Know before you go! Mount Rainier National Park no longer accepts cash for entrance fees

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Starting Friday, Mount Rainier National Park will no longer accept cash for entrance fees and campgrounds.

The national park is transitioning to a fully cashless fee system and will accept only electronic card payments moving forward, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Don't usually carry cash on you? It's okay. The NPS said visitors who are only able to pay with cash will be able to purchase a prepaid pass from various local vendors before coming to the park.

Park Superintendent Greg Dudgeon said moving to a cashless system helps the park manage visitor dollars more effectively.

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"Going cashless reduces the amount of time park staff spend handling cash, increases the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services, and improves accountability while also reducing risk," said Dudgeon.

Fees are used for road and facility repairs and maintenance, trail improvements, accessibility improvements, visitor and resource protection services, according to the NPS.

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The Mount Rainier National Park Annual Pass, private vehicle passes, motorcycle passes, individual passes and backcountry permits may also be purchased online at recreation.gov. Advance campground reservations will continue to be available through recreation.gov and payments payments for first-come, first-served camp sites will be cashless, the NPS said.

Concession-run hotels, bookstores, and restaurants inside the park will still accept cash or card payments.