CampgroundsDB

Mowich Lake Campground

Its 13 sites are reservable through Mount Rainier wilderness permit, camping costs Wilderness permit required; reserved permits $6 plus $12 per person per night, and it is open from Early July to Early October. Mowich Lake Campground is a National Park Service campground near Carbonado, Washington.

Closed Reservable: Mount Rainier wilderness permit

National Park Service · Carbonado, Washington

Mowich Lake in the northwestern corner of Mount Rainier National ParkMist over Mowich Lake
Mowich Lake in the northwestern corner of Mount Rainier National ParkMist over Mowich Lake1 / 2

Mowich Lake in the northwestern corner of Mount Rainier National Park. Photo: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0

Managed by
National Park Service
Hookups
None

Mowich Lake Campground sits inside Mount Rainier National Park and Mount Rainier Wilderness. Each unit's rules and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Mowich Lake: The largest and deepest lake in Mount Rainier National Park, in a glacial basin ringed by subalpine meadows; open to fishing and non-motorized boating. (nps.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Park Service
Reservations
Mount Rainier wilderness permit Book a site
Fee
Wilderness permit required; reserved permits $6 plus $12 per person per night
Entrance fee
$30 per private vehicle, 7 days; $15 per person on foot

Sources: nps.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; recreation.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Total sites
13
Tent sites
13
Group sites
0
Walk-in sites
13
Hookups
None
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Source: nps.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit
14 consecutive days; 28 days a year in park campgrounds
Quiet hours
9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Source: nps.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
4,929 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.4 mi away
T-Mobile
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.4 mi away
Verizon
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.4 mi away
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

46.9328, -121.8632 in Pierce. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Mowich Lake Campground is open from Early July to Early October , at 4,929 ft.

Source: nps.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Current conditions

Closed Agency notice, as of 2026-09-29: No vehicle, bicycle or foot access from SR 165 since the Fairfax Bridge closed permanently (WSDOT, April 2025). The sites are reachable only from the Wonderland Trail, with a wilderness permit.

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Mowich Lake Campground?
Sites at Mowich Lake Campground are reserved through Mount Rainier wilderness permit (https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675317).
How much does it cost to camp at Mowich Lake Campground?
Camping at Mowich Lake Campground costs Wilderness permit required; reserved permits $6 plus $12 per person per night.
Is there a separate entrance fee at Mowich Lake Campground?
Yes. The entrance fee is $30 per private vehicle, 7 days; $15 per person on foot, on top of the Wilderness permit required; reserved permits $6 plus $12 per person per night camping fee.
How many campsites does Mowich Lake Campground have?
Mowich Lake Campground has 13 campsites, including 13 tent sites, 0 group sites, and 13 walk-in sites.
Does Mowich Lake Campground have RV hookups?
No. Mowich Lake Campground has no hookups.
Is there drinking water at Mowich Lake Campground?
No. Mowich Lake Campground has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
When is Mowich Lake Campground open?
As of 2026-09-29: No vehicle, bicycle or foot access from SR 165 since the Fairfax Bridge closed permanently (WSDOT, April 2025). The sites are reachable only from the Wonderland Trail, with a wilderness permit. Normally, it is open from Early July to Early October.
How long can you stay at Mowich Lake Campground?
The stay limit at Mowich Lake Campground is 14 consecutive days; 28 days a year in park campgrounds.
Is there cell service at Mowich Lake Campground?
Not at the campground on the FCC map, but AT&T shows 4G LTE about 0.4 mi away, T-Mobile shows 4G LTE and 5G about 0.4 mi away, and Verizon shows 4G LTE about 0.4 mi away. The FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at Mowich Lake Campground itself. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.
Who manages Mowich Lake Campground?
Mowich Lake Campground is managed by the National Park Service.

Around Mowich Lake Campground

fishypedia.com · 19 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Lake Whitman, whose mapped center point is 19 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Lake Whitman fishing on fishypedia.com.

reservoirfinder.com · 15 miles

Mud Mountain Lake's mapped center point is 15 miles from Mowich Lake Campground in a straight line. Current water level: Mud Mountain Lake water level on reservoirfinder.com.

Public land · within 15 miles

Public land within 15 miles: Clearwater Wilderness (8.2 miles to its center) , and Glacier View Wilderness (8.5 miles to its center) ; publiclandsdb.com has each unit's camping rules and boundary.

Waterfalls and swimming nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Mowich Lake Campground, in straight-line miles: Comet Falls (waterfall, 10 miles), Narada Falls (waterfall, 12 miles), and Green River Gorge (swimming hole, 26 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

First-come Evans Creek Group Campground Enumclaw · National Forest Season Not on record Fee $5 day use fee required at trailhead, campground and picnic area Reservable White River Campground Ashford · National Park Service Season Late June to Early September Fee $20/night Reservable Cougar Rock Group Campground Ashford · National Park Service Season Late May to Late September Fee $60 per group site per night Reservable Cougar Rock Campground Ashford · National Park Service Season Late May to Early October Fee $20/night

More campgrounds: camping near Carbonado and campgrounds in Pierce.

Sources

Photo credits

Reservable: Mount Rainier wilderness permit Wilderness permit required; reserved permits $6 plus $12 per person per night
Book a site