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Lillian — Olympic National Park

Hikers seeking backcountry camping along the Elwha River will find Lillian campground requires a 4-mile trek from Whiskey Bend Road. This primitive site sits directly beside the Elwha River within Olympic National Park, offering first-come, first-served spots for backpackers willing to carry their gear into the forest.

The campground provides basic infrastructure including one pit toilet and prestrung bear wires positioned away from the camping areas. Campers must filter water from the river and either bring bear canisters or use the provided bear cables to store food safely. Lucy L. notes the site was "directly next to the river" with additional spots "set back away from the river as well."

Weather conditions significantly impact the experience here. Several reviewers encountered fog and rain that limited visibility on nearby trails, though summer months tend to offer the most reliable conditions. The Lillian Ridge Trail provides access to mountain goat and pika viewing opportunities for those who make the climb. Firewood collection requires hiking back up the trail to find dry sources.

Crowding becomes an issue during peak summer months, particularly in July when multiple reviews mention busy conditions on surrounding trails. For those exploring beyond this backcountry site, camping spots around Olympic National Park offer additional options with varying access requirements.

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Location

Public Campground

Lillian — Olympic National Park is located in Washington

Coordinates

47.93849169 N
123.51478 W

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General Info

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Drive Time

2 hrs 15 min from Bremerton, WA
2 hrs 36 min from Seattle, WA
3 hrs 5 min from Olympia, WA
3 hrs 6 min from Mount Vernon, WA

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5 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned the stunning riverside setting and spacious primitive sites along the Elwha River. Several reviews noted weather challenges but emphasized the beautiful rainforest experience for those prepared for backcountry conditions.

Sasha W.

Legend

Reviewed Dec. 27, 2019

Gorgeous!

The Olympic National Park is one of my favorite places in Washington. There are so many great hikes nearby you don’t want to miss out! I think the best time to do is during the summer because the weather is the best this time of year. If you go in the spring there is still snow at some campgrounds and hiking areas. The fall is gorgeous here because of all the changing colors! Lillian Ridge Trail is amazing and a must do!! The views at the top are incredible. You’ll also see some wildlife- mountain goats and Pikas. We saw a cute little Pika family, with the little Pikas crying on a rock to their mother. We got the best weather in July, although it was VERY busy!! We did a few hikes nearby, all of which were full of people. Please look ahead if dogs are allowed or not. Highly recommend!

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Melani T.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2018

Great spot

Really liked this campground- we actually didn't stay too long, though. We were headed up toward Bellingham area, and decided to take a pit stop and stay here 1 night and do some hiking the next morning before arriving in Bellingham. I wish we would have just kept driving though, because the weather wasn't too good. We woke up and were socked in with fog and rain. We decided to hike anyways because we really wanted to get a hike in in this area. As you can see from the pictures, it was very foggy and no view. At the end of the day, I was glad that we ended up hiking this beautiful area. Thankfully the rest of our trip in Washington was sunny and so beautiful. The campground looked really nice, big spaces. We actually ended up sleeping in our car because we didn't feel like setting up our tent in the rain. We got to the campground around 7:30pm, so it was already getting dark and it was super wet and muddy. Sleeping in the car worked great and we stayed warm and dry. The restrooms were within walking distance, and seemed pretty clean. There was only 1 other car in the campground that we saw!

Month of VisitJuly

(10) View All

Evelyn R.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

Loved it!

Really enjoyed our stay here and our stay in Washington in general. Although the weather was iffy here the 3 weeks we were visiting, I would still recommend coming and visiting. Washington has some of the best hikes!! It did rain quite a bit which was a bummer, but we enjoyed our stay. We really liked this campground, and thought it would be a place we would come back and stay. We brought our RV all the way from Kentucky, and it fit perfectly in the campsite we got. We reserved our spot ahead of time, but we came in May so it wasn’t busy. We could have just come that day and got s spot, but I’m sure once summer hits it’s busy. We did some awesome hiking!!! Although it was foggy and rained on most of our hikes, we still loved every second of it. We also enjoyed some of the restaurants nearby and shopping about an hour away. Our dog loved hiking with his too!

Month of VisitMay

(5) View All

Toby R.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2018

Prepare for rain and bring a camera.

I would advise against camping during stormy weather, but if you've packed in everything you'll need your rain forest experience will be an awesome adventure.

Lucy L.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2017

Incredible riverside primitive camp

We were backpacking the Elwha river trail in Olympic National Park and decided to stay at Lillian base camp for a night. We hiked 4miles into the forest from whiskey bend road and we were astonished! The river and the sites were breathtaking!

There is one pot toilet in an "outhouse" and they also have prestrung bear wires set up in a section of camp away from the sites. Obviously, this site is primitive and you will need to filter your water from the river and try to have a bear canister with you as well. If you do not have a bear canister you are required to use the bear wire to keep everyone safe.

Dry wood was difficult to find for a fire, but not impossible. We chose to hike back up the trail a bit to find some.

This site was gorgeous! Directly next to the river(there are a couple of sites set back away from the river as well). It's a first come, first serve basis but there is plenty of room.

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping facilities are available at Lake Lillian in Olympic National Park?

Lake Lillian offers basic backcountry camping facilities. The site features a pit toilet in an outhouse structure. As a backcountry site, visitors should expect minimal amenities and should pack in everything they need for their stay. The camp provides access to the Elwha River and serves as a good base for exploring nearby hiking trails. Be prepared for potentially wet weather as this area can experience significant rainfall typical of the Olympic rainforest environment.

Are permits required for camping at Lake Lillian in Olympic National Park?

Yes, permits are required for camping at Lake Lillian. As a backcountry campsite within Olympic National Park, you'll need to obtain a wilderness camping permit before your trip. These permits help park management regulate usage and protect the natural environment. For the most current permit information, fees, and reservation procedures, check with Olympic National Park's Wilderness Information Center. It's advisable to secure permits well in advance, especially during the summer months when demand is highest.

Where is Lake Lillian located in Olympic National Park?

Lake Lillian (also called Lillian Camp) is located about 4 miles into the forest from Whiskey Bend Road along the Elwha River Trail in Olympic National Park. It serves as a base camp for hikers exploring the Elwha River region of the park. The location offers breathtaking views of the river and surrounding rainforest environment, making it a popular destination for backpackers venturing into this section of the park.

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