La Wis Wis Campground campground
National Park ~2 hr 30 min from Seattle

La Wis Wis Campground

One of Gifford Pinchot's largest campgrounds with 122 sites off Highway 12 near Packwood at the confluence of the Cowlitz and Ohanapecosh Rivers.

RV Sites
76
total sites
Max Length
40 ft
dry camping
Hookups
None
dry camping
Surface
Paved
site surface
Dump Station
Not available
Nearest dump in town
Reservation
6 mo.
books out fast
Why Visit

La Wis Wis Campground

La Wis Wis is the largest campground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, with 122 sites spread across a beautiful river terrace where the Cowlitz and Ohanapecosh Rivers meet. RV sites accommodate rigs up to 40 feet. The campground's Highway 12 location makes it ideal for exploring both Mount Rainier National Park (25 miles north) and the Packwood/White Pass area. Flush toilets, drinking water, and a camp host are on site. The adjacent rivers offer fishing and wading, and the grove of old-growth Douglas fir provides exceptional shade.

US-12, Packwood, WA 98361
~2 hr 30 min from Seattle (150 mi)
Recreation.gov · Reserving 6 months in advance
NPS America the Beautiful pass accepted
Campground Specs

Details that matter for your rig

Maneuverability
Moderate
Some tight turns — manageable
Cell Coverage
Good
Service generally reliable
Generators
Restricted
Designated hours only
Site Surface
Paved
Check conditions at check-in
Dump Station
Not available
Nearest dump station in town
Hookups
None
Bring full tanks
Things to Do

Activities at La Wis Wis Campground

🥾 Hiking 🎣 Fishing 🏊 Swimming 🚣 Kayaking 🏖️ Beach ⛵ Boating 🛝 Playground

On-site & nearby activities

  • Cowlitz and Ohanapecosh River fishing and wading
  • Day trips to Mount Rainier National Park (25 mi)
  • White Pass ski area and hiking trails nearby
  • Ohanapecosh hot springs (in Rainier NP)
  • Scenic drives along Highway 12
  • Old-growth Douglas fir grove walks
National Park

One of Washington's crown jewels

La Wis Wis sits at the confluence of the Cowlitz and Ohanapecosh Rivers in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, within the vast volcanic landscape shaped by Mount Rainier and the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens visible 25 miles to the southwest. The Ohanapecosh River above the campground flows from hot springs within Mount Rainier National Park and through the Grove of the Patriarchs — one of the oldest old-growth forests in the Cascades — before reaching camp in a rush of crystal-clear glacial melt. White Pass and the Goat Rocks Wilderness just to the east protect the most rugged remaining volcanic landscape between Rainier and Adams, with the Pacific Crest Trail traversing alpine ridges offering panoramic views of all three southern Washington volcanoes.

Facilities

What's on-site

🚻
Toilets
Flush toilets
🚿
Showers
Not available
💧
Drinking Water
Available
🔥
Fire Pits
Every site
Flush toilets and drinking water are available, but no showers on site. Every site includes a fire pit.
Insider Knowledge

Site recommendations from the field

Sourced from first-hand visits, park ranger notes, and RV community reports. Updated when conditions change.

🗺️

One of the best National Forest campgrounds in WA. Loop A river sites (1–30) are the highlight — the Ohanapecosh River here is crystal clear with excellent swimming holes. Old-growth forest cover on all loops. Very close to Mt Rainier's Stevens Canyon entrance. Book 6 months out for summer weekends. Ask the host for the best swimming hole locations — they're not on any map.

Logistics

Nearest services

📍 Nearest TownPackwood, WA
⛽ Gas Station4 mi
🛒 Grocery Store4 mi
🏪 Costco75 mi
☕ Starbucks55 mi
🏕️ Nearest State Park25 mi

Stock up in Packwood, WA before heading out — services get limited near the campground.

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Ready to book?

Ready to book La Wis Wis Campground?

Check availability online. Reserving 6 months in advance.

Reserve a Site
Information sourced from official park agencies and publicly available data. Conditions, fees, and availability change — verify details directly with the campground before your visit.