3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several RV parks provide access to Mount Rainier National Park from the Longmire vicinity. Packwood RV Park & Campground features water and electric hookups with sewer connections for travel trailers and motorhomes along Highway 12. "The site for travel trailer was good. The Wi-Fi sucked, never could hook up," noted one visitor. Gateway Inn RV and Camping offers electric and water hookups just outside the national park entrance, though spaces are limited with little privacy between sites. Cascade Peaks Family Campground in Randle accommodates big rigs with 30-amp service, though reviews indicate varying maintenance levels with some noting overflowing dump stations during peak periods.
Navigating mountain roads presents challenges for larger motorhome setups, particularly in areas closer to Mount Rainier. Many campgrounds have narrow interior roads that create tight turns for longer rigs. Full hookup RV sites are concentrated in established parks rather than within the national park boundaries. At Cougar Rock Campground inside Mount Rainier National Park, limited spaces accommodate RVs, with one reviewer noting it is "really tight for large RVs" with only "about 4 spaces for large rigs in loop A." Most parks near Longmire operate seasonally, with facilities reducing services during winter months when snow affects mountain access. Pets are generally allowed at private RV parks, but restrictions apply within national park areas.
"Packwood which is a small little town next to White Pass is a great place to visit if you want to get away in Washington and be outdoors."
"Great quiet place. There’s a lot of things around walking distance (all within a couple min walk). Also has great showers bathrooms and laundry ($1.75 per load)."
from $60 / night
"Not sure why some reviews are so negative, as we found this park to be really peaceful. The owner was truly helpful telling us how best to get to see Mt Rainier and what routes."
"I always pay for showers and laundry yr. Round and anyone else in the office sets me up with what ever I need and with smiles and awesome attitudes but not Corine.I want to know why."
"We camped off Mather memorial parkway for just a few hours during a Questival and found it to be quiet, easy to access and plenty of firewood. Loved sleeping by the creek!"
"Perfect location just outside the national park, but is on a road. We got there at 8pm after coming down from Rainier and then left early to get up to the park again."
"I understand this opened last winter. Talking to the host, I found out it is far more popular in winter when ski season is open."
from $25 - $40 / night
"RV spots were mostly level with gravel pads and grass surrounding."
"Water and Electric (50 amp) only. There are several dump stations nearby. Very quiet and low key."
"Very nice small park with basic amenities and large private or cramped sites based on what you choose and pay for. Some have fire rings."
from $35 - $50 / night
"Really nice campground that had everything we were looking for in an RV resort. Nice paved and level sites that can accommodate any size RV."
"Pros: Concrete level pads 50 AMP Full sewer & water hookup Excellent facilities Free dryer usage Clean pool 3-5’ deep Exceptional showers in bath house Cons: No picnic tables or shade on site RV"
from $10 - $30 / night
"An RV resort is not my typical go to place for camping, but a friend and I were heading back from the Oregon coast and wanted a place to park my Jeep so we could sleep in the roof top tent!"
"If you depend on starlink, this may not be the place for you. Our Tmobile worked “okay” but not in all areas. Big sites with lots of shade but there are some sites with partial view of the open sky."
"This was a very nice Thousand Trails. We stay two nights from September 13th through September 16, 2019, in campsite 187, the stay was free due to our Thousand Trails membership."
TravelerNice campground, well maintained and rangers often patrol the campsite loops. Bathrooms are nice but dated, but quite expensive campground. Paying in-person was $49 for an RV spot with utilities, but booking online was $69 for the same site. Can be busy on the weekend.
TravelerCute spot! Spots are tight. Water, electricity, showers and bathroom. Cute lil' dog park that is also a wedding venue. Great stop right before Mt. Rainier. We stayed in spot #10 a little tight for a 27ft camper, but we made it work!
TravelerSpacious spots by a scenic lake. Can accommodate just about any size rig, plenty of sites for both tents and rvs.
TravelerBeautiful spot, lots of great spots for tents, rvs and travel trailers. Loved that there was plenty of space between campsites. Would spend multiple nights here!
ScoutFirst off you get what you pay for it's cheap but you're packed like sardines in a gravel lot that looks trashy as hell I didn't go in the restrooms because they don't have stuff there till after 6:00 p.m. so I was terrified by how disgusting they might be on top of it the owner is quite possibly the rudest most inconsiderate and unempathetic human I've ever encountered he gaslit the hell out of me he insulted my intelligence he lied about our conversations that place is so shady there's no checking or check out time written on their forms they will just make up a time that seems appropriate and then if you don't respond and how they like they'll tell you that you have to leave I thought it was just me but after moving to a beautiful Campground I talked to two out of their individuals that told me that they basically told him to F off and they would find somewhere else really horrible business practices and his sister is just as rude as he is trashy place with Shady practices and Shady people running it. Also if you're one that noise bothers you you will hate this because it's right on the highway and you can hear everything from every spot in the park. Especially if you're looking for nightly you can go down the street to the one they recommended and pay $18 less a night for way more beautiful place
RangerIt was MAGICAL- mushrooms, fall leaves, and moss everywhere. Keep in mind that there’s no signal, Starlink nor cell.. we also were freezing at night (35 degrees) in early October and the spots were tricky for our bigger rig. But if you have a smaller rig there’s tons of places off of road 73 for dispersed camping. Bumpy road to get there but keep on driving and you’ll find places with even firepits.
GuideThis Campground is certainly the best on the swift river. Bathrooms are nice & clean and access to water as well as Mt. St. Helens are the pros.
The reservoir is used for hydroelectric power so it can receed quickly. Your experience here greatly relies on your neighbors and the camp hosts. Some of the regulars can be obnoxious. There are no hookups and no showers so plan accordingly. There is a dump station in the day use area.
ScoutI wanted to like this campground, but I wouldn’t stay here again for more than maybe one night.
There are signs EVERYWHERE warning about theft, which immediately tells you something about the area. I didn’t have anything stolen, but I was extremely careful about what I left out.
The biggest problem is that you’re basically on your own after hours. There is no campground host, no posted after-hours ranger number, and no non-emergency number at the campground or through the park’s phone system. The staff hours also seem very limited and inconsistent. I arrived around 6:30 PM and nobody was there, and staff didn’t seem to return until around 9–10 AM.
The bathrooms were dirty, out of toilet paper, and the showers were cold. One morning there was a large unleashed dog in the women’s bathroom that growled at me while its owner was showering. I believe she may have been homeless and using the facilities. Again, there was nobody around to contact about it.
Another night, people were extremely loud until almost midnight. Same problem: no host, no ranger and no non-emergency number. Unless something is serious enough for 911, you’re left to deal with it yourself.
There are also a lot of homeless people and visible drug addicts/drug activity around Federal Way. I had been warned about the area before coming here, and I understand why.
The park itself is pretty and might be fine for a quick overnight stay, but for multiple nights, I wouldn’t recommend it. Between the theft warnings, lack of after-hours staff, weird staffing hours, and no way to report non-emergency problems, I never really felt comfortable settling into my campsite.
ScoutDriving here from Graham washington, I passed so many camp spots I was shook lol. Amazing camp site for free, I believe u need discover pass. the water is beautiful not many people here so many spots by the water Amazing, where i am u definitely need high clearance to even be close to water, Unless u tent camp away from your vehicle which is not far there are a lot of spots everywhere. The water moves fast and your up high bring your hammocks.
Mount Rainier National Park campers near Longmire have access to several established campgrounds within a 40-mile radius. Located at 2,760 feet elevation, Longmire serves as a starting point for exploring southern park areas with seasonal access restrictions. Winter conditions typically limit full hookup availability from November through April when snow accumulation affects mountain roads and campground operations.
Mountain biking trails: Packwood RV Park & Campground provides a convenient basecamp for biking enthusiasts. "We rode our mountain bikes up to Packwood lake one morning, which is 10 miles round trip. It's a great biking trail, but can also be used as a hiking trail if you are looking for a longer day hike," notes Sasha W. from Packwood RV Park & Campground.
Swimming pool access: Some RV parks in the region offer recreational amenities for days when you're not exploring the national park. "We had a blast. Low key and they have swimming pools!" shares Janet L. about Cascade Peaks Family Campground.
Riverside camping: Several campgrounds feature river access for cooling off during summer months. "We camped off Mather memorial parkway for just a few hours during a Questival and found it to be quiet, easy to access and plenty of firewood. Loved sleeping by the creek!" says Mandy S. about Corral Pass Campground.
Gondola rides: Crystal Mountain offers summer gondola rides with panoramic views of Mount Rainier. "Can't beat the location for skiing and hiking or biking at Crystal Mountain!" notes Emma A. about the RV parking area that serves as a convenient base for these activities.
Privacy levels: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. At Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park, "Very nice small park with basic amenities and large private or cramped sites based on what you choose and pay for. Some have fire rings. All with picnic tables but you will be sitting right next to your neighbors if you choose the sites in middle section of park," according to mary F.
Nearby conveniences: Many campers appreciate easy access to local amenities. "Great quiet place. There's a lot of things around walking distance (all within a couple min walk). Also has great showers bathrooms and laundry ($1.75 per load). Tent lot was $10 per person per night," reports Melita B. about Packwood RV Park & Campground.
Peaceful atmosphere: Quiet camping experiences rank high on visitor preferences. "Not sure why some reviews are so negative, as we found this park to be really peaceful. The owner was truly helpful telling us how best to get to see Mt Rainier and what routes," shares Vik H. about Cascade Peaks Family Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom facilities are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "Great showers and bathrooms. Good isolated spots," says Gregg K. about Thousand Trails Chehalis.
Restrictions on older RVs: Some parks have age restrictions for RVs. "It looks really nice but the don't allow drop-ins or vehicles older than 20 yrs," warns Madeline W. about Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park.
Variable internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The water pressure was a bit low and yes there are residents that live here, but the residents keep to themselves. It was certainly the best option of park in town and we had a very peaceful night's sleep," reports Vik H.
Seasonal fire restrictions: Fire bans are common during dry summer months. "We were planning on snowshoeing at Paradise so we stayed here for a night to get an early start without the long drive. The site has hook-ups and the staff were very friendly. We checked in after they closed but they left us a map and easy instructions on where our site was," explains Jill T. about Gateway Inn RV and Camping.
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have minimal cellular reception. "Cell reception is sketchy at best. A fair number of run down campers. Clubhouse, showers, bathrooms were clean. Large swimming pool," notes Ella T. about Thousand Trails Chehalis.
Activities for kids: Choose campgrounds with dedicated recreation options. "Extended our stay because there was so much to do for the kiddos. Staff here are amazing and fellow campers a delight," shares Kris M. about Thousand Trails Chehalis.
Bathroom proximity: When camping with children, consider distance to facilities. "Scouting local spots to show fellow Dyrt members the backside of beyond," mentions Armando C. about the spacious Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park where bathrooms are conveniently located.
River safety awareness: Campgrounds near water require extra supervision. "Silver Creek runs behind the lot and gives a bit more of a natural feel. Otherwise you are in a giant parking lot (Lot B)," notes Emma A. about Crystal Mountain RV Parking.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring appropriate clothing and gear. "Nice campsite, but didn't spend too much time there as we were hiking and visiting Mt Rainier and Sunshine Peak. It was very quiet and near a stream which was very peaceful at night," says Kelly G.
Maneuverability concerns: Some parks have challenging site access. "It took a long time to get set up because of the ridiculously small amount of space I had to maneuver my 33ft RV and my 8ft extended cab truck," warns Savannah H. about Majestic Mobile Manor & RV Park.
Power reliability: Electrical service quality varies between campgrounds. "Perfect location just outside the national park, but is on a road. We got there at 8pm after coming down from Rainier and then left early to get up to the park again. Electric and water hookup but no restrooms," explains Max B.
Water pressure issues: Several RV parks have reported water system limitations. "This place is really bad, but there are not many sites in the area. Dusty roads, no internet, low water pressure," notes Steve G.
Dump station availability: Check if on-site dumping is available before arrival. "Pretty nice park for a quick stopover or base camp. No picnic tables and only a small outdoor area. Almost everyone at this campground just stayed in their campers all day," observes Katie O. about South Prairie Creek RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Longmire, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Longmire, WA is Packwood RV Park & Campground with a 3.1-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Longmire, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 188 RV camping locations near Longmire, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
