Bear Creek Campground is one of several pet-friendly camping options near Beaver, Washington, located in Olympic National Forest. This first-come, first-served DNR campground features 14 campsites nestled among tall, mossy trees along a one-way loop. The sites accommodate tents and RVs up to 30 feet, with several pull-through options available. Each campsite includes picnic tables and fire rings with natural vegetation providing separation between neighbors. A short trail leads to the Sol Duc River, offering water access for dogs. The campground operates without reservations and requires a Discover Pass for entry.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Sol Duc Hot Springs is close to waterfall trails accessible for most skill levels. "There's a short 1 mile hike to the falls," notes a visitor at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground. The Sol Duc Falls trail passes through the campground and "is a very easy hike (we took a two year old and he walked 50% of it) and very rewarding."
Hot springs soaking: Purchase timed entry to the hot springs pools near Sol Duc campground. "Entrance fee for hot spring is not included in your campsite so select a 60-90 min block of time and pay almost $20 to soak," explains a camper. The pools are "well maintained ($15 to get in), there's locker rooms with showers and there's also a diner."
River exploration: Multiple campgrounds offer river access for cooling off, fishing, or relaxation. At Hoh Oxbow Campground, "set pretty close to Highway 101 a mile or so south of the turnoff to the Hoh Rainforest," you can "snag one of the few spots right along the slow, cold and deep Hoh River and have a perfect view from your tent or trailer."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feeling at forest campgrounds. At Fairholme Campground, "sites weren't very private. Most other campers were respectful of others," though some note it can get noisy on weekends. The campground offers "beautiful lake views" where some campers "kept my kayak at the spot and just carried it down to a launch spot."
Proximity to beaches: Easy access to coastal areas makes for great day trips. From Bogachiel State Park, visitors note it's "a good spot to stay to be close to Hoh Rainforest and Forks" and serves as "a great base camp to explore the western side of Olympic National Park." One camper shared it was "well located" with "proximity to Hoh and Rialto beach."
Wildlife viewing: The Olympic Peninsula offers chances to spot diverse wildlife. At Hoh Campground, one visitor recalled, "Woke up surrounded by a herd of Red Elk." Another camper described how the area allowed them to "observe a herd of Elk browsing on this herbivore salad bar. It's exceptional."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary widely: Vault toilets at some campgrounds receive mixed reviews. At Bear Creek - State Forest, visitors mention "2 vault toilets, but not very clean." Another camper notes, "Scary toilets, bring TP," suggesting you should pack your own toilet paper.
Weather preparedness essential: The Olympic Peninsula receives significant rainfall. A Sol Duc visitor warns, "It was very humid and everything was covered in a layer of dew in the morning." Another camper recommends, "It is WA so plan on getting wet and muddy. Everything was constantly wet around Sol Duc. Plan and pack accordingly!"
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Hoh Oxbow, "you occasionally hear the logging trucks up the road, but the river mostly drowned out the noise." Bear Creek State Forest campers note there is "road noise, but did quiet at night."
Tips for camping with families
Check for kid-friendly hiking options: Some trails work well for young children. At Mora Campground, a visitor suggests "Walk the mile and a half down beach to get to hole in the wall and experience beautiful tide pooling." However, timing matters: "important to get a tide schedule before heading to Hole in the Rock on Rialto Beach."
Plan for limited phone service: Cell coverage is sporadic throughout the region. At Fairholme, visitors report it's a "Super forested camp ground so privacy was pretty good" but with "no tv, wifi or phone service so this is a perfect park to relax and get away from the world."
Pack extra clothing and towels: The damp climate means multiple clothing changes may be needed. At Hoh campground, visitors warn, "prepare for precipitation! It was very humid and everything was covered in a layer of dew in the morning."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs equally. At Forks 101 RV Park, "The back in sites are small and close together" but there are also "pull through sites on grass" and "full hook ups." A visitor noted, "Very quiet and easy to find. We got in and out with no problem."
Advance planning recommended: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Sol Duc Hot Springs, a visitor warns "The registration process for this campground is confusing, if you show up without reservations." They recommend making "reservations for this place!"
Campground access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access points. At Bear Creek State Forest, a camper advises, "Great campground for tents, vans, and shorter trailers. There are about 3 sites that will accommodate trailers up to 32 feet. There are 2 pull through sites."
Guide
