Mineral, Washington sits at the foothills of the Cascade Range near Mount Rainier National Park, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 feet. The area receives substantial annual rainfall—about 70 inches—creating lush forests surrounding the small rural community. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with occasional snow accumulation, while summer brings warm days between 70-85°F.
What to do
Lake fishing and recreation: Mineral Lake spans 277 acres with depths reaching 80 feet in some areas, making it a prime fishing destination for rainbow trout. "The water is that beautiful blue/green glacier water color. The campground we stayed at did not have designated fire rings, but did have a metal BBQ that we used for the kids to make s'mores on," shares a visitor at Alder Lake Park.
Hiking to nearby meadows: Many camping areas provide direct trail access to wildflower meadows. At Elkamp Eastcreek, "the meadow over the bridge is a hidden delight. Constant attention to the grounds regularly. Exquisite!" according to Amanda M.
Winter yurt camping: Seasonal yurt camping near Mineral provides a unique winter experience. Snowshoe access is required for some locations. "My father and I snowshoed to this yurt for my birthday right before the corona virus outbreak. With several feet of deep snow, this 12.5 mile snow hike was no joke. Took us 8 hours to get to the yurt," reports Ethan H., suggesting visitors plan arrival time carefully.
What campers like
Private, well-spaced sites: Visitors consistently mention the privacy between campsites as a standout feature. "The sites are quite private, and the campground was quiet. Our site was a nice size, but we got a double site, and it said it could fit 12 peeps. It had room for 1, maybe 2 tents," notes a camper at Iron Creek Campground.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently praise the cleanliness of facilities at established campgrounds. "The bathrooms were always clean. There's designated dish washing station (though there's no spout right now) and potable water station," writes Sarah Claire B.
Proximity to Mount Rainier: The location provides easy day-trip access to national park attractions. "It would be a great base for exploring the south side of Mt. Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance," shares Shannon H. about their experience.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Lake levels can fluctuate significantly throughout the year. "The only damper to this year was the dam in Tacoma was partially drained causing a 'low tide' which exposed the dirt and poor beach area... usually when water is at normal level the beach is all sand and water is clean and clear," notes a visitor at Alder Lake Park.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across the area. At Mossyrock Park, "We have AT&T cell service. We had no service at all. It was nice to be unplugged," reports Gayle K.
Reservation requirements: Most yurt accommodations require advance booking through recreation.gov or directly with private facilities. During peak summer months (July-August), campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "There are trails to explore, a sandy beach area that is also for public access, a boat launch and boat dock," describes Nicole P., adding that the setting is "beautiful!!"
Multi-generational activities: Fishing piers and gentle hiking trails accommodate various age groups. "Very family friendly they have a (very) small playground. Lots of room for kids to ride bikes," mentions Kristina H.
Safe swimming areas: Camp Lakeview provides designated swimming zones. "We stayed at site number C10 A in our tent with our children. It was a larger site that sits next to the small creek. It was very pleasant and quiet. The bath house isn't too far and was usually well stocked and clean. There is a playground next to a volleyball court and basketball court," writes Julia B.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many campsites have specific limitations worth verifying before booking. At Cowlitz Falls Campground, "We camped one night passing through here. Arrived just before dark and left in the morning. Very spacious sites in the forest. Not much light and forest kept camp smoke nearby," notes Kim G.
Hookup variations: Water and electric services vary between campgrounds and specific loops. "Loops: A-Loop: water & electric. A mix of shaded and open grassy sites. Outer are pull through, inner are back in. You will find the most private sites in this loop," explains Daniel L.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have on-site dump stations. "I would say the only drawback is that they don't have sewer hook ups. We stayed Friday to Monday trying to be moderately careful filling our tanks and did just fine dumping tanks on our way out," shares Angela S. about her experience at Cowlitz Falls.
