Mount Rainier National Park rises to 14,410 feet in elevation, creating varied camping conditions from lush river valleys to high alpine zones. Weather patterns shift rapidly near the mountain, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-75°F during the day and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Even in peak summer months, campers should be prepared for occasional rain and significant temperature swings between daytime and nighttime.
What to do
Riverside hiking trails: Access scenic paths along the Yakima River at Whispering Pines RV Campground. "There are great trails along the Yakima River and a fun little playground for the kiddos. Easy to get to," notes a visitor who appreciated the convenient location.
Mountain biking adventures: The Packwood area offers excellent mountain biking options within 10 miles of Packwood RV Park & Campground. "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," reports one camper.
Winter recreation: Crystal Mountain offers year-round activities including winter skiing and summer hiking from Crystal Mountain RV Parking. "Great base-camp for winter and summer adventures at Crystal Mountain Resort. It was quiet and sparsely filled in July on a Friday and Saturday night," shares a camper who visited during summer.
What campers like
Swimming options: Some campgrounds near Mount Rainier offer swimming pools as a welcome alternative to cold mountain streams. "We had a blast. Low key and they have swimming pools!" reports a visitor to Cascade Peaks Family Campground. However, water temperature can be an issue as another camper notes, "The pool was ice cold - unusable."
Quiet forest settings: The natural tree coverage provides peaceful camping environments at several RV parks near Mount Rainier. "Nice older park at the base of Mt. Rainier. Very quiet and low key," comments a visitor to Enumclaw Expo Center RV Park, one of the closest RV parks to Mount Rainier National Park's northwest entrance.
Riverside camping: Many campers value sites with water access or views. "Lots of campsites but the best ones are the riverfront ones," advises a reviewer about Cascade Peaks Family Campground, which offers both wooded and waterfront sites.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layouts differ substantially around Mount Rainier. "The sites are level and fairly well spaced. It is open in some areas, so not a ton of privacy in some of the sites," explains a camper at Whispering Pines RV Campground.
Road and campground conditions: Access roads to campgrounds closest to Mount Rainier can present challenges. At Corral Pass Campground, a visitor warns, "The drive up was rough, steep, and slick. I would never attempt with a trailer or even cab over camper. We took the tent and my Subaru Crosstrek up, took it slow and did just fine."
Local infrastructure limitations: Facilities at RV parks near Mount Rainier range from basic to comprehensive. "The water pressure was a bit low and yes there are residents that live here, but the residents keep to themselves," notes a camper at Cascade Peaks Family Campground, highlighting infrastructure issues common in rural campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Squaw Rock RV Resort and Campground, families appreciate the recreational options. "The common grounds are well-kept. The pool was clean and checked/serviced each day," reports a visitor who stayed with family.
Walking distance amenities: Some campgrounds provide easy access to town services. "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)," notes a camper at Packwood RV Park & Campground.
Check for operational facilities: Confirm amenity availability before booking. "The bathrooms (plural) were falling apart and out of commission for our four day stay. Worse the dump station was overflowing," warns a camper about seasonal maintenance issues at Cascade Peaks Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Many RV parks near Mount Rainier have shared utility setups. "Single utility service serves two sites. The water spigot has a Y splitter to share a single water connection. Power has one 30 Amp and one 50 Amp socket. The first rig arriving gets to choose which one they want to use," explains a motorhome camper at Squaw Rock RV Resort.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service and internet access vary significantly around Mount Rainier. "Free WI-Fi (the host will give you code) and good LTE connection on AT&T," reports a camper at Crystal Mountain RV Parking, though many areas have limited or no service.
Leveling considerations: Site preparation may be necessary at some RV parks near Mount Rainier. "Our site was very close to level," notes one RV camper, while others mention bringing blocks or levelers for uneven sites, especially at campgrounds on mountain slopes.
