00am and 8:00pm.
As I mentioned earlier, you only need a reservation to enter the park between 7:00am and 3:00pm. Depending on the day and weather, that still means we can take our photos with beautiful golden hour light in the early morning or later in the evening. In fact, in most cases, it’s preferable.
Don't Fear the Mount Rainier Timed Entry System
While the Mount Rainier Timed Entry System will change the way we approach park entry, it doesn’t mean we can’t capture many amazing photos this year. In fact, it could even mean fewer photobombs and more lush landscapes. If you want help navigating this system or just want to reserve your spot for the 2024 season now, check out our packages to get started.