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Crowds Surge at Mount Rainier | Spokane News
Description
Mount Rainier National Park is overwhelmed with visitors, especially at Paradise, where parking fills by sunrise and cars snake through overflow lots—even under cloudy skies. Despite a slight dip from last year’s record, 2025 saw over 500,000 more visitors than 2016. The National Park Service ditched reservation requirements for peak times, relying instead on parking management. Some hikers, like Sam, turned away Saturday only to snag spots Sunday by arriving at 5 AM; others, like Sharon, found trails manageable despite crowds. The park urges early arrivals (before 7 AM or after 4 PM) or weekday visits to dodge weekend chaos—and warns of long waits for restrooms too. Still, many say the views and trails are worth it, so pack extra water, snacks, and sun protection.
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