The recent inspection of the oldest suspension bridge in the National Park system revealed the posted 5 ton weight limit was deemed no longer adequate for safe passage and was downgraded to 3 tons (6,000 pound).
The change was made to Nisqually Suspension Bridge at Mount Rainier National Park which was originally built in 1911 as a timber-frame pedestrian bridge. The wooden bridge was rebuilt in 1924 to accommodate automobile traffic and since the rebuilt twice, most recently in 2005.
A recent inspection of the timber-frame bridge’s integrity by Federal Highways engineers determined it was no longer safe for 5 ton vehicles. The Nisqually Suspension Bridge is the only remaining timber-frame vehicle suspension bridge designed by the National Parks Service.
This updated weight capacity limit will come as unnerving news for any law abiding motorists may that passed the Nisqually recently only to realize now that they may have been putting themselves in danger. This includes drivers of RVs, F350s and Toyota 4Runners.
Mount Rainier National Park Statement:
Do you know how much your vehicle weighs? If it is over 3 tons (6,000 pounds or 2721 kilograms) then your vehicle cannot cross the Nisqually Suspension Bridge in Longmire. First built in 1924, with reconstructions in 1952 and 2005, this historic wood bridge is showing signs of wear and tear. Federal Highways engineers inspected the bridge this month and determined that the bridge’s weight limit must be reduced to 3 tons based on the condition of the bridge.
What is over 3 tons and CANNOT cross the bridge:
– Recreational vehicles (campers, trailers, or motorhomes)
– Heavy maintenance trucks, box trucks, fuel trucks or snowplows
– Medium duty pick-up trucks (Example: Ford F350, Chevy/GMC/Ram 3500) or SUVs with Campers or 5th Wheel Trailers
– Large trucks/SUVs that exceed the weight limit even without trailers. Example SUVs: Ford Expeditions/Explorers, Chevy Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia/4Runner, GMC Yukon/Acadia, Dodge Durango, etc. Example Trucks: Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 Lightening, Ford F-150 XL, GMC Hummer EV, GMC Sierra 1500, etc.
What CAN cross the bridge:
– Sedans
– Light trucks and SUVs without heavy loads
The Nisqually Suspension Bridge provides access to Eagle Peak Trailhead, the Longmire Community Building viewpoint, the Valor Memorial, and Longmire Stewardship Campground. If your vehicle cannot cross the bridge, park in the main Longmire parking area near the National Park Inn and cross the bridge on foot.
About Nisqually Historic Suspension Bridge
The Nisqually Suspension Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the national park system and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Longmire Historic District. Like other structures in the Longmire Historic District, it is an example of “NPS rustic” architecture, a design philosophy that attempts to make park buildings appear as if they belong in the natural spaces where they were built.
The first light weight suspension bridge was installed across the Nisqually River at this site in 1911. This “pony bridge” quickly became outdated as more of the visitors to the park began to travel by automobile. When superintendent O. A. Tomlinson decided to build a new car-friendly campground on the south bank of the river in the 1920s, a new bridge was needed to support the increased traffic and weight.
The Longmire location was so remote, the National Park Service received only one bid for the construction of the new Nisqually Bridge. Monson-Trierweiler Co. out of Portland, Oregon, proposed a design that used massive locally sourced vertical logs as suspension supports. A hard winter stretched the construction time to over seven months. Once the bridge was finally completed in 1924 it took over a year to build the Longmire Campground on the opposite bank. The new bridge was first open to public in August 1925 and praised as an example of “NPS rustic” architecture.
The original logs were pretty but precarious and the log supports were carefully updated with dimensional timber towers in 1952. This work was necessary because of heavier vehicles, increasing use, and changing bridge safety standards across the country. The Nisqually Suspension Bridge is considered the oldest vehicle suspension bridge in the National Park Service because most of its original form has been retained. The majority of the bridge’s timber and hardware was sorted, saved, and reintegrated during the construction in 1952. The only other major change to the bridge design is the addition of a second, lower safety railing.
The Nisqually Suspension Bridge remains in use but doesn’t see as much traffic as it once did. The road continues to provide access to the Longmire Community Building and the renamed Longmire Stewardship Campground, but these facilities are closed to the public and used only by park volunteers and researchers who contribute to the mission of the National Park Service. With this gentle usage and rigorous upkeep, the bridge can be expected to be in service for decades to come.
To visit this bridge first go to the Longmire Historic district 12 miles from the southwest Nisqually Entrance. There is no parking at the Nisqually Suspension Bridge, so it is best to find parking at Longmire and continue on foot. The bridge is located less than a quarter of a mile past the Longmire Administrative Building. There is an “S” bend in the road and a small incline before the bridge. Use caution while walking as vehicles share the road. It is also possible to view the Nisqually Suspension Bridge by driving across it. The road is a dead-end but there is space to turn a vehicle around at the Longmire Community Building one-half mile past the bridge.