Cougar Rock Group Campground
Campground · Washington · 5 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Mount Rainier National Park (National Park) · Open Access
- 5
- Bookable sites
- 20 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 40
- People per site
- 3,166 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Cougar Rock Group Campground, on the southwest side of Mt. Rainier National Park, is conveniently located near Paradise. Group campsite reservations can be made on this page. Individual campsites are reservable via Cougar Rock 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 main attraction at Mount Rainier National Park is the mountain itself, a glacier-clad volcano of immense proportions. At 14,411 feet, it dominates the skyline for hundreds of miles. Visitors travel through majestic old-growth forest, past tumbling waterfalls and historic buildings to reach sub-alpine meadows, where world-famous wildflower displays are seen through July and August. Popular activities in the park include sight-seeing, hiking, rock climbing and camping.
The Cougar Rock area is located at an elevation of 3,180 feet. Summers are dry and cool with daytime temperatures in the 60 to 80-degree range. 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 but 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
The group campground has five campsites and is located within the general Cougar Rock Campground. Sites are relatively rustic, but have drinking water, flush toilets and picnic tables. All group campsites must 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
The 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.The facts
- 5 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 20 ft
- Up to 40 people per site
- Loops: Loop F-Group
Site types
- 5 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
5 campsites at Cougar Rock Group Campground
Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F001 | Loop F-Group | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 20 ft | 30 | 🐾 |
| F002 | Loop F-Group | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 20 ft | 40 | 🐾 |
| F003 | Loop F-Group | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | Paved | 20 ft | 20 | 🐾 |
| F004 | Loop F-Group | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 20 ft | 20 | 🐾 |
| F005 | Loop F-Group | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 20 ft | 20 | 🐾 |
Getting there
46.76722, -121.79444 · 46°46'2.0"N 121°47'40.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 76°F in Aug, down to 36°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 37 | 40 | 45 | 51 | 60 | 66 | 75 | 76 | 69 | 55 | 43 | 36 |
| Low °F | 26 | 26 | 28 | 31 | 37 | 42 | 46 | 46 | 42 | 35 | 29 | 25 |
| Precip in | 11.4 | 8.6 | 7.5 | 5.9 | 4.8 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 9.0 | 13.0 | 12.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Cougar Rock Group Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Cougar Rock Group Campground?
- Yes, Cougar Rock Group Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Cougar Rock Group Campground have?
- 5 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Cougar Rock Group Campground?
- 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Cougar Rock Group Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Cougar Rock Group Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at Cougar Rock Group Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Cougar Rock Group Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Cougar Rock Group Campground
- Cougar Rock Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Creek (Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA) 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ohanapecosh Campground 10.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ohanapecosh Group Campground 10.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- La Wis Wis Campground 11.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- White River Campground 11.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Longmire Wilderness Information Center 1.4 mi · Visitor Center
- Longmire Museum 1.5 mi · Facility
- Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center 3 mi · Facility
- Paradise Wilderness Information Center 3.1 mi · Visitor Center
- Campground: Big Creek 8.6 mi · Campground
- Ohanapecosh Visitor Center 11 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 360-569-2211
- Email matthew_chalup@nps.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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