Join a park ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to the challenging winter conditions at Mount Rainier.
First-come, first-served guided snowshoe walks at Paradise are usually on Saturdays and Sundays. Walks are typically offered from late December through March. As staffing allows, walks start at 11:00 am and meet inside the Jackson Visitor Center (near the information desk) in Paradise. Sign-ups begin 1 hour in advance of scheduled time.
Distance & Time: Snowshoe walks cover approximately 1.8 miles in 2 hours.
Group size: Snowshoe walks are limited to 25 people, eight years old or older, on a first-come, first-served basis. A sign-up sheet is available at the Jackson Visitor Center information desk one hour before each walk. All snowshoe walk participants must be present at sign-up.
Equipment: For an enjoyable snowshoe walk, you will need:
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Snowshoes - Snowshoes are provided by the park only for those attending the ranger-guided snowshoe walks, and only for the duration of the walk. An optional $5.00 donation from each snowshoe walk participant helps the park provide snowshoe walks and repair and replace snowshoes. Additionally, the park concessioner rents snowshoes to anyone wishing to snowshoe in the park; check at the Longmire General Store for availability and rental rates. Or you may use your own snowshoes.
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Hat
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Mittens/Gloves
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Suitable boots (you will sink into the snow even wearing snowshoes)
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Sunscreen
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Sunglasses