The Nisqually Road is a 26-mile stretch of paved road, SR 7/706, between Eatonville and the Nisqually Entrance at Mount Rainier National Park. For purposes of this study it extends up the mountain to Paradise and from the Eatonville vicinity out to “feeder routes” along SR 161, SR 7, SR 702, SR507 and SR 510 into the Nisqually Basin, where they eventually tie to the Interstate 5 road corridor.

Within these road corridors is a rich mosaic of natural resources, recreational opportunities, rural and agricultural lands, wild landscapes, and small communities. The challenge for the future of this place is to retain all of its high-quality intrinsic values while enhancing use and enjoyment for visitors and residents alike. It is a balancing act that has been addressed by the many existing community land use plans and vision statements as well as a management plan for the Nisqually River Watershed.

Through the use of transportation planning strategies, the ideas presented in this document begin to knit together the many plans and initiatives of the local counties and communities to address common issues and to develop solutions that realize shared or common visions. Download the study (32 MB).