Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and camping

Beginning May 26, Mount Rainier National Park will only accept digital payments for entry and campground fees.

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and camping

March 21, 2023 //  by Black Press Media Staff

Share this:

By Jared Gendron, The News Tribune

Beginning May 26, Mount Rainier National Park will only accept digital payments for entry and campground fees, according to an announcement last week. Cash will still be accepted for concession-run businesses inside the park, like bookstores and restaurants.

Other national parks have also started to move away from cash payments. Earlier this year, South Dakota Badlands National Park and Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park both switched to a cashless system. Devil’s Tower National Monument also stopped accepting cash in April 2022.

Those who can pay only with cash can purchase pre-paid passes with ticket sellers outside the park before visiting Mount Rainier, although the park service has yet to identify external partners who will sell them. More information will be shared once it’s available on the park’s fees and passes webpage.

READ MORE: This summer, visit a paradise on Earth

Annual passes, private vehicle passes, motorcycle passes, individual passes or backcountry permits and campground reservations can be purchased at recreation.gov, the federal government’s online travel planning and reservations platform. Advanced campground reservations can also be made on the park’s website.

The park service said the cashless payments will save money and help them manage their revenue more efficiently. The new system is also intended to reduce transaction times and improve accountability.

READ MORE: Venture into the dark at Washington’s Ape Cave

Park fees and free days

Several park passes can be purchased at recreation.gov, including annual passes, which cover the entrance fee:

  • Mount Rainier annual pass: US$55
  • Private vehicle pass: US$30 for seven days
  • Motorcycle pass: US$25 for seven days
  • Pedestrian/cyclist pass: US$15 for seven days
  • Campground fee: US$20 per night
  • Group campground fee: US$60 per night

Entrance passes must be printed to enter, but the park will accept a digital voucher for a single vehicle pass.

U.S. military veterans are qualified to enter the park free annually. Since November, the National Park Service and other federal agencies have been offering lifetime and an annual Military Pass that waives entrance fees at various parks nationwide. The lifetime pass is available for Gold Star Families and U.S. military veterans, and the annual pass is for current U.S. military members and their dependents. Gold Star Families and veterans must display a voucher to park staff to claim the lifetime pass, and current military members can get the annual pass at the U.S. Geological Survey agency’s website.

During a few days a year, Mount Rainier lets all visitors in for free:

  • April 22: First day of National Park Week
  • Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
  • Sept. 23: National Public Lands Day
  • Nov. 11: Veterans Day

Groups from educational institutions can have their fees waived if they’re visiting with the intent of studying park resources. The waiver must be applied a month prior to the scheduled visit, and the group must email an education request form to mora_fee_waiver@nps.gov.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast! Sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter to get the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. 

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Camping, Family activities, Hiking, Staycation secrets, Things to do, Travel tips and advisories, USA, Washington, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

The Tulalip Tribes in northwest Washington has opened a new 70,250-square-foot Tulalip Resort Casino expansion…

Tulalip casino expansion opens in WashingtonRead More

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

British Columbia hikers can find themselves in the unexpected company during treks through the ragged,…

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpineRead More

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

Have you ever wondered how far you could toss a firefighter’s gumboot? Maybe you’re curious…

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!Read More

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

The Gorge Waterway is one of Victoria’s most scenic and beloved places – a tidal…

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish SeaRead More

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science World

A brand new exhibit at Science World gives people the chance to dive into the…

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science WorldRead More

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summer

McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni is expecting a lot of visitors this…

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summerRead More

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!

As dream destination, it doesn’t get much better than Western Canada – from wilderness escapes…

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!Read More

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehicles

Revelstoke’s scenic 26-kilometre parkway has opened all the way to the top for motor vehicles,…

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehiclesRead More

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sights

The Great Canadian Trolley Company has officially arrived in Comox, launching its highly anticipated Hop…

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sightsRead More

Previous Post: « What to bring on a hike: WCT Travel Guide
Next Post: Where is California’s ‘hardest to book’ campground? Not in a famous park »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

July 8, 2025

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

July 8, 2025

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

July 7, 2025

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Recent Posts

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

July 8, 2025

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

July 8, 2025

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

July 7, 2025

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved