La Wis Wis Campground

Overview

Situated at the confluence of three waterways near Mount Rainier, La Wis Wis is nestled under a canopy of towering Douglas firs and red cedars. The handful of sites that dot the riverbank enjoy the most sunshine.

With an abundance of activities nearby, La Wis Wis is a popular destination for long-stay camping. Its proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes it an excellent base for exploring all of the area's natural wonders.

Recreation

Hikers can easily access the Blue Hole Trail and Purcell Falls Trail from La Wis Wis.

Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and whitefish at either Butter Creek or Skate Creek.

Facilities

La Wis Wis is ideal for tents, car campers and truck campers with a slide-in. The Hatchery Loop sites can accommodate RVs, but navigation
through other parts of the campground may be difficult due to narrow roadways and large trees.



The campground features 122 sites, including walk-in tent camping. Only vault toilets are available here. Picnic tables, picnic shelters and grills are provided.



Drinking water is available on-site at the main part of the camp. Campers staying at the Hatchery Loop need to bring potable water or get water at the main site.

Natural Features

Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established by Congress in 1982.

La Wis Wis is located in the Tatoosh Wilderness area of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. The campground sits where the Ohanapecosh River, Cowlitz River and Purcell Creek meet.

The campground features old-growth forest and opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (360) 686-3008 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

La Wis Wis is located near the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The popular Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise within Mount Rainier National Park is 28 miles away.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations

Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. 

A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.

Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

Group Sites

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

No-Shows

A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.  

Refunds

Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.

Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.

For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. 

In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

Camp site features

Across 107 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: all 107 sites
  • Picnic table: all 107 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 107 sites
  • Group sites: 1 of 107 sites
  • Longest RV: 60 ft
  • Largest party: 25 people

Fees

Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00

Directions

From Packwood, Washington, go 5 miles east on State Route 12 to Campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

407 reviews
5 stars
205
4 stars
97
3 stars
45
2 stars
21
1 stars
39
Eryn H
Loop:D
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Avoid this site. The ratty cottonwood sapling in it is completely infested with tent caterpillars. They were dropping in our food, clothes, gear and crawling all over everything. Ugh.
Judy c
Loop:D
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Horrible & sad
Kenneth R
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Pretty and quiet campground
Angela C
Loop:H
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campground was closing early for the season so it was very quiet. Had to pack in our own water which was easy enough, packwood is very close. Saw salmon in the rivers.
JUDY H
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Nice campground, but most spots are tight and small. Tents and small rigs only. No water and no electric.
Rolando R
Loop:B
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Very nice campround, great location next to MRNP and close to the Paradise Visitor Center. Close to Packwood, where gas/supplies are easily accessible. Even with no running water, it was a great trip. The host was on top of things and we saw them do rounds around the campground.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Walk In season

May 14, 2027 – May 20, 2027

First come, first served

Peak season

May 21, 2027 – Sep 18, 2027

Reservable online

Walk In season

May 14, 2028 – May 20, 2028

First come, first served

Peak season

May 21, 2028 – Sep 18, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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