Ohanapecosh Group Campground

Show on map 360-569-2211 x6627 rene_ellis@nps.gov

208 Ohanapecosh Road
Packwood, WA 98361

Overview

This facility is the group site at Ohanapecosh Campground. Ohanapecosh, on the southeast side of Mount Rainier National Park, is surrounded by old growth forest and crossed by an exceptionally beautiful snow-fed river. Close to Ohanapecosh are popular hikes to Silver Falls. The Grove of the Patriarchs trail is closed to public access until the bridge accessing the Grove is replaced.

The main attraction at Mount Rainier National Park is the mountain itself, a glacier-clad volcano of immense proportions. At 14,411 ft., it dominates 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 are seen in July and August. Popular activities in the park include sight-seeing, hiking, climbing and camping.

Ohanapecosh campground has an elevation of 1,914 feet. Weather is dry, cool and sunny in the summer with daytime temperatures in the 60 to 80-degree range. Even though the eastern side of the park can be sunnier than other areas, weather can be variable and visitors should come prepared.

Recreation

The most popular campground in the park, Ohanapecosh is convenient to both the Paradise and Sunrise areas. Numerous hiking trails originate both in and nearby the facility, including the several trails that lead to Silver Falls waterfall. For visitors who would like to learn more about natural and cultural history, the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center is close by as well.

Grove of the Patriarchs - The Grove of the Patriarchs is CLOSED to all public entry due to flooding in November 2021 which caused significant damage to the suspension bridge that provides the only safe access to the area (News Release, 11/17/21). See the attached emergency regulation signed by the Deputy Superintendent. The Grove of the Patriarchs Trail will remain closed until the bridge can be replaced. During the closure, the Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot and restrooms have normal seasonal access, along with the Eastside and Silver Falls Trails. Construction to replace the bridge is scheduled to begin summer 2027. In addition to site clearing, the project will require supplies transport, bridge construction, trail reconstruction to meet the new bridge. This process is expected to take several years and construction work is limited to the summer season. Summers represent the only viable construction season in the park due to the heavy snow that blankets the park from roughly November through May.

Facilities

There are two group sites. Both have tent-only camping, and each can fit up to 25 people. Drinking water is provided. Visitors must use extra caution with food storage, as bear and other animals inhabit the area around the campground.

Natural Features

Ohanapecosh is thought to be a Taidnapam Indian word for "standing on the edge" of the Ohanapecosh River. The river itself is lined with mossy boulders and drains cold, clear water from higher elevations. Its banks are lined with thick, old growth Douglas fir trees and other evergreens. There is no direct view of Mt. Rainier from the campground, but the mountain dominates the landscape in nearby areas of the park.

Camp site features

Across 2 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 2 sites
Picnic table: all 2 sites
Pets allowed: all 2 sites
Group sites: all 2 sites
Largest party: 25 people

Directions

Located on State Route 123, four miles north of State Route 12.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

6 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

Richard B

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

I rate this visit very high. We visit here annually. Ohanapicash campground is a great car camping experience. It’s next to a wonderful river, a cool ranger station, scenic hiking trails, and inside an outstanding national park! Bring your swim suit for an ice bath like swim. Bring kids and bikes to the ride the network of loops. Relax and enjoy.

Grace R

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Great spot for families.

anita p

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Of the two group campsites, this was the better option. A bit more private and plenty of space for three 4-person tents and a couple of smaller tents. Although the site was very close to the road, there wasn't a lot of traffic. Loop A seems to be the most quiet of the campground. Loop C has sites right on top of each other and a bit rowdier. Rangers were incredibly nice and helpful. Quiet hours were respected. Bathrooms ran out of paper towels though. Silver Falls trail was a nice and easy to get to. Overall, really nice campground for families.

Daniel F

Loop:Group 2 C Loop

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

The best campground in the park. Swim in the river and don't forget to get up early and fish before the swimming starts!

Meredith R

Loop:Group 2 C Loop

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

We stayed in the Group site in C loop over Juneteenth weekend 2022. I reserved it the December prior. Plenty of room for our party of 13 with 6 tents; more than 1 more tent would have been a bit crowded. It was easy to park a 6th car at the day use parking lot nearby, though formally the further-away ranger station is the proper place for overflow overnight parking. Only loops A, B, C were open, and all but the group sites were first come first serve. Not crowded at all, which surprised me a little. I guess it was still pretty early in the season. The restroom was restocked daily, though paper towels did run out once. I was surprised there wasn't a dedicated dishwashing toilet "side room" like the other loops have, but a regular toilet worked fine. The firewood truck came around twice on Friday and Saturday evenings, but NOT AT ALL on Sunday evening (despite it being a 3-day holiday weekend)! So we were stuck chilly with no firewood until we chatted with some C-loop neighbors who had stocked up on firewood in Packwood, and kindly sold us some. Love falling asleep to the sound of the river and waking to birds... glad we had sleep masks and earplugs to sleep in past 4/5am near the summer solstice, though! The amphitheater is still closed and didn't even have benches installed, no family programming or anything was offered. The visitor's center was open, with stamps and Junior Ranger booklets, and the weather forecast was written on a whiteboard outside each day. Trash and recycling was easy. Hiking the Silver Falls loop was excellent as always. Part of Grove of the Patriarchs was closed, and we couldn't easily drive up to Paradise yet this year. No cell signal or internet access whatsoever, a lovely forced offline getaway. Overall it was a damp and chilly weekend (until the last day, figures) but our group still had a blast at this perfect campground by which I rate all others! Don't hesitate!

Eric N

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Great campground. Large site. We weren't a group but it was the only one available. Great base for exploring the park. Like most NP campgrounds, there are no showers and the bathrooms were not in the best condition - no paper towels stocked. Fairly quiet and clean campground despite being full.

Availability

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

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