Sep 7, 2016 white river campground mount rainier, wa stay safe and healthy. It is less crowded than the paradise side of the mountain. Spend the night camping in the scenic lowland forests of mt. Just a couple of hours south of seattle, its actually close enough the traveling time really isnt too bad. About 70 percent of the available wilderness permits can be reserved while the remaining 30 percent are issued on a firstcome, firstserved basis. The summit of the mountain was a pristine white having been coated in a fresh layer of snow overnight. White river in the mount rainier national park 4k youtube.
Go straight on the white river road towards the white river campground. Rainier began to peak out from behind crescent mountain. Three drivein campgrounds are in the parkcougar rock, ohanapecosh, and white riverwith almost 500 sites for tents and rvs. 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. Reserve campgrounds, lodging, boat slips, and dayuse locations online with reserveamerica. National park inn is located 6 miles inside the southwest nisqually entrance and paradise inn is located 19 miles inside the entrance. Camp at white river in mount rainier np, white river campground. 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 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. A second white river has its source in glacier peak wilderness and flows. Wonderland trail wonderland trail wonderland trail historic patrol cabin. The white river is the perfect base when exploring the sunrise area. White river campground sits at 4,232 feet, making it the highest of the three drivein campgrounds at mount rainier. Pretty nice campground, we lucked out with our spot, a20 which was very secluded shielded from the.
White river to sunrise washington trails association. White river campground mount rainier national park. Camping in mount rainier national park nomads with a purpose. There are trails for hiking, as well as other sites to see around the mt rainier area. Mount rainier s other campgrounds, white river and mowich lake, are always firstcome, firstserved.
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. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. 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. 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. Sep 07, 2016 sep 7, 2016 white river campground mount rainier, wa stay safe and healthy. It flows about 75 miles 121 km from its source, the emmons glacier on mount rainier, to join the puyallup river at sumner.
Mount rainier national park currently has three auto campgrounds. The a loop is very secluded and has big sites but is not well suited to large rvs. 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. Cougar rock campground, a little more than 2 14 miles northwest of longmire, has an amphitheater for ranger programs.
Mount rainier is ranked third of the 128 ultraprominent mountain peaks of the united states. 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. Hikers and backpack campers will find an abundance of opportunity to camp in the backcountry at mount rainier national park. Cougar rock and ohanapecosh accept reservations up to six months in advance. There are no gas stations within mount rainier national park. White river campground is 5 miles west of the white river entrance. 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. It ended up being a 16 mile hike that was well worth it. 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.
High above emmons glacier, sunrise offers some of the best views available from a roadway in the park. The campsites were large and spacious, perfect for having 4 kids with us, with lots of fun trails. Evening campfire programs at white river, paradise, longmire, and ohanapecosh are held in summer. Suggested itineraries in mount rainier national park frommers. Rainier park has hiking trails that range in distance from 5 to 100 miles round trip. Cougar rock campground, ohanapecosh campground, and white river campground provide both tent and rv sites no hookups.
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. 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. Mount rainier has more than 400 campsites in three drivein campgrounds. Hiking from mount rainier s popular sunrise to white river campground. It is especially important to view the operating hours of the campgrounds in between seasons to confirm open status.
Mar 01, 2018 unlike walkup peaks such as mount adams 12,276 feet and mount st. The campground is set in a beautiful old growth forest with the ohanapecosh river running through the campground. 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. The campground is also first come first serve so plan on a few backups if you.
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. Mount rainier camping family hikes around white river campgrounds, mount rainier national park. Campgrounds are also abundant in mount rainier national park, but one of our favorites is the white river campground. The campsites are spaced out in a forest and divided between 4 loops. White river campground, mount rainier national park tripadvisor. Access the sunrise area of the park via the white river entrance located just off sr 410, the chinook scenic byway.
For white river campground info, call 360 5692211 x6030. All overnight camping in mount rainier national park requires a permit. Mount rainier via emmons the backcountry ski touring blog. Mount rainiers wonderland trail the complete backpacking. Naturalists from the national park service offer a variety of talks, slideshows, films, and guided nature and history walks. 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. 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. We had been climbing gradually toward windy gap where we planned on taking a. In the northern part of the park, snowmobilers can ride highway 410 to the white river campground. Keep in mind that because of the intense mountain winters, many campgrounds open in may, june, or july and close in late september. Camp at white river in mount rainier np, white river.
From ruth, we got a good view of one of the famous climbing routes up rainier the emmons. None of the campgrounds in the park have rv utility hookups, nor are there laundry or shower facilities. As far as national parks go, mount rainier is a true gem. Camping in and near mount rainier national park published. 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. At 4,400 feet elevation, the white river campground melts out a bit later than other mount rainier campgrounds, but thats okay. 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. We camped at white river campground nps campground in a travel trailer. The more primitive mowich lake campground has 10 walkin sites for tents only. Best campgrounds in mount rainier mount rainier national. 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. Hiking from sunrise to summerland on the wonderland trail. This campground is on the road to sunrise, and is open for a very short. 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.
Nisqually southwest entrance of mount rainier national park 39000 state route 706 e. Loop d was so close to the river with a great view of mount rainier. We are so fortunate to have a national park like mount rainier waiting essentially at our doorstep. Mount rainier national park has two camp grounds on the reservation system. White river and mowich lake are on firstcome, firstserved basis. White river campground nps campground in mount rainier national park, washington. For times and topics, check the park newspaper, tahoma news, or bulletin boards. 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. The white river is a white, glacial river in the u. White river campground nps campground in mount rainier national park is rated 9.
Jul 17, 2018 northeast mount rainier white river campground. 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. White river campground, mount rainier national park. It defines part of the boundary between king and pierce counties. We camped at ohanapecosh campground nps campground in a travel trailer. Click on the campground name for a map of the campground. Cougar rock and ohanapecosh campgrounds operate on a reservation only basis from 01 july through labor day. Near the entrance find white river campground and several popular trailheads. We camped at white river campground nps campground in a. Sunshine point campground was closed in 2006 due to. The high elevation often makes this the last of the campgrounds to open and the first to close.
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. With a 195 sites total, ohanapecosh campground is mount rainier national parks largest campground. Helens 8,330, a rainier climb requires mountaineering gear e. With the stunning vistas and visitor amenities of sunrise. Mount rainier northeast entrance at sunrisewhite river. Or, for those less intrepid souls just looking for breathtaking views, there are shorter selfguided nature walks between. There is access to the glacier basin, sunrise and wonderland trails all from the campground. May 16, 2019 in the northern part of the park, snowmobilers can ride highway 410 to the white river campground.
Mount rainier northeast entrance at sunrise white river in crystal mountain, wa. White river is the only car campground on the sunrise side of rainier. The ultimate guide to camping in mount rainier national park. 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. Camping worlds guide to rving mount rainier national park. From the campground you can hike north past the ohanapecosh hot springs no soaking, unfortunately to the white rock chasm that. White river campground mount rainier national park near. Ohanapecosh campground nps campground mount rainier. White river campground nps campground mountrainier. A short but steep climb on the wonderland trail from a campground in mount rainier national park to the. 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.
The road to white river campground had just opened and we thought it would be the perfect activity for a nice sunny day. White river campground mount rainier, wa mount rainier. Mount rainier national park has thousands of visitors during the peak summer months and backcountry camping sites can fill up quickly. From sr410 in mount rainier national park, take sunrise road until it meets white river road. White river campground nps campground mount rainier. 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. The trailhead parking area 3,900 ft is located just past the bridge over fryingpan creek. 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. Quite appropriately, it is a tourist hot spot and is usually crawling with visitors. White river campground is the northeast campground in mount rainier.
The backcountry camping areas are divided into both campsites and wilderness zones all of which have limits on their use. 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. Running water, flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, dump station. This is a great way to see the park in winter, and if overnight camping is desired, a permit is required. Best campgrounds in mount rainier three drivein campgrounds are in the parkcougar rock, ohanapecosh, and white riverwith almost 500 sites for tents and rvs. You should definitely make reservations at cougar rock and ohanapecosh campgrounds between the last friday in june and labor day. Camping in mount rainier campgrounds national parked. Local firewood is available for purchase at the longmire general store, cougar rock, ohanapecosh and white river campgrounds. 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. Inside the park, youll find more than 475 campsites spread across four different campgrounds. Reserve white river campground nps campground in mount rainier nationalpark, washington. Packwood rv park and campground open year around with 87 rv sites and many tent sites on nearly 8 acres in a wooded setting.