# Mount Rainier National Park

> A volcano park in Washington with five entrances but only one open all year. Campgrounds have no hookups, and several roads close for winter.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/mount-rainier/

A volcano park in Washington with five entrances but only one open all year. Campgrounds have no hookups, and several roads close for winter.

- **State:** Washington
- **Established:** 1899
- **Best season:** Jul–early Sep (Sunrise road open)
- **Passes:** Cayuse and Chinook (closed in winter)

## Before you go

- Only the Nisqually entrance in the southwest is open to vehicles year-round. The road to Longmire stays open in winter apart from severe weather.
- SR 410 (Chinook Pass) and SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) close completely for winter. SR 123 has a height limit of 13 ft 1 in (about 4.0 m). Carry tire chains in winter.
- The park lists no electrical, water or grey-water hookups in any campground. Maximum RV length per the park: Cougar Rock 35 ft (about 10.7 m), White River 27 ft (about 8.2 m).

## Planning

The park has five entrances: Nisqually in the southwest, Carbon River/Mowich Lake in the northwest, Ohanapecosh in the southeast, White River in the northeast and Chinook Pass in the east. The northwest entrance was last reported as not accessible by vehicle. The Sunrise road typically opens around July 1 and closes in early September. The White River road closes in mid-October or earlier after heavy snow. Paradise Road closes nightly from November into spring. Check the park's official road status page daily.

## Camping

The main campgrounds are Cougar Rock in the southwest, White River in the northeast and Ohanapecosh in the southeast, plus walk-in tent sites at Mowich Lake. Cougar Rock takes reservations through Recreation.gov. White River is first-come, first-served. Ohanapecosh is closed for rehabilitation in 2026. The RV dump station at Cougar Rock was last listed as closed. Seasons depend on weather and snow, so check the park's campground page.

## Getting around

Ohanapecosh is reached via Stevens Canyon Road, which generally opens from late May to early November and closes seasonally depending on snow. The Stevens Canyon tunnel has a height limit of 12 ft 6 in (about 3.8 m), and SR 123 has 13 ft 1 in (about 4.0 m). RVs and trailers over 25 ft (about 7.6 m) should avoid Sunrise Road beyond White River Campground. All winter travellers must carry tire chains. Unexpected closures can occur at any time, so check road conditions each morning.

## FAQs

**Which entrance is open all year?**
Only the Nisqually entrance in the southwest. The road to Longmire stays open in winter with limited exceptions in extreme weather. Paradise Road closes nightly from November through spring.

**Are there hookups for campers?**
No. The park lists no electrical, water or grey-water hookups in any campground. Maximum RV length differs between campgrounds, so check the park's campground page before booking.

**Is there a height limit on park roads?**
The park names a limit of 13 ft 1 in (about 4.0 m) on SR 123 and 12 ft 6 in (about 3.8 m) in the Stevens Canyon tunnel. Check the road status page for current restrictions.

## Places to see

- [Paradise, Mount Rainier](https://camping-spirit.com/places/paradise-rainier/)
- [Reflection Lakes](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-reflection-lakes/)
- [Sunrise, Mount Rainier](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-sunrise-rainier/)
- [Box Canyon](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-box-canyon-wa/)
- [Tipsoo Lake](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-tipsoo-lake/)
- [Windy Ridge Viewpoint](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-windy-ridge/)
- [Johnston Ridge Observatory](https://camping-spirit.com/places/johnston-ridge/)
- [Lava Canyon](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-lava-canyon/)