Campgrounds near Brinnon, Washington concentrate along the Hood Canal and Dosewallips River, providing diverse accommodation options within Olympic Peninsula's eastern edge. Dosewallips State Park Campground serves as the area's primary developed camping destination, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with reliable amenities. Nearby, Seal Rock Campground provides a more rustic experience with seasonal availability from May through September. Several smaller campgrounds like Cove RV Park provide additional options, with most facilities concentrated within a 20-mile radius of Brinnon's town center.
Access and facilities vary widely across seasons in this region, with many campgrounds maintaining year-round operations despite Pacific Northwest weather patterns. "We have camped here many times over the last year or two and always clean and friendly," noted one frequent visitor to Dosewallips State Park. Highway 101 provides the main access route to most camping areas, though some primitive sites require secondary road navigation. Campgrounds near the shoreline typically fill quickly during summer months, particularly on weekends, making advance reservations essential from June through September. Winter camping remains available at several locations, though with reduced services and sometimes limited to designated loops with hookups.
The Hood Canal shoreline and riverside locations represent primary attractions for campers in the Brinnon area. Visitors frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly the Roosevelt elk herds that frequent Dosewallips State Park. "Woke up to a gang of Elk right outside our front window, they stayed around about 2-3 hours," reported one camper. Shellfish harvesting provides another popular activity, with several campgrounds offering direct beach access for oyster and clam collection during appropriate seasons. Road noise impacts some camping areas, particularly those closest to Highway 101, though sites along the river or tucked into wooded sections tend to be quieter. The region's combination of forest, river, and saltwater environments creates diverse recreational opportunities within a relatively compact geographic area.
$12 - $50 / night
"The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."
"Dump station close by worked great on exit. Wooded with ferns. Rain was nice to enjoy through the windows."
$18 / night
"Seal Rock Campground is a nice quiet place tucked away just out side of Brinnon WA. All of the sites are dispersed in a nice forested area which lends for good privacy."
"Seal Rock campground is on the Hood canal side of the Olympic peninsula in Washington state. It's actually the second time we camped there, this time on July 3rd and 4th."
"Big spaces for tents tucked away from other campers. The beach is a short walk away. Real flushing toilets no porta potties. RV dump station only $5."
"Easily accessible water and easy access to the beach. We got a bit lost while walking the trails to the beach. More signs would be nice for fool's like us."
"Located on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula, Collins campground is a bit off the beaten path, which was what I was looking for during peak season in August."
"Disclaimer: the road from highway 101 to the campground has SO MANY potholes. Big ones that we had to navigate in our RV but nothing that made it too hard to access the campground."
$5 / night
"This is a hike-in campground down a 3.5 mile trail. It sees heavy use from locals on the weekend. There was plenty of room during the week when I was there."
"Lena Lake campground offers a rewarding view after a steady climb up meandering switchbacks. Started at the trailhead around 6 pm and made it to the campground around dusk."
$12 - $50 / night
"Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "
"On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around. The campground itself is situated close to the water with several loops, tightly packed together."
$44 - $49 / night
"This is our first trailer camping trip ever so we wanted to start small and close to home."
"Nice location for hiking or boating in the Hood Canal area, a great store, and fantastic and friendly management made this a very pleasant stay!"
$50 / night
"Nice wooded campground with access to the water. Plenty of opportunities for day hikes and not far from port orchard Washington. Some sites have hookups and others are dry camping."
"Trails, views, and history in walking distance. Coin operated showers and clean restrooms."
$7 - $95 / night
"2, #3, #4 are IMO best after that as they move away from the beach and then curve around in ascending order.
Some neighbor noise, sites are close, but was not busy."
"Great spot on the edge of bainbridge. Lots of spots depending on your preferred privacy level."
"There is a big field to play ride bikes walk dog etc . The beach is really nice and nearby and at low tide is so peaceful to take a walk. There’s group activities too which is great for the kids."
"Very quiet area, lots of room on site 9, walked to beach area. Bathrooms for camping have code, cleaned frequently. 5G service was fast. Very nice place."
TravelerWe are Washington residents and camped in early October of 2024. Our dogs loved the area and access to the river. The campsite had a lot of room and the facilities were clean.
TravelerWe stayed for for a couple of nights this week. Other than the camp host, we were the only ones there. Lots of trails to explore and fun beachcombing. Water was turned off for the season, but the restrooms were functional.
TravelerSun was forecast these few days so we took our R Pod and headed here. Other than the camp hosts, we are the only campers here. Water is shut off for the winter, but the restrooms were fully functional. Fun beach combing and several nice trail to explore.
ScoutNice campground with a spot on view of the Coupeville Ferry Terminal and a nice easy walk up to the fort itself. Water is turned off at the sites in winter but can get some at the spigot near the bathroom if needed. Not a ton of privacy but beautiful and right on the water!
ScoutNot a large spot but plenty of room for car camping or even a single tent. It does get cold up here was about 32F when I was there.
Travelerhost was very nice, site is right across from easy water access. beautiful kayaking and many harbor seals.
dont leave anything unattended by the boat launch, we were stupid enough to leave our paddles there and one was stolen overnight oddly enough.
also minutes from 2 margaritas! cute small mexican resteraunt with a nice breakfast menu
TravelerFantastic area
ScoutSuper empty and great heated bathrooms. Need access to the park to get in.
LegendThe campground (CG) is right off US-101, so it was easy to find. For an eastbound arrival, there’s a turn lane for the left turn across the highway. Our first impression was a nice CG in a forested setting. During check-in, we asked about the Good Sam discount, which wasn’t an option when we booked online; since we had already paid in full, they couldn’t apply the discount. We were then escorted to pull-through Site 814 with FHUs. The turn into the site was a little tight due to lava boulders (a recurring theme with most of the pull-through sites in this loop). The site was plenty long enough for our 40' toy hauler, with room to put the patio down and park our F450—though we did have to get a little creative squeezing the truck in. Water and electric were centered on the pad, but the sewer was at the back end of the site, so we needed 20+ feet of sewer hose. Water pressure was good, and we got a strong signal on our T-Mobile home internet, so we didn’t need to deploy Starlink. We had 4 bars of 5G on both Verizon and T-Mobile, and the campground Wi-Fi was better than most at 60.6 Mbps download. There’s also a decent-sized fenced dog area. Overall, this was a solid CG that worked well as a base to explore Olympic National Park.
Campsites near Brinnon, Washington cluster along the eastern Olympic Peninsula where the Dosewallips River meets Hood Canal. The area experiences moderate rainfall year-round with summer temperatures typically ranging 65-75°F and winter temperatures around 35-45°F. Water access varies significantly by location, with some campgrounds offering direct beach or river frontage.
Oyster harvesting on Hood Canal: At Seal Rock Campground, the beach provides excellent shellfish gathering opportunities. "We stayed here for our annual family shrimping trips. During our time shrimping, we also head out and get oysters and clams. The oysters are so abundant and you are able to crack open a few and eat them there on the beach!" reports Mary C.
Hiking to waterfalls: From Collins Campground, campers can access nearby trails leading to secluded water features. "There is a hike with a trailhead 2 miles from the campsite. We walked there and it was a milder way walk uphill to the trail head and then the .8 mile hike heads to a pretty waterfall which you can walk behind," notes Asia M.
Mushroom hunting: Fall visitors to Hamma Hamma Campground can combine fishing with foraging. "I love coming up here in the fall to catch a few trout (it's catch and release) and look for chanterelles. It's a chilly damp area, hence all the mushrooms," shares Ryan L.
Private river sites: Many campsites offer personal water access points away from crowds. "Amazing little campground all sites except for two or on the river quiet clean bathrooms," says Tyler S. about Collins Campground.
Backpacking destinations: More adventurous visitors appreciate the Lena Lake Campground for its balance of accessibility and wilderness feel. "A gorgeous 3.5 mile hike through a forest, plenty of places to rest or to pull over and take pictures. There is camp sites scattered along the lake as well," writes Camiren R.
Bird watching opportunities: The tidal changes create excellent wildlife viewing conditions. "As the tide comes and goes, so does the water fowl. Nice campground, open sites, full hook ups," notes Kari R. about Belfair State Park Campground.
Varying site privacy: Campground layouts differ significantly across the region. At Fay Bainbridge Park, "The tent spots are clustered together in 2 areas with a shared covered pavilion," according to Sable, while other parks offer more separation.
Road conditions: Access roads to more remote sites can be challenging. Asia M. warns about Collins Campground: "The road from highway 101 to the campground has SO MANY potholes. Big ones that we had to navigate in our RV but nothing that made it too hard to access the campground."
Seasonal bathrooms: Facility maintenance varies throughout the year. "Bathrooms for camping have code, cleaned frequently," notes Mike D. about Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground, though others report closures during shoulder seasons.
Beach exploration: Look for low tide activities with children. "There is a bit of beach access and a nature trail that runs along the shore. My littles love all the trees and hidey holes they can get into during our stay," shares Mary C. about Seal Rock Campground.
Playground access: Scenic Beach State Park Campground offers dedicated play areas. "The kids loved the playgrounds and the beach, which had great views of the Hood Canal and the Olympics," says Brown Sign Junkies.
Swimming options: Water temperatures vary by location. "Bring your swim stuff, there's excellent swimming in the afternoon! All of the campsites are very private and nicely spaced," recommends Beth N. about Scenic Beach State Park.
Hookup availability: Electric and water options vary widely. "Plenty of FHU sites and loads of camping sites. RV sites are blacktop and level. Some sites have partial hookups w/o septic. Dump station is on site," explains James and Susan K. about Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Site selection guidance: Choose specific sites for optimal experiences. Amy & Stu B. advises: "The sites were level spacious and had a fire ring and picnic table at each. We chose the full hookup option. Firewood could be purchased through the camp host."
Water pressure considerations: Utilities can be inconsistent across locations. At Kitsap Memorial State Park, "Water pressure is low, averaging just over 20psi," reports K D., which may impact RV water systems requiring minimum pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Brinnon, WA?
Brinnon offers several excellent camping options. Seal Rock Campground is a quiet, forested retreat with dispersed sites providing good privacy and beach access perfect for fishing, clamming, and shrimping. Dosewallips State Park Campground features well-maintained grounds with easy access to hiking trails of varying difficulty. Both are convenient to Brinnon while offering distinct experiences—Seal Rock provides a more secluded forest setting, while Dosewallips offers more developed facilities. For those seeking additional options, consider the nearby Olympic National Park campgrounds which provide access to the region's natural beauty.
What amenities are available at camping sites near Brinnon, Washington?
Camping sites near Brinnon offer varied amenities to suit different camping styles. Falls Creek Campground provides adequate facilities including showers, with beautiful creek-side locations and lake access. For RV campers, Cove RV Park & Country Store offers drive-in access with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. More rustic options like Hamma Hamma Campground provide basic amenities such as vault toilets with boat-in or drive-in access. Most public campgrounds in the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water, though hook-ups are typically limited to private RV parks.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Brinnon, WA?
The optimal camping season for Brinnon is late spring through early fall (May-September). Summer offers the most reliable weather with warmer temperatures and less rainfall, making it ideal for water activities and hiking. Staircase Campground in nearby Olympic National Park is particularly beautiful during summer months when the river access is most enjoyable. Fall brings spectacular foliage, especially at Graves Creek Campground, though prepare for cooler nights and more precipitation. Winter camping is possible but challenging with temperatures potentially dropping below freezing and increased rainfall. Always check campground seasonal operating dates, as some close during winter months.
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