Best Tent Camping near Orting, WA
Tent campgrounds near Orting, Washington cluster primarily around Mount Rainier National Park, offering a range of walk-in and hike-in opportunities. The park's northern section includes Mowich Lake Campground with its ten tent-only sites arranged in a circle above the day-use parking area, while Ipsut Creek Backcountry Campground provides a more secluded tent camping experience accessible via a 5-mile hike or bicycle ride from the Carbon River entrance.
Most tent sites in the Mount Rainier area require campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas to designated camping platforms or clearings. Campgrounds like Eagles Roost and Mowich Lake feature bear boxes at each site, picnic tables, and centrally located vault toilets, but no drinking water. Fire restrictions vary by location and season, with many backcountry sites prohibiting open flames entirely. The unpaved access road to Mowich Lake extends approximately 15 miles and can be rough in sections, requiring careful driving. A National Park entry fee applies to all vehicles, and many tent sites fill quickly during summer months.
The elevation of tent campgrounds near Mount Rainier affects camping conditions significantly, with temperatures dropping as low as 40°F even in July. Most tent sites offer good tree cover, providing shade and some wind protection, though sites like Mowich Lake have limited privacy between individual camping spots. Tent campers appreciate the proximity to trailheads, with many sites serving as starting points for popular day hikes to destinations like Spray Falls or Tolmie Peak. A visitor commented that "the sites are spaced out nicely from each other and there is a real feeling of privacy" at Eagles Roost Camp, while another noted that "even in July there is snow and temperatures reached as low as 40°F" at Mowich Lake.
