Mount Rainier National Park

Camp Muir is the preferred basecamp for hikers and climbers attempting to summit Mt. Rainier. It is named after John Muir, renowned naturalist and a member of the sixth group to summit the iconic Pacific Northwest peak. Located at 10,080 feet in elevation, Camp Muir is not a campground in any traditional sense. It is made up of an old stone shelter which is open to the public on a first-come basis, and another outbuilding used by professional guide companies. If the shelter is full, climbers pitch their tents on the rocky scree field. A wilderness and climbing permit are required to access this part of Mt. Rainier Park. Reservations for those permits open in March of each year.

The approach to Camp Muir should not be attempted by anyone without significant mountaineering or route finding skills. The National Park Service offers specific compass bearings to travel through the Muir Snowfield. These bearing should be used in tandem with an accurate topographic map. Because snowstorms and fog events can cause whiteout conditions during any month of the year, traversing the Muir Snowfield to reach the camp is one of the most dangerous sections of the trail. There have been multiple fatalities in groups that got off route in this treacherous glacial area.

Because any night spent at Camp Muir is often a part of a much larger mountaineering attempt, campers must be well-prepared for high alpine conditions. Above treeline means that winds are high and cold, and any tent or shelter should be four-season rated. There are stream crossings during the approach, and, while the water must be treated, Pebble Creek is a good source to fill up containers- there is no water at Camp Muir. Use the ‘blue bag’ system for solid human waste- there is a receptacle at the camp. 


Camp Muir

Camp Schurman

Once the site of an old mining camp near the Inter Fork River, Glacier Basin sits at 5,970 feet in elevation, in a deep, glacial valley below 8,690-foot Mount Ruth and 7,830-foot Burroughs Mountain. Above the basin, the small Inter Glacier is flanked by the much larger Winthrop and Emmons glaciers—the latter being the largest glacier on Mount Rainier. Ideal for a quick backcountry camping fix without a lot of effort, the trail to Glacier Basin—portions of which are old mining road—climbs 1,760 feet in just over 3.2 view-packed miles. The route begins in the White River Campground and just follows the river up the valley, where summer months bring an abundance of wildflowers to the hill- and trailsides. An optional side trail at the 1-mile mark mounts a rocky moraine which grants expansive views over the White River Valley, up to the rocky toe of the Emmons Glacier.

The primitive camp area at Glacier Basin sits in the shady woods at the edge of a sprawling meadow. In the meadow is a wide, shallow, seasonal pond. Photogs will love capturing incredible images of the mountain reflected in the pond. The camp area offers five individual sites (max 5 campers) and one group site (max 12 campers). There is a small, composting privy nearby, as well as two food storage lockers. Campers should only use established sites, follow Leave No Trace guidelines, and treat all water. Overnight camping requires a valid backcountry permit, which can be obtained in advance using the park’s permit reservation system ($20 application fee), or by walk-in at one of the park’s Backcountry Information Centers (free). Due to the popularity of this location, and its ease of access, advance reservations are recommended.

For an eye-popping alternate return route, consider taking the Burroughs Mountain Trail up to Shadow Lake, then descending back to the White River Campground via the Wonderland Trail. This 6.9-mile route branches off the Glacier Basin Trail (approx. 0.7 mile east of the camp area) to climb 2,030 feet to the 7,400-foot summit of Second Burroughs Mountain. The view from this perch is breathtaking, offering a sweeping panorama of Mount Rainier, Goat Island, Little Tahoma, Emmons Valley, and Crystal Mountain. The trail then cruises along the edge of the valley to the Emmons Overlook and skirts the tree-ringed Shadow Lake (another backcountry camping opportunity), before commencing a switchbacking descent to complete the loop back at the White River Campground.


Glacier Basin Backcountry Campsites

Summerland Backcountry Campsites

Pyramid Creek Backcountry Campsites

Cougar Rock Campground, on the southwest side of Mt. Rainier National Park, is conveniently located to the Paradise area. Paradise is the most popular destination in the park, with a lodge and visitor center, many miles of hiking trails and a commanding view of the mountain. The main attraction at Mount Rainier National Park is the mountain itself, a glacier-clad volcano of immense proportions. At 14,411 feet, it dominates the skyline for hundreds of miles. Visitors travel through majestic old-growth forest, past tumbling waterfalls and historic buildings to reach sub-alpine meadows, where world-famous wildflower displays are seen through July and August. Popular activities in the park include sight-seeing, hiking, rock climbing and camping. The Cougar Rock area is located at an elevation of 3,180 feet. Summers are dry and cool with daytime temperatures in the 60 to 80-degree range. Weather throughout the park can be variable, so visitors should come prepared. Natural Features: The campground has one lookout point from which campers can view Mt. Rainier. Although it is peaceful now, the still-active volcano last erupted in the mid 1800s. The campground is adjacent to the Nisqually River and is surrounded by thick forests. A short drive to Paradise in summer reveals fields of lush wildflowers. Recreation: From the facility, experienced hikers and backpackers can access the well-known, strenuous but beautiful Wonderland Trail, which encircles the park for 93 miles. For those who enjoy learning more about the parks natural and cultural history, there is an on-site amphitheater where interpretive programs are held. Facilities: The group campground has five campsites and is located within the general Cougar Rock Campground. Sites are relatively rustic, but have drinking water, flush toilets and picnic tables. All group campsites must be reserved. Visitors must use extra caution with food storage, as foxes and other animals have been known to frequent the campground looking for food. Nearby Attractions: Mount Rainier National Park is about 50 miles southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. ACTIVITIES Interpretive Programs: Educational Programs Hiking Picnicking: Picnic Tables Visitor Center: Ranger Station Day Use Area: Amphitheater

Cougar Rock Campground

Snow Lake Backcountry Campsites

Part of the Northern Loop Trail in Mount Rainier National Park.

Granite Creek Camp

White River Campground is located in the NE section of the park and is at an elevation of 4,400 ft. There are 112 campsites. Close by to the Wonderland Trail and the Glacier Basin Trail

https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/WhiteRiver2008.pdf



White River Campground

Sunrise Camp Primitive

Part of the Northern Loop Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. 

Mystic Camp

National Park Service

Views of Adams, Helens, Hood, Jefferson. Highest camp in Washington. Nice solar toilets. The hike up is quite difficult. 

Best views

There was no other place to discuss Ingraham flats so I put it under Camp Muir. Ingraham Flats is another mountaineering "camp ground" located 1.5 miles passed Camp Muir. This site is generally occupied my climbers attempting to summit Rainier. It's a great place to practice crevasse reacue and general mountaineering skills. From Camp Muir, you will need to be roped up while traversing the glaciers to Ingraham Flats. The views are incredible so if you have extra time before summiting Rainier, I suggest staying overnight at Ingraham.

Ingraham Flats via Camp Muir

Camp Muir is located approximately 4-5 miles (depending on snow conditions and route access) from the parking lot in Paradise. It is the typical base camp for those of you trying to summit Mount Rainier. Camp Muir has a first come, first serve climbers hut that provides shelter and a place to sleep. If you brought a tent, there is plenty of space to secure a spot with amazing scenery. It also has very basic pit toilets but be sure to bring your own toilet paper. Currently, the online permit process is down so you will need to secure your permits at the ranger station in Paradise. This is also a first come, first serve so get there early on the day you want to start climbing. Be sure to check weather even if your final destination is Camp Muir as whiteout conditions can make it dangerous to hike in or out of due to multiple crevasses and areas of potential falls. This campsite is a great place to get above the cloud line and dip your toes into mountaineering life.

Camp Muir

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