Camp Observer1 of 4 photos
Cougar Rock Campground
Notice
1/2
A campfire ban is currently in effect. All campfires, including charcoal grill and wood fires, are prohibited. Gas and propane stoves are permitted.
Jun 26, 2026 – Oct 1, 2026
Overview
Cougar Rock Campground, on the southwest side of Mt. Rainier National Park, is conveniently located near Paradise. Individual campsites are reservable on this page. Group campsite reservations can be made via Cougar Rock Group Campground.
Paradise is the most popular destination in the park, with a lodge and visitor center, many miles of hiking trails and a commanding view of the mountain-the highest in the state and Cascade range. The main attraction at Mount Rainier National Park is the mountain itself, a massive glacier-clad volcano, peaking at 14,411 ft. and dominating the skyline for hundreds of miles. Visitors travel through majestic old-growth forests, past tumbling waterfalls and historic buildings to reach sub-alpine meadows, where world-famous wildflower displays bloom through July and August. Popular activities in the park include sight-seeing, hiking, rock climbing and camping.
Cougar Rock campground is located at an elevation of 3,180 feet. Summers are dry and cool with daytime temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees. Weather throughout the park can be variable, so visitors should come prepared.
Recreation
From the facility, experienced hikers and backpackers can access the well-known, strenuous and beautiful Wonderland Trail, which encircles the park for 93 miles. For those who enjoy learning more about the park's natural and cultural history, there is an on-site amphitheater where interpretive programs are held.Facilities
Cougar Rock is relatively rustic, but has drinking water, flush toilets and picnic tables at all 173 campsites. This facility is one of only two campgrounds in the park with campsites that can be reserved. Visitors must use extra caution with food storage, as foxes and other animals have been known to frequent the campground looking for food.Natural Features
Cougar Rock Campground has one lookout point from which campers can view Mt. Rainier. Although it is peaceful now, the still active volcano last erupted in the mid 1800s. The campground is adjacent to the Nisqually River and is surrounded by thick forests. A short drive to Paradise in summer reveals fields of lush wildflowers.Nearby Attractions
Mount Rainier National Park is about 50 miles southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area.Charges & Cancellations
If a camper does not check-in at the ranger station by 12:00pm check-out time the day after the scheduled arrival date, their reservation will be cancelled, the camper will incur a $10.00 service fee, and forfeit the first night's camping fee.
Camp site features
Across 176 camp sites:
- Picnic table: 13 of 176 sites
- ADA accessible: 4 of 176 sites
- Longest rig: 35 ft
- Largest party: 6 people
- Equipment: CAR, CARAVAN/CAMPER VAN, PICKUP CAMPER, Tent, Trailer
Directions
Cougar Rock Campground is located 14 miles east of Ashford, Washington, on
State Route 706/Paradise Road.
Stay Limit
Check in from 12 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (903)
5 stars
581
4 stars
215
3 stars
59
2 stars
28
1 stars
20
Anne T
Loop:Loop E
Site:E007
Reviewed a day ago
Great campground. Clean bathrooms. Friendly and helpful staff.
Akshay R
Loop:Loop D
Site:D036
Reviewed a day ago
Awesome campground. Site is diagonal to camp hence some foot traffic but overall great
Megan K
Loop:Loop B
Site:B024
Reviewed 2 days ago
Loved the campground- especially the Nisqually vista trail and the evening ranger talk at the campground!
Hannah D
Loop:Loop A
Site:A008
Reviewed 2 days ago
We were able to secure a site for one night, and then got a first come first serve site for another night. Facilities were all very clean and the Rangers there were very nice and helpful. Both sites we were in were really shaded and incredibly gorgeous. if I was ever in the area, I would absolutely come back.
Mary W
Loop:Loop A
Site:A015
Reviewed 2 days ago
The rangers who checked us in were great! Enjoyed our stay very much!!
James J
Loop:Loop D
Site:D002
Reviewed 2 days ago
Everything was great. Sad about fire ban, but totally understand.
Leah S
Loop:Loop C
Site:C030
Reviewed 3 days ago
Wash station and bathrooms nearby. Amphitheater close with daily ranger talks. Close to Longmire and Paradise.
Tim F
Loop:Loop C
Site:C015
Reviewed 3 days ago
Very nice site. A little more separation from your neighbors than most sites. A kind of half circle “driveway” to park in.
Lorna V
Loop:Loop B
Site:B006
Reviewed 4 days ago
Site wasn’t level for camper, but it was beautiful! Good staging place for visiting Mt. Rainier.
L T
Loop:Loop B
Site:B029
Reviewed 4 days ago
We enjoyed site B29 with trees and other vegetation growing on 3 sides of the site so that the only other sites in view were across the driveway. Needed to use about 4 inches of blocks to get the Class B level from front to back.
Clifton G
Loop:Loop R
Site:R008
Reviewed 4 days ago
Appreciate having a few walkup sites available. Forest Ranger on duty was very helpful and friendly.
Cynthia P
Loop:Loop E
Site:E009
Reviewed 5 days ago
The site itself and the restrooms were clean. The check-in process was fast and easy. It was nice to have running water in restroom and just outside for filling water bottles. Our neighbors were friendly and quiet. We enjoyed walking the grounds after dinner to enjoy the big trees and birds.
Mavrick A
Loop:Loop D
Site:D019
Reviewed 5 days ago
Such a wonderful place to camp. Will come back many times.
david d
Loop:Loop A
Site:A011
Reviewed 5 days ago
We were in A11. There is a path directly to the bathroom from that side, but it doesn’t go all the way through. It leads to another persons campsite. People were constantly taking the path and confused. I think the people in the site being crossed found it frustrating. Maybe fix this?
Lillian M
Loop:Loop R
Site:R008
Reviewed 6 days ago
Cougar Rock Campground is an excellent place to stay. I really appreciate they still offer first-come, first-served campsites. In a place as popular and heavily visited as Mount Rainier, that flexibility matters. Not every visitor can plan months ahead, and having an alternative to advance booking helps keep the park more accessible and welcoming. I strongly encourage Cougar Rock to continue offering this option, because it serves an important need and preserves a more traditional, spontaneous camping experience inside one of Washington’s most loved national parks.
Megan B
Loop:Loop B
Site:B005
Reviewed 6 days ago
Beautiful sites. Some were pretty small spaces available for tents but wish we had more time to explore around the campgrounds
Ian H
Loop:Loop D
Site:D014
Reviewed 7 days ago
Camp sites seem well spaced. Was a great jumping off point for Paradise, and Sunrise. Make sure you clean your hands after leaving the bathroom, I think DOGE did a number on maintance. Staff are excellent and are working hard to maintain this fantastic resource in the face of a full on assault on everything good in America
Greg Q
Loop:Loop A
Site:A028
Reviewed 8 days ago
Excellent campground, conveniently located to the Paradise area and Visitor Center. Restrooms were clean and maintained. Most sites shady. Check site dimensions carefully when booking, they vary widely and only a few sites will accommodate large RV's.
Jessica G
Loop:Loop C
Site:C028
Reviewed 9 days ago
We had a great time at Cougar Rock which is well positioned for Paradise. We found all of the campers respectful and the campground was clean.
Scott K
Loop:Loop B
Site:B031
Reviewed 9 days ago
B31 one of the best sites in B loop and one of the best overall. Tent pad is set up a little higher than the rest of the site and under tree canopy. Cool rocks at the site. Shade almost all day. I think B loop is the best of all the loops, only downside is there is no restroom in B and you have to walk to C or A, not a huge deal.
Theresa V
Loop:Loop D
Site:D030
Reviewed 9 days ago
I was super excited to secure a reservation at Cougar Rock. The campground is beautiful and really well kept. The reason I'm frustrated is that even though the campground is marked "FULL", the reservation loops were only about 60% occupied. When I asked the Rangers about this, they explained that they don't have staffing to go around and see if guests have arrived for their reservation. So, I understand that the park does get the fee for the site, but there are SO MANY PEOPLE who would have loved the opportunity to take a cancelled reservation.
Colleen K
Loop:Loop D
Site:D008
Reviewed 10 days ago
Being in the park was fabulous. Easy access up to Paradise and down to Longmire. We camped in a 25 foot trailer hauled by a standard Chevy truck. We stayed in D008 and our only issue (kind of a big one) was that there was no way to get our trailer out of the loop due to the turn at the end of the loop. By luck, the two campsites at the turn were empty and we were able to get out by going through those campsites. Could’ve been a big issue!
Jon B
Loop:Loop D
Site:D014
Reviewed 10 days ago
Great site just 10 minutes from Paradise and the Skyline Trail! Natural beauty everywhere!
Valentina w
Loop:Loop A
Site:A021
Reviewed 10 days ago
So peaceful. Nice hikes right from the campground. Lots of shade
Brenna P
Loop:Loop C
Site:C006
Reviewed 11 days ago
Good proximity to trails and attractions for me at least, clean bathrooms flushing toilets. Sites were big, not the most private but hey. Exactly what I needed.
Christopher C
Loop:Loop E
Site:E019
Reviewed 11 days ago
Beautiful campsite with huge evergreen trees and beautiful rocky formations
Christopher C
Loop:Loop D
Site:D043
Reviewed 11 days ago
Gorgeous campground with huge evergreens and rocky features. Great access to breathtaking scenery.
Stewart W
Loop:Loop A
Site:A004
Reviewed 11 days ago
I enjoyed my stay at Cougar Rock - happy I got a FCFS spot. Staff were friendly. Sites are in the trees which is nice. Sites aren't very level though. Wish there were showers.
Kathryn B
Loop:Loop R
Site:R002
Reviewed 13 days ago
Since this is the ONLY campground in the whole southern part of the park around Paradise, we were so nervous about getting a F/F spot since we did not have a reservation. We didn't arrive until noon and there were plenty of Loop A and the RR spots still available. We loved our little cozy spot R2 close to the entrance and my only complaint was the huge RV driving in at 3am. Very clean bathrooms and our spot was clean- just beware that there are a lot of mosquitos come night and morning.
Jackson M
Loop:Loop D
Site:D014
Reviewed 13 days ago
Plenty of first come first serve if u show up before noon
Victoria K
Loop:Loop E
Site:E022
Reviewed 13 days ago
great site with a lots of room. close to neighbors but not the worst that I have had! Not much as far as views go. close walk to 2 bathrooms. fairly central location within the park so fairly easy and quick to get to most trails.
Heather G
Loop:Loop D
Site:D028
Reviewed 14 days ago
D028- awesome site. Plenty of space. Beautiful scenery. A few sites away from the bathroom. A decent walk to the amphitheater.
Megan M
Loop:Loop B
Site:B017
Reviewed 14 days ago
Very nice and quiet campsite, perfect location for enjoying the Paradise side of Mt.Rainier. Loved it!
Matthew W
Loop:Loop C
Site:C028
Reviewed 14 days ago
We spent a week at Cougar Rock over 4th of July, in C Loop. The back turn of the loop & maneuvering into C28 was a little tight with my 25’ travel trailer, but we made it through. The site was not level. Once the rig was set up, we loved the campground! Quiet, large, easily accessible amenities and park rangers, right at the base of Rainier, hiking trails all around. Expect cloudy, wet days but if you get a lucky clear day, Rainier towers in the distance!
Kim M
Loop:Loop R
Site:R011
Reviewed 15 days ago
We had no problem getting a site even on a holiday weekend. Just have to get here early.
Thu Ha Thi N
Loop:Loop C
Site:C003
Reviewed 15 days ago
C3 was good spot, next to restroom. Quiet and shady spot
Joseph H
Loop:Loop D
Site:D034
Reviewed 15 days ago
The email i received from the campground a couple days before my trip said "buy it where you burn it" regarding firewood. So we bought a bunch of firewood, because that's my favorite part of campingand we had limited camp stove fuel. However, when we arrived at the campsite, there were "burn ban" flyers all over the campground that were clearly weeks old. It was extremely frustrating and disappointing. Plus, no soap in the bathrooms.
Timothy W
Loop:Loop B
Site:B021
Reviewed 15 days ago
Campground was quiet and relaxing, in spite of the hundreds of visitors going up the main road just outside.
Kent B
Loop:Loop R
Site:R008
Reviewed 15 days ago
I arrived around 12-1 pm. Trying to get a FF site. I got the last one availble that might fit my trailer. The ranger at the campground station was helpful and let me get set up in it. before locking it in. Campground was ell maintained.
Kasun D
Loop:Loop B
Site:B017
Reviewed 17 days ago
Excellent choice if you like to stay closer to Pradise area. Overall well maintained camp ground. But need to add few more restrooms specially to Loop B
Frank S
Loop:Loop A
Site:A025
Reviewed 17 days ago
Some sites are not nice, in part because trees have been cut. Too many trees have been cut down, and also left as unsightly stumps. Other sites are OK.
Also people made noise during quite hours, including a guy idling his truck next to us starting at 7:30 AM and music playing at 9:30 pm.
Showers would also be a big plus.
Rylee W
Loop:Loop E
Site:E008
Reviewed 18 days ago
Very beautiful campground, I drive a Jeep Wrangler JL and the parking space was perfect, I did have to back in as it was at an angle though (keep that in mind). The tent space is down about 11 stairs, but the picnic table was at the top next to the parking area which was nice! Not super private to the front and side, but everyone was quiet and I had no problems with feeling like I was being eavesdropped on! Bathrooms were very close and very clean!
Tim E
Loop:Loop D
Site:D037
Reviewed 21 days ago
Across the street from the Wonderland trail and full of beautiful big trees Cougar Camp is a well situated camp. Close to Paradise and Longmire it has quick access to many natural attractions
Karen A
Loop:Loop D
Site:D032
Reviewed 21 days ago
Most sites are spacious, the only request would be to have a separate loop that did not allow campfires for those of us with lung disease. Very hard to breathe in a beautiful forest.
Popularity
Busy · 70%
Busiest in July, when about 70% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
