Loading…
← All Parks
Washington
Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park
Ashford, Washington · 176 campsites
Illustrative landscape
Cougar Rock Campground sits in old-growth forest on the southwest side of Mount Rainier National Park, along the road between Longmire and Paradise — the park's most popular hiking area for wildflower meadows and mountain views. Every site here is standard, non-electric, wooded, and shaded by tall conifers, with the Nisqually River running nearby. It's one of the largest and most centrally located campgrounds in the park for reaching Paradise's trailheads.
Campsites
176 campsites
Region
Washington
Guide rate from
Check booking site
Entrance
Confirm with park
Short answer
Check this campground’s official reservation page for its current release schedule and seasonal openings. We have not verified a booking window for this campground.
Compare your options
Campsite types
Standard (no hookups)
176 sites
No hookups · tents and small rigsRV OKTent OK
Check live availability
We check Recreation.gov right now — no stale numbers, just what’s actually open.
Checks your arrival date.
Location & trip guide
Ashford, Washington
Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park is in Washington. Use the official booking provider for current arrival directions and access details.
Get directions ↗Best campsites
For Families:Sites in Loop C are close to the campground's restrooms and central area
For Tents:All sites here are standard, non-electric, and wooded — a good fit for tent campers
For RVs:Every site is non-electric, so RVs should plan to run on generator or battery power
When to Go
Summer, roughly late June through September, when the road to Paradise is fully open and wildflower meadows peak in late July and August. Spring and fall bring cooler, wetter weather and a real chance of road closures higher up.
Tips
- →Every site here is non-electric — RVs need to be self-contained or plan for generator hours
- →This is the closest campground to Paradise, so it books out fast for peak wildflower season
- →Longmire, a few miles down the road, has the nearest gas, food, and a small museum
- →Nights stay cool even in summer at this elevation, so pack warm layers
Highlights
Closest campground to Paradise, Mount Rainier's most popular hiking areaOld-growth forest setting with tall conifers throughoutNear the Nisqually River and Christine FallsClose to Longmire's historic district, museum, and general storeComet Falls trailhead is a short drive awayCentral location for exploring the park's southwest corner
Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park — Frequently Asked
Is Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park hard to book?+
Yes — Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park is a federal campground booked through recreation.gov, and its sites fill up on weekends and during peak seasons. Summer, roughly late June through September, when the road to Paradise is fully open and wildflower meadows peak in late July and August. Spring and fall bring cooler, wetter weather and a real chance of road closures higher up. Reserve early on recreation.gov, and set a Camp.land alert to catch cancellations found during scheduled checks every 30 minutes.
How many campsites does Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park have?+
Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park has 176 campsites, including Standard (no hookups).
How far in advance should I book Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park?+
Check this campground’s official reservation page for its current release schedule and seasonal openings. We have not verified a booking window for this campground.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park?+
Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park occasionally has same-day or cancellation openings on recreation.gov, especially midweek. Camp.land watches Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park for cancellations and checks every 30 minutes and emails you when a check finds an opening, with a direct booking link. Availability can change before you book.
Parks Near Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park
Don't wait for Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park to open up
Your first alert is free — no card required. We check every 30 minutes and email you when a check finds an opening. Availability can change before you book.
Set Alert for Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park