Backpack - Ipsut Creek Camp

We will meet about two miles beyond the Carbon River Ranger Station, at the northwest entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.  You’ll come to a barricade across the road with two port-a-potties. This is the trailhead. Park along the side of the road clear of the road so others can pass.  Please display your national park pass or America the Beautiful Pass. We will meet at 10:00 am.

From Puyallup, drive 13 miles east on State Route 410 to Buckley, then turn right onto SR 165. Proceed to the bridge over the Carbon River Gorge and then bear left to Mount Rainier National Park's Carbon River Entrance. Driving time from Tacoma 75 to 90 minutes.

The Carbon River Ranger Station is located in a remodeled historic farmhouse approximately two miles outside of the Carbon River Entrance and 5.5 miles east of the Mowich Lake (SR165) junction.

Carbon River Ranger Station
(360) 829-9639

Preference to Tacoma Branch Introduction to Backpacking Students. Trip will open to all Mountaineers on May 1.

This is an easy single-night backpack trip to Ipsut Creek campground a few miles inside the Carbon River entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park.   The route closely follows the glacier-fed Carbon River making it a scenic and pleasant walk.  It offers a secluded camping experience .

Ipsut Creek Campground is located on the northwest side of Mount Rainier National Park and is accessible via a 5-mile dirt road from the Carbon River entrance. Due to the permanent closure of the Carbon River Road the Ipsut Creek Campground is being managed as a backcountry camp.  The hike to the campground is relatively flat and follows the Carbon River through a beautiful old-growth forest. It's a popular trail for day hikers, mountain bikers and backpackers.

The campground itself has 29 campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a primitive campground, meaning there are no flush toilets or running water, and campers must pack out all their trash. However, there are vault toilets and a nearby stream for water.

 The Ipsut Creek campground used to be a drive-up car campground until the Carbon River Road was permanently closed after it washed out in 2006.  The campground still has some amenities from its car-camping days including picnic tables, outhouses, bear boxes, etc., making it one of the better-appointed backcountry campsites one is likely to see

The pace will be easy pace, with a tentative goal of completing the five mile walk in about 3 to 4 hours.

I am 75 years old and have been backpacking for more than 55 years.  After returning from military service in Vietnam, I had the privilege of working as a seasonal national park ranger at Mt. Rainier NP, Olympic NP, Grand Canyon NP and Crater Lake NP.  Ipsut Creek Campground continues my favorite quick get aways and I looking forward to sharing it with you.