Recreation User Fees and Passes in the Mt. Rainier Area

• 
  It's $15 per vehicle to
  enter Mt. Rainier National Park
• 
  U.S. Forest Service trailheads
  also charge a user fee
• 
  But it's worth it...
  © Deby Dixon
• 
  Military personnel, however,
  can get a free annual pass

It can all be a bit overwhelming... What pass do I need for that hike? Should we go with an annual pass? Do I qualify a senior pass? Where do I get my pass? Here's a breakdown of the passes available when you are visiting the Mt. Rainier area.

National Park Passes

• Entrance fee: $15 per vehicle. Fee is charged at entrance stations at Mt. Rainier National Park. For those visitors 16 and older, entering the park by motorcycle, horseback, or on foot, the fee is $5 per visitor. Entrance fees provide the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for Mount Rainier National Park.
• Annual pass: $30. Provides entrance for one year from date of purchase to Mount Rainier National Park for the pass holder and accompanying passengers traveling in a single, private vehicle. This pass can be purchased at any entrance to Mt. Rainier and is only good at the park where it was purchased.
• Interagency Annual Pass: $80. Also referred to as the America the Beautiful pass, this pass provides entrance to all national parks and Forest Service sites for one year. Passes can be purchased at the park or online. Find more details here.
• Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass: $100. Discontinued July 31, 2011. This pass combines the Interagency Annual Pass with a $20 hang tag providing entrance to 23 Washington State Park boat launch sties, 26 Oregon State Parks, and 6 Army Corps of Engineer sites. Find more details here.
• Interagency Senior Pass: $10. One of the best deals for reaching senior status at age 62. This is a lifetime pass honored nationwide at all federal sites charging entrance fees. The pass admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Find more details here.
• Free Annual Pass for Active Duty Military Personnel. For active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173). Admits the pass owners and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to additional 3 adults at sites that charge per person. More info here.

U.S. Forest Service

All U.S. Forest Service trailheads with developed facilities in Washington charge a user fee. Find the complete list of sites here.

• National Forest Recreation Day Pass: $5. National Forest Recreation Day Pass: $5 per vehicle. Allows visitors to park their vehicles at trailheads.
• Northwest Forest Pass: $30. This annual vehicle pass is honored at all Forest Service trailhead day-use and entrance fee sites in Washington.
• Interagency Annual Pass: $80. Also referred to as the America the Beautiful pass, this pass provides entrance to all national parks and Forest Service sites for one year. Passes can be purchased at the park or online. Find more details here.
• Interagency Senior Pass: $10. One of the best deals for reaching senior status at age 62. This is a lifetime pass honored nationwide at all federal sites charging entrance fees. The pass admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Find more details here.

State of Washington Public Lands

The Discover Pass is required to park on and use Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources lands and Department of Fish and Wildlife lands. This pass provides entrance to all Washington State Parks and recreational areas on DNR and Fish and Wildlife lands. Find details about the pass here.

• Discover Pass Day Pass: $10/car. Allows visitors to use state recreation lands for one day.
• Discover Pass Annual Pass: $30/car. Allows visitors to use state recreation lands for one year from date of purchase. Starting in 2012, one Discover Pass can be used for two vehicles There are several options for purchasing a pass: online, when you renew your WA state vehicle license or in person. The nearly 600 recreational license vendors who sell state fishing and hunting licenses sell the discover pass. These retail stores impose a $5 transaction fee. The pass can also be purchased in person (with no transaction fee imposed) at State Parks headquarters and region offices and in state parks as staff is available.