Mount Rainier to transform in 2025: How it will affect your trip

This campground and road will be getting some much-needed TLC in 2025

By Sarah Joseph Published November 22, 2024

Mount Rainier National Park in the winter — NPS / NPS

Mount Rainier National Park is about to undergo two exciting construction projects in the coming year. Efforts and resources will be focused on the Ohanapecosh Campground and State Route 123. While these upgrades may be temporarily disruptive to 2025 visitors, these enhancements are long overdue and promise to make your upcoming experiences far more enjoyable. Here are the details.

Construction projects coming to Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier — bones64 / Pixabay

Ohanapecosh Campground to see major makeover

Ohanapecosh Campground is in the southeast corner of the park, and it’s in desperate need of some TLC. Partly funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), this project aims to modernize the facility and improve accessibility. This is what it will include:

Upgrades to infrastructure: All 185 campsites and nine restrooms will be revamped. Electrical and water systems will be modernized, and the aging wastewater collection system will be replaced.
Improved Accessibility: Mount Rainier National Park is committed to making their accommodations accessible and welcoming to all visitors.

Recommended Videos

Because of the scale of these upgrades, Ohanapecosh Campground, including the visitor center, picnic area, and auditorium will close for the 2025 season. The National Park Service expects that the project will conclude in time to welcome visitors back in 2026.

If you were planning on camping at Ohanapecosh Campground this coming year, now’s your chance to try one of the other gorgeous campgrounds around Mount Rainier, like White River Campground or Cougar Rock Campground. Be sure to book your site in advance so you’re able to snag your reservation!

State Route 123 to see major safety upgrades

State Route 123 runs along the eastern boundary of Mount Rainier National Park. In recent years, it has become increasingly unsafe, so it’s time for some upgrades. The Federal Highways Administration has funded this two-year project, and construction will start in April 2025.

During year one, a 2.8-mile section of the road between Stevens Canyon Road and Panther Creek will be fully closed from September 2nd-30th. During this time, there will be no vehicle, pedestrian, or cycling access.

During year two, there will be no more full closures but you should still expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

For more information about these closures, visit the National Park Service website.

Topics

Contributor

With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…

Outdoors

Witness nature’s most magical light show at Congaree’s firefly event this May

Don't miss out on your chance to see the magical beauty of fireflies this year

Fireflies at sunset

Fireflies are one of the most magical sights in the entire world. To me, it ranks above rainbows and below the northern lights, just because the conditions have to be just right. Fireflies are active from late spring into early summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and peak activity often happens in June or July. Fireflies prefer warm, humid evenings without any wind or rain, and you'll want to look for them in areas with tall grass, woods, and areas with little light pollution. If you want a great chance to see the fireflies this year, head to South Carolina's Congaree National Park for their annual firefly viewing event.

This year, the Firefly Viewing Event will take place from May 14 to the 21st. During this special time, visitors can expect an awe-inspiring spectacle as the fireflies perform a light show as part of their mating rituals. Because it's a popular event, park staff are doing their best to protect the fireflies' habitat, so attendance is tightly controlled.

Travel

How to pack for a cruise (depending on your destination)

Let’s face it, one-size-fits-all packing doesn’t always work

Cruise ship into the sunset

If you’re about to start packing for a cruise, you can’t just throw in some essentials and call it a day. Where you’re sailing makes all the difference. I mean, what you’d pack for an Alaskan cruise is completely different from what you’d bring for a Caribbean cruise. The right packing strategy means you’ll be comfortable, prepared for excursions, and dressed appropriately for onboard events.

I’ll put myself out there and say it – a few years ago, I learned this the hard way. I packed for my Alaskan cruise as if I were heading to a mild spring getaway, and I spent the trip shivering on deck, completely unprepared for glacier hikes and misty mornings. Since then, I’ve fine-tuned my cruise packing strategy, and I’m here to make sure you don’t make the same rookie errors. So, here’s how to pack for a cruise, depending on where you’re headed.
For a Caribbean cruise, keep it light, breezy, and beach ready

Outdoors

From salt flats to sand dunes: The hidden wonders of Death Valley National Park

Adventure across California’s most diverse landscapes

Salt flats in badwater basin in Death Valley

Death Valley National Park is infamously known as big, barren, and foreboding. So why is it named one of the best national parks to visit in winter, attracting over 1 million annual visitors? The answer is in this park's sheer variety of natural landmarks. One moment, you're standing on a mile-long salt flat. Next, you're admiring the rainbow-colored badlands, and by sunset, you're trekking the dunes -- all within the same park.
Have I piqued your interest? I hope so. Death Valley rivals Yosemite as one of California's most ecologically diverse natural landmarks, and it deserves a visit. But what formations are most worth your time, especially if you only have one day to explore? Let me suggest a few must-see sights based on my most recent visit and a primer on the park's history and geography.

Death Valley National Park’s history, climate, and key facts