Park Construction Frequently-Asked-Questions

This major rehabilitation project is for work done on a 2.8 mile section of State Route (SR) 123 within park boundaries, from Laughingwater Creek Bridge to the Panther Creek Bridge.   

• Construction Year One (2025) - travel impacts:
  • A 2.8 mile section of roadway will be under construction from April 2025-October 2025.  Travelers will experience delays of up to 30 minutes.  
  • A full road closure of a portion of the roadway between Stevens Canyon Road and Panther Creek will take place from September 2-September 30, 2025. The roadway will be bisected near Panther Creek to install to large box culverts.  There will be no vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycling access through the construction zone during this one-month culvert replacement project.  
• Construction Year Two (2026) - travel impacts: 
  • A 2.8 mile section of roadway will be under construction from April 2026-October 2026.  Travelers will experience delays of up to 30 minutes. 
  • There will be no full closures of the roadway during the 2026 construction season.

The Federal Highways Administration is providing $11.4 million to complete this project.  

Yes, Stevens Canyon Road will be open and accessible during the one-month closure of the portion of SR 123 between Stevens Canyon Road and Panther Creek. The closure area will be north of the Stevens Canyon Road/SR 123 intersection and south of the SR 410/SR 123 intersection (Cayuse Pass).  

The full two-lane closure of a small portion of SR 123 will take place starting September 2, 2025 and will finish on September 30, 2025. The park anticipates reopening the closed section of roadway by Monday, October 1, 2025. 

Contractors will be installing to large box culverts to support improved water flow through Panther Creek.  During this period of construction both lanes of roadway in the affected area will be completely removed. This will sever the connection between portions of roadway both north and south of Panther Creek.

• Bicyclists
  • Southbound bicyclists are permitted on SR 123 between Cayuse Pass and Deer Creek Bridge.
  • Southbound bicyclists are prohibited from proceeding beyond the construction closure at Deer Creek Bridge for their safety.
  • There is no through traffic on SR 123 between Deer Creek Bridge and Stevens Canyon Road.
  • Northbound bicyclists are prohibited from proceeding beyond Stevens Canyon Road on SR 123.
• Pedestrians
  • Southbound pedestrians are permitted to access trailheads located on SR 123 between Cayuse Pass and Panther Creek Bridge but trailhead access may be challenging.
    • Trailheads include:
      • Eastside Trail
        • Access is available from parking areas at:
          • Chinook Pass / Tipsoo Lake on SR 410
          • Cayuse Pass on SR 123
          • Deer Creek Bridge on SR 123
          • Grove of the Patriarchs Trailhead on Stevens Canyon Road, north of Stevens Canyon Entrance
      • Deer Creek / Owyhigh Lakes Trailhead
        • Access requires hiking 0.9 miles one-way from Deer Creek Bridge parking to trailhead.
      • Shriner Peak Trailhead
        • Access requires hiking 3.4 miles one-way with 1,100 feet of elevation loss from Deer Creek Bridge parking to trailhead.
  • Northbound pedestrians are prohibited from proceeding beyond the intersection of Stevens Canyon Road and SR 123.

Yes. However, visitors will have to plan ahead for a 2-3 hour detour if they wish to travel between the Sunrise/White River areas and the southeastern border of the park near Ohanapecosh during September 2-September 30, 2025.   

No. We anticipate that Stevens Canyon Road will open and close on its normal schedule.  

• From July 11 to September 1, timed entry reservations are required daily for Sunrise Corridor in 2025 from White River Entrance to the Sunrise area from 7 am to 5 pm.
• From September 2 to the end of season (early- to mid-October), timed entry reservations are only required for weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and holidays (Columbus Day) from 7 am to 5 pm
• Timed entry reservations are not required to visit the Paradise Corridor in 2025 due to road and parking area construction projects from the Nisqually Entrance to the Stevens Canyon Entrance.

Information, including maps, will be posted on the park construction webpage.

• Yes, Stevens Canyon Entrance will remain open from Tuesday, September 2 to Tuesday, September 30.
• *There will be a 6-hour construction closure of Stevens Canyon Entrance on Wednesday, September 24, subject to weather conditions.

• No, all southbound large vehicles including semi-trucks, RVs, and trailers must comply with the construction closure at Cayuse Pass / Mile Marker 16.
• There will be no opportunity to turn around beyond the closure. Large vehicles will be forced to operate in reverse up to 3.5 miles back to Cayuse Pass.

• Any vehicles found blocking road access or parking areas will be towed at their expense.

Western Detour: Directions to Sunrise / White River Entrance from Paradise / Longmire / Nisqually Entrance

• Distance: 115 miles / 185 kilometers
• Approximate driving time: 3-4 hours
• Note: This route takes into consideraton Washington State Department of Transporation (WSDOT) closure of White River Bridge in Buckley, WA.
• Timed Entry Reservations: From Tuesday, September 2 to the end of season (early- to mid-October), timed entry reservations are only required on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and holidays (Columbus Day) from 7 am to 5 pm.
• GPS Note: Be cautious if using GPS during this time as directions may not be accurate and road closures may not be reflected on the map.
• Detour Map: Download directions and map here.

Directions

1. Start at Nisqually Entrance
2. Exit the park and go northwest on SR
   706 E to Elbe
3. Continue on SR 7 (Mountain Hwy E)
4. Make a sharp right on Alder Cutoff
   Rd E
5. Continue on Center St E to Eatonville
6. At the traffic light, turn right on SR 161 (N Washington Ave)
7. Continue on SR 161 (Meridian E) to South Hill, WA
8. At the traffic light, continue on SR 161 (31st Ave SW)
9. Take the exit on the right to merge onto SR 512 E toward SR 161 N / Seattle
10. Take the exit on the right to merge onto SR 18 E toward Auburn
11. Take the exit on the right to SR 164 E (Auburn Way) toward Enumclaw
12. Keep left at the fork at to SR 164 E toward Enumclaw
13. At the traffic light, make a sharp left on to SR 164 (Auburn Way S)
14. Continue on WA 164 (Auburn Enumclaw Rd SE / SE 436th Way / Griffin Ave) to the intersection of SR 410 (Roosevelt Ave).
15. Continue on SR 410 E (Mather Memorial Pkwy / Chinook Pass) to Mount Rainier National Park
16. Follow signs to Sunrise / White River

Eastern Detour: Directions to Sunrise / White River Entrance from Stevens Canyon Entrance

• Distance: 95 miles to White River Entrance from Stevens Canyon Entrance
• Approximate driving time: 3 hours
• Timed Entry Reservations: From Tuesday, September 2 to the end of season (early- to mid-October), timed entry reservations are only required on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and holidays (Columbus Day) from 7 am to 5 pm.
• GPS Note: Be cautious if using GPS during this time as directions may not be accurate and road closures may not be reflected on the map.
• Detour Map: Download directions and map here.

1. Start at Stevens Canyon Entrance
2. Exit the park and go south on SR 123 to US 12 North toward Yakima
3. Travel 63 miles to the intersection of US 12 and SR 410 (if you enter Naches, you have gone too far)
4. Turn left onto SR 410 west. Drive 54 miles to the intersection with White River Road
5. Follow the signs to Sunrise / White River

Access: Multiple access points remain open during construction.

Parking: The nearest parking is at the following locations. Parking is limited and serves multiple trailheads at each site:

• Cayuse Pass

• Chinook Pass / Tipsoo Lake

• Deer Creek Bridge (0.9 miles from Deer Creek Trailhead)

• Grove of the Patriarchs Trailhead (on Stevens Canyon Road, north of Stevens Canyon Entrance)

Parking Rules: Park only in designated areas. Do not block construction barricades or road access. Vehicles blocking access will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Overnight Parking: Restricted to wilderness permit holders. Car camping is not permitted.

Large Vehicles: Semi-trucks, RVs, and trailers must comply with the closure at Cayuse Pass. There is no turnaround past the closure; drivers will need to back up the entire 3.5 miles.

Learn more about Eastside Trail here.

Access: Motor vehicle access to the trailhead is open; however, parking is not available directly at the trailhead during construction.

Parking: The nearest parking is at Deer Creek Bridge, located 0.9 miles up the road from the trailhead. Please expect limited parking that will serves more trailheads than normal during construction.

Parking Rules: Park only in designated areas. Do not block construction barricades or road access. Vehicles blocking access will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Overnight Parking: Restricted to wilderness permit holders. Car camping is not permitted.

Large Vehicles: Semi-trucks, RVs, and trailers must comply with the closure at Cayuse Pass. There is no turnaround past the closure; drivers will need to back up the entire 3.5 miles.

Notes:
* Day-hikers and backpackers planning to hike the Owyhigh Lakes Trail are advised to access from the north side at White River Road. Day-hikers require a timed-entry reservation from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekends. Wilderness permit holders may use their permit for entry at White River Entrance.

Learn more about Deer Creek Trailhead here.

Access: Motor vehicle and bicycle access is closed beyond Deer Creek Bridge during construction. Pedestrian access is permitted but requires hiking an additional 3.4 miles one-way with 1,100 feet of elevation loss, plus the 4 miles one-wayto Shriner Peak.

Parking: The nearest parking is at Deer Creek Bridge, located 3.4 miles up the road from the trailhead. Parking is limited and serves multiple trailheads.

Parking Rules: Park only in designated areas. Do not block construction barricades or road access. Vehicles blocking access will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Overnight Parking: Restricted to wilderness permit holders. Car camping is not permitted.

Large Vehicles: Semi-trucks, RVs, and trailers must comply with the closure at Cayuse Pass. There is no turnaround past the closure; drivers will need to back up the entire 3.5 miles.

Learn more about Shriner Peak Trail here.

• Permit holders will be notified of updates in advance for an opportunity to change their itinerary, change their dates, or request a refund for their wilderness permit fees.

• Permit holders must visit Recreation.gov in order to change or cancel their permits and request a refund. For your convenience, read the following cancellation and change policies for clarity.

Cancellation & Change Policies

Cancellation Policy

• You may cancel your reservation four or more full days before your reservation date and receive a refund. The $6 reservation fee is non-refundable. 

Change Policy

• You may make changes to your permit itinerary, if space is available, up until the day before your reservation date (additional fees may apply). Your start date cannot be changed without cancelling your permit and starting over. Once your permit has been issued, you cannot make changes to the permit unless approved by a ranger at a Wilderness Information Center.

• One additional permit holder can be identified when the reservation is created. Otherwise, reservations and permits are non-transferrable.

No Show Policies

• If you do not cancel and decide not to use your reservation, none of the fees will be refunded. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it as this makes space available for others.

• Through traffic will be permitted prior to 8 am and after 4 pm on Wednesday September 24, but this date is subject to change pending weather conditions and may be delayed to the following days any day from Thursday through Sunday.
• Between 8 am and 4 pm, expect a detour of 3-4 hours if travelling  from either end of the closure at Stevens Canyon Entrance to White River Entrance.

• Southbound traffic on Stevens Canyon Road will be allowed as far down until the southern portion of the Grove of the Patriarchs parking area, north of Stevens Canyon Entrance.

• Visitors northbound on SR123 will not be allowed through Stevens Canyon Entrance between 8 am and 4 pm on Wednesday, September 24, weather permitting.

• Expect a detour of at least 1.5 hours if travelling from the southern end of Stevens Canyon Entrance / Packwood all the way to Paradise through the Nisqually Entrance.

• Expect a detour of 3-4 hours if travelling from either end of the closure at Stevens Canyon Entrance to White River Entrance between 8 am and 4 pm.

Work will include the rehabilitation of 185 campsites and nine restroom buildings, replacing the wastewater collection system, upgrading electrical and water systems, road repairs, and accessibility improvements. 

The original Ohanapecosh Hot Springs Resort started in the 1920’s and the Civilian Conservation Corps used public works funding to further improve the campground between 1934 and 1939. 

No.

No.

No.

Ohanapecosh Campground information can be found on the Ohanapecosh webpage on the park’s website and on the updated park construction webpage. 

No. The entire Ohanapecosh Developed Area, including all campsites, group camping sites, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Designated Use Area, visitor center, restrooms, auditorium, Ohanapecosh river access, picnic area and parking facilities will be closed for the construction project.  

No. Visitor access to the Ohanapecosh area will not be permitted in summer 2025 as the site will be under construction.  

No. Special Use Permits will not be issued for any portion of the Ohanapecosh area, including the amphitheater, in summer 2025. No visitor access will be permitted. The site will be under construction.  

No.

The Cougar Rock Campground and White River Campground will both be open to visitors during the summer 2025 camping season. Walk in sites at Ipsut and Mowich will also be available.  For more information on camping in the park, please visit the campgrounds webpage.

Reservations for the 2026 camping season are expected to reopen on www.recreation.gov in December 2025. 

This $24.1M project is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act's Legacy Restoration Fund ($3.3M), Recreation Fee revenues ($19.3M), and National Park Foundation ($1.5M). 

The 2020 Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is historic bipartisan legislation that expands equitable and accessible recreational opportunities and addresses long overdue infrastructure improvement and modernization needs on public lands managed by the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Education schools.   

The funding is reducing the maintenance and repair backlog, protecting critical resources, expanding recreational opportunities, and promoting long-term sustainable operations. 

GAOA is funded by royalties from offshore oil and gas leases. The LRF provides up to $1.9 billion a year for five years to repair critical facilities and infrastructure in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and American Indian schools. The NPS receives 70% of the LRF—up to $1.3 billion each year, or up to $6.65 billion total, through 2025.

Yes. The size of the LRF funding relative to other sources presents an opportunity to address large-scale deferred maintenance projects that cannot realistically be funded through other means. Without this investment, large projects would have to be phased, often with delay and public inconvenience, and at an increased cost. 

The funding supports dozens of large-scale projects in parks that will improve campgrounds, roads, trails, restrooms, water treatment systems, and visitor facilities that are aging and strained by a level of use they were not designed to support.  

The annual investment of up to $1.3 billion each year in national park infrastructure will in turn support jobs, businesses in local communities, and our national economy.     

GAOA has generated billions of dollars of economic activity in communities across the nation by supporting 57,900 jobs, creating a $4 billion labor market, and contributing $6.3 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product.