Ashford in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Historic Paradise Camp Lodge
Mount Rainier National Park
| — | National Park Service | — |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 28, 2026
1. Historic Paradise Camp Lodge Marker
Remnants of the historic Paradise Lodge building lie buried beneath this site. Built in 1918, the lodge mirrored the Paradise Inn’s rustic design, with a steeply pitched roof for shedding snow and shingle siding with log façade. It overlooked Paradise Valley and the Tatoosh Range and provided a commanding view of Mount Rainier.
Services offered here were an economical alternative to meals and accommodations at the nearby Paradise Inn. The lodge was demolished in the mid-1950s to make room for additional parking.
In 2006, prior to construction of the visitor center, archeologists explored this site for remains of the lodge. Along the sections of the original building’s foundation they found flooring and structural basement components, plus articles left behind by early visitors and employees including ski pole baskets, glass, dinnerware, a partially full whiskey bottle, and other personal items.
Making History
Four pieces of the original foundation mark the corners of the lodge in the landscaping before you. On either side of you, in the plaza surface, rock continues to outline with the remaining outline buried beneath the visitor
this page online
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
Location. 46° 47.149′ N, 121° 44.184′ W. Marker is in Ashford, Washington, in Pierce County. It is on Paradise Road. Marker is located next to the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashford WA 98304, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region and in Greater Seattle. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: An Ancient Community (a few steps from this marker); Exploring Paradise (within shouting distance of this marker); Paradise Ranger Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026
2. Historic Paradise Camp Lodge Marker
More about this marker. The background of the marker contains a photo of the Paradise Camp Lodge. To the left is a photo with a caption of “Archeology crews work to expose the southwest corner of the historic building’s foundation. This corner lies behind you, now under the visitor center." To the right is a diagram of the footprint of the new visitor center overlying the footprint of the former Paradise Camp Lodge Building.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026
3. Historic Paradise Camp Lodge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
