Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. It is less crowded than the paradise side of the mountain. If you cant get campsites inside mount rainier np, there are great campgrounds just minutes from mount rainiers 3 entrances of nisqually, stevens canyon, and white river. Three drivein campgrounds are in the parkcougar rock, ohanapecosh, and white riverwith almost 500 sites for tents and rvs. We are so fortunate to have a national park like mount rainier waiting essentially at our doorstep. Unlike the other two drivein campgrounds in the park. There are no gas stations within mount rainier national park. As far as national parks go, mount rainier is a true gem. Whether you are a climber heading for the high alpine air, or a hiker with an eye to the variety of excellent trails in the surrounding area, this is your base camp. From ruth, we got a good view of one of the famous climbing routes up rainier the emmons. Pretty nice campground, we lucked out with our spot, a20 which was very secluded shielded from the. The high elevation often makes this the last of the campgrounds to open and the first to close. The more primitive mowich lake campground has 10 walkin sites for tents only.
Loop d was so close to the river with a great view of mount rainier. Rainier began to peak out from behind crescent mountain. It ended up being a 16 mile hike that was well worth it. White river campground nps campground in mount rainier national park is rated 9. It flows about 75 miles 121 km from its source, the emmons glacier on mount rainier, to join the puyallup river at sumner.
The white river is the perfect base when exploring the sunrise area. White river is the only car campground on the sunrise side of rainier. Camping in mount rainier campgrounds national parked. Spend the night camping in the scenic lowland forests of mt. Best campgrounds in mount rainier three drivein campgrounds are in the parkcougar rock, ohanapecosh, and white riverwith almost 500 sites for tents and rvs. May 16, 2019 in the northern part of the park, snowmobilers can ride highway 410 to the white river campground. Mount rainier camping family hikes around white river campgrounds, mount rainier national park. Just past the main southwest entrance nisqually, is longmire, site of the national park inn, the longmire museum with exhibits on the parks natural and human history, a hiker information center, and a skitouring center that rents crosscountry skis and snowshoes in winter. Cougar rock campground, a little more than 2 14 miles northwest of longmire, has an amphitheater for ranger programs. Mar 01, 2018 unlike walkup peaks such as mount adams 12,276 feet and mount st. Camping worlds guide to rving mount rainier national park.
The a loop is very secluded and has big sites but is not well suited to large rvs. The campsites are spaced out in a forest and divided between 4 loops. The trailhead parking area 3,900 ft is located just past the bridge over fryingpan creek. Camping in mount rainier national park nomads with a purpose. White river campground, mount rainier national park. Near the entrance find white river campground and several popular trailheads. The campground is set in a beautiful old growth forest with the ohanapecosh river running through the campground. The summit of the mountain was a pristine white having been coated in a fresh layer of snow overnight. Mount rainiers wonderland trail the complete backpacking. Mount rainier is ranked third of the 128 ultraprominent mountain peaks of the united states. Mount rainier northeast entrance at sunrisewhite river. Reserve white river campground nps campground in mount rainier nationalpark, washington.
White river campground mount rainier national park. The campground is also first come first serve so plan on a few backups if you. From the campground you can hike north past the ohanapecosh hot springs no soaking, unfortunately to the white rock chasm that. Sunshine point campground was closed in 2006 due to. Inside the park, youll find more than 475 campsites spread across four different campgrounds. Set at the bottom of the glaciallycarved, 3,000foot deep white river valley, white river campground is mount rainier national parks third largest campground with a total of 108 sites, and it is the main campground serving the sunrise area. Rainier park has hiking trails that range in distance from 5 to 100 miles round trip. White river campground sits at 4,232 feet, making it the highest of the three drivein campgrounds at mount rainier. Camping in and near mount rainier national park published. Pick up a copy of the tahoma news, at the park entrance or a visitor center, for the most uptodate info on mount rainier events, conditions, safety tips, and more campsite reservations for the cougar rock campground or the ohanapecosh campground can be made through. Keep in mind that because of the intense mountain winters, many campgrounds open in may, june, or july and close in late september. The backcountry camping areas are divided into both campsites and wilderness zones all of which have limits on their use.
About 70 percent of the available wilderness permits can be reserved while the remaining 30 percent are issued on a firstcome, firstserved basis. Cougar rock and ohanapecosh accept reservations up to six months in advance. While it is possible to take a day trip from seattle to mount rainier national park, if you really want to explore the park and get a good feel for it, i would recommend spending at least 23 nights in the park. It can be extended with the spray park and ipsut pass trails to form a 48 mile trip that includes some of the finest scenery in the north half of the park. Helens 8,330, a rainier climb requires mountaineering gear e. Ohanapecosh campground nps campground mount rainier. Those travelers tackling rainier from the east will find lodgepoles riverside spots most national forest campgrounds in the cascades are next to a river, actually along washington state road 410, or a host of campgrounds on us 12 near white pass one of the easier areas to get cell service, coincidentally.
Just a couple of hours south of seattle, its actually close enough the traveling time really isnt too bad. This was our last camping site on a 3 day drive around rainier we stayed for one night and headed out the next morning to cross over white river to the summerland trail which takes you high up into the meadows to view mount rainier, quite beautiful. Running water, flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, dump station. Best campgrounds in mount rainier mount rainier national. May 12, 20 at 4,400 feet elevation, the white river campground melts out a bit later than other mount rainier campgrounds, but thats okay. You should definitely make reservations at cougar rock and ohanapecosh campgrounds between the last friday in june and labor day. Sep 07, 2016 sep 7, 2016 white river campground mount rainier, wa stay safe and healthy. Mount rainier via emmons the backcountry ski touring blog.
Suggested itineraries in mount rainier national park frommers. Mount rainier national park has two camp grounds on the reservation system. White river campground mount rainier national park near. We camped at ohanapecosh campground nps campground in a travel trailer. White river campground is 5 miles west of the white river entrance. We camped at white river campground nps campground in a travel trailer. The campsites were large and spacious, perfect for having 4 kids with us, with lots of fun trails. White river campground is the northeast campground in mount rainier. Camp at white river in mount rainier np, white river. Mount rainier national park currently has three auto campgrounds. White river and mowich lake are on firstcome, firstserved basis. For white river campground info, call 360 5692211 x6030. Although campsites are available on a first come, first served basis, you can reserve sites at the cougar rock and ohanapecosh campgrounds by visiting recreation. It is especially important to view the operating hours of the campgrounds in between seasons to confirm open status.
There are trails for hiking, as well as other sites to see around the mt rainier area. It defines part of the boundary between king and pierce counties. Click on the campground name for a map of the campground. Well hike a few miles on a comfortable trail through the forest following the inner fork of the white river and reach glacier basin, a wideopen meadow with great views of rainier. Cougar rock campground, ohanapecosh campground, and white river campground provide both tent and rv sites no hookups.
Hiking from mount rainier s popular sunrise to white river campground. Wonderland trail wonderland trail wonderland trail historic patrol cabin. Or, for those less intrepid souls just looking for breathtaking views, there are shorter selfguided nature walks between. White river campground mount rainier, wa mount rainier. None of the campgrounds at north cascades national park and olympic national park accept reservations, so an early friday arrival on summer weekends is strongly encouraged if you want to snag a site. The white river frontcountry camp in the northeast corner of mount rainier national park please do not bring firewood to the park since this spreads invasive species that can devastate forests. Mount rainier s other campgrounds, white river and mowich lake, are always firstcome, firstserved. Camp at white river in mount rainier np, white river campground. Rainier for 29 years and have camped in the back country, on a glacier near the summit, at cougar rock campground and at white river. Make sure to check of the campground is open, due to its high elevation in is the last drive in campground to open and first to close within the park.
With the stunning vistas and visitor amenities of sunrise. It defines part of the boundary between king and pierce counties a second white river has its source in glacier peak wilderness and flows southeast to lake wenatchee. White river campground nps campground in mount rainier national park, washington. Located five miles up from highway 410, the white river campground sits at 4,232 feet, making it the highest of the three drivein campgrounds at mount rainier. National park inn is located 6 miles inside the southwest nisqually entrance and paradise inn is located 19 miles inside the entrance. We had been climbing gradually toward windy gap where we planned on taking a. A second white river has its source in glacier peak wilderness and flows. Campgrounds at white river entrance in mount rainier national park white river campground located near the white river entrance, this campground has 112 individual sites, as well as water and flush toilets.
Dec 14, 2016 the gallery in which the mountain stands is the breathtaking mount rainier national park, consisting of nearly 370 square miles of highalpine landscapes, deep river valleys, meandering trails and fragrant wildflower meadows. This is a great way to see the park in winter, and if overnight camping is desired, a permit is required. The direct and official information for white river campground mount rainier national park in ashford, washington. National forest campgrounds may not be in amidst the glacial magic of sunrise or paradise, but they are far more quiet and secluded making for a true camping experience. Campgrounds are also abundant in mount rainier national park, but one of our favorites is the white river campground. Local firewood is available for purchase at the longmire general store, cougar rock, ohanapecosh and white river campgrounds. Reserve campgrounds, lodging, boat slips, and dayuse locations online with reserveamerica.
At sunrise, explore the sunrise visitor center and day. The road to white river campground had just opened and we thought it would be the perfect activity for a nice sunny day. Cougar rock and ohanapecosh campgrounds operate on a reservation only basis from 01 july through labor day. Naturalists from the national park service offer a variety of talks, slideshows, films, and guided nature and history walks. White river in the mount rainier national park 4k youtube.
The ultimate guide to camping in mount rainier national park. The white river is a white, glacial river in the u. White river campground nps campground mountrainier. They had nice bear lockers to keep the smells contained but still conveniently located by your table. There is access to the glacier basin, sunrise and wonderland trails all from the campground. This campground is on the road to sunrise, and is open for a very short. The white river campground, in the northeastern section of mount rainier national park, presents travelers of all interests with the ideal gateway to the backcountry. Mount rainier has more than 400 campsites in three drivein campgrounds. Go straight on the white river road towards the white river campground. In the northern part of the park, snowmobilers can ride highway 410 to the white river campground. Youll want to save your trip here for late july or early august anyway when the wildflowers that carpet subalpine meadows 12 miles up the road at sunrise are in full bloom. Hikers and backpack campers will find an abundance of opportunity to camp in the backcountry at mount rainier national park.
White river campground nps campground mount rainier. We camped at white river campground nps campground in a. If you are lucky you can get some sites that have great views of the peak on a clear day, and like the name, the white river flows right by the campground. Ohanapecosh campground, 11 miles north of packwood, washington, on wash. Flowing off of mount rainier s southeast glaciers, the ohanapecosh river cuts a deep canyon and actually divides the campground into northwest and southeast sides, with the best campsites flanking the river s banks. For times and topics, check the park newspaper, tahoma news, or bulletin boards. None of the campgrounds in the park have rv utility hookups, nor are there laundry or shower facilities.
Evening campfire programs at white river, paradise, longmire, and ohanapecosh are held in summer. Quite appropriately, it is a tourist hot spot and is usually crawling with visitors. Nisqually southwest entrance of mount rainier national park 39000 state route 706 e. At 4,400 feet elevation, the white river campground melts out a bit later than other mount rainier campgrounds, but thats okay. Access the sunrise area of the park via the white river entrance located just off sr 410, the chinook scenic byway. Mount rainier national park has thousands of visitors during the peak summer months and backcountry camping sites can fill up quickly. The campground is situated in the parks far southeast corner next to the stevens canyon entrance and is relatively removed from the parks most visited areas, sunrise, longmire and paradise, and therein lies ohanapecoshs charm. Hiking from sunrise to summerland on the wonderland trail. Sep 7, 2016 white river campground mount rainier, wa stay safe and healthy. It is situated right at the foot of towering mt rainier and there is a two mile trail to the overlook of emmons glacier terminus, the largest glacier in the lower 48 states. Jul 17, 2018 northeast mount rainier white river campground. White river campground, mount rainier national park tripadvisor. Mount rainier northeast entrance at sunrise white river in crystal mountain, wa.
With a 195 sites total, ohanapecosh campground is mount rainier national parks largest campground. Mount rainier has a topographic prominence of,210 ft 4,026 m, which is greater than that of k2, the worlds secondtallest mountain, at,189 ft 4,020 m. White river to sunrise washington trails association. April 29, 2020 from sleeping in forests comprised of millennia old, massive trees to living along rivers fed by glaciers, camping near mount rainier national park is simultaneously exhilarating and inspiring. A short but steep climb on the wonderland trail from a campground in mount rainier national park to the. All overnight camping in mount rainier national park requires a permit. From sr410 in mount rainier national park, take sunrise road until it meets white river road. Packwood rv park and campground open year around with 87 rv sites and many tent sites on nearly 8 acres in a wooded setting. High above emmons glacier, sunrise offers some of the best views available from a roadway in the park.