Campground

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57 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 11, 2025

Nice place

Nice campground on the SW corner of Mt Rainier NP. We were here in the off season, meaning that reservations are not taken and everything is FCFS. You stop at the ranger office at the campground entrance and you’re given a campsite. $20/night. Zero cell service in this whole area (but there was good cell reception and wifi at Paradise, and free wifi at the museum 2 miles down at Longmire). 

There are water spigots at this campground, flush toilets, no showers, trash dumpsters, and glass, plastic, and aluminum recycling. Each site has a picnic table, bear box, and fire pit. The dump station has been non operational for several years and the ranger said she doesn’t think it’ll ever be fixed. 

The length limit here is 35 ft for a motorhome, and us at 28 ft head to toe felt very big here. The Wonderland Trail hike can be accessed from this campground, just across the road. Lots of trees in this campground, and we struggled to keep our batteries charged via solar, though there looked to be enough open sky for starlink (we don’t have starlink so I can’t say). All the loops here in this campground are pretty similar in layout and landscape.

  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Laura M., April 11, 2025
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2024

Average campground

Close to lots of hikes and views. A little bit of road noise but not much. Very busy but that’s to be expected at mt rainier. Clean bathrooms and easy check in.

SiteA11
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Abrianna M., October 11, 2024
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  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Abrianna M., October 11, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 25, 2024

Good little place to relax

This camp ground is really tight for large RV. Este lugar está bien chico para caravana grandes solo hay pocos espacios para caravanas grandes en el loop A hay solo unos 4 espacios grandes igual que los otros loops el lugar está desnivelado es recomendable traer bloques de maderas este lugar no cuenta con luz drenaje pero si tiene baño limpio.

SiteA15
Month of VisitJune
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  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
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  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Ismael P., July 25, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2024

Cougar Rock Campground

Cougar Rock is a quiet campground. The ranger at the entrance was friendly. We were able to secure a reservation by waiting until the one- week out release date.

Unfortunately, the forest health surrounding the campground is suffering. There are many standing dead and fallen trees in and around campsites - it seems as though the USFS is unable to keep up. The sites and roads in the campground are tight. We had to be cautious parking our 23 ft. van. There are several restrooms around the campground and convenient trash and recycling bins, but the dump station was closed, and there was no water available for filling RVs - just personal bottles.

SiteB16
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2023

Inside the park

Pretty big site that is a short drive to paradise. Many hiking trails nearby. Sites are a bit rugged and small but it was cozy enough.

SiteD014
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2023

Convenient spot

This is a great quiet campground convenient to Paradise. 10-15 min drive up the mountain.

No cellphone reception and the spots were not the most level and a little tight (we have a 23 foot rig and it would be tough to bring much bigger) the roads are narrow and spots are narrow to get in and out of. The national park also has a limit on the size, so check before you try to come here. It is first come first serve after Sept 5th. We went during week and got a spot, but campground was still pretty full. People seemed to leave on Wednesday; but loved having the Carter falls trail across the street and Mt. Rainier in plain site. It was a quiet spot and you could also drive to Longmire a couple miles down the road. You have the option to sit at the lodge in Paradise, if you need to check emails or make a phone call.

Dump station was closed. Fireban in affect, so no firewood option, but they have trash and a place to recycle and of course, bathrooms were open.

SiteA2
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kristi D., September 20, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 18, 2023

Good Spot In Mt Rainier

My wife and I came here on a Friday afternoon hoping to get a spot. We did! We got lucky because only a few hours later, it was full. Keep in mind this is a “first come, first serve” campground. Our site was decent sized. There’s a burn ban pretty much everywhere, so no fire but we made due. It’s a good location to all the good spots in the park. The only downside was that the women’s bathroom flooded, and the other one got shut down so the one closest to our site was the only operable one, and it was packed. But, they were clean. We would absolutely go back!

SiteC10
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2023

Really love this campground

Super quiet and felt tucked away, not too far from Paradise and Ashford. My neighbors felt close enough for me to feel safe, but far enough away for some privacy. Beware the squirrels and chipmunks and keep your food secure. Bear box provided.

SiteB020
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
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  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Lily H., September 7, 2023
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2023

Good spot near Paradise

These sites were great, pretty spread out and trees for privacy. Beautiful area and a great spot for hikers as it is close to many popular trails! Clean bathrooms were great.

SiteD036
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Alyson M., August 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Alyson M., August 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Alyson M., August 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Alyson M., August 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Alyson M., August 8, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2023

Great in Park Option

Nice secluded area close to the Carter Falls trailhead. Spots range from heavily wooded to out in the full sun. Our spot was better designed for tents with the parking a bit removed from the site, but it gave us more trees and a quieter experience. This spot does have shared parking with B15, so if two larger vehicles parked here it would be tight. We have a Mercedes Sprinter (170" WB) and were relieved we parked next to a small car. Site parking is rarely level, some with steep slopes to contend with.

SiteB14
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Jennifer A., July 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Jennifer A., July 23, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2023

Plenty of FCFS

Was able to get a tent site first come first serve for what wasn't reserved. Very cold and rainy in comparison to campsites outside of the park. Site were private but the bathrooms were a walk.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2023

Cozy and cute

Stayed here for two nights over Memorial Day weekend and it was first come first serve, we got to the campsite around 7 pm and there were still two campsites left. We stayed in site 22 A which was spacious and had the perfect trees for hammocking as well as an open space to view the stars above. This campsite in particular was closer to the busier road that parkgoers drive on so you could hear muted car traffic drive by. The bathrooms were farther from this site, up a small hill. Was a two min walk, would recommend walking to the bathroom with someone when it's dark. On the walk, you can see Mt. Rainier behind some treetops! Such a cool sight. There is a beautiful hike that leads to Carter Falls with the trailhead near the campground entrance. We did not have service at the campground but we did get reception at the visitor center closer to the top of the mountain.

SiteA 22
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
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  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Avery C., June 9, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 1, 2023

Beautiful Mt Rainier Camping

Sites were so secluded, silent, and beautifully full of nature. We had a great site that bordered a small gully for the kids to play in.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Andy B., June 1, 2023
Reviewed Dec. 22, 2022

Wow

What not to love views of Mt Rainier. Close to paradise visitors center. And tons of hiking trails

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Will  E., December 22, 2022
Reviewed Dec. 22, 2022

The views

This is a wonderful campground at Mt rainier. Close to paradise visitors center

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2022

Tight Uneven Sites Heavily Wooded

This is a pretty area next to the upper White River, but it is just an average campground. The sites are tightly spaced and they are not all that level. Backing into the space was a bit of a chore for my large truck camper. The loops are all heavily wooded and I was not able to get satellite signal or cell. I had to go to the paradise visitor center to be able to connect with Starlink and use the internet and phone. The bathrooms are average and there are no showers.

  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Duncan G., September 11, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2021

Decent NSF campground

Beautiful campground at the foot of Mount Rainier. Lots of great site options. Great tasting water and lots of restrooms. It is unfortunate that there aren’t any showers. There were also a lot of closed sites closed due to falling tree danger.

SiteE16
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Clifford F., September 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Clifford F., September 10, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2021

Amazing tranquility

This beautiful wooded campground is close to the river by the Carter falls trail. We stayed at 3 different spots all unique. Only thing that was a little scary was many spots were closed due to hazard trees.

Sitec36
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Close to amazing hiking

This is a popular, reservable campground at Mt Rainier. There are 5 loops with A loop and R(Road) loops not reservable. There is a fancy electronic iron ranger at the ranger station(something the rangers want you to use even when they are in their booth and clearly able to handle reservations). I had a nifty little bridge connecting my car and the picnic table to the the tent pad. I also had kids running through the trees and the middle of my campsite from the sites behind me. Most sites had good hammocking trees, and it looked like all had picnic tables. There is an amphitheater in the campground that had a nice draw of campers for the evening program. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, but no showers. E loop was a no generator zone, which means it was fully booked while I was there. There is a good hike to Carter Falls along the Wonderland Trail, which cuts right through the campground. You are fairly close to Paradise which has more hiking trailheads and a visitor center.

  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Annie C., June 1, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 30, 2020

Great location

Perfect jumping off point to explore and hike Longmire and Paradise areas of Rainier. The campsites are clean and well maintained. We used our teardrop trailer on loop C of the campground. Not a ton of privacy but certainly not crammed in together with plenty of wooded area behind each site. Recommend for either tent or RV camping at Rainier.

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2020

Perfect

In the NP and close to Paradise area. Sites are nicely spaced and private.

Reviewed Jul. 27, 2020

Terrific place to explore Mt. Rainier from

This is a great campground and especially convenient place to base your Mt. Rainier explorations out of.  Nice clean bathrooms and lots of water stations available.  Ranger talks nightly are great for kids.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Jeff K., July 27, 2020
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Jeff K., July 27, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Site B002

Our second night we had to change sites and had B002. It was adequate, but we like C001 better. The site had lots of large rocks on the ground so be careful as there were lots of trip hazards. The bathrooms and water were a little ways down the loop. Most sites in the area were closed due to “hazard trees” so it was very quiet. This site is best for only one tent or two small tents. The bear locker was a little tough to open, like the lock got jammed or something. It was still a great place to camp.

Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Nestled in the woods near paradise

Site C001. It was very spacious and fit our 10x10ft tent. Lots of shade and trees to hang several hammocks. Right across the street were the bathrooms and water fountain. Most of the sites around us were closed due to “hazardous trees” and so it was very quiet since the campground felt empty. Be sure to bring bug spray.

  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Taylor A., July 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Taylor A., July 24, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2020

Camping at its finest

National Park camping is so special, and luckily I have a friend who’s good at helping me to remember to reserve sites in January. This campground was lovely and it’s perfect for exploring the park. Stay here if you can get a site.

Reviewed Sep. 3, 2019

A nice place to camp but not always private

A mostly pleasant national park campground in a beautiful setting. Be advised that not every site has a lot of privacy and I would definitely not recommend site C012. This site has a trail right next to it connecting to loop B that numerous people use to get to the bathroom in loop C. Normally I would not mind people walking past nearby, but this trail was a mere 5 feet away from our site, so the entire time we were sitting at our fire pit, people continuously walked past us. The worst of it was at night when people had lanterns and headlamps and we kept getting their lights shined in our eyes as they walked past. Other than this inconvenience, I enjoyed camping here and would return again. I would just be more careful about which site I choose.

  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Christopher D., September 3, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2019

Lots of space & fairly private

I’ve spent a couple of nights up here this year and I LOVE this campground. It is large, but there is plenty of separation and the sites seem to offer fairly good privacy and have a good amount of space. 

I camp in a hammock and there are a lot of sites that offer enough well spaced trees to set up hammocks.  There are nice fire rings at each of the sites, nice tables and firewood is available at the camp site.  I didn't know before I went, but dogs are allowed as long as they are on leashes, BUT they aren't allowed on most trails around the mountain.

The campground is well situated to get you close to Paradise as well as a ton of hikes nearby. 

There aren’t any showers, but the bathrooms are clean and have flush toilets.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kier S., August 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kier S., August 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Kier S., August 28, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

Beautiful old growth forest setting

Very nicely maintained campground. Get your reservations in the winter before your trip. Spots fill up fast. Bathrooms are clean. Tent sites are nice and provide plenty of room. Tent sites aren’t to close to each other but typical for national parks. Highly recommend this camp ground.

  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Zane G., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Zane G., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Zane G., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Zane G., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Zane G., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park by Zane G., July 31, 2019
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2019

Slice of paradise not far from paradise

Bring cash and a card for stay overnight. Card for kiosk and cash for firewood. 

Nice campground view of mountain from some campsites. 

Also has wash basins at the flush toilets sites for washing dishes. Has recycle bins as well. 

Not far from paradise.