Mount Rainier National Park Announces the First of Several Fee Free Periods in 2011

Entrance fees will be waived at Mount Rainier National Park and all other national parks on a total of 17 days this year. The first of these fee free periods will be January 15 through 17 in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Other fee free periods in 2011 will be April 16 through 24 (National Park Week), June 21 (the first day of summer), September 24 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11-13 (Veteran's Day Weekend). Fee free days serve to encourage Americans to visit and appreciate their national parks. The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center will be open over the upcoming holiday weekend, as well as the snowplay area at Paradise. Guided snowshoe walks will be conducted on all three days. The National Park Inn and General Store at Longmire will also be open offering food service, lodging, gifts, and snacks. Tire chairs are also available for sale. Visitors are reminded that tire chains must be carried in all vehicles, including those with four-wheel drive, when travelling in the park during winter months and may be required at any time, depending on road conditions. For updated recorded information, call 360-569-2211 or visit the park's web page at www.nps.gov/mora Visitor services are also available outside the park. Visit their web pages at www.visitrainier.com, www.mt-rainier.com, www.staycrystal.com, www.destinationpackwood.com, www.minerallake.com, or www.mtrainierguestservices.com