Every year more than a million visitors from around the world travel to Mount Rainier National Park on State Routes 7 and 706 in west Pierce County. The SR 7/706 corridor provides the only year-round vehicle access to the park, and years ago, it was designated a Washington State Scenic and Recreational Highways. Local communities and businesses along the corridor have worked hard to create memorable experiences and draw visitors. And yet there has been no coordinated effort to ensure protection of the corridor’s rural and scenic nature.
Until now…
The Nisqually Land Trust and its partners are spearheading development of a Corridor Management Plan through the Federal Highway Administration’s Scenic Byway Program. This grassroots planning effort will provide a framework to:
- network recreational amenities, historic sites, and visitor services and activities along the corridor,
- inventory and map scenic views along the Nisqually River to Mount Rainier, and
- prioritize conservation efforts to ensure the scenic features and natural areas that attract visitors will remain intact for future travelers to enjoy and appreciate.
View a printer-friendly copy of the Road to Rainier Scenic Byway Brochure with Map (PDF)
Project Partners: Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier Visitors Association, Nisqually Land Trust, Nisqually River Council, Pierce County, Puget Sound Regional Council, and the Town of Eatonville.
Funding for the Road to Rainier Scenic Byway is generously provided by: Federal Highway Administration; Nisqually Land Trust; Pierce County; WA Lodging Tax Advisory Committee; The Russell Family Foundation; and WA State Dept. of Transportation.