Reservation Information

[Mike_Gauthier]

RESERVATIONS, NEW FOR 2005:

 

Beginning MARCH 15TH, advanced reservation requests for wilderness camping and climbing trips for the 2005 season will be accepted BY MAIL OR FAX. Reservations will NOT be processed until April 1st. PHONE RESERVATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. This early mail in period is provided as a convenience and eases the rush of reservation requests that normally occurs midnight on April 1st. All requests received during this period will be processed in random order beginning April 1st. Requests received on April 1st and later will be processed in the order they are received. Mailed requests must be postmarked NO EARLIER THAN MARCH 15TH. Please limit faxed requests to one fax per reservation request. Duplicate faxes for the same itinerary lead to multiple reservation fee charges.

 

The Wilderness Reservations Office will not be staffed until April 1st. Rely on your fax transmission receipt for verification OR send your request through the US mail with a Return Receipt service. Due to the high volume of initial reservation requests, it may take up to THREE WEEKS to receive your confirmation in the month of April. Past experience has shown that most reservation requests are accommodated during this opening time period.

 

The FAX number is (360) 569-3131

 

Mail can be sent to:

 

Longmire Wilderness Information Center

Mount Rainier National Park

Tahoma Woods, Star Route

Ashford, WA 98304

 

Reservations can also be made in person at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center beginning Memorial Day weekend. Reservations cannot be confirmed until payment is received. The park accepts VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS and DISCOVER credit cards.

 

Reservations are available for May 1 through September 30. Reservations are OPTIONAL and may not be needed. Reservations are recommended for those wanting to camp or climb on popular weekends from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September. Approximately 60% of all wilderness campsites and zones are reservable. The remaining 40% are issued on a first come-first served basis on the day a trip begins. These first come-first served sites go quickly, DO NOT COUNT ON THEM BEING AVAILABLE when you want to start a trip. As an example, climbers arriving on Wednesday may register for a 4-5 day trip, thus taking permit allotments for Friday and Saturday nights. If your trip dates are really important, we suggest getting a reservation.

 

FEES, CHANGES & REFUND POLICY

 

Reservations cost $20 per party (1-12 people) per trip (up to 14 consecutive nights). Reservation fees are non-refundable. One change may be made to a reservation after it is confirmed at no additional fee, provided the change can be accommodated. Each subsequent change requires an additional charge of $20.

 

All climbers pay a $30 flat fee whether they climb one time or numerous times. This fee must be paid at the time of the reservation (or when registering for your first climb of the year). This climbing fee is valid for an entire calendar year--i.e. fees paid in 2005 will expire 12/31/2005. Climbing Pass fees are non-refundable.

 

Climbing parties with one or more members who have already purchased a Mount Rainier Climbing Pass for the current year must also complete and submit a Climbing Party Supplemental Form. This ensures that your party is not charged climbing fees for those already possessing a valid climbing pass when requesting reservations.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO: HTTP://WWW.NPS.GOV/MORA/RECREATION/RSVPFORM.HTM

[Mike_Gauthier]

Just a reminder that the reservation start date is this Friday, April 1st.