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The Administration Building, part of the National Historic Landmark District at Longmire. During the summer, this is the home of the Longmire Wilderness Information Center.
NPS Photo
With the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899, Longmire became park headquarters. The site had previously served as James Longmire's homestead, lodging, and mineral springs resort. Although park headquarters are no longer at Longmire, the original 1916 headquarters building houses a museum that tells the story of the early days of the park. Across the street from the museum, the "newer" Longmire Administration Building, completed in 1930, still holds offices for park staff and is home to the Longmire Wilderness Information Center (current park administration offices are located at Tahoma Woods, outside of the park along SR 706). All of Longmire is now designated a National Historic District. Longmire is located in the southwest corner of the park and is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east of the Nisqually Entrance.
The National Park Inn, providing lodging and food, is open year-round.
NPS Photo
Services
Longmire is open year-round. Check Operating Hours and Seasons for current schedule of facilities in the area.
The Longmire Museum, usually open daily all year, offers exhibits, information, and books sales.
The Wilderness Information Center, usually open daily from late May to early October and closed in winter, is where visitors can obtain wilderness permits and hiking and backcountry camping information. In winter, visitors can obtain climbing and wilderness permits at the Longmire Museum.
The National Park Inn, a concessioner-operated hotel, restaurant, and gift shop, is usually open daily all year. The article, The National Park Inn, provides an overview of the history of this iconic inn.
Always check the Road Statuspage for current information about road access to Longmire and other park areas. During the winter, the road to Paradise from Longmire is closed nightly. Check Alerts for current gate open/close status and other advisories.
Electric vehicle charging stations are available at Longmire year-round and at Paradise during the summer season, operated by Rainier Guest Services (RGS) (check RGS website for current operating status). If you are interested in using them, visit the corresponding lodging operation (National Park Inn for Longmire and Paradise Inn for Paradise) to get their access code. Pricing will be based upon the amount of time requested and acceptance rate of energy (Tier 1, 2, or 3) requested.
For a ideas for Longmire summer activities, download the Longmire Things To Do guide.
Christine Falls - Located 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Longmire, a short walk from the pullout offers a classic view of the falls below the rustic stone bridge. Be aware that parking is limited. For your safety, do not walk or stop your car on the bridge.
Glacier Bridge - 5 miles (8 km) from Longmire heading towards Paradise. The tall bridge has excellent views of the Nisqually Valley, though the Nisqually Glacier, which once reached the location of the bridge, has since retreated up the valley. There are parking areas on either side of the bridge; do not park on the bridge.
Ricksecker Point Road - This one-way road begins 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Longmire and offers fantastic views of Mount Rainier, Nisqually Valley, and the Tatoosh Range. (The Ricksecker Point Road is open in summer only.)
A historic photo of Narada Falls.
NPS Photo
Hiking
Historic District Walking Tour (self-guided)
Observe the excellent examples of classic National Park Service rustic architecture found at Longmire.
Trail of the Shadows (0.7 mi/1.1 km)
An easy walk past one of the park's earliest homesteads, the Longmire mineral springs, and through the surrounding forest encircling the Longmire Meadow.
Twin Firs Trail (0.4 mi/0.6 km)
Beginning 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Longmire, a short loop trail through old-growth forest.
Carter Falls Trail (2 mi/3.2 km)
This portion of the Wonderland Trail also known as the Carter Falls Trail begins 0.1 miles (0.2 km) below Cougar Rock Campground. An easy old-growth forest walk along the Paradise River. Walk past Carter Falls another 150 feet (45.7 m) to see Madcap Falls.
Rampart Ridge Trail (4.6 mi/7.4 km)
Branching off from the Trail of the Shadows trail, this steep loop trail offers excellent views of Mount Rainier and Nisqually Valley.
Narada Falls Trail (9 mi/14.5 km)
Follow the Nisqually River via the Wonderland Trail from Longmire, along this cool forest trail. En route to Narada Falls you will pass Carter and Madcap Falls.
Eagle Peak Trail (7 mi/11.3 km)
A steep trail through old-growth forest with great views of Mount Rainier, Nisqually Glacier, and the Tatoosh Range. Trailhead found across the suspension bridge from Longmire on the east side of Nisqually River. NOTE: The Nisqually Suspension Bridge has a weight limit of 3 tons (6,000 pounds or 2721 kilograms). Vehicles over this weight limit CANNOT cross the bridge, including recreational vehicles (campers/trailers/motorhomes), maintenance trucks, box trucks, and medium trucks/SUVs pulling campers or trailers. Large trucks/SUVS can exceed the weight limit even without trailers. If your vehicle cannot cross the bridge, park in the main Longmire parking area near the National Park Inn and cross the bridge on foot.
Left image
The Longmire Meadow with a view of Mount Rainier, taken July 2023.
Credit: NPS Photo
Right image
The Longmire Meadow with a view of Mount Rainier, taken February 2023.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Longmire Meadow is a unique low elevation meadow created by volcanic mineral springs. The Trail of the Shadows is an easy nature trail that encircles the meadow and is open year-round. A short spur trail leads into the meadow for a view of Mount Rainier and Rampart Ridge.
A winter walk along the Trail of the Shadows
Pause along the Trail of the Shadows and listen to mineral springs bubble, snowmelt drip from trees, and streams gurgle and rush. Recorded January 3, 2013.
[No voices; background audio only.] Faint audio of dripping water that transitions into a rushing stream. Birds call. Bubbling mineral springs gurgle. Footsteps on a snowy path approach and fade away against the faint hum of a passing airplane.
There are many ways to experience Mount Rainier National Park. Most visitors explore the park in vehicles or on foot, but why not by bike? Most of Westside Road is closed to vehicles, but is open to bicycling and hiking. Ride through old-growth forest, visit a historic ranger cabin and stonework bridges, and pause to remember the long history of the mountain.
