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5.0
2 votes

Ohanapecosh Campground

208 Ohanapecosh Rd, Packwood, Washington 98361-9501 USA

  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“camping in mount rainier!”

OverviewOhanapecosh Campground, 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 and the Grove of the Patriarchs.  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.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 down from higher elevations. Its banks are lined with thick, old growth Douglas fir trees and other evergreens. There is no view of Mt. Rainier directly from the campground, though the mountain dominates the landscape in nearby areas of the park. 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 Grove of the Patriarchs trail, which leads hikers through stands of old growth forest, and 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. Facilities: This large campground has 188 individual sites for RV or tent camping situated among the ancient trees. There is drinking water, but no electric hookups. Visitors must use extra caution with food storage, as bear and other animals inhabit the area around the campground.

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Reviews of Ohanapecosh Campground

14 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.5 Access
4.9 Location
4.9 Cleanliness
4.5 Site Quality
4.5 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 5G

Confirmed by 5 users | Last reported on December 20, 2023

AT&T 5G

Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on September 21, 2020
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Reviewed by
wingle

  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
September 06, 2015
Rated 5.0

Nice campsite. Awesome hikes. Ohanapecosh river is breathtaking

1 person found this review helpful
  • Photographer
  • 1,117 Reviews
  • 98 Helpful
May 26, 2015
Rated

The Ohanapecosh Campground and picnic area are also open only from late May to early October and is located in the SE corner of the park, 11 miles NE of Packwood on SR 123. Elevation 1914'. 188 individual sites (2 Accessible) + 1 group site. Drinking water, flush toilets, dump station, amphitheater. Suited for RV or tent camping.Located in the southeast corner of the park, Ohanapecosh, named for a Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz) Indian habitation site along the river, is thought to mean €œstanding at the edge.€ Situated among Douglas firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks, visitors to Ohanapecosh can experience the beauty and complexity of an old-growth forest. The east side of the park is also somewhat drier and sunnier than the west side, making it a good destination when Paradise and Longmire are wet and foggy. Ohanapecosh is not accessible in winter.Ohanapecosh is located 3 miles north of the park boundary on highway 123 and 42 miles east of the Nisqually Entrance. The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center, open from June to early October, offers exhibits, guided interpretive programs, and book sales.At the Grove of the Patriarchs, located approximately 3 miles north of the visitor center and campground, visitors can hike a 1 mile nature trail along the Ohanapecosh River and through old growth forest.

1 person found this review helpful
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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 25, 2014
Rated

Quiet and peaceful during the off season. It rained almost the whole time we were there and puddled pretty bad outside our Airstream, but it was manageable. This campground is about a 45 minute drive to the main visitor center. The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center closes early September for the season (which we didn't know). Great spots - although there are a few tight turns on the road so their recommended RV length of 27' is pretty accurate.

No Verizon signal at all. :)

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Nightly Rate: $12.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 32A

4 Access
4 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

July 26, 2015
Rated

Washington is proving as difficult as Oregon to secure a spot during the summer months, especially on the weekends.

We arrived at Ohanapecosh believing we had a reservation for Thursday night. So when I saw the sign stating maximum trailer length of 27', or motor home length of 32', I was hesitant but desperate and ignored the signage. We didn't know what loop or spot we were in, and there is absolutely no signal of any kind with AT&T or Verizon. So we began looping through A...none of the reservable spots had our name on them. The turns were very tight, but our 31' trailer was able to make them (just barely). Very very few of the sites would have accommodated us. This is a renters campground, maybe small vans or truck campers could fit into most spots.

Still, there were plenty of RVs, just none with our behemoth 50' total length. Many spots are not angled to allow you to back in if you've got anything larger.

We circled B & C loops. Still nothing. The turns got tighter and tighter, so I finally resorted to asking a ranger...fearful he'd question our length and make us leave.

Instead he directed us to H loop, both it and G are first come first serve. We scored a massive spot where we could easily fit and called it a weekend.

The sun shone every day but one. Towering Douglas-firs and western redcedars swayed in the wind above us. A guy in an old green pickup drove around selling wood for $6/bundle, smallish but including some kindling.

Stellar's jays and ravens were abundant. It's a quick drive to the Grove of the Patriarchs. If you don't find that short 1.5 mile loop astounding, we probably won't be pals. The hike to Silver Falls from the campground was gorgeous old growth and glacial till filled rivers.

There's an epic relief map in the visitor's center, too. A few years back, we found the drive to Paradise or even Reflection Lakes a bit long—but astoundingly beautiful. Our children now a bit older, it was a lovely jaunt and we didn't mind making it daily.

Rainier is your quintessential national park. A big, snowy mountain, wildlife abundant (we saw a black bear near Reflection Lakes), and ancient forests.

Enjoy.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: H18

4 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
4 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

December 29, 2017
Rated

Loved the gorgeous old growth trees throughout this campground. Highly recommend a site with a view of the Ohanapecosh river, there are several along the bank with beautiful views. There is a very nice day use area by the river for picnics. Well kept bathrooms for a national park with flush toilets but no showers. Many sites are reservable online in advance. A truck comes around in the evenings with firewood for purchase. National Park visitors center conveniently located right at the entrance of the campground. No cell service at the campground.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: C017

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon

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Reviewed by
Campendium

August 06, 2018
Rated

We stayed on the C loop. There are no RV hookups, no cell phone service, there are toilets but no showers. Our site fit my 30foot RV, but was very unlevel. Despite all that, we loved this campground! Our site was spacious and had a view of the river. The temperatures were perfect! Not too hot, not too cold. We enjoyed hiking a trail that left right from the campground. The roads and loops are paved so our kids were able to ride bikes. luckily I had kept a record of which campsite I had reserved because there is no check in or registration, just show up and pull into your site.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: C3

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T

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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 27, 2018
Rated

Why you would expect from the National Park Service. This is a very nice campground that is well-maintained. We were there at the end of the season so it was really quiet. The scenery is spectacular with the old growth trees. The river running through the campground is very pretty and just noisy enough to give you that "I'm out in the woods, peaceful, feeling." We had a 15" campervan and a wonderful spot right next to the bathrooms that only one other person used whole time we were there. We didn't see any bears, although we had secretly hoped we would. I'm sure they are a nuscince to most people. We had no cell service. I wish we could have stayed longer.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: A54

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon

AT&T

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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 22, 2019
Rated

Restrooms, drinking water, beautiful hikes and the river is fantastic. The sites weren't very level. A section of the campground was closed which may have been because it was early in the season, June. A favorite campground.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: -

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
4 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 21, 2020
Rated

We drove up to explore the Rainier area 2nd weekend in September. I was concerned about finding a first come first serve spot on a Saturday.

The area was fairly smoky due to the fires in Oregon, so we really lucked out with the spot we found. The person that had it, had left early. So we were able to back right into a spot that overlooked the river. It was a beautiful peaceful spot & nice to just listen to the water flow. The restrooms were a short walk away & clean.

We enjoyed hiking through the lovely old growth forest to Silver Falls & The Grove of the Patriarchs. The trails were nicely maintained. Was a great trip exploring the area. So much more to see & many more trails to hike.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: C23

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T

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Reviewed by
Campendium

October 17, 2020
Rated

Fairly well spaced out spots in a tall wooded area. Unfortunately not a lot of privacy between slots. Short walks to river and surrounding trails. Gorgeous PNW campground.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 000

4 Access
5 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
2 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon

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Ohanapecosh Campground

208 Ohanapecosh Rd
Packwood, Washington
98361-9501 USA
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Hours

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  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
Check In
00:00 PM
Max Stay
14
Check Out
00:00 PM
Max Length
27 ft
Season End
Sept.
Affiliation
National park
Sites Count
2
Season Start
May
Last Nightly Rate
12.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
10.0
Back In RV Sites Count
10
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
32.0
  • Check
    Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Unavailable
    Showers
  • Unavailable
    Big Rigs
  • Check
    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
  • Unavailable
    Fifty Amp
  • Check
    Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Check
    Paved Sites
  • Unavailable
    Dump Station
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
  • Check
    Public Water
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through
  • Unavailable
    Reservations
  • Unavailable
    Sewer Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Water Hookup
  • Check
    Potable Water
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
  • Check
    Open Seasonally
  • Unavailable
    Permit Required
  • Check
    Back In RV Sites
  • Check
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
  • Check
    Standard Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Vehicle Wash Permitted
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