Camping near Longmire, Washington centers around the western and southern approaches to Mount Rainier National Park at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,900 feet. Most campgrounds in this region sit within dense second-growth and old-growth forest, providing significant shade coverage during summer months. Water sources throughout the area originate from glacial melt, resulting in consistently cold temperatures even during the warmest periods.
What to do
Hiking at Ohanapecosh: Located on the southeast side of Mount Rainier, Ohanapecosh Campground offers direct access to several trails. "Ohanapecosh, has lots of great trails for most all ages. We took our kids up to Grove of the Patriarchs which crosses a suspended bridge. It does get a bit busy on this trail though. If you keep hiking further it becomes a bit more secluded," reports one camper.
River access and swimming: The region features several campgrounds with river access, particularly popular during late summer. "Blue hole is breathtaking and just 30 min. from Mt. Rainier National Park," notes a visitor to La Wis Wis Campground, which has rope swings and jumping spots.
Ranger programs: Park service educational activities operate throughout the summer season. "Very family friendly with large and small camp sites. Great for multiple family outings. Very full in the summer time. Only a 45 minute drive up to Paradise or White river for amazing hikes on the mountain. Great hikes from the campground too! Visitor center in the campground, fun ranger programs," writes a visitor about Ohanapecosh.
What campers like
River proximity: Many campers prioritize riverside locations for both scenery and recreation. A camper at White River Dispersed Camping reported, "I managed to find a spot tucked super far in that had a small private beach. It was farther from the road so you couldn't see or hear anything. I didn't see anyone else the whole afternoon/night."
Secluded spots: Campers consistently seek sites with privacy and separation from neighbors. At Elkamp Eastcreek, a visitor noted, "The campsites are pretty private and there's specific spots for your tent that has an extra layer of mulch underneath for cushioning. The bathrooms were always clean."
Old-growth forest settings: Many campgrounds in the region feature impressive stands of ancient trees. "Sites are green and shaded. Most are pretty close to one another, but several have river access. Toilets are nonflushing, pit-style, but are kept pretty clean," explains a visitor to La Wis Wis Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest Service roads throughout the region vary in quality and maintenance. Access to Mowich Lake Campground involves challenging terrain: "My only complaint was the gravel road to get up there, it's like 15 miles long and it's rough. Not the worst road I've ever been on but it wasn't fun and it felt like you had to drive it forever."
Temperature variations: Even in summer, nighttime temperatures can drop significantly. A Mowich Lake camper warns, "Even in July there is snow and temperatures reached as low as 40F. Fortunately we were prepared, but you may not be."
Campground fills quickly: Most campgrounds in the area reach capacity by early afternoon, especially on weekends. "If you do not reserve ahead of time, be sure to come on a Thursday before the weekend crowd comes. We went early Thursday afternoon and had several to choose from. By Friday afternoon, the campground was full," advises a La Wis Wis visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access: When camping with children, look for sites with gentle river approaches. "We have 2 little ones, so the close proximity to a small creek was great for the kids. Manager of camp was friendly and even entertained my kids Bigfoot questions!" shares a Big Creek Campground visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening wildlife activity provides educational opportunities. A camper at Elkamp Eastcreek mentioned, "We loved the quiet nature of the site. Even though there's a few cabins, it felt really private and peaceful. The site was clean, and the wildlife (deer) that wandered through every morning was delightful."
Multiple tents: Groups with children often need expanded site capacity. "This is one of my favorite campgrounds in Washington State. The area is very large, offering campers the choice of woodsy sites or water front. There is a group site, but when we have gone we just get a few spaces clustered together on the river. Works well and gives the little ones nice space to play in between camp sites," notes a La Wis Wis visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most campgrounds in the Mount Rainier area have limited space for larger vehicles. "This is an older campground with smaller roads and bigger campsites. This makes it great for tent campers and those with smaller RV's or tent trailers. The larger loud RV's would not fit in the spots or on the roads," explains a Cougar Rock Campground visitor.
Pull-through availability: Finding suitable RV spots requires advance planning. "Our campsite was #25. It is a double site with pull through parking for our 17-foot camper. The site has a fresh water spigot at it, and there are several others around the loop," advises a Big Creek Campground user.
Site privacy considerations: RV campers should consider noise factors when selecting sites. "Quiet for the most part with sounds of the river being heard and only the occasional sound of road noise. The river spots are prime real estate and I would recommend those if you can due to the cool breeze that comes off them," suggests a La Wis Wis camper.
