There is a good automobile road from Tacoma and Seattle to Ashford,
and thence through the National Forest to Longmire Springs, Nisqually
Glacier, and Paradise Valley. For 28 miles from Tacoma the road runs
at the base of huge timbered bluffs, traverses the Ohop Valley, and
reaches the Park by way of the Nisqually Cañon. The distance from
Tacoma to Longmire Springs is 57 miles; from Seattle, 96 miles.
Automobilists are required to obtain a permit from the Park Supervisor
at Ashford. The fee for an automobile is $4.00 for a single round trip
through the Park or $6.00 for a season permit. The fee for a
motor-cycle is $1.00 for the season. The regulations provide that
automobiles and motor-cycles may use the road from the boundary of the
Park to Longmire Springs only between 6 A.M. and 9 p.m.; but no car or
motor-cycle is allowed to enter the Park or leave Longmire Springs in
the direction of the western boundary later than 8.30 P.M. Automobiles
and motor-cycles may use the road from Longmire Springs to Paradise
Valley only between 6 A.M. and 9.30 P.M.; but no machine is allowed to
leave Longmire Springs in the direction of Paradise Valley later than
7.30 P.M. or depart from Paradise Valley in the direction of Longmire
Springs before 6 A.M. or later than 7.30 P.M. The speed limit ranges
from 8 to 15 miles per hour.
Regular automobile service between the Park and Seattle and Tacoma is
rendered at the rates given on page 461.