Best Campgrounds near Packwood, WA

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Packwood, Washington (310)

    1. Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    58 Reviews
    Longmire, WA
    12 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
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-2211

    $20 / night

    "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!"

    3. La Wis Wis Campground

    29 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $27 - $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."

    "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."

    4. Cascade Peaks Family Campground

    8 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 494-7931

    5. Sluice Creek Dispersed Spot

    4 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 497-1103

    6. Cascade Peaks Family Camping

    7 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    7 miles
    +1 (360) 494-7931

    7. Packwood RV Park & Campground

    4 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 494-5145

    "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."

    8. Iron Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    Randle, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $27 - $50 / 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."

    9. Walupt Lake Campground

    11 Reviews
    White Pass, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Amazing camp site with a good amount of lakeside camps. Staying in site 41 to 44 guarantees amazing sunrise and sunset views. The lake water is crystal clear. Excellent location if you enjoy hiking."

    "nice tall shade trees and beautiful access to the lake. trails are around and a large beach to relax on. sites are large and trees are close enough to hang a hammock. note: road to get here is entirely"

    10. White River Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    19 Reviews
    Paradise, WA
    20 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."

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Recent Reviews near Packwood, WA

1139 Reviews of 310 Packwood Campgrounds


  • M
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Rimrock Lake Resort

    Very low lake level in October.

    Campground is deserted. Lake is only 10% full. This is normal for this time of year

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    White River Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    Beautiful

    Best campground! I was in loop D which is right by the river. Amazing views from my roof tent. Sites are close to each other, but the roaring river drowns out any noise. I believe I had the best site in the whole campground… D29. Pretty big site and best views.

  • Chris H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Mounthaven Resort

    Nice spot

    Very clean and quiet. Close to park entrance

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Forest Road 7300 Pull-Off

    Large open pull off

    Lots of pull offs spots on FS Rd 73 but this spot is very open and it’s the one the GPS guided me to from The Dyrt site.

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    White River Dispersed Camping

    Couldn’t find it

    The GPS coordinates told me I arrived and there was nothing around me.

  • E
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Tower Rock U-Fish RV Park

    Wonderful, kind people!!!

    This campground is an excellent spot to spend some time on your travels! Highly recommend!! Pam and Trevor are wonderful and accommodating hosts!!

  • Adi Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Silver Springs Sno Park

    Great spot near sunrise entrance

    Basically it's an empty lot, a lot of space. Great for one night if you want to be close to sunrise entrance. It's a bit close to the road but in the evening it's very quite. We parked with our RV. It's not perfectly leveled, but will do the trick. There is a sign saying pack out your trash, and that you cannot stay here more than 14 days, meaning it's a legitimate site.

  • Richard H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Elk Meadows RV Park

    Nice campground and facilities.

    Great view of Mt Adams if you can get one of the premium sites. Saw elk and heard elk bugling every morning in the meadow. Very quiet and relaxed.

  • Traci O.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Maple Grove RV Resort (Randle) - KM Resorts

    Stayed Sept 2025

    Enjoyed the large sites and peaceful atmosphere. The staff were friendly and even allowed us to have an Amazon purchase delivered to the campground. Complaints would be the pool was ice cold- unusable. Hot tub jets did not work, and the excessive amount of rabbit poop (not good for dogs) made us keep our pups indoors. Not sure I would come again.


Guide to Packwood

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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.