La Wis Wis Campground
Situated at the confluence of three waterways near Mount Rainier, La Wis Wis is nestled under a canopy of towering Douglas firs and red cedars. The handful of sites that dot the riverbank enjoy the most sunshine. With an abundance of activities nearby, La Wis Wis is a popular destination for long-stay camping. Its proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes it an excellent base for exploring all of the area's natural wonders.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Washington · reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington · group sites in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 74 |
| Tent-only | 28 |
| Walk-in | 4 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
107 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004 | A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | A | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | A | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | A | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | A | Tent only | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 010 | A | Tent only | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 011 | A | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 012 | A | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 014 | A | Tent only | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00 |
La Wis Wis is ideal for tents, car campers and truck campers with a slide-in. The Hatchery Loop sites can accommodate RVs, but navigation through other parts of the campground may be difficult due to narrow roadways and large trees. The campground features 122 sites, including walk-in tent camping. Only vault toilets are available here. Picnic tables, picnic shelters and grills are provided. Drinking water is available on-site at the main part of the camp. Campers staying at the Hatchery Loop need to bring potable water or get water at the main site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Gifford Pinchot National Forest |
| Booking | Make reservations at Recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777, up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | Camping: Single Site: $27/night. Multi Site: $50/night. Group: $115/night. Extra Vehicle: $8/vehicle. Day Use Fee: $5/vehicle |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit. Maximum vehicle length is 18-40 feet. Selective fishing gear rules apply. See Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Sport Fishing Rules for more information. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Packwood, Washington, go 5 miles east on State Route 12 to Campground.
| Nearest town | Packwood, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46.6739° N, 121.5878° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Fire nearby
- WildfireWest Fork
20 mi from the campground · 310 acres · 16% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump Station ↗ | 11.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | RMI Rentals ↗ | 22 mi |
| RV sales & service | Sunset RV ↗ | 39.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
LA WIS WIS NATIONAL FOREST CAMPGROUND REVIEW | MT. RAINIER MOSSEY OASIS
Worth a stop
La Wis Wis is located near the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The popular Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise within Mount Rainier National Park is 28 miles away.
- 1.6 miTrailhead: Bluff Lake ↗Trailhead
- 4.9 miTrailhead: Packwood Lake ↗Trailhead
- 10 miWhite Pass Day Use/Boat Launch/Trailhead ↗Boat launch
- 10.5 miParadise Wilderness Information Center ↗Visitor center
- 10.9 miDog Lake Day Use/Boat Launch/Trailhead ↗Boat launch
- 11.8 miLongmire Wilderness Information Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miGrant Purcell Falls0.1 mi trail
- 0.3 miRiver View1.4 mi trail
- 0.5 miBlue Hole0.08 mi trail
- 0.6 miBackbone2.6 mi trail
- 0.8 miBackbone Lake0.5 mi trail
- 1.6 miBluff Lake ↗6.6 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.6 miTrailhead: Bluff Lake ↗Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- 2.4 miTrailhead: Tatoosh South ↗Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Tatoosh Wilderness begins about 1.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.5 miTatoosh Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 15,776 acres
- 3.5 miMount Rainier Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 228,480 acres
- 3.9 miGifford Pinchot National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,496,308 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established by Congress in 1982. La Wis Wis is located in the Tatoosh Wilderness area of the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. The campground sits where the Ohanapecosh River, Cowlitz River and Purcell Creek meet. The campground features old-growth forest and opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife.
Recreation
Hikers can easily access the Blue Hole Trail and Purcell Falls Trail from La Wis Wis. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and whitefish at either Butter Creek or Skate Creek.
Guidebooks for Washington
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at La Wis Wis Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at La Wis Wis Campground?
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at La Wis Wis Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at La Wis Wis Campground?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is La Wis Wis Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does La Wis Wis Campground have?
113 sites, including 74 standard sites without power, 28 tent-only sites, 4 walk-in sites, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at La Wis Wis Campground?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at La Wis Wis Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at La Wis Wis Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at La Wis Wis Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14 day stay limit.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at La Wis Wis Campground?
Hikers can easily access the Blue Hole Trail and Purcell Falls Trail from La Wis Wis. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to La Wis Wis Campground?
Packwood, Washington. La Wis Wis is located near the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.
Source: Getting there
What if La Wis Wis Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Campground: Coho Group Camp (0.6 mi), Ohanapecosh Campground (4 mi), and Ohanapecosh Group Campground (4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby