Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Randy King announces that entrance fees into Mount Rainier National Park will be waived for all visitors to the park from Saturday, November 9, through Monday, November 11 in honor of U.S. Veterans and current members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This is the final fee free weekend for 2013.

November 11 was declared Armistice Day in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson to honor the soldiers who fought in World War I. The name was changed to Veterans Day on June 1, 1954 to honor all those who have served.

Entrance fee waivers on the Veterans Day holiday have been observed since 2006 and apply to all public lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. 

Facilities open within the park during this holiday include the National Park Inn at Longmire (lodging and meals) and the Longmire General Store (gifts and food items). Visitor information is available at the Longmire Information Center. The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise will be open on Saturday and Sunday only. The visitor center offers exhibits, visitor information, food service, a gift shop and book store. In addition, many businesses in the gateway communities surrounding the park remain open throughout the winter for park visitors to enjoy. They offer accommodations, food services, and many other visitor amenities. 

As weather and Road conditions warrant, the road between Longmire and Paradise will close nightly for visitor safety, reopening each morning after the road has been cleared of snow/ice and is ready for the public. The Stevens Canyon Road, connecting the west and east side of the park is closed for the season as of this date. The White River/Sunrise Road is closed for the season at its junction with State Route 410. However, these roads do remain open to hikers, bicyclists, skiers, and snowshoers. On the east side of the park, State Routes 123 and 410 remain open, but are subject to closure at any time due to inclement weather. 

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER TO ALL PARK VISITORS:  From November 1 through May 1, all vehicles must carry tire chains on the Nisqually Road to Paradise when traveling above the Nisqually Entrance.  Law Enforcement Rangers may prohibit any vehicle from driving above the Nisqually Entrance (State Route 706) when it is determined that the vehicle may have difficulty safely traveling the area.This requirement applies to all vehicles (including four-wheel drive), regardless of tire type or weather conditions. Weather in the mountains can change rapidly at this time of year, and visitors are reminded to be prepared for possible sudden storms. Roads may close at any time due to weather changes. 

Information on current park road and weather conditions can be obtained by calling the park at 360-569-2211 for recorded information that is updated regularly. Additional park information is available on the park's web site www.nps.gov/mora.

For more information on visiting Mt. Rainier, go to www.visitrainier.com.

Visit  Rainier is a not-for-profit, non-membership destination marketing  organization that promotes tourism in the gateway communities around Mt.  Rainier.