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Orthodox Campout at Mt. Rainier National Park
August 16-19, 2026
Where:
We have reserved two Group sites, F1 & F4 (F1 for overflow) at the Cougar Rock Campground, just up the road from the Longmire Lodge at Mt. Rainier National Park. The campground is accessible from the southwest entrance to the park via State Route 706 out of Elbe. It is accessible via Stevens Canyon Road off State Route 123 on the Eastside, a circuitous route.
We will headquarter for worship, meals & activities at group site F4, only tents are allowed in the group sites.
If you plan to bring an RV or would prefer a private site, you must make your own reservations! A number of campsites will be released for reservations on August 9, 2026, at exactly 7:00 AM PDT. Loop E is closest to the Group Sites with small sites while loop C has larger sites. There are no hook-ups in the Park. Website for National Park reservations: www.recreation.gov. Loop A is “First Come First Served” with no guarantee of availability.
Registration and Campout Fees:
Register and pay on the Parish Campout page at OrthodoxTacoma.com. Registration will close Monday, August 10, 2026. There are no refunds beyond that date.
$7.50 per person per meal, children, 4 & under do not pay. All eight meals: $60.00 per person.
Tent fee: $5.00 per tent per night, with $15.00 per tent for the three nights stay.
All meals are provided. Regular “Costco” type fare. We cannot make accommodation for food allergies. Private meals may not be made at site F4. Crews will be assigned for meal preparation & cleanup, sack lunches will be provided, and you may do whatever you wish during the day. Bring your favorite board games for afternoon down time. Evenings will include campfires, bring your instruments!
Park Entrance Fees:
The entrance fee is $30 for a privatevehicle with a seating capacity of 15 or less. These fees provide the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for Mount Rainier National Park. Annual passes, military and senior passes are available from the National Park Service.
Family Event!
This is a family event, we ask that no alcohol be consumed at the Group sites, F1 & F4. Parents are responsible for their children at all times! Please supervise children around the campfires and in food lines! Children should not play around cooking areas or in the U-Haul truck.
Schedule:
Third & Sixth Hours, short talk, 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast follows Hours
Hike departure 10-10:30 a.m. Lunch (whenever and wherever you like)
Vespers 6:00 p.m.
Dinner Follows Vespers
(Partial strike camp Tuesday after dinner)
Campfire 8:15 p.m. (Sunset)
Hiking & Other Activities:
Suggested equipment: rucksack for lunch, water bottle, sturdy shoes, socks & hat. We’ll discuss hikes at camp.Visit Paradise: Visitor center with activities for kids, wildflower walks; beautiful retro re-build of the original 1916 lodge, places to relax, snack bar with ice cream, etc.Visit Longmire: there is a beautiful 1.5 mile walk from Cougar Rock to Longmire, and the easy .7 mile Trail of the Shadows is there; there’s a camp store with ice cream, etc.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Shopping on Friday before the Campout, we depart for the Fife Business Costco at 10:00 a.m. Help load the U-Haul on Sunday after Liturgy! It’s very important to have volunteers to meet the U-Haul and help unpack at Holy Resurrection Church on Wednesday early afternoon. Many hands make light work! Holy Resurrection Church, 8710 28th Ave. E. Tacoma 98445.
Mt. Rainier National Park Campground Information and Regulations:
https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm#CP_JUMP_138249
Rules and Guidelines
Parents are responsible for the safety of their children at all times. They must know where their children are at all times. There are no camp activities scheduled or planned wherein children will not be under the immediate supervision of their parents.
No running through camp, especially around the campfires, barbecues and stoves. Children are asked not to put anything into the campfires. Children should not play around the grill, barbecue and stove.
Parents are asked to go through food lines with young children to assist with their choice of food and help them to their places with their plates.
A large U-Haul truck will be parked at the campsite. We ask that only people who are preparing or cleaning up after meals enter the truck.
Garbage bins will be placed near the clean-up table at the end of each meal. Please throw trash and other items into the bins – not the campfires!
Meal Prep & Cleanup
Campers are assigned to Meal Prep & Cleanup crews. Most people will have to assist multiple crews. Older children may be asked to help with simple tasks, but not around the stove, grill, or barbecue.
The categories for meal prep crews are:
Child ages 8-13: Simple tasks like assisting with lunch handouts.
Youth ages 14-17: Help with heavier items, cold food prep, but not around the stove, grill, or barbecue.
Adult ages 18-65: General assignments including cooking and washing up.
Seniors ages 65 & up: Same as adults within measure.
Meal prep sheets will be placed on the whiteboard with instructions for cooking and cleanup.
Names for each crew are listed on the whiteboard, and on the prep sheets.
People who are not assigned to a specific crew are encouraged to lend a hand. Many hands make light work.
Color specific aprons are provided to help identify members of your cooking or cleanup team.
Bins are labeled for various meals or service items. Ice chests are numbered, with a list posted in the U-Haul with their contents. Please check the content list to avoid opening and closing the ice chests.
Dinner and Breakfast will be prepared while Vespers or Hours are served. Please work quietly!
Note the difference between the white clean water and grey (used) water buckets!