Introduction:
Mounthaven Resort offers cabins and RV sites in a heavily treed environment just a mile from the southwestern entrance of Mount Rainier National Park
Click here to read about our criteria for campground reviews.
The Basics:
Overall Rating: 3.6/5
Price per night / Discounts: $64.00 / None
Campground website: Mounthaven Resort
Our Site #: 6
Privacy Rating (how spacious and private do the sites feel):
3.5/5: Mounthaven Resort offers 16 campsites arranged in a circle around several central buildings and a large lawn. The resort is also home to a number of cabins and cottages. The RV sites are inconsistent with some offering more space than others, but because of all the trees, most of the sites seemed decent enough to sit outside. We probably had one of the best sites as far as space goes. Our site (#6) was extremely large and offered plenty of privacy.
Location Rating (accessibility to points of interest or to major highways):
4.5/5: If your goal is to explore Mount Rainier National Park, it's hard to find a better private campground. Mounthaven Resort is located just a mile from the Nisqually entrance. However, be forewarned, the drive to "civilization" - where you can get all the things you might require, is long. So come prepared. There are some small market type grocery stores in the area, but if you're looking for a regular supermarket (e.g.: Safeway) or chain pharmacy or auto parts store, you're looking at a good 45 minute drive.
Site Quality and Big Rig Accessibility Rating (utilities and accessibility of campground hook ups):
3.5/5: Our site was level, large, and our utilities worked well. (Note: Sites only offer 30 amp. and according to some campendium reviews, some sites have weak electric.) Not all sites can handle all RVs and it is easy to get stuck in certain locations if you're not paying attention. Also, the entrance into the park goes across a very narrow bridge and the signage at the entrance isn't great. The folks in the front office know what sites to assign people and will make sure you can get into your site, but it's not a place you can just show up with no reservations and assume you can go wherever you want.
Technology and Customer Service Rating (online resources, reservations, campground wifi, and staff):
4.5/5: You have to call for reservations, but their website is informative. Additionally, and crucially, their wifi was actually solid. This was important because cell service in the area is almost non-existent. Customer service is very friendly and helpful.
Overall Value Rating (the overall value of the campground; was it overpriced for what it was?):
2.0/5: Mounthaven is extremely expensive. Not only is the base rate high - $64 per night + tax, but they also charge an additional $3.00 per night for dogs. They offer no dog park or obvious place to take the dog, no doggie bags or anything like that. It's just an extra cost tacked onto the already sky high price of an overnight stay. The one great thing is the park's access to the national park, but $67 per night for any RV site anywhere is just obscene.
Summary:
Mounthaven offers a very convenient, heavily wooded campground right outside the west entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. For access to the park, you can't do much better, and it is, objectively, a nice park under a huge canopy of trees. The owners are very friendly and the place has a nice feel. However, they charge an exorbitant nightly rate, plus nickel and dime you for extra costs like your dog - even though the campground offers no discernible benefit for dogs. Mounthaven's location means you're in the middle of nowhere, which is fine, but just remember that before arriving so you'll be well prepared. All in all, we'd recommend this place, but only for a short stay to keep costs in check.
