Camping cabins near Mineral, Washington provide convenient access to Mount Rainier National Park, situated at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,800 feet. The area receives approximately 70 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forests dominated by western hemlock and Douglas fir trees. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing while summer daytime highs typically reach the mid-70s.
What to do
Explore Mount Rainier trails: Mounthaven Resort serves as an excellent base camp for hikers, located just minutes from the park entrance. One visitor noted, "This is a great small campground for exploring Mt Rainier. We stayed here with friends from Colorado and explored the park and did some great hiking outside of the park."
Fish in nearby lakes: Mayfield Lake Park offers productive fishing opportunities during warmer months. A camper shared, "Fishing is good for trout out on the water. All camp sites are clean and ready when you arrive."
Swimming and water recreation: Camp Lakeview features lake access with designated swimming areas. "People were fishing, paddle boarding and swimming. I would absolutely go stay there again!" one reviewer mentioned about their birthday celebration at the campground.
Volleyball and basketball: Family-friendly recreation facilities exist at several campgrounds. "There is a playground next to a volleyball court and basketball court. A small beach with a large dock was available for use during the day as well as a boat launch and fishing dock," according to a Camp Lakeview visitor.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Ike Kinswa State Park Campground receives praise for its spacious sites. "Very private spaces, clean restrooms," noted one camper. Another mentioned, "The campground is heavily wooded which is really nice for shade, though it can make it tricky to get into a spot if you have slide outs."
Clean facilities: Most cabin camping locations maintain well-kept restrooms and showers. A Mounthaven Resort visitor highlighted, "Very clean and quiet. Close to park entrance," while another mentioned their "beautifully clean cedar bathroom/showers and thoughtful touches, like a box of tissues in the laundry and nice-smelling lavender hand soaps provided."
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. At Mayfield Lake Park, "We were able to reserve a lakefront spot. We were able to beach our boat right in front of our spot. Our spot was very quiet, some of the upper level spots seem close to highway."
Well-maintained grounds: Campground upkeep consistently earns positive comments. Riffe Lake Campground visitors observed, "I believe this campground is under new ownership. You can see they've been putting a lot of work into it. Paving roads, landscaping, etc. Looks great and well maintained."
What you should know
Reservations essential: Summer weekends fill quickly at most cabin locations. For Elkamp Eastcreek, a visitor advised, "It would be a great base for exploring the south side of Mt. Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance. The majority of the campsites were amid tall trees."
Seasonal considerations: Some facilities have limited availability in winter months. At Mayfield Lake Park, the camping season runs from April 15 through October 15, with peak summer weekends typically requiring reservations weeks in advance.
Variable shower facilities: Shower options differ between campgrounds. At Ike Kinswa, "Showers were free and very warm," while some locations charge fees. A Mayfield Lake camper noted, "Make sure you bring a roll of quarters to use the showers... it cost $0.50 for 3 minutes."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly. At Riffe Lake Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "There's little to no cell service," while Mounthaven Resort offers better options: "WIFI works well; cell service not so much (Verizon)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Riffe Lake Campground includes family-friendly facilities. "This park is huge! Lots of space to hang out and swim. There's always kids running around so it is great for young ones," shared one visitor.
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming spots. At Ike Kinswa State Park, a camper praised the "big protected swim area and there's even a protected kayaking area that goes up the river."
Cabin options for easier camping: Families without camping equipment can utilize cabin rentals. Mounthaven Resort cabins are "stocked with all necessities like linens, very nice, well maintained and downright cute," according to one review.
Bike-friendly loops: Some campgrounds offer safe biking for children. An Ike Kinswa visitor mentioned, "Our kids love walking the trails and riding their bikes around the loops. Everyone is courteous, there are bathrooms nearby, and the campsites are semi-private."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many camping cabin locations also accommodate RVs with varying site sizes. At Majestic Mobile Manor & RV Park, one RVer cautioned, "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."
Hookup variations: Electric, water, and sewer connections differ between campgrounds. Riffe Lake Campground provides "RV spots are gravel pads and had water and electric, some had full hook up too."
Leveling requirements: Some camping areas require additional equipment for comfortable setup. At Ike Kinswa, a visitor noted, "Many of the sites are pretty private, though it can make it tricky to get into a spot if you have slide outs."
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer this service. A Mounthaven Resort camper mentioned, "What would improve Elkamp? It would be great to have a dump station. Sewer hookups would be even better."
