Cougar Rock Campground, near Longmire, Washington, is a cozy spot within [Mount Rainier National Park](https://thedyrt.com/camping/washington/near/mount-rainier-national-park) that offers a peaceful escape surrounded by nature. With its proximity to stunning hiking trails and breathtaking views of the iconic mountain, it’s a prime location for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

The campground features designated sites that are perfect for both tents and RVs, though be mindful that some spots can be a bit tight, especially for larger rigs. Visitors appreciate the clean restrooms and the convenience of trash and recycling bins throughout the area. As one camper noted, “The sites are a bit rugged and small but it was cozy enough,” making it a great choice for those who enjoy a more intimate camping experience.

For adventure seekers, Cougar Rock is just a short drive from Paradise, where you can access numerous hiking trails, including the popular Carter Falls trailhead right near the campground. While the area is known for its serene atmosphere, be prepared for limited cell service, which adds to the charm of disconnecting from the hustle and bustle. Campers have also mentioned the presence of wildlife, so keep your food secure to avoid any curious critters.

With its beautiful surroundings and convenient access to park attractions, Cougar Rock Campground is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of [Mount Rainier National Park](https://thedyrt.com/camping/washington/near/mount-rainier-national-park).

## Overview

 Cougar Rock Campground, on the southwest side of Mt. Rainier National Park, is conveniently located near Paradise. Individual campsites are reservable on this page. Group campsite reservations can be made via [Cougar Rock Group Campground][1]. Paradise is the most popular destination in the park, with a lodge and visitor center, many miles of hiking trails and a commanding view of the mountain-the highest in the state and Cascade range. The main attraction at Mount Rainier National Park is the mountain itself, a massive glacier-clad volcano, peaking at 14,411 ft. and dominating the skyline for hundreds of miles. Visitors travel through majestic old-growth forests, past tumbling waterfalls and historic buildings to reach sub-alpine meadows, where world-famous wildflower displays bloom through July and August. Popular activities in the park include sight-seeing, hiking, rock climbing and camping.Cougar Rock campground is located at an elevation of 3,180 feet. Summers are dry and cool with daytime temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees. Weather throughout the park can be variable, so visitors should come prepared. 
## Recreation

 From the facility, experienced hikers and backpackers can access the well-known, strenuous and beautiful Wonderland Trail, which encircles the park for 93 miles. For those who enjoy learning more about the park's natural and cultural history, there is an on-site amphitheater where interpretive programs are held.
## Natural Features

 Cougar Rock Campground has one lookout point from which campers can view Mt. Rainier. Although it is peaceful now, the still active volcano last erupted in the mid 1800s. The campground is adjacent to the Nisqually River and is surrounded by thick forests. A short drive to Paradise in summer reveals fields of lush wildflowers. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Mount Rainier National Park is about 50 miles southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area.
## Charges & Cancellations

 If a camper does not check-in at the ranger station by 12:00pm check-out time the day after the scheduled arrival date, their reservation will be cancelled, the camper will incur a $10.00 service fee, and forfeit the first night's camping fee. 

[1]: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232510

Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

Are you in need of a campground near Longmire, WA? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Longmire, reviewed by campers like you.

Longmire

The Best Camping Near Longmire, Washington

Great ranger help - we also got to stay for free because it was the last day of the season.  Campsites at Cougar roll up and down with small valleys and ridges, giving extra privacy.  Rainer Park is gorgeous, larger than life.  Well laid-out, everything easy to find, stark colors, plus we saw some wildlife.

Rainer popular - but not too much so.

Mt. Rainier and Reservations!!

There is no need to wait in a long line to get a camp spot. There is plenty with exactly 173.There is no restrooms and fire pits but the price is worth it for the view and experience. The price is $60. The best view of the area is Mt Rainier itself 

Cougar rock

For the size of this place, it's pretty out of the way (in a good way). There are no fire pits, and the driveways are kind of small, but all of that is incredibly worth it. Great views, incredibly quiet, and amazingly clean. If I didn't live across the country I would camp here every weekend in the summer. 

Great views, out of the way

I showed up without reservations and the host directed me to a perfect spot. There was a bridge leading to a private tent site. The campground was wonderful with restrooms and water nearby. The neighbor campers were all very friendly. The campground is in the Southwest of the national park. This puts it close to some wonderful hiking at Comet Falls, Paradise and so many others. The park officials were happy to help me find great things to do in the time I was there. If you have a chance to get this particular campsite, go for it! I would definitely go back here again and plan to spend at least a week exploring the national park. Tip: fill up with gas before entering the park (there is one right before you enter if you are coming from the west) because it's really big and there are no gas stations inside the park. 

Cougar Rock campground

The views of this place are just breathtaking. Everyone should visit at least once in your life. By far one of my favorite places on earth.

Camp ground is very nice, clean with great forest, river and mountain views. They are activities in the evening at the ranger station at longmire or paradise. 
If you are looking for an volunteer opportunity while in the park, check out the Washington Train Association also know as the WTA. The WTA is one of the groups that hold work parties that maintain the trails we all walk on in the park. I have work a few work parties and love the mission, people and all over experience. 

Great View 

Perfect spot in the woods and a short drive to Paradise

Absolute must view of Mt. Rainier

Very cloudy on the first day....where is Mt. Rainer.  Very sunny the next day....oh wow.  Mt. Rainer is everywhere!  Can see Mt. Rainer from the campground.  Amazing.  Very quiet, campsites felt private too

Mt. Rainer...surprisingly amazing!

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!

Great location!

This campground is pretty large and each site is set back a little to give you some additional privacy.  Although they are mostly non-electric there isn't a tent only section. The sites are all very flat and have tables and fire rings. There are a god number of flush toilets and potable water. You're really close to the paradise visitor center and great hikes.  

Nice sites, great views and close to must dos

This is the closest campground to Paradise, the most popular area and hikes available on Mt Rainier. 

This is a classic, I hope once you camp here you come back again every year like we have. 

If you are going to do one thing on your trip, take the wonderland trail from your campsite. This is the most accessible location and one of the most spectacular trails. 

Great Location to all the hiking Mt Rainier has to offer 

So last summer my girlfriend and I were doing a Geocaching quest. We stayed at Cougar Rock a few days while looking for our caches. We really enjoyed having the trees at our camp site for our hammocks. We spent the hot afternoon napping and relaxing in our hammock. It was the best experience ever.

Time to relax

I went when there were no reservations required and found a sweet site. It is good to go in the off season. Reservations are all filled up during the busy season. Off-season for the win!!

Sweet walk up availability

Arrived around 5pm on a Tuesday in June and had no problem securing a great spot. There were plenty of other visitors, so I imagine the weekend would be packed. The site we stayed in was close to the road, but quiet and beautiful. The wonderland trail is a quick jaunt from the campgrounds. Would recommend, but perhaps liked Ohanapecosh a tad bit more.

Enjoyable night in Mt Rainier

Loved Cougar Rock but it didn't love us. We flew out there with our Florida gear in September, place was deserted except a few RV’s dispersed, had the place to ourselves, saw no other tents. Place was absolutely gorgeous, quite, and green. We froze to death and only lasted one night before booking it to Paradise to stay in the park motel. Bit of a drive but when in Rainier head out to Mowich Lake, totally worth it!

Great spot in Rainier

Best stars you'll see all year if you go on a clear day (go in the summer)! You can see Mount Rainer during the day, and take day trips to hiking trails with mountains and waterfalls and even a gondola near the ski resort. RV friendly and dogs welcome at campsite (just not on trails). Running water, flush toilets, and fire pit available. Not many bugs, might might get cold at night. Ranger apprently does an info talk around 8pm. Book site in advance (fills up quickly). Will have to pay a national park fee to get in.

Stars, mountains, buglessness

really convenient campground if you’re going to be in Rainier. Little $$ at $20/night, but well maintained and plenty of spaces in early June! Tables and fire pits available, wood was sold in loop A, we stayed at loop C but didn’t realize that our site (C15) seemed to be lacking a bear box until after we set up camp. Borrowed one from an unoccupied neighboring site, but it could be an issue if it were busier. Also if you stay adjacent to a bathroom, bring an eye mask! 

Views, trees, convenience

This campground is huge! got lost in it a few times... there are tons of great spots with nice fire rings and flat spots for tents. Firewood at the entrance to the campground. Didn’t see any showers but indoor plumbing in the bathrooms. Potable water by all the bathrooms as well. Many sites have pretty good privacy from the other sites even though they are relatively close together

large, tidy, with good tree cover, fire rings, and hinged grills to cook fo

Cougar Rock is a popular campground that gets you close to Paradise, but also an easy run back to Longmire if you need supplies or cell service. Lots of trees, good cover...like most NP campgrounds, get in early in the morn if you want a site. Grill, fire ring, grill plate, bear box, picnic table, all the usual stuff.

Great Campground Location

Great location to camp if you are wanting to be right in the middle of mt rainier. Has easy access to paradise and beautiful hikes. The camp sites seemed a little close together but we still really enjoyed it. Loved the trees and hike to the river. Beautiful views.

Great location at Mt Rainier

Finding a great place to stay that is near Mt. Rainier National Park is always the best. Cougar Rock Campground is a perfect place to camp if you are wanting to do some hiking within the park. Located in Ashford, you are close to so many hikes, it’s amazing. My family and I did a few hikes a day because we couldn’t choose just 1\. The views of Mt. Rainier are incredible on these hikes. You can see Rainier a tiny bit from the campground, too. Wonderland Trail is close by and it’s a perfect hike!! The campground is great, spacious and has the basic ammentities. Definitely get a reservation early, though, because it does fill up very fast. It was full when we got there and checked in around 1pm. They have bathrooms on site, picnic tables and fire pits. There is also a lookout point in the campground where you can see Mt. Rainier. Doesn’t get any better than that!! Highly recommend :)

Views for days!

We enjoyed our stay at Mt Rainier and loved the hiking the area had to offer. There are multiple shops and restaurants inside the park, making it a great place for the family. We camped in our tent, and were disappointed with the amenities. There are toilets and sinks, but no showers. There is not a good spot to wash dishes, and you lose cell service 45 minutes before getting to the campsite, so be prepared for more primitive camping! Also, bears are real so keep your food locked in the bear containers provided!

Great stay in National Park

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!

Large campground inside Mt. Rainier National Park 

We met some friends at Cougar Rock Campground on Mt Rainier at the end of September thinking we would have no problem getting a site. We ended up getting the very last site in the entire campground. So even if you're going a little later in the season, I would recommend getting a reservation. (And the campground closes in October for the season.) Of course, we ended up at a site right next to the bathroom, which is not my favorite. But once again, lucky to even get a site. The site (C-22) was actually kind of interesting because there is a big rock right behind the fire pit so you can sit on the rock and be a little higher over the campfire. The bathrooms were clean and fine. You really can't go wrong looking at the stars on a clear, September evening on Mt. Rainier.

On Sunday before heading back to Portland, we took the short drive up to [Jackson Visitors Center](https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/hours.htm) at the top of Rainier where we took some easy walks (can't even call the hikes) around the absolutely gorgeous area. The colors were stunning! Then had some awesome chili at [Paradise Inn](https://mtrainierguestservices.com/accommodations/paradise-inn/) right next to the visitors center before heading home. Perfect fall weekend.

Pretty campground but a bit tight

We got a campsite near the back of the campground right next to a trailhead. The spots seemed to be well spread out so we had plenty of privacy. The restrooms were clean and the park rangers were very helpful. Only downfall of being near the trailhead was having backpackers walking through late at night coming back from hikes up the mountain.

Great National park location

Cougar Rock is a large campground (and the one closest to Paradise) with over 170 sites in six loops.  Note that the maximum allowable length for motorhomes is 35 feet and 27 feet for trailers and 5th wheels. Loops A and E have some sites that are right on the road. Some sites are pull-through and most are spacious with varying amounts of privacy between them. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and a bear box. C1 felt very private, even though it was the first site in the C loop. You can hear the Nisqually River lull you to sleep. Don’t forget to bring your towel to the bathroom as there are no paper towels or air dryers in the bathrooms. The bathroom was reasonably clean but as with all NPS campgrounds, there are no showers. Cougar Rock was a very quiet campground on a Monday in mid-June, even though there were a fair amount of people camping. The campground opened in May; the sites are reservable June 21-September 3 only. If you haven’t reserved a site (and therefore pre-paid), there is a machine that accepts coins and credit cards (but not bills that I could see!) to pay for your campsite. The Wonderland trail is accessible from the campground, but you would have to drive to other trailheads. We are told you can get a great view of Mt. Rainier just across the street on the trail, but we will have to take the ranger’s word on it as the clouds completely obscured the view! No cell service.

Nice campground close to Paradise

Bring cash and a card for stay overnight. Card for kiosk and cash for firewood. 

Nice campground view of mountain from some campsites. 

Also has wash basins at the flush toilets sites for washing dishes. Has recycle bins as well. 

Not far from paradise.

Slice of paradise not far from paradise

What could be better than camping next to a river on the side of a snow capped volcano 

Beautiful setting 

Very nicely maintained campground. Get your reservations in the winter before your trip. Spots fill up fast. Bathrooms are clean. Tent sites are nice and provide plenty of room. Tent sites aren’t to close to each other but typical for national parks. Highly recommend this camp ground. 

Beautiful old growth forest setting

I’ve spent a couple of nights up here this year and I LOVE this campground. It is large, but there is plenty of separation and the sites seem to offer fairly good privacy and have a good amount of space. 

I camp in a hammock and there are a lot of sites that offer enough well spaced trees to set up hammocks.  There are nice fire rings at each of the sites, nice tables and firewood is available at the camp site.  I didn't know before I went, but dogs are allowed as long as they are on leashes, BUT they aren't allowed on most trails around the mountain.

The campground is well situated to get you close to Paradise as well as a ton of hikes nearby. 

There aren’t any showers, but the bathrooms are clean and have flush toilets.

Lots of space & fairly private

A mostly pleasant national park campground in a beautiful setting. Be advised that not every site has a lot of privacy and I would definitely not recommend site C012. This site has a trail right next to it connecting to loop B that numerous people use to get to the bathroom in loop C. Normally I would not mind people walking past nearby, but this trail was a mere 5 feet away from our site, so the entire time we were sitting at our fire pit, people continuously walked past us. The worst of it was at night when people had lanterns and headlamps and we kept getting their lights shined in our eyes as they walked past. Other than this inconvenience, I enjoyed camping here and would return again. I would just be more careful about which site I choose. 

A nice place to camp but not always private

National Park camping is so special, and luckily I have a friend who’s good at helping me to remember to reserve sites in January. This campground was lovely and it’s perfect for exploring the park. Stay here if you can get a site. 

Camping at its finest 

 Site C001. It was very spacious and fit our 10x10ft tent. Lots of shade and trees to hang several hammocks. Right across the street were the bathrooms and water fountain. Most of the sites around us were closed due to “hazardous trees” and so it was very quiet since the  campground felt empty. Be sure to bring bug spray. 

Nestled in the woods near paradise 

Our second night we had to change sites and had B002. It was adequate, but we like C001 better. The site had lots of large rocks on the ground so be careful as there were lots of trip hazards. The bathrooms and water were a little ways down the loop. Most sites in the area were closed due to “hazard trees” so it was very quiet. This site is best for only one tent or two small tents. The bear locker was a little tough to open, like the lock got jammed or something. It was still a great place to camp. 

Site  B002

This is a great campground and especially convenient place to base your Mt. Rainier explorations out of.  Nice clean bathrooms and lots of water stations available.  Ranger talks nightly are great for kids.

Terrific place to explore Mt. Rainier from

In the NP and close to Paradise area. Sites are nicely spaced and private.

Perfect

Perfect jumping off point to explore and hike Longmire and Paradise areas of Rainier. The campsites are clean and well maintained. We used our teardrop trailer on loop C of the campground. Not a ton of privacy but certainly not crammed in together with plenty of wooded area behind each site. Recommend for either tent or RV camping at Rainier. 

Great location 

This is a popular, reservable campground at Mt Rainier. There are 5 loops with A loop and R(Road) loops not reservable. There is a fancy electronic iron ranger at the ranger station(something the rangers want you to use even when they are in their booth and clearly able to handle reservations). I had a nifty little bridge connecting my car and the picnic table to the the tent pad. I also had kids running through the trees and the middle of my campsite from the sites behind me. Most sites had good hammocking trees, and it looked like all had picnic tables. There is an amphitheater in the campground that had a nice draw of campers for the evening program. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, but no showers. E loop was a no generator zone, which means it was fully booked while I was there. There is a good hike to Carter Falls along the Wonderland Trail, which cuts right through the campground. You are fairly close to Paradise which has more hiking trailheads and a visitor center.

Close to amazing hiking 

This beautiful wooded campground is close to the river by the Carter falls trail. We stayed at 3 different spots all unique. Only thing that was a little scary was many spots were closed due to hazard trees. 

Amazing tranquility 

Beautiful campground at the foot of Mount Rainier. Lots of great site options. Great tasting water and lots of restrooms. It is unfortunate that there aren’t any showers. There were also a lot of closed sites closed due to falling tree danger. 

Decent NSF campground

This is a pretty area next to the upper White River, but it is just an average campground. The sites are tightly spaced and they are not all that level. Backing into the space was a bit of a chore for my large truck camper. The loops are all heavily wooded and I was not able to get satellite signal or cell. I had to go to the paradise visitor center to be able to connect with Starlink and use the internet and phone. The bathrooms are average and there are no showers.

Tight Uneven Sites Heavily Wooded 

This is a wonderful campground at Mt rainier. Close to paradise visitors center 

The views 

What not to love views of Mt Rainier. Close to paradise visitors center. And tons of hiking trails 

Sites were so secluded, silent, and beautifully full of nature. We had a great site that bordered a small gully for the kids to play in. 

Beautiful Mt Rainier Camping

Stayed here for two nights over Memorial Day weekend and it was first come first serve, we got to the campsite around 7 pm and there were still two campsites left. We stayed in site 22 A which was spacious and had the perfect trees for hammocking as well as an open space to view the stars above. This campsite in particular was closer to the busier road that parkgoers drive on so you could hear muted car traffic drive by. The bathrooms were farther from this site, up a small hill. Was a two min walk, would recommend walking to the bathroom with someone when it's dark. On the walk, you can see Mt. Rainier behind some treetops! Such a cool sight. There is a beautiful hike that leads to Carter Falls with the trailhead near the campground entrance. We did not have service at the campground but we did get reception at the visitor center closer to the top of the mountain.

Cozy and cute

Was able to get a tent site first come first serve for what wasn't reserved. Very cold and rainy in comparison to campsites outside of the park. Site were private but the bathrooms were a walk.

Plenty of FCFS

Nice secluded area close to the Carter Falls trailhead. Spots range from heavily wooded to out in the full sun. Our spot was better designed for tents with the parking a bit removed from the site, but it gave us more trees and a quieter experience. This spot does have shared parking with B15, so if two larger vehicles parked here it would be tight. We have a Mercedes Sprinter (170" WB) and were relieved we parked next to a small car. Site parking is rarely level, some with steep slopes to contend with. 

Great in Park Option

These sites were great, pretty spread out and trees for privacy. Beautiful area and a great spot for hikers as it is close to many popular trails! Clean bathrooms were great.

Good spot near Paradise

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. Beware the squirrels and chipmunks and keep your food secure. Bear box provided. 

Really love this campground

My wife and I came here on a Friday afternoon hoping to get a spot. We did! We got lucky because only a few hours later, it was full. Keep in mind this is a “first come, first serve” campground. Our site was decent sized. There’s a burn ban pretty much everywhere, so no fire but we made due. It’s a good location to all the good spots in the park. The only downside was that the women’s bathroom flooded, and the other one got shut down so the one closest to our site was the only operable one, and it was packed. But, they were clean. We would absolutely go back!

Good Spot In Mt Rainier 

This is a great quiet campground convenient to Paradise. 10-15 min drive up the mountain.

No cellphone reception and the spots were not the most level and a little tight (we have a 23 foot rig and it would be tough to bring much bigger) the roads are narrow and spots are narrow to get in and out of. The national park also has a limit on the size, so check before you try to come here. It is first come first serve after Sept 5th. We went during week and got a spot, but campground was still pretty full. People seemed to leave on Wednesday; but loved having the Carter falls trail across the street and Mt. Rainier in plain site. It was a quiet spot and you could also drive to Longmire a couple miles down the road. You have the option to sit at the lodge in Paradise, if you need to check emails or make a phone call.

Dump station was closed. Fireban in affect, so no firewood option, but they have trash and a place to recycle and of course, bathrooms were open.

Convenient spot

Pretty big site that is a short drive to paradise. Many hiking trails nearby. Sites are a bit rugged and small but it was cozy enough.

Inside the park

Cougar Rock is a quiet campground.  The ranger at the entrance was friendly.  We were able to secure a reservation by waiting until the one- week out release date.   

Unfortunately,  the forest health surrounding the campground is suffering.  There are many standing dead and fallen trees in and around campsites - it seems as though the USFS is unable to keep up. The sites and roads in the campground are tight.  We had to be cautious parking our 23 ft. van.  There are several restrooms around the campground and convenient trash and recycling bins, but the dump station was closed, and there was no water available for filling RVs - just personal bottles. 

Cougar Rock Campground

This camp ground is really tight for large RV. Este lugar está bien chico para caravana grandes solo hay pocos espacios para caravanas grandes en el loop A hay solo unos 4 espacios grandes igual que los otros loops el lugar está desnivelado es recomendable traer bloques de maderas este lugar no cuenta con luz drenaje pero si tiene baño limpio. 

Good little place to relax 

Close to lots of hikes and views. A little bit of road noise but not much. Very busy but that’s to be expected at mt rainier. Clean bathrooms and easy check in. 

Average campground

Nice campground on the SW corner of Mt Rainier NP. We were here in the off season, meaning that reservations are not taken and everything is FCFS. You stop at the ranger office at the campground entrance and you’re given a campsite. $20/night. Zero cell service in this whole area (but there was good cell reception and wifi at Paradise, and free wifi at the museum 2 miles down at Longmire). 

  

There are water spigots at this campground, flush toilets, no showers, trash dumpsters, and glass, plastic, and aluminum recycling. Each site has a picnic table, bear box, and fire pit. The dump station has been non operational for several years and the ranger said she doesn’t think it’ll ever be fixed. 

  

The length limit here is 35 ft for a motorhome, and us at 28 ft head to toe felt very big here. The Wonderland Trail hike can be accessed from this campground, just across the road. Lots of trees in this campground, and we struggled to keep our batteries charged via solar, though there looked to be enough open sky for starlink (we don’t have starlink so I can’t say). All the loops here in this campground are pretty similar in layout and landscape.

Photos of Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park

Real photos from real campers