Summary
Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking in the beautiful natural surroundings.
One of the main reasons to visit Greenwater is to experience the natural beauty of the area, which includes lush forests, sparkling streams, and stunning mountain views. The recreation area is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, elk, and black bears, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at Greenwater include the beautiful Greenwater River, which is known for its excellent trout fishing, and the nearby Mount Rainier National Park, which features stunning alpine scenery and a range of recreational opportunities.
Interesting facts about the area include its historical significance as a pioneer settlement and logging town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The area was also used as a training ground for the US Army during World War II.
The best time of year to visit Greenwater is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and dry, and outdoor activities are at their peak. However, the area is also popular during the autumn months, when the fall foliage is at its most vibrant.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Salmon Creek Falls Campground
Packard Creek Campground
Packard Creek Group Campsite
Packard Creek
Blue Pool Campground (Middle Fork Ranger District)
Hampton