Rainier campground and roads closed, and a parkwide fire ban

When you’re planning a late-season trip, a closure notice can make it hard to tell whether you still have a place to camp or a road to reach it. **The fire ban that began June 26 has been lifted, White River and Cougar Rock are open now, and Ohanapecosh is closed for all of 2026.** The two open drive-in campgrounds close for the season on Oct. 12.

Sunrise Road and SR 165 remain closed to cars, and more park roads have scheduled fall closures. Check the park’s current conditions before you leave, especially if your plans depend on a specific campground or trail.

01The short answer: partly true, partly out of date

The parkwide fire ban is no longer in effect, and two drive-in campgrounds are open through Oct. 12. Ohanapecosh Campground remains closed for all of 2026 while it is rebuilt. After Cougar Rock and White River close for the season, Mount Rainier National Park will have no drive-in campground.

The closures began after the Grand Park 2 Fire was reported near Sunrise in August. White River has since reopened, while Sunrise Road remains closed to cars for the rest of 2026. Other roads are open now and have scheduled seasonal closure dates later in October.

For the most current notices before you travel, check the park’s conditions page. The campgrounds page also lists campground status and access details.

02What closed and why: the fires

The Grand Park 2 Fire prompted the initial closures near Sunrise, while fires in the Wonderland Complex remain active. The Grand Park 2 Fire was reported Aug. 7, three miles north of Sunrise, closing Sunrise, White River Campground and the roads into those areas. White River reopened Sept. 5; Sunrise Road remains closed to cars.

The National Park Service’s Grand Park 2 Fire update describes the fire and the emergency closures. The Wonderland Complex includes the West Fork, Garda Falls and Pigeon fires. These fires are still burning and are expected to continue until they go out naturally.

Fire-related restrictions also remain in place for some trails and backcountry camps. Check the park’s fire information and closure updates before setting out, since access can differ by trail and area. A trailhead being reachable by road does not mean every route beyond it is open.

03Campground by campground

White River and Cougar Rock are open for the final days of the drive-in camping season; Ohanapecosh remains closed for construction. At White River, loops B and D are open through Oct. 11. Sites are first-come, first-served and cost $20, with payment through Scan and Pay. There is no cell service, so plan to complete payment without relying on a mobile connection.

Cougar Rock has 178 sites at $20 each, with reservations through Recreation.gov. Drinking water is available near the entrance. The dump station is closed, and there are no showers anywhere in the park.

Ohanapecosh is undergoing a $24.1 million rebuild and is expected to reopen in summer 2027. Reservations are expected to open in December 2026. Check the park’s campground information before booking, especially as the season ends and facilities change.

04Roads: closed now and closing soon

Sunrise Road is closed to cars for the rest of 2026, and SR 165 remains closed at the Fairfax Bridge. Sunrise is open to walkers and cyclists, but there is no drinking water there. SR 165 has been closed since April 2025, leaving no road access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.

Seasonal closures are approaching: Paradise Valley Road closes Oct. 19, Ricksecker Point Road closes Oct. 20, and Stevens Canyon and White River roads close Oct. 26. Fryingpan Creek bridge delays can affect travel, so allow extra time on that approach.

From Nov. 1, tire chains are required under the park’s winter driving rules. Check the park’s operating hours and seasonal access information before choosing a route, since the road schedule changes quickly in late October.

05The fire ban: what it was, and the rules now

The parkwide fire ban that began June 26 has been lifted. During the ban, campfires and charcoal fires were prohibited, while stoves that could be shut off were allowed.

You can now have a fire in a campground grate, following the usual firewood rules. Fires are never allowed in the wilderness. Check posted restrictions when you arrive, since fire rules can change with conditions.

06If you're going after Oct. 12

After Oct. 12, you will find no drive-in campground open inside the park, and the wilderness information centers will be closed. You need a wilderness permit for any overnight stay outside a campground. Bear poles are coming down, so plan to secure food without relying on them.

The National Park Inn at Longmire stays open. Most nearby Forest Service campgrounds have already closed for the season, so confirm availability before driving to an alternative.

Related: Desert View camping ends October 18 · Halloween Lights at a Campsite: Which Pedestal Outlet to Use and When the Park Says No

Sources (5)

• nps.gov
• nps.gov
• nps.gov
• nps.gov
• nps.gov

Photo: National Public Lands Day 2013 at Mount Rainier National Park, Tent Down (100279.jpg) by Mount Rainier National Park from Ashford, WA, United States, Public domain.