With more than two-and-a-half million visitors in 2023, Mount Rainier National Park is one of the Pacific Northwest’s key draws. The closure of a 185-site campground there for an entire season will have a major impact on Mount Rainier camping in 2025.
RVers affected by Mount Rainier camping and roadway projects
A Park Service press release says that two major Mount Rainier National Park construction projects starting in 2025 will replace decades-old crumbling infrastructure. Projects on tap include the park’s popular Ohanapecosh Campground and travel improvements for the park on State Route 123.
Both projects address important deficiencies and will improve the visitor experience once completed. However, construction activities will cause temporary roadway and/or facilities closures.
The Ohanapecosh Campground rehabilitation project will provide significant upgrades to the popular campground located in the southeast corner of the park. This effort will rehabilitate the campground’s 185 campsites and nine bathrooms. It will also replace the aging wastewater collection system, upgrade electrical and water systems, and support improvements to campground accessibility.
The Mount Rainer camping project will be completed during the 2025 visitor season. The Ohanapecosh Campground and all associated structures including the visitor center, bathrooms, picnic area and auditorium will remain closed to visitors for the duration of construction. However, the improved campground will reopen to visitors in time for the 2026 camping season.
Visitors who want to camp in the park during the summer 2025 camping season will still have access to both the White River Campground and Cougar Rock Campground.
State Route 123 to be rehabbed
The State Route 123 construction project is a two-year effort to rehabilitate a 2.8-mile section of roadway between Laughingwater Creek and Panther Creek along the park’s eastern boundary. This project is funded through the Federal Highways Administration.
For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, click here.
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Thanks again R&T for the heads up info to help us getting started on our plans for next year’s travels.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Ah the vicissitudes of life! 😉 We want great campgrounds and great roads. Sadly, achieving those ends can be inconvenient. Thank you for the forewarning, so people can plan better and have more realistic expectations! Have a great day and safe travels!