Ohanapecosh Accessibility

The Ohanapecosh River running through the campground.

NPS Photo

 

 

Named for a Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz) Indian habitation site along the river, Ohanapecosh is thought to mean “standing at the edge.” Experience the beauty and complexity of an old-growth forest situated among Douglas-firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks. The east side of the park is somewhat drier and sunnier than the west side, making it a good destination when Paradise and Longmire are wet and foggy. Ohanapecosh is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the park boundary on State Route 123 and 36 miles (58 km) east of the Nisqually Entrance via park roads. Check road status for current conditions.

Parking

The parking area in front of the visitor center has:

• 8 standard spaces
• 1 standard accessible space

Public Buildings

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center

The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center consists of a large room with exhibits and a small bookstore alcove. Paths leading to the visitor center slope upward from the parking lot and are uneven concrete, there is a bump at the entrance to the building, once inside the floors are smooth. There is a plaza outside along the west side of the building; the ground is uneven composite asphalt. The plaza is partially shaded with a view of the forest and includes a bench and an outdoor tree ring exhibit.

Information desk: The desk has a lower area to the left as you enter, an accessible purchasing interface is located here.

Exhibits: There is an oversized tactile map. The video "By the Water's Edge: the History of Ohanapecosh" has audio description available and can be viewed at a digital kiosk in the exhibits area.

Bookstore: There is a small alcove with a book and gift sales area. Employees are available to reach items on higher shelves.

Restrooms: There are accessible restrooms just outside the entrance to the visitor center to the right before you enter, attached to the building.

Food: There is not an area to purchase food at the visitor center.

Ohanapecosh Campground Information Window: The window is located to the right of the front door to the visitor center. The window is not wheelchair accessible.

Restrooms

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center
The restrooms are located outside the entrance to the visitor center, to the right as you face the building. They are designated “men” and “women”.

Women’s restroom:

• 2 stalls total, 1 is wheelchair accessible
• running water with covered pipe under the sink
• flush toilets
• no baby changing table

Men’s restroom:

• 1 wheelchair accessible stall, 1 urinal
• running water with covered pipe under the sink
• flush toilets
• no baby changing table

 

Tables at Ohanapecosh Picnic Area, located in campground Loop A

NPS Photo

Water Fountains and Refill Stations

There is an accessible water fountain near the restroom just outside the front entrance to the visitor center.

Wifi and Cell Service

There is public wifi at the visitor center that can be weak or intermittent. There is no cell service at Ohanapecosh.

Paths

The paths from the parking lot to the visitor center are uneven sloping concrete.

Lodging

There is no lodging at Ohanapecosh.

Dining

There is no dining at Ohanapecosh.

Picnic Areas

Ohanapecosh Campground
A picnic area is located in the Ohanapecosh Campground in Loop A. There picnic tables are on hard packed dirt next to a parking area. Grills are available near the picnic tables. The nearest restroom and parking area are not accessible.

Box Canyon Picnic Area
The Box Canyon Picnic Area is area located approximately 12 miles west of Ohanapecosh off of Stevens Canyon Road, just east of the tunnel.

Camping

Ohanapecosh Campground
Ohanapecosh has a large campground with many sites overlooking the Ohanapecosh River.

• Sites D014, D020, and D021 have packed dirt parking areas, accessible picnic tables, fire rings, and firm gravel tent pads. Sites are mostly level, with a 2-6 inch (5-15cm) ledge up to the tent pads.

• The restroom in Loop D is accessible.

 

Viewpoints

• Box Canyon, off Stevens Canyon Road offers beautiful views of the area and the rustic Box Canyon Bridge. There is a tunnel about 100 feet west of the bridge, with dramatic bare rock walls. There is a paved path from the parking lot that steeply slopes down to an overlook with a view of the bridge and a large glacier-carved rock. There is a narrow sidewalk that leads from the parking lot to the bridge, with a view far below of the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River rushing through the canyon. Across the road from the parking lot there is a paved path leading to a footbridge and several steps.

• Backbone Ridge is accessed via a large pullout along Stevens Canyon Road at the high point of the ridge, providing views of Mount Rainier looking northwest and the Tatoosh Wilderness to the southwest. A sidewalk borders the pullout, leading to several picnic tables.

Trails

There are no accessible trails at Ohanapecosh. The campground has a paved road throughout, used by both cars and pedestrians, with views of the forest and river.

The Box Canyon Loop Trail is 0.5 miles long and paved. Starting from the east side of Box Canyon Bridge, the trail follows the edge of the canyon northwest towards Mount Rainier, crosses the canyon over a wood footbridge, then follows the other side of the canyon back to Stevens Canyon Road. The western side of the trail has several steps. Rounded, exposed bedrock borders the trail on the east side of the canyon. Look for fine striations or scratches across the rock’s surface left behind by the movement of past glaciers that once filled this canyon.

Things to Do

• Go fishing in the Ohanapecosh river.
• Join a Ranger-led program.
• Drive along Stevens Canyon Road to view the geologic features, wildflowers, and expansive views.

Winter at Ohanapecosh

Ohanapecosh is closed in winter, typically from October-June.

NPS Mobile App

The NPS App is accessible and includes alt text for images. Mount Rainier National Park does not have cell service in many areas; download the NPS App prior to coming to the park. Features available include:

• Exhibit panel descriptions
• Things to do in the park
• Details about amenities
• News, calendar, and passport stamp locations
• Audio description tours of the visitor centers

 

 

Area Maps:

 

A map of the accessible features at Ohanapecosh

 

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