One of the best ways to enjoy Mount Rainier National Park is by camping. By camping, you’ll not only be staying close to all the major sites within the park, but you’ll be also surrounded by nature your entire stay. It takes some effort to book these sites – they are the most coveted campsites in all of Washington – but it’s well worth it!

If you’re looking to stay in one location for the entirety of your trip, get a campsite near Packwood and the Stevens Canyon entrance. For itinerary suggestions, check out our blog here. Click here for information on Mount Rainier’s park entrances.

Want to skip to the campground recommendations? Click on a link below to jump to a section.

Campgrounds near Ashford and the Nisqually entrance

Campgrounds near Packwood and the Stevens Canyon entrance

Campgrounds near Greenwater and the White River entrance

Campgrounds near the Carbon River entrance

Dispersed camping

Campground reservations

If you’re interested in camping, we recommend creating logins to reservation sites in advance and reserving sites as soon as they go on sale. During the summer months, campsites are highly competitive and sell out immediately.

Generally, we love visiting popular areas in the off or shoulder season but we do not recommend that for a visit to Rainier. Visit between mid-July and October for the best conditions.

If the state and national park run campgrounds are full, consider using Hipcamp to reserve a spot at a private campground.

First-come, first-served campsites

Many of the campgrounds listed offer a small number of first-come, first-served campsites. To get one of these you’ll need to arrive early in the day on a weekday. Usually by Thursday all first-come, first-served campsites are reserved for the entirety of the weekend during the summer months.

Timed entry reservations

If you have campground reservations within the Paradise or Sunrise corridors, you will not need a timed entry reservation to access the area. This means you can come and go in the park corridor that your campground reservation is in as you please (NOT both). Even with the timed entry reservations there have still been lines to enter the park, so plan accordingly.

Driving down from the Sunrise Visitor Center

Camping gear

If you’re from out of state, or don’t have camping gear, consider renting gear from Backcountry 40 Outfitters, a local company in Seattle, or REI. If exploring in a van is more your style, check out Indie Campers and Escape Campervans.

Campground basics

All campgrounds provide water, flush or vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits (more on these below). None of the campgrounds within the national park have RV hookups for electricity, water, or sewer. There are campgrounds outside of the national park that do offer hookups – you'll find these mentioned in the amenities section for each campground.

Check in and out times vary but are generally around 2 p.m. for check in and 12 p.m. for checkout. All campgrounds have quiet hours that are usually around 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

If you’ll be pitching a tent, look for a tent pad at your campsite – it will be a flat square with a wood perimeter to pitch your tent on. They vary in size, and not all campgrounds have them, but if your site does have a tent pad, you must pitch your tent there. If your campground does not have tent pads, find a space in your campsite that is relatively open and flat to pitch your tent.

When booking, pay attention to campsite size. Most campsites fit between four and six people.

Campfires

Fire pits can only be used when there is not a burn ban in place. You can check here to see fire danger and burn bans throughout Washington state, but fire bans are usually in place between July and September.

If there is not a burn ban in place, please purchase local firewood to burn to prevent bringing in invasive pests. Collecting firewood around the campground is not allowed – this wood is an important part of the forest ecosystem.

Are Mount Rainier’s campgrounds pet-friendly?

A limited number of these campgrounds are pet friendly, but most of Mount Rainier National Park is not. Check out this page to see where you can take pets within the park. You’ll find what campgrounds are pet-friendly under the amenities section for each location.

Campgrounds near Ashford and the Nisqually entrance

Ashford is the closest town to Seattle, and this is where our recommended itinerary to explore Mount Rainier begins. The town is small, with a gas station and a few restaurants to choose from. What’s great about this area is the proximity to Paradise and the beautiful wildflower meadows Rainier is famous for.

Within Mount Rainier National Park:

Cougar Rock Campground

You’ll find this campground nine miles from the Longmire Entrance along the Paradise Corridor. The campground is large, well forested, and located across the road from the Nisqually River, where you can hike on the Wonderland Trail to Carter Falls.

Amenities:

Accessible campsites
Interpretive programs

RV and trailer length: 35 feet for RVs and 27 feet for trailers. Tight turns.

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 179

Typically open: Late June to early September

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

View from the Wonderland Trail outside of Cougar Rock Campground

Outside Mount Rainier National Park:

Big Creek Campground

Located six miles from the Nisqually entrance, you’re in the perfect place to eat out in Ashford or head into the park. Campsites here are small, well shaded, and a few are located along the creek.

Amenities:

Gray water disposal

RV and trailer length: 22 feet with tight turns

Accepts reservations: 6 months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 29

Typically open: Late May to late September

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Alder Lake Park Campground

Located 20 minutes away from Ashford, the Alder Lake Campground is a very popular spot. If you’re able to snag a site here, plan on going boating, paddling, swimming, and fishing if the reservoir is at higher levels.

Amenities:

Coin operated showers
Water and electric hookups
Horseshoe pits
Playground
Free 20-slip boat moorage dock available on a first-come, first-served basis

RV’s and trailer length: 22 feet with tight turns

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Between mid-September to mid-May

Number of sites: 157

Typically open: Mid-May to mid-September

Maximum length of stay: 10 days

Rocky Point Campground

This is a much smaller campground down the road from the Alder Lake Campground. There are 25 sites here, a picnic area, and free boat launch, which is usable when the reservoir is at higher levels.

Amenities:

Water and electric hookups
Free boat launch

RV and trailer length: 22 feet

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Between mid-September to mid-May

Number of sites: 25

Typically open: Mid-May to mid-September

Maximum length of stay: 10 days

Mounthaven Resort

This is a seven-acre private campground located right outside the Nisqually entrance in Ashford. They offer tent and RV sites, as well as cabins and vacation rentals, so this is a great spot to gather if not everyone in your group wants to camp.

Amenities:

Full hookups
Laundry on site
Showers
Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: 38 feet (back in sites only)

Accepts reservations: Yes

First-come, first-served campsites: Upon availability

Number of sites: 16

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 10 days

Campgrounds near Packwood and Stevens Canyon entrance

Packwood is the largest town near Mount Rainier. You’ll find more restaurant options here, and it has a great location that puts you within an hour's drive to Paradise and Sunrise.

Within Mount Rainier National Park:

Ohanapecosh Campground

This is Mount Rainier’s most beautiful campground. It has an awesome location – right between the Paradise and Sunrise Corridors. You’ll still need a timed entry reservation to enter either corridor, but you can’t beat camping near the Ohanapecosh River. Hike to Silver Falls and the Grove of Patriarchs right from camp, too.

Amenities:

Accessible campsites
Interpretive programs

RV and trailer length: 32 feet for RVs and 27 feet for trailers. Tight turns.

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 179

Typically open: Late June to early September

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Outside Mount Rainier National Park:

La Wis Wis Campground

La Wis Wis is an absolute gem of a campground, and it’s only seven miles outside of Packwood. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one of the few sites along the Cowlitz River, but all sites are well-forested. While you’re there, be sure to hike to the Blue Hole and Purcell Falls.

Amenities:

Accessible campsites
Interpretive programs

RV and trailer length: 32 feet for RVs and 27 feet for trailers. Tight turns.

Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 122

Typically open: Late June to early September

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Packwood RV Park

This is a simple RV park located in Packwood. Sites do not have much privacy, but it is within walking distance to restaurants and grocery stores.

Amenities:

Electric hookup
Showers
Laundry
WIFI at most sites
Pet friendly

RV and trailer length: Pull-through sites accommodate up to 40-foot rigs

Accepts reservations: Yes

First-come, first-served campsites: Upon availability

Number of sites: 87

Typically open: Year round

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Campgrounds near Greenwater and the White River entrance

Greenwater is the closest town to the Sunrise Visitor Center. It’s small and only has a couple of restaurants. Nearby is Crystal Mountain, where you can enjoy views of Mount Rainier from the gondola or try out their adventure course.

Within Mount Rainier National Park:

White River Campground

You’ll have to claim your campsite here in person. The campground is forested, near the White River, and doesn’t have cell service. From camp, you can hike the Wonderland Trail, or the Glacier Basin Trail to Emmons Moraine Lake, or continue up to Burroughs. The real treat though is being within a 20-minute drive to the Sunrise Visitor Center and some of Rainier’s best hikes.

Amenities:

Emergency phone

RV and trailer length: 27 feet for RVs and 18 feet for trailers

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 88

Typically open: Late June to early September

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

View of the Sunrise Visitor Center from the Sourdough Trail

Outside Mount Rainier National Park:

Silver Springs Campground

Located off Highway 410, many of the campsites here sit on the bank of the White River. While you’re still a 40-minute drive from the Sunrise Visitor Center from here, you’re only a 15-minute drive from Greenwater, where you can enjoy a few restaurants.

RV and trailer length: 42 feet

Accepts reservations: Yes

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 53

Typically open: Mid July to mid-September

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

The Dalles Campground

Located ten minutes away from Greenwater, this forested campground is spacious, and some campsites have great views of the White River. From camp, be sure to check out the Big Tree. It’s a 700-year-old Douglass fir that’s 9.5 feet in diameter.

RV and trailer length: 30 feet

Accepts reservations: Yes

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 45

Typically open: Mid July to mid-September

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Lodgepole Campground

Located on the eastern side of Highway 410, weather here is warmer and drier than the west side of the mountains. The campground runs along the American River and is just under an hour away from the Sunrise Visitor Center. The nearest gas station and restaurant are 30 minutes in the opposite direction – down the mountain near Pinecliff.

Amenities:

Accessible campsites

RV and trailer length: Trailers up to 20 feet

Accepts reservations: Yes

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 34

Typically open: Mid July to early-October

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Campgrounds near the Carbon River entrance

The Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier is closed to cars indefinitely due to flooding, and the surrounding roads are rough and remote, although beautiful. The nearest town, Buckley, is an hour away.

Within Mount Rainier National Park:

Mowich Lake Campground

Known for having a rough road, Mowich Lake is a small, first-come, first-served campground for tents only. It’s free, too, but what we love most about this campground is its easy access to hike the Wonderland Trail to Tolmie Peak or Spray Park to Spray Falls.

As of 2024, there is a new weight limit on the Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge of 8 tons, or 16,000 pounds. Crossing this bridge is necessary to reach the area near Mowich Lake Campground and nearby trailheads. Mid-size SUVs will likely be under the limit but please check the weight of pickups and RVs before driving here.

Amenities:

Animal-safe food storage
Lake access
Non-motorized boating

RV and trailer length: Tent only

Accepts reservations: No

First-come, first-served campsites: Yes

Number of sites: 13

Typically open: Mid July to mid-October

Maximum length of stay: 14 days

Dispersed camping

If you’re interested in dispersed camping, check out this blog with tips and information on dispersed camping in Washington. You’ll find dispersed campsites within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Goat Rocks Wilderness, and Norse Peak Wilderness.