This Mt. Rainier Camping Guide will provide information on all four campgrounds within Mount Rainier National Park in Washington.
Three of the campgrounds require reservations, one campground is a first come first served basis tent campground.
Mt. Rainier Camping Guide
Mount Rainier campgrounds offer fantastic easy access to day hiking trails, visitor centers, and this gorgeous Washington National Park.
You can camp surrounded by old growth forest, listening to cascading rivers, and soaking in truly amazing scenery.
Two campgrounds within the park have group sites, Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh Campgrounds.
If you are looking to RV camp or drive your car to the campground there are three Mount Rainier campgrounds that are open for cars/RVs. All three front country car campgrounds offer flush toilets, running water, and easy access to the main attractions within the park.
Mowich Lake campground is the only walk-in tent campground within the park. The campground has a vault toilet and no running water.
If you are unable to get a reservation in a Mount Rainier campground you can also look in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Campgrounds include the Big Creek Campground with 29 sites.
In the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest, you can find the Bumping Creek Campground with 45 campsites.
La Wis Wis Campground is super popular even being outside of the park. The campground has single and double campsites. It is located four miles from the town of Packwood. The campground is located within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Whether you are tent camping or staying in your RV you will love camping in Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier Camping Reservations
To make a reservation at either Cougar Rock or Ohanapecosh Campgrounds visit or call:
http://www.recreation.gov
1-877-444-6777
1-877-833-6777 (TDD)
1-606-515-6777 (International)
Reservations for individual campsites may be made up to six months in advance of the camping date.
Group sites may be reserved up to a year in advance.
Payment for online or telephone reservations must be made via a credit card. Reservation, change, and cancellation fees may apply.
Cougar Rock Campground
Location: Southwest area of the park on the road to Paradise
Elevation: 3,180 feet
Open: Late May to late Sept.
Number of sites: 173
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $20
Reservations?: Yes, reservations can be made 6 months ahead of time on Recreation.gov
Campground amenities: picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, water, dump station
RVs allowed?: Yes, there are no electrical, water, or greywater hookups. Turns on loop roads are tight and vehicle damage can occur.
Max RV Length: 35 feet
Max Trailer Length: 27 feet
For more information and photos check out our post on Cougar Rock Campground.
Mowich Lake Campground
Location: located six miles from the Mowich entrance on a dirt road that can be very rough.
Elevation: 4,929 feet
Open: Early July to early Oct.
Number of sites: 13 tent pads for 10 primitive walk-in sites (tents only)
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $0.00
Reservations?: No, First Come First Serve
Campground amenities: no potable water, fires prohibited,
RVs allowed?: No, primitive campground, tents only.
For more information visit this site.
Ohanapecosh Campground
Location: Southeast side of Mount Rainier National Park
Elevation: 1,914 feet
Open: Late May to late Sept.
Number of sites: 188
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $20
Reservations?: Yes, Sites are available on a 6-month rolling basis.
Campground amenities: picnic tables, fire platforms, flush toilets, and potable water
RVs allowed?: Yes, there are no electrical, water, or grey water hookups.
Max RV Length: 32 ft.
Max Trailer Length: 27 ft.
For more information and photos check out our post on the Ohanapecosh Campground.
White River Campground
Location: Northeastern section of Mount Rainier National Park
Elevation: 4,400 feet
Open: Late June to late Sept.
Number of sites: 112
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $20
Reservations?: No, all campsites are first come first serve
Campground amenities: picnic tables, fire platforms, flush toilets, water
RVs allowed?:
Yes, there are no electrical, water, or greywater hookups.
Max RV Length: 27 feet
Max Trailer Length: 18 feet
For more information and photos check out our post on the White River Campground.
Front Country Campground Regulations
Campsites are limited to a maximum of 6 persons (or immediate family) and two tents.
Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in any developed campground within the park and no more than 28 days total in any designated campground within the calendar year.
Dogs, cats, and other pets must be caged, on a leash (no longer than 6 feet) or otherwise under physical restraint at all times.
RV dump station is located at the Cougar Rock campground and is available for your use at no cost.
Quiet hours are between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Generators may only be used at the following times: 8 am to 10 am, noon to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 7 pm
Laundry facilities are located outside the park in Ashford and Packwood. There are no public shower facilities in the park.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping overnight in the wilderness at Mount Rainier requires a permit.
Make sure to check Current Trail And Backcountry Camp Conditions
Lodging in Mount Rainier
Paradise Inn - Find out what it is like to stay in this epic National Park Lodge located near Paradise.
National Park Inn - Find out what it is like to stay in this great lodge located near the Longmire Historic District.
Also, check out La Wis Wis Campground near the park.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Resources
Top things to do Mount Rainier National Park - All the things you don't want to miss while in the park.
National Parks in Washington - Check out all of the parks you can visit in Washington
Most Visited National Park Sites - Find out if Mount Rainier made it on the most visited national parks list.
National Park Bucket List - How many bucket list national park adventures have you taken?
Paradise Mt. Rainier Guide - Check out all of the amazing things to see and do while visiting Paradise.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
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