Traveler's contributing photographer, Rebecca Latson, was in the right place at the right time during last year's Perseid meteor showers at Mount Rainier/Rebecca Latson

Recalling how chaotic things turned a year ago during the annual Perseid meteor shower, Mount Rainier National Park officials are asking visitors for this year's astronomical fireworks to be conscientious and courteous.

During last year's meteor shower not only was every legal parking spot taken long before sundown, but visitors were parking illegally in many areas of the park. Rebecca Latson, the Traveler's contributing photographer, witnessed the star jam:

People began double- and triple-parking as well as alongside the road where they should not have been parking in the first place (no shoulder and the vehicle tires trampled flowers and grass beside the road). I saw one tired-looking ranger out there who was not directing traffic but instead slapping warnings on illegally-parked cars. Only one ranger. Scads of people were walking alongside the narrow road toward the Sunrise parking lot, walking in the middle of the road, walking off trail on fragile meadow ground, walking everywhere just to get to a view spot for the meteor shower. And they stayed put for the duration of the night, because a check of the Sunrise webcams next morning showed the crowds still there.

Now park officials are telling folks planning to head to the park next week to see the star show to plan ahead, be prepared to pack out trash, and to stay on park trails and avoid trampling fragile high elevation subalpine meadows. Damage caused to subalpine meadow plants by visitors traveling off-trail can take years to recover, the park staff says.

While the park offers exceptional night sky viewing in clear weather, visitors can promote a safe and positive experience for all by following guidelines that support the visitor experience and park resources.

• Wear layers and consider bringing a coat or blanket to stay warm.  
• Respect the park resources.  Subalpine meadows like those seen at Paradise and Sunrise are fragile, and easily damaged by careless visitors.  Stay in the parking lot or on a trail.  Do not spread blankets or set up chairs in park meadows.
• Active stargazing is permitted, but camping or staying overnight in a vehicle in parking lots or pull-offs is not. Once you have had your fill of the night sky, please exit the park.
• Drive carefully in busy parking lots; be alert for other visitors as you enter or exit parking lots.  Do not set up blankets or chairs in driving lanes.
• Pack out your trash and recyclables.  Large numbers of visitors can overwhelm trash receptacles overnight; leaving trash on the ground is not only illegal but also dangerous to wild animals who can be attracted by the smell, and who may become sick or used to human food.  Protect the park’s wild creatures by disposing of trash properly or by taking your trash home with you.
• Pets are not permitted on the park’s trails.
• Starting Saturday, August 10, 2024, a fire ban is in effect for Mount Rainier National Park.
• Leave your drone at home; use of drones is prohibited within the park.
• Follow the direction of park rangers as they work to protect both visitors and park resources
• Turn off lights and electronic devices to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark and improve your night vision.
• If you must use a light, put a red filter over your flashlight. This will preserve your night vision and the night vision of other visitors.

“Mount Rainier’s dark night skies are a wonderful resource for all to enjoy. However, we ask visitors to do their part to protect the park’s fragile meadows by staying on trails, and packing out their trash as they head home,” said Superintendent Greg Dudgeon.

Rangers at the Paradise area of the park will host night sky programs from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday night, August 9, Saturday night, August 10, and Sunday night, August 11.  The Sunrise area of the park will close to visitors at the White River entrance once the Sunrise parking lot is full. 

Timed entry reservations for the Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor are in effect daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through September 2.  A valid entry pass is required for all visitors to the park.