Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park Camping
in December

Booking Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park in December

Reservations for Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park open 6 months in advance on recreation.gov at 10 a.m. Eastern — so for a December trip, the booking window opens in June. Popular weekends can disappear within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already full, set an alert and we’ll email you the moment a cancellation opens on recreation.gov.

What to Expect in December

December is a popular camping month at Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park — expect typical seasonal demand and weather for the region.

Park Highlights

• ✓Closest campground to Paradise, Mount Rainier's most popular hiking area
• ✓Old-growth forest setting with tall conifers throughout
• ✓Near the Nisqually River and Christine Falls
• ✓Close to Longmire's historic district, museum, and general store
• ✓Comet Falls trailhead is a short drive away
• ✓Central location for exploring the park's southwest corner

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