Best Campgrounds near Paradise, WA

Camping options around Paradise, Washington center on Mount Rainier National Park, where several developed campgrounds provide access to alpine meadows, old-growth forests, and glacier views. Cougar Rock Campground offers tent and RV sites nestled among tall trees, while Ohanapecosh Campground provides riverside camping with access to hiking trails. For those seeking more remote experiences, White River Dispersed Camping areas provide free primitive sites, though these lack amenities like potable water or restroom facilities. Established campgrounds typically feature picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while some private campgrounds like Elkamp Eastcreek offer additional amenities including cabins and glamping options.

Most Mount Rainier area campgrounds operate seasonally from late May through early October due to heavy snowfall at higher elevations. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for established campgrounds during summer months when capacity is frequently reached. Forest Service roads accessing dispersed camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly in spring when snowmelt creates challenging conditions. Permits are required for backcountry camping and some dispersed sites on national forest land. Visitors should prepare for variable weather conditions even in summer, as temperatures can drop significantly at night. As one camper noted about Cougar Rock, "We lucked out and got a spot at this campground on a Saturday in the middle of the busy summer months. It's a perfect spot to explore the park!"

Campers consistently praise the mountain views and forest settings throughout the Paradise region. Sites at Cougar Rock receive high ratings for their proximity to Paradise meadows and hiking trails, with several reviews mentioning the quiet atmosphere despite the campground's size. "Very nicely maintained campground. Get your reservations in the winter before your trip. Spots fill up fast," shared one visitor. Bear-resistant food storage lockers are available at national park campgrounds, an important amenity given the active wildlife in the area. While some campgrounds like Mowich Lake prohibit campfires, others provide fire rings and sell firewood on-site. Water access varies by location, with campsites near rivers being particularly popular during summer months. Cell service is limited throughout the region, especially in valleys and remote areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Paradise, Washington (306)

    1. Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    58 Reviews
    Longmire, WA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 569-6626

    $20 / night

    "Super quiet and felt tucked away, not too far from Paradise and Ashford. My neighbors felt close enough for me to feel safe, but far enough away for some privacy."

    "Not far from paradise."

    2. Ohanapecosh Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    42 Reviews
    Paradise, WA
    9 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)."

    "Walk up only after Labor Day. You circle the campground looking for an open spot, then pay your fee at an electronic kiosk outside the visitor center."

    3. La Wis Wis Campground

    29 Reviews
    Packwood, WA
    10 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."

    "I had a spot next to the river and there was a ton of rocky/sandy beach area that would be really nice in the summer since the river is slow moving.  "

    4. White River Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    19 Reviews
    Paradise, WA
    9 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."

    5. White River Dispersed Camping

    24 Reviews
    Greenwater, WA
    17 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."

    "The campsites are absolutely beautiful—tucked among the trees with stunning views and the soothing, constant sound of the roaring White River nearby."

    6. Mowich Lake Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

    13 Reviews
    Mount Rainier National Park, WA
    12 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."

    7. Big Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Ashford, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 338-7869

    $25 - $45 / night

    "I chose to stayed here because of its location. It’s close to the entrance into Rainier NP and there’s plenty of Amazing hikes nearby. I camped alone (I’m a female) and I felt safe."

    "Located a short distance from Mt Rainier NP, this is the perfect springboard for any NP adventure or chillax getaway."

    8. NF-52 Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Puyallup, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 497-1103

    "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."

    9. Elkamp Eastcreek

    37 Reviews
    Mineral, WA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 492-3104

    $25 - $40 / night

    "This place is broken from paradise!"

    "Rainier as it is within minutes of the Nisquilly entrance.  The majority of the campsites were amid tall trees. "

    10. Silver Springs Campground

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

    $37 - $84 / night

    "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."

    "Recently stayed at site 13 and almost no one else was nearby. Most of the sites are larger than average and mostly separated from the other sites."

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Recent Reviews near Paradise, WA

1300 Reviews of 306 Paradise Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Lake Easton State Park Campground

    Lake Easton State Park Campground

    Had a reservation. Pulled up around 3:30 to the park entrance booth with instructions to check in over the phone. After a short while on hold, was able to complete our check-in. Facilities were clean and fine, but only 1 shower stall in the women's and 1 in the men's for the whole campground. Reviews aren't kidding about the I-90 road noise. This spot was okay for a quick overnight while traveling through the area... but I wouldn't personally make a destination of this place.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Kachess Lake Logging Road Campsites

    NF-4930 / NF-118

    Lots of dispersed camping opportunities leading up to the Rachel Lake Trailhead and the Box Canyon Creek Site on NF-4930. Also many spots on the NF-118 spur, which is where we stayed. Some sites are cleaner than others, but most had garbage left behind by previous boneheads. Please pick up after your stay! Spotty cell service--a cell phone booster helped a lot. About half the sites along NF-4930 were occupied on our way to find camp on a Tuesday. We hiked to Rachel and Lila Lakes on a Wednesday morning and a few other cars were already at the trailhead. By the time we were done hiking in the afternoon, the lot was full. Popular area!


Guide to Paradise

Near Mount Rainier National Park, camping spots near Paradise, Washington range in elevation from 1,800 to 6,400 feet, creating distinct climate zones and camping experiences throughout the season. Nighttime temperatures can drop into the 30s even during summer months, with frost possible at higher elevations. Many campgrounds require visitors to store food in bear-resistant containers due to active wildlife in the region.

What to Do

Hiking to alpine lakes: Silver Springs Campground provides direct access to riverside trails and serves as a gateway to Mount Rainier's northeastern attractions. "There is good hiking along the river from the campground," explains Jeff C., while another camper notes, "There is a nice little hike and super cool river spots you can access."

Stargazing in meadows: Elkamp Eastcreek offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities away from city light pollution. "Acres to gorgeous meadow and evening star viewing," shares Susan S. The campground's location outside the national park boundaries means fewer crowds and better viewing conditions.

Swimming in natural pools: During late summer, the White River offers refreshing swimming opportunities when water levels decrease. At La Wis Wis Campground, visitors appreciate the natural water features: "Rope swings and places to jump off just down the road," notes Shariah T., while another camper mentions, "Water is very cold but there are lots of swimming holes and even a rope swing."

What Campers Like

Off-season solitude: September camping at White River Campground offers significantly fewer crowds while maintaining access to key attractions. "Like most campgrounds in Washington by Sunday afternoon the campground is empty. For your best camping experience here camp Sunday through Wednesday," advises Jeff C.

Natural sound buffers: Many campers appreciate the natural white noise at river-adjacent sites. At Big Creek Campground, visitors can select sites based on preferred soundscapes: "We had one of the best spots with access to the stream," shares Bobby B., while at White River, another camper notes, "The sound of soft moving water runs throughout the campground providing a beautiful and tranquil camping experience."

Early access to trailheads: Staying at Mowich Lake Campground positions hikers for early morning starts before day-use visitors arrive. "We did the Tolmie Peak trail and the trailhead is straight off the campground which is super nice," says Megan H., making it ideal for photographers seeking sunrise shots without pre-dawn drives.

What You Should Know

Fire restrictions vary by location: Unlike many nearby campgrounds, Mowich Lake prohibits campfires entirely. "No fires allowed. Sadly you cannot build a fire here so it does get really cold at night time because there are glaciers in the park," explains Kevin T.

Reservation windows: For popular campgrounds, planning several months ahead is essential. At Cougar Rock Campground, Zane G. advises, "Get your reservations in the winter before your trip. Spots fill up fast."

Road conditions to dispersed sites: High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many dispersed camping areas. At White River Dispersed Camping, Reagan S. reports, "Road gets a bit worse as you drive further, but it was manageable," while another visitor notes, "4x4 / high clearance vehicles recommended - saw some subarus trying to navigate into a cleared area and it was pretty scrape-y."

Tips for Camping with Families

Ranger programs: Several campgrounds offer educational activities for children. At Ohanapecosh Campground, JE K. shares, "Very family friendly with large and small camp sites. Great for multiple family outings... fun ranger programs."

Protected swimming areas: Families with younger children should seek campgrounds with gentler water access. "Blue hole is breathtaking," notes Laura H. about La Wis Wis, while another camper describes, "The kids had fun riding bikes around."

Multi-site reservations: For family groups, coordinating adjacent site bookings enhances the experience. Mary C. recommends, "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."

Tips from RVers

Low-hanging branches: RVers should exercise caution on campground access roads. At Silver Springs, one camper warns, "The roads through this campground are a bit tight and have a few low-hanging trees, so be aware if you have a larger rig. Our 32' fifth wheel was fine but I wouldn't want to go much longer than that."

Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds within the national park have no hookups. At NF-52 Dispersed Camping area, RVers must be prepared for fully self-contained camping, while Big Creek Campground offers potable water but no electric connections. "Very spacious and much more private than Cougar Rock," notes one camper who found it a good alternative to in-park camping.

Dump station locations: No dump stations exist within the national park, requiring advance planning. Simple Joyful Journey notes that Silver Springs "has both dry camping and water/electric hookups, but no dump station," requiring a trip to facilities in neighboring towns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Paradise, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Paradise, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 306 campgrounds and RV parks near Paradise, WA and 52 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Paradise, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Paradise, WA is Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 58 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paradise, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 52 free dispersed camping spots near Paradise, WA.

What parks are near Paradise, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Paradise, WA that allow camping, notably Mount Rainier National Park and Gifford Pinchot National Forest.