COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND
Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- $20.00
- Type
- Campground
- Season
- October 12 to May 23
- Sites
- 179 total · 133 reservable · 46 first come
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Phone
- 360-569-6626
- Nearest dump station
- Bumping Lake Dump Station · 24.0 mi
- Coordinates
- 46.7672, -121.7944
- Last verified
- September 19, 2026
About this place
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.
From the managing agency.Official page
Is COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND free?
No. COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND charges $20.00. 133 of its sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
Can I bring an RV to COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND?
COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND has 179 sites on record. 133 sites are reservable and 46 are first come.
When is COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND open?
The season on record runs October 12 to May 23. Dates move with weather and with the managing office, so check before a shoulder-season trip.
How do I get to COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND?
There is no address for Cougar Rock Campground. It is located 14 miles east of the town of Ashford, Washington, on State Route 706/Paradise Road, and about 2 miles uphill from Longmire.
What is the weather like at COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND?
This campground is in a mountain river valley, about 3,180 feet above sea level. During the summer, it typically has comfortable day time temperatures, but expect those to fall quickly near sunset. Mountain weather can change rapidly. Most summer days are dry, but rain, thunderstorms and even snow have occurred in July and August. This area is subject to sudden and severe geological hazards such as flooding, landslides and rock fall.
What are the rules at COUGAR ROCK CAMPGROUND?
Quiet hours must be maintained between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Generators may be used only between 8 a.m.-10 a.m., 12 p.m.-2 p.m., and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Loop E in Cougar Rock is closed to generator use. Please show respect for others by keeping noise to a minimum at all times. Pets are not permitted in amphitheaters, buildings, on trails or in vegetated areas. Pets are permitted only in parking lots and roads open to vehicles and within the designated campsite. Pets must be crated, on a leash or otherwise under physical restraint at all times. Do not leave pets unattended for their safety and the safety of visitors and wildlife. For your safety and theirs do not feed the wildlife. Never leave food unattended. Store food, including coolers, in vehicles overnight and whenever your campsite is unattended. Keep your campsite clean of food scraps and garbage. Do not drive nails into trees or dig ditches around tents. Tents may not be placed on vegetation.
Nearby
SourceSource data is agency published. Last synced September 19, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
