323 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The small town of Packwood in Washington has several camping options that put you close to Mount Rainier. Cougar Rock Campground inside the national park connects to many hiking trails with good mountain views. Campers also head to Ohanapecosh Campground when they want to hike the Silver Falls Trail and see waterfalls. La Wis Wis Campground sits just six miles from town among old-growth trees with room to spread out. The campgrounds fill quickly in summer, so you'll need to book ahead or show up very early for first-come sites. Most places have basic setups - picnic tables and pit toilets are common at simpler sites. Since bears live throughout this area, you'll need to store food properly when camping. Many locals think fall is the best time to camp near Packwood because the crowds thin out and the leaves change color. The Packwood area works well for both regular campgrounds and more basic camping depending on what you want.
"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!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Lots of trails to hike, pet friendly, and the river is a sight to see. Beautiful."
"There is an awesome playground for kids to play at, a zipping, bikes for kids to ride and a little bike trail for kids to ride on. Facilities are clean and the staff is very nice!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Our sight was very big and right next to the river. Camp sites were very spaced out too which was a plus. Close to the town of Packwood as well as the National Park. I highly recommend."
from $23 - $115 / night
Check Availability"Packwood which is a small little town next to White Pass is a great place to visit if you want to get away in Washington and be outdoors."
"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). Tent lot was $10 per person per night."
"There is a path from our campsite that join the bigger walking loop around the campground and access to the river. We were there after the July 4th holiday so it was quiet."
"The campground is super quiet and allows you to get away from it all. There are no services and no cell phone reception so come expecting that."
from $27 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"We found an awesome walk in spot a little bit earlier on on the forest road before these actual coordinates."
"Got here around sunset. Looks like some good camping spots to walk into. Beautiful view of Rainier. There was a little bit of traffic but nothing crazy. Would stay here again."
ScoutLots of potholes on the way up but we managed with a sienna minivan, only saw one other group of people who passed us trying to get the spot after we had set up tents. 10/10 view and truly a magnificent view of rainier
GuideOlallie Creek Campground was one of the absolute highlights of our trip through Mount Rainier. We came in via the Cowlitz Trail on the very first weekend the park opened to backpackers. It was a tough route, spotty markings, no cell service, and a pretty long dry stretch. Definitely bring enough water, a reliable map, and a satellite communicator. Bear spray is a must too. Once you're there though, it's magic. Crystal clear, ice cold creeks that converge around what feels like a little island. The group site is roomy. We set up 2 tents comfortably, and the bucket toilet is tucked away for privacy. Thunderstorms rolled through but only added to the atmosphere. We didn’t see another soul. Just pure quiet. We filtered water, soaked our feet in the creek, and played cards before bed. It’s not luxury, but if you want real backcountry solitude in a beautiful setting, it's hard to beat. It stuck with me, and I can't wait to go back.
GuideParadise River Camp was one of the most memorable campsites from our time on the Wonderland Trail. The camp was set beside a creek that provided convenient and reliable water access, making it easy to refill and filter water without having to travel far from the site. The sound of the creek also added to the peaceful atmosphere without being overwhelming. The campsite felt scenic, quiet, and immersed in the landscape. Its location along the Wonderland Trail made it a rewarding place to stop after a day of hiking, and the site layout offered a welcome sense of privacy and separation from other campers. We did not encounter any major drawbacks during our stay. Overall, Paradise River Camp was an excellent and memorable campsite, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. We would gladly stay there again.
ScoutSuper well maintained, lots of amenities. There is a giant slip-n-slide style water slide that runs all summer. Main thing to know is that you need to have a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints help you book. It’s technically owned by the church but they’re open to visitors using it. No alcohol and I think it’s closed on Sundays.
ScoutFirst they said they had available spaces then they said they didn't.We drove 50 miles to come out here and they didn't have a space all of a sudden!
GuideHowever you camp, tent or RV, there is a site for you here. Taidnapam is the second Tacoma Power park where I have camped. There are two sides to this campground--the older side which are sites 1-52 are a mix of full hook-ups and partial hook-ups. The newer, larger loop is almost all full hook-ups with a few exceptions that are partial. There are tent spots in-between the two sides. They also have 2 group sites--one with 22 spots of full and partial hook-ups and one primitive group site. We stayed in site 9 with full hook-ups on the older loop. This loop is one big circle with a dividing road so it's kind of like two loops. The rest rooms and playground was in the middle of the first loop. My site had a short trail right to the restrooms/playground area. The playground was pretty awesome! On the far end of the second loop, there is a trail that takes you to the day-use area where there is a second fantastic playground. There was also a sprinkler system there, but we didn't know how to make it work. This area is right next to the river/east end of Riffe Lake. There are no swimming areas however because the lake has lowered over the years. We did ask if there were any swimming areas nearby or a way to get down to the water and they did have a list in the office. We checked out a few of the closer places, but since I have a 4 years old, I did not feel that any of the places were safe enough for her to get down to the water and I did not want to drive miles to get to the next park. One of the fun things about this park are the gnomes up in the trees! I didn't find out until the night before we left, but I guess you can do like a scavenger hunt type of thing to find all the gnomes.
GuideAfter a full face left, we believe the campground is even better than before. The whole layout as been redesigned, providing camping right on the lake now.
GuideYou park your car at an upper level and then there’s a small trail that takes you down to a quiet and private river. The lower level hang out spot is right next to the river and would be way cooler if people stopped putting their toilet paper and used up poo powder in the fire circle. I would’ve liked to be able to use the fire circle on the upper level instead, but there was a mound of trash in there as well.
There is a small memorial right next to the upper fire circle that had some offerings left at the base.
TravelerWe tried this spot as our first Boondocking experience. We wanted a place that we could try our equipment out for a couple nights without it being too far and this was perfect. Open area spots are good for 30-40ft rigs no problem, and there are way more tent camp spots for those who want it. Just remember, first come first served…All the other reviews and pictures are pretty accurate so you can trust them. Except for the “road to bumpy”… yea, it’s not a Walmart parking lot.
Several campgrounds near Packwood, Washington offer alternatives depending on family needs, water access, and activity preferences. The area sits at the junction of three major routes that connect to Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and White Pass at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,500 feet. Campers often encounter moderate temperature drops at night even during summer months, with temperatures commonly falling to the 40s after sunset.
Hiking to waterfalls: At Ohanapecosh Campground, multiple trails lead to impressive water features. "Loved this campgrounds! Lots of trails to hike, pet friendly, and the river is a sight to see. Beautiful. Go during Memorial or Labor Day weekend and you can also check out the NW largest flea market in Packwood WA about 15 mins away," notes Michelle W.
Swimming in lakes and rivers: The best places to camp near Packwood often feature water access. Walupt Lake Campground provides clear water for swimming. "Lake is pristine, calm and gorgeous. Easy to kayak. Easy trail access to hikes. Cold in the morning (Aug) but warms up quickly," writes Peter J. Water activities are popular at multiple locations during summer months.
Mountain viewing: Many campsites provide vantage points for observing multiple Cascade peaks. "From the top of the hike we were able to see Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Rainier. It doesn't get any better than that!" reports Sasha W. about hiking near Walupt Lake Campground. Several dispersed camping areas along forest roads also offer mountain views.
Old-growth forests: The tall trees and dense forest canopy create distinctive camping environments. Iron Creek Campground receives consistent praise for its forest setting. "The campground is like fairy wonderland with so much moss and greenery. All of the vualt toilets were spotless and smelled fine," notes Gayle K. Many campers specifically mention the trees when describing their favorite Packwood camping experiences.
Riverside sites: La Wis Wis Campground features several waterfront sites. "Sites are green and shaded. Most are pretty close to one another, but several have river access," reports Stacie H. Riverside camping allows for immediate water access and natural white noise that masks sounds from nearby campsites.
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities enhance camping experiences for many visitors. "Amazing campground right in the Ohanapecosh River. Beautiful trees plenty of space and amazing ranger led activities for the kids," shares Brittany P. These programs typically run weekends during peak season at established campgrounds inside Mount Rainier National Park.
Reservation challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. "Get your reservations in the winter before your trip. Spots fill up fast," advises Zane G. about Cougar Rock Campground. For first-come, first-served sites, Thursday arrival provides the best chance at securing weekend spots.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires travel on unpaved roads. "Note: road to get here is entirely dirt; bring mosquito repellent," warns Noelle K. about Walupt Lake. Some forest roads experience seasonal closures or condition issues.
Bear precautions: All campgrounds in the Packwood area require proper food storage. Campers must store food items in vehicles or approved containers when not in use. Most established campgrounds post specific guidelines regarding bear safety.
Shallow swimming areas: Look for gentler water access points for younger children. "We took our kids up to Grove of the Patriarchs which crosses a suspended bridge. It does get a bit busy on this trail though. If you keep hiking further it become a bit more secluded," suggests Rich M. about Ohanapecosh Campground.
Diverse activities: Cascade Peaks Family Campground offers multiple recreation options. "There are 2 pools, playground, bikes to ride, hayrides, scavenger hunt. I'm sure I forgot something... almost all the sites had power and water," reports Wendy M. Structured activities can help during extended stays with children.
Multi-family sites: Some campgrounds designate larger sites for group camping. "There is a group site, but when we have gone we just get a few spaces clustered together on the river. Works well and gives the little ones nice space to play in between camp sites," suggests Mary C. regarding La Wis Wis Campground.
Size limitations: Many forest campgrounds have tight access roads. "This is an older campground with smaller roads and bigger campsites. This makes it great for tent campers and those with smaller RV's or tent trailers. The larger loud RV's would not fit in the spots or on the roads," explains Patience H. about La Wis Wis Campground.
Water and power access: Packwood RV Park & Campground provides full hookups and in-town convenience. "The site for travel trailer was good. The Wi-Fi sucked, never could hook up," reports JJMasters. RVers needing reliable utilities should focus on commercial campgrounds rather than forest service locations.
Leveling challenges: Many forested sites aren't naturally level. Bringing leveling blocks or other equipment helps ensure a comfortable stay, especially for larger RVs or trailers with refrigeration systems that require proper leveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping available near Mount Rainier from Packwood?
Yes, excellent camping options are available near Mount Rainier from Packwood. La Wis Wis Campground is just 5 minutes from Mount Rainier National Park's entrance with spacious riverside sites, clean vault toilets, and convenient access to both the park and Packwood's amenities. Ohanapecosh Campground inside Mount Rainier National Park is about 15 minutes from Packwood, offering pet-friendly sites, hiking trails, and beautiful river views. For experienced hikers seeking high-elevation camping, Camp Muir provides the highest established camp in Washington with solar toilets and spectacular mountain views, though the hike up is challenging. Most campgrounds in the area are open seasonally from late spring through early fall.
What camping sites are available in Packwood, Washington?
Packwood, Washington offers a variety of camping options. Packwood RV Park & Campground provides convenient accommodations right in town with access to amenities and is a great base for outdoor activities like mountain biking to Packwood Lake. Silver Springs Campground is another excellent option with well-spaced sites situated beautifully along a river. The area also features Tower Rock Campground for larger groups with RVs and tents, White Pass Lake Campground for summer recreation, and Cascade Peaks Family Campground for those seeking more amenities. Additionally, several dispersed camping options exist on National Forest land surrounding Packwood for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Where are the best campgrounds near Packwood, WA?
The best campgrounds near Packwood offer unique experiences for different camping preferences. Packwood Lake is exceptional for those willing to hike or use ATVs to reach remote lakeside sites with stunning views, though water is quite cold. White Pass Lake Campground is ideal for summer visitors, providing access to hiking trails and nearby Rimrock Lake. For those seeking riverside camping with more amenities, Iron Creek Campground and Walupt Lake Campground offer reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Tower Rock Campground works well for larger groups with pets, featuring secluded sites that accommodate both RVs and tents. Most top campgrounds are open from late spring through early fall, with some requiring reservations during peak season.
Keep Exploring
