Ohanapecosh Campground
The Quick Take
Ohanapecosh is the old-growth whisperer of Mount Rainier's campgrounds. Tucked along a crystalline river at under 2,000 feet elevation, it sits noticeably lower and warmer than Cougar Rock or White River, which means an earlier opening, lusher forest, and fewer layers at night. The dense canopy of ancient Douglas fir and western red cedar gives every site a cathedral-like quality that Cougar Rock, with its more open feel, simply cannot match. The trade-off is real, though: you are in the park's quiet southeast corner, a solid hour's drive from Paradise and the iconic Rainier viewpoints. Flush toilets and showers are absent, cell service is nonexistent, and the nearest camp store is back in Packwood. Choose Ohanapecosh if you want to trade volcano views for river sounds, old-growth magic, and a campground that still feels like actual wilderness.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 179 sites are reservable.
Book at Mount Rainier LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
The Loop D restrooms are accessible. Road and loops in campground are paved. Campsites tend to be gravel and hard packed dirt. The amphitheater has packed dirt aisles that slope down to the seating area. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Generators:Quiet hours must be maintained between 9 p.m.
- Bear Safety:Do not leave pets unattended for their safety and the safety of visitors and wildlife.
Pro Tips
Sites along the river in loops B and D are the ones worth holding out for -- you will fall asleep to rushing water instead of your neighbor's conversation. Reservations open six months ahead on Recreation.gov and river-adjacent sites vanish within hours, so set a calendar reminder and be online the moment your dates go live.
The trailhead for Grove of the Patriarchs is a short drive or flat walk from camp and leads to thousand-year-old trees on a suspension bridge island. Go before 9 a.m. to have it nearly to yourself. Silver Falls trail starts right at the campground and makes an excellent after-dinner leg-stretch.
No camp store means you need to stock up in Packwood before entering -- the Packwood IGA is small but serviceable. Bring extra firewood too; what is sold at the campground tends to go fast on weekends. Without cell service, download your trail maps and entertainment beforehand.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
There is no address for Ohanapecosh Campground. It is located 17 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington, on State Route 123, 4 miles north of State Route 12, and about 1 mile north of the park boundary. GPS coordinates are "46.73111, -121.57028 or 46°43'52""N, 121°34'13""W"
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