Last updated: January 23, 2024
Place
Longmire
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Longmire is located in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park and is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east of the Nisqually Entrance
Designation:
National Historic Landmark District
Amenities
37 listed
Accessible Rooms, Animal-Safe Food Storage, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Benches/Seating, Braille, Elevator, Entrance Passes for Sale, Fire Extinguisher, Firewood For Sale/Available, First Aid Kit Available, Food/Drink - Bar/Alcohol For Sale, Food/Drink - Coffee, Food/Drink - Ice Cream, Food/Drink - Restaurant/Table Service, Food/Drink - Snacks, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Groceries/Convenience Items, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Park Newspaper Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Permits Issued, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Recycling, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Supplies - General, Toilet - Flush, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible
Season: Year-Round
The National Park Inn and General Store operate year-round. The Longmire Wilderness Information Center is open during the summer season. NOTE: From May 24 - September 2, 2024, timed entry reservations are required to enter the Paradise Corridor, which includes Longmire, between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. National Park Inn reservations can be used instead of a timed entry reservation to enter the Paradise Corridor after 1:00 pm the first day of your reservation and at anytime during the remainder of your stay.
Longmire is located in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park and is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east of the Nisqually Entrance. Volcanic mineral springs create a rare low elevation meadow surrounded by forest, tucked in a valley between lava ridges. Stumbling across the meadow in the late 1800s, the area around the meadow became James Longmire's homestead. The Longmire family later developed lodging and a mineral springs resort. With the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899, the Longmire area became the park headquarters. Although park headquarters are no longer at Longmire (current park administration offices are located at Tahoma Woods outside of the park along SR 706), 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. Visitors can stay overnight or get a hot meal in the National Park Inn and general store, which was once park of the Longmire's mineral springs resort. Learn more about Longmire.
Hiking
Open year-round, Longmire still serves as a gateway to exploring Mount Rainier. The easy Trail of the Shadows (0.7 miles) loops around the Longmire Meadow, popular with birds, deer, and other wildlife. Along the trail view bubbling mineral springs and learn about the Longmire family and early park settlers. The Trail of the Shadows is located across the main road from the National Park Inn. The portion of the loop trail closest to the road is dirt and gravel and suitable for wheelchair users with help, including a short spur trail into the meadow with a view of Mount Rainier. The far side of the loop trail is broken by tree roots and and includes a short section of boardwalk.
Explore Longmire's developed area by following the Longmire Historic District Walking Tour, viewing examples of National Park Service Rustic Architecture, including the picturesque Longmire Administration Building.
The Eagle Peak Trail (7 miles roundtrip) is a steep climb through old-growth forest with great views of Mount Rainier, Nisqually Glacier, and the Tatoosh Range. The Eagle Peak trailhead is found across the suspension bridge from Longmire on the east side of Nisqually River.
Branching off from the Trail of the Shadows, the Rampart Ridge Trail (4.6 miles roundtrip) climbs up through a forested slope to the top of Rampart Ridge. A viewpoint along the trail looks back down on the Longmire area and the Nisqually River. Follow the ridge to connect to the Wonderland Trail and loop back down to Longmire.
Longmire is one of the main starting/ending locations for the Wonderland Trail, or a waypoint where backpackers can pick up supplies. Day hikers can also use the Wonderland Trail to hike northeast from Longmire to Cougar Rock Campground or northwest towards Rampart Ridge Trail. Continue past the Rampart Ridge junction to connect to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground.