Mount Rainier National Park guide · 2 min read
Choosing Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, or White River
The three major drive-in campgrounds each sit in a different part of Mount Rainier National Park.
Cougar Rock is in the southwest at 3,180 feet of elevation, Ohanapecosh is in the southeast at 1,914 feet, and White River is in the northeast at 4,400 feet, on the way to Sunrise. All three run through the summer, but the exact season for each depends on weather and road conditions.
If Longmire and Paradise are your main goals, Cougar Rock puts you nearest to both among the drive-in options. It has 179 individual sites, and the Wonderland Trail lies directly across the road. The campground is about 2 miles from the Longmire Museum, National Park Inn, and General Store, 8 miles from Reflection Lake, and 9.5 miles from Paradise.
Ohanapecosh is the choice for forest walks rather than big mountain views. Its 179 sites sit close to nearby hikes that pass through ancient forest, where some trees have stood for hundreds of years. White River has 88 individual sites, and they are first-come, first-served.
Drive-in sites do not require a wilderness permit, but overnight stays in the backcountry do, year-round. Permits can be reserved ahead of time on Recreation.gov or picked up in person at a Wilderness Information Center, including the White River one at the White River Entrance. Most backpackers stay at designated camps beside the trails, since camping along trails is only allowed at those spots. Each camp has marked sites, primitive toilets, and a nearby water source, along with poles where campers suspend food and trash.
Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh take reservations through Recreation.gov. Choosing between them mostly depends on what you want nearby. Cougar Rock suits visitors who want easy access to Longmire and Paradise, Ohanapecosh suits those who want forests, and White River suits those heading toward Sunrise.
