Camping near Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park has good camping spots for both tent and RV setups. Cougar Rock Campground sits on the southwest corner of the park and comes with flush toilets and water spigots, though you won't find showers here. Your campsite includes basic amenities like a picnic table, bear box, and fire pit. The campground sits among thick forests that make the area feel peaceful and quiet. From Cougar Rock, you can hop onto the Wonderland Trail for some solid hiking. Keep in mind there's no cell service around here, so you'll need to plan ahead. When camping near Mount Rainier, always remember to store food properly in the provided bear boxes since wildlife does come through the area. The trails and quiet camping make this a great place to spend a few days outdoors.

Best Camping Sites Near Mount Rainier National Park (296)

    1. Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    57 Reviews
    Longmire, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-6626

    $20 / night

    "If you are looking for an volunteer opportunity while in the park, check out the Washington Train Association also know as the WTA."

    "Large campground located near the Paradise area of Mt. Rainier. Many sites tucked into large trees. Some loops close to main toad so the noise can be an issue, but overall beautiful!"

    2. Ohanapecosh Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    42 Reviews
    Paradise, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-2211

    $20 / night

    "Great location, so close to the park entrance. An hour or so away from Paradise Inn and Sunrise Lodge. Hiked Silver Falls Trail which was right across from our campsite (E10)."

    "Rainer is a must for anyone living in the PNW and this campground allows you to stay in the park but gives you access to plenty of trails, waterfalls and is just a short distance from entrance to the Wonderland"

    3. White River Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    17 Reviews
    Paradise, WA
    5 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "There is also a man who drives around with firewood since you can't bring your own from the outside, and it's very inexpensive."

    "Great trail access to the wonderland trail. September is warm by mid day and in the morning and evening there is that cool PNW mountain breeze. Stayed in the A loop."

    4. White River Dispersed Camping

    20 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 825-6585

    "It was an absolutely beautiful location, about 10-15 minutes away from the Sunrise Entrance. The first night, I got there after 9pm and there were still plenty of spots available."

    "Right off the main road, but several sweet camping spots more tucked away and along the river."

    5. Mowich Lake Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    13 Reviews
    Mount Rainier National Park, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-2211

    "One reason we wanted to stay here was to be close to lots of beautiful hiking near Mt. Rainier. One of the days we went to Sunrise Visitor Center and did a few hikes within the park."

    "My husband and I just spent a weekend at Mowiche Campground located in Ashford, Washington. We chose this campground because we wanted to be close hikes near Mt. Rainier."

    6. La Wis Wis Campground

    28 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $20 - $115 / night

    "We loved that we were only 5 minutes from the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, and about the same distance to Packwood WA for access to amenities if needed."

    "Obviously the river spots are the prime locations but we recently had to branch out and stayed in the more wooded Loop B at site B4. We found we had plenty of space and privacy for a party of 5."

    7. Silver Springs Campground

    17 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 804-1103

    $37 - $84 / night

    "We had a dry camping, asphalt parking site next to the restrooms at the end of the loop (near the camp hosts). It was very quiet here and the area is just beautiful."

    "This is my new favorite spot to camp in Washington. The spaces are well distributed, the location right next to the river is beautiful and the site staff were extremely gracious."

    8. Ipsut Creek Backcountry Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    10 Reviews
    Mount Rainier National Park, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-2211

    "If you are ever in the edge of whether or not you want to travel to Washington and hike, I highly recommend coming. This campground was in the perfect location, too, for some hiking!"

    "Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington States greatest attractions. This waterfall is breath taking."

    9. Ranger Creek Airstrip Dispersed

    11 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 783-6000

    "We drove to the end where the bathroom is and decided to turn around, though it seems that the camp spots do continue after that point."

    "We drove to the end where the bathroom is and decided to turn around, though it seems that the camp spots do continue after that point."

    10. The Dalles Campground

    13 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 804-1103

    $32 - $68 / night

    "Beautiful spot but it's right off the highway. Mostly wanted to review to add that there's no VZW service for miles."

    "To be honest I thought the complaint of road noise was a little silly as that is always the trade off when located conveniently off the hwy. However it was so much worse than road noise."

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Recent Reviews near Mount Rainier National Park

1250 Reviews of 296 Mount Rainier National Park Campgrounds



Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

Camping near Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying stunning views and outdoor activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique charm.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the many trails around the area. At Cougar Rock Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Pretty big site that is a short drive to paradise. Many hiking trails nearby."
  • Fishing: Enjoy some fishing in the nearby rivers. A visitor at Iron Creek Campground noted, "The river is beautiful and lots of trails around the site."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at Ohanapecosh Campground shared, "Absolutely lovely place to stay in Mt Rainier National Park."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One happy camper at La Wis Wis Campground said, "The trees and the river were beautiful."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Alder Lake Park mentioned, "The bathrooms are very nice. They charge a nominal fee for the showers but they have great water pressure and hot water."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful environment. A reviewer at Tinkham Campground noted, "This is a great quiet campground convenient to Paradise."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds have basic facilities. A camper at Cougar Rock Campground pointed out, "There are several restrooms around the campground and convenient trash and recycling bins, but the dump station was closed."
  • Tight Spaces: Many sites can be cramped, especially for larger RVs. One reviewer at Tinkham Campground said, "The spots were not the most level and a little tight."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "We had a great one-night stay at this park with short notice."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. A family at Ohanapecosh Campground enjoyed, "There is an awesome playground for kids to play at."
  • Safety Precautions: Always be cautious around water. A camper at Iron Creek Campground advised, "The river was moving quite fast and seemed turbulent."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor gear. A visitor at Lake Easton State Park shared, "Activities for children such as the Jr. Ranger program."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cougar Rock Campground cautioned, "We had to be cautious parking our 23 ft. van."
  • Water Availability: Be aware of water access for RVs. A camper at Tinkham Campground noted, "There was no water available for filling RVs - just personal bottles."
  • Quiet Hours: Respect the campground's quiet hours. A visitor at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park mentioned, "It was surprisingly quiet!"

Camping near Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but it's essential to be prepared and informed about what to expect. Happy camping!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mount Rainier National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mount Rainier National Park offers a wide range of camping options, with 296 campgrounds and RV parks near Mount Rainier National Park and 44 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mount Rainier National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Rainier National Park is Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 57 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mount Rainier National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 44 free dispersed camping spots near Mount Rainier National Park.

What parks are near Mount Rainier National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Mount Rainier National Park that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.