Visitor Shuttle Service to Begin June 19

For Immediate Release
Donna Rahier, 360-569-2211, x2301

Mount Rainier Acting Superintendent Randy King advises that park visitors will once again be able to utilize the free visitor shuttle for transportation into the park from Ashford, Longmire and Paradise during the 2009 summer season. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the shuttle will run daily between Longmire and Paradise with stops at Cougar Rock and Narada Falls on the uphill run, and stopping at Comet Falls and Cougar Rock on the downhill run. At Longmire, visitors will board the shuttle at the historic Longmire Gas Station. On Saturday and Sunday, only, visitors can board the shuttle in Ashford at Whittaker's Summit Haus (on SR 161), connecting with the Paradise Shuttle in Longmire.

Since parking at Paradise will be limited again this summer due to construction work on the lower parking area adjacent to the old Jackson Visitor Center, an additional shuttle will transport visitors to and from the Paradise Valley Road, where overflow parking will be directed.

The shuttle service will run through September 6, 2009.

For shuttle schedules and other park information, check the park's web page at www.nps.gov/mora.

PARK ENTRANCE FEES TO BE WAIVED JUNE 20-21, JULY 18-19, AND AUGUST 15-16

The National Park Service has announced three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit these national treasures. At Mount Rainier and other national parks, all park entrance fees, including commercial tour entrance fees, will be waived on the following dates: June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 15-16, 2009. These fee free weekends are in addition to the usual fee free days: National Public Lands Day, which falls on September 26 this year, and Veterans Day, November 11.

In addition to supporting affordable vacations for families, the Park Service hopes to give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area. Visitor spending in Pierce County last year totaled $968.1 million. Mount Rainier National Park tourism dollars contributed $50.7 million into the local economy.

-NPS-