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NPS proposes opening bridge to Grove of Patriarchs | National Park Service
Park officials say the new span will be about 215 feet long and elevated 30 to 35 feet above the riverbed to improve flood resilience.
- Mount Rainier National Park, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration's Western Federal Lands Highway Division, is proposing to replace the historic suspension bridge and restore trail access to the ancient old-growth forest loop.
- Severe flood damage and heavy river drift in November 2021 forced the permanent closure and removal of the original suspension bridge, which had stood since 1961, cutting off access to the Grove and Patriarchs.
- Engineers are designing a new suspension bridge spanning approximately 215 feet, elevated 30 to 35 feet above the riverbed, while utilizing specialized construction techniques to protect delicate tree roots and threatened species like the Northern Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet.
- Public officials will host an In-Person Public Open House from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at the White Pass Country Museum in Packwood to share project renderings and environmental stewardship plans.
- Trail and bridge construction is planned to begin in 2028, with the project projected to open to the public in 2029; residents can currently view the project's interactive GIS Storymap online for additional information.
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