Cougar Rock Campground
Closed for the season. Typical operating season is late May through early October. The RV dump and fill station is closed for the 2026 season. Reservations accepted through Recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance; some first-come, first-served sites available at opening.
Fire Weather Watch issued August 12 at 12:16PM PDT until August 13 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Fire Weather Watch for lightning and gusty outflow winds, which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 659 West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet. * LIGHTNING...Isolated to scattered thunderstorm coverage is possible across the northern Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains. Thunderstorms will develop today from the northwest and spread across the area. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Any storms that develop will be capable of gusty and erratic outflow winds between 20 and 30 miles per hour. Outflow winds can occur ahead of and behind storms and cause erratic wind directions. * IMPACTS...Scattered lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire's rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of a new lightning-caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air quality may diminish in the surrounding area.
From Recreation.gov
The RV dump and fill station is CLOSED for the 2026 season.
About
Cougar Rock Campground occupies a forested valley along the Nisqually River on Mount Rainier's south side, serving as the closest drive-in campground to both Paradise and Longmire. At 3,180 feet elevation, the 179 campsites spread across five loops (A, B, C, D, E, R) amid dense old-growth forest that provides privacy between sites. Each site includes a fire grate and picnic table, with flush toilets and potable water available throughout. The campground provides direct access to the 93-mile Wonderland Trail across the main road, with waterfalls reachable via moderate hikes. An on-site amphitheater hosts ranger-led interpretive programs. Paradise, the park's most popular destination with its visitor center and commanding mountain views, is less than 15 minutes by car. Summer wildflower displays peak in July and August. Maximum capacity is six people and two tents per site. Motorhomes over 35 feet and trailers over 27 feet are not permitted due to the steep terrain and sharp curves within the loops. No hookups are available, and gathering firewood within park boundaries is prohibited. Loop E is designated as a quiet loop with no generator use allowed; other loops restrict generators to specific daytime hours.
Directions
Located 14 miles east of Ashford, Washington, on State Route 706/Paradise Road, approximately 2 miles uphill from Longmire.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 35ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 27ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (360) 569-6626 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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