Cougar Rock Campground

My husband and I camped at site C15 and enjoyed our time there. It’s a partially shaded site at the end of the loop, so there’s decent privacy. This particular site is better for an RV/camper as it has a spacious pull through driveway. We were tent camping and could only find one small area that was level enough for our tent. We walked around the other loops and it seems Loop D has more sites with true tent pads.

Bathrooms were well-maintained and clean. There is good garbage disposal and recycling for select items. Any staff we interacted with was very friendly. Location is great in terms up getting up to Paradise and other big sights. No cell reception for Verizon or T-Mobile, but we were able to get service by Paradise Inn.

Firewood is only sold at Longmire general store and it’s a bit pricey ($15 a bundle). I’d recommend buying firewood from somewhere nearby to get better bang for your buck.

The campsite had no shade for most of the day. The ground was pretty level, but rocky and hard to put stakes through. The proximity to the bathrooms was appreciated, not too close and not too far. It was a short distance to the Wonderland Trail, which made it convenient to make a day out of hiking to beautiful Carter Falls, Narada Falls and Reflection Lake. The rangers were friendly and helpful and I enjoyed their evening presentations. The lack of shade though was frustrating. Didn’t like coming to a hot tent after a long hike or trying to avoid the setting sun while I was making dinner on the table and bench.

Lots of hazard trees down in the campground, waiting for disposal - barriers to restrooms.
D loop north restroom utility sink clogged and water spigot non-functional.

We so enjoyed our time here. Camp sites offered plenty of room. Bathrooms were clean with nice water refill station and kitchen sink. We enjoyed our morning walks through camp with the dogs and got to see Rainier from camp and the river. Great base camp to get to Paradise and Longmire. Even a nice enjoyable drive to Snow Lake trailhead.

I loved staying at Cougar Rock! It was well located in the park, so I could get to all different areas I wanted to explore. The rangers were super helpful and the bathroom facilities were always clean and well stocked. I loved that you could walk across the street to the Carter Falls trail and sit by the river and enjoy a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier. Would happily stay there again!

Nice campground. Be mindful of which site you choose because there aren’t paths through camping areas to bathrooms. You need to use the road.

Beautiful campsites in dense forest offers much privacy. The bathrooms were clean. The only down side was the firewood. It was nearly $15/bundle, which you have to buy down the road (not at the campground) and they ran out. In addition, the park has a no collecting of firewood rule within the park.

The campgrounds are beautiful. Park ranges are very tentative.

Spent 2 nights at Cougar Rock. Campsite was clean and roomy - we three were in a van and a tent. Rangers were personable and helpful. Bathrooms clean and stocked. Be aware that only certain loops have a bear box in each campsite. Hiking, weather, and views were terrific.