Date:
August 8, 2024
Contact: Mount Rainier Press Information Line, 360-569-6510

ASHFORD, Wash. - Mount Rainier National Park reminds park visitors considering coming to the park to view the Perseid meteor shower to plan ahead, be prepared to pack out trash, and to stay on park trails and avoid trampling fragile high elevation subalpine meadows. Damage caused to subalpine meadow plants by visitors traveling off-trail can take years to recover. While the park offers exceptional night sky viewing in clear weather, visitors can promote a safe and positive experience for all by following guidelines that support the visitor experience and park resources.

• Wear layers and consider bringing a coat or blanket to stay warm.

• Respect the park resources. Subalpine meadows like those seen at Paradise and Sunrise are fragile, and easily damaged by careless visitors. Stay in the parking lot or on a trail. Do not spread blankets or set up chairs in park meadows.

• Active stargazing is permitted, but camping or staying overnight in a vehicle in parking lots or pull-offs is not. Once you have had your fill of the night sky, please exit the park.

• Drive carefully in busy parking lots; be alert for other visitors as you enter or exit parking lots. Do not set up blankets or chairs in driving lanes.

• Pack out your trash and recyclables. Large numbers of visitors can overwhelm trash receptacles overnight; leaving trash on the ground is not only illegal but also dangerous to wild animals who can be attracted by the smell, and who may become sick or used to human food. Protect the park's wild creatures by disposing of trash properly or by taking your trash home with you.

• Pets are not permitted on the park's trails.

• Starting Saturday, August 10, 2024, a fire ban is in effect for Mount Rainier National Park.

• Leave your drone at home; use of drones is prohibited within the park.

• Follow the direction of park rangers as they work to protect both visitors and park resources

• Turn off lights and electronic devices to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark and improve your night vision.

• If you must use a light, put a red filter over your flashlight. This will preserve your night vision and the night vision of other visitors.

"Mount Rainier's dark night skies are a wonderful resource for all to enjoy. However, we ask visitors to do their part to protect the park's fragile meadows by staying on trails, and packing out their trash as they head home," said Superintendent Greg Dudgeon.Rangers at the Paradise area of the park will host night sky programs from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday night, August 9, Saturday night, August 10, and Sunday night, August 11, 2024. The Sunrise area of the park will close to visitors at the White River entrance once the Sunrise parking lot is full. Timed entry reservations for the Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor are in effect daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through September 2, 2024. A valid entry pass is required for all visitors to the park.For general information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park website.

www.nps.gov

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