Camping

About Camping

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  Backcountry Camp at Big Thicket National Preserve

  Big Thicket National Preserve

  Choose Your Own Adventure You can camp in the preserve’s backcountry with a free permit. Many miles of trails on land and water offer backpacking opportunities for hikers and paddlers. Backcountry camping is the only kind of camping available in Big Thicket National Preserve. There are no campgrounds in the preserve, though other public lands have campgrounds nearby . Get Your Permit Go to the visitor center to get a free camping permit. You’ll need to know where and when you’ll be camping. If you’re unsure, ask a ranger for their recommendations. Choose Where to Camp Camping areas vary by season. In spring and summer, you can camp in most of the preserve. In fall and winter, during hunting season (Oct 1–Feb 28), camping is limited to areas that do not allow hunting. Turkey Creek Unit – all year Neches River Corridor – all year on Neches River sandbars Neches Bottom & Jack Gore Baygall Unit – all year with restrictions: camping during hunting season limited to Neches River sandbars Beaumont Unit – spring–summer only Beech Creek Unit – spring–summer only Big Sandy Creek Unit – spring–summer only Canyonlands Unit – spring–summer only Lance Rosier Unit – spring–summer only Loblolly Unit – spring–summer only Village Creek Corridor – spring–summer only More Information Our backcountry camping page has all the information you need to plan your trip, including camping rules and regulations, FAQs, and more.

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  Camping at Mount Rainier

  Mount Rainier National Park

  Plan a relaxing stay at one of Mount Rainier National Park’s campgrounds . Stay on the west side at Cougar Rock in between Longmire and Paradise or on the east side at Ohanapecosh or White River Campground. The camping season starts late May depending on snow melt and goes until October. Check the Operating Hours of the campgrounds in between seasons to confirm open status. NOTE: Ohanapecosh Campground is CLOSED in 2026 due to the Ohanapecosh Campground rehabilitation project . Located in the southeast corner of the park, Ohanapecosh Campground , named for a Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz) Indian habitation site along the river, is thought to mean “standing at the edge.” Situated among Douglas-firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks, visitors to Ohanapecosh can experience the beauty and complexity of an old-growth forest. The east side of the park is also somewhat drier and sunnier than the west side, making it a good destination when Paradise and Longmire are wet and foggy. Cougar Rock Campground is located in the southwest section of Mount Rainier National Park. This campground sits just above 3,000 feet in elevation and is the closest drive-in campground to the Longmire and Paradise areas. You can easily spend a few nights at Cougar Rock exploring everything the park has to offer. White River Campground is located 12 miles from the Sunrise Visitor Center in the northeast section of Mount Rainier National Park. From glaciers high on the northeast side of Mount Rainier, waters collect, create, and give name to the White River. The river cuts down from opulent subalpine meadows, down through immense lava flows, through steep valleys and flows out the northeast corner of the park. With wildflowers and wildlife, dramatic rocks and scenic vistas, the White River and Sunrise areas continue to draw in many people over the summer months. Reservations To obtain camp sites, please make reservations on Recreation.gov and obtain your park pass. Camping cost is $20 per night for up to 14 days. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance or 1 week in advance. Reserve sites at the Cougar Rock by visiting Recreation.gov . For first-come, first-served sites at Cougar Rock, pay at the campground office window. White River Campground is first-come, first-served ONLY. To secure a campsite, use the Recreation.gov Mobile App Scan and Pay. Find and set up up camp at an unoccup…

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  Wilderness Camping at Mount Rainier National Park

  Mount Rainier National Park

  Approximately 97% of Mount Rainier National Park is designated wilderness, with only a small part of the park easily accessed along road corridors. Hiking and wilderness camping provides a way to explore this wilderness and experience a greater portion of the park. Most backpackers prefer to use the established designated trailside camps along the park’s trail system. Camping along trails is only permitted at these established camps. All camps have primitive toilet facilities, marked sites, food storage poles (bear poles) for hanging food and garbage, and a nearby water source. Resources for planning wilderness camping trip: Wilderness Guidelines & Regulations Trail & Backcountry Camp Conditions Wilderness Trip Planner (PDF) Permits A permit is required year-round for all overnight stays in the backcountry. A wilderness permit allows the permit holder and their group to camp in a designated camp or area. A climbing fee and registration is required for travel above 10,000 feet or on glaciers. Permits must be obtained in person at a wilderness information center or visitor center. Walk-up permits are available year-round. Advanced reservations are available for the peak season (June-September) on Recreation.gov . For details on wilderness permit reservations, including applying for the early access lottery, visit the wilderness permit webpage. Party Size Summer: Party size is limited to 5 people for camping in individual sites at trailside designated camps, camping off-trail in cross-country zones, and camping on bare ground in alpine zones. Parties may not exceed five people. Party size for “groups” is defined as 6 to 12 people. Group camping is permitted at specific group sites at 25 designated camps, and when camping on snow in alpine zones. Winter: Party size is limited to 12 people for all areas. Large group (over 12 people) winter camping is available at Paradise by reservation. More on winter camping at Paradise. Safety Hikers need to emphasize personal safety as they journey by foot through the backcountry and along many of the popular trails. For trail conditions and information , talk with a ranger at any visitor center or wilderness information center. Be prepared for encounters with wildlife . Use the following tips to keep your journey safe: Protect yourself by wearing appropriate outdoor clothing including footwear. Be prepared. Carry the ten ess…

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  Visit the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes

  Kobuk Valley National Park

  Arctic Sand Dunes The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are unlike any dune complex in North America. Where else can one discover tracks from grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves converging on such otherworldly terrain? A place where Boreal Forest, tundra, and brush collide with glacially pulverized sand. Most people fly to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes so make sure when planning your itinerary there is some cushion for weather. One never knows what the weather will be like in northwest Alaska so be ready for flight delays. When packing for the trip don't forget your sunscreen and rain jacket as you may use both in a single day. Bugs abound in the summer so bring a head net. It can be windy out on the dunes as you are extremely exposed. Don't forget to bring layers.

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  Float the Kobuk River

  Kobuk Valley National Park

  Calm Kobuk The Kobuk River is a source of life to many in Northwest Alaska. It hosts caribou migrations, the return of salmon from the Pacific Ocean, and a waterway of transporation for the people of Northwest Alaska. Although the segment of the river which flows through Kobuk Valley National Park is not designated as wild or scenic, those who float it still find recreation, rest, and remoteness like no other with areas of bushwhacking access to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and unbound wilderness. The Kobuk River is a great place for experienced backcountry campers and intermediate in float trips. Its waters are usually slow and calm, but always check weather conditions as winds can blow upriver so furiously that visitors have had to paddle with the rivers' flow to make any progress. The Kobuk can have more traffic on it depending on the time of year one floats it with local people utilizing it for motorboat transportation and subsistence purposes via fishing and hunting. Please be respectful to all subsistence users while floating the river.

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