Glamping close to Brinnon, Washington offers year-round accommodation options with rainfall averaging 80-100 inches annually on the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula. Situated at sea level along Hood Canal, the area provides access to both lowland forests and mountain terrain. Overnight temperatures can drop to the 40s even in summer months, requiring appropriate gear for all seasons.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: Accessible from Kitsap Memorial State Park, where visitors can examine marine life and collect shellfish with proper licensing. "A short trail brings you to a beautiful ampitheater amongst the trees," notes Valerie J., who found the park to be a "beautiful oasis" despite its compact size.
River access for fishing: The Dosewallips River provides seasonal trout fishing opportunities at Hamma Hamma Campground. "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.
Mountain hiking: Trails from campgrounds lead to alpine areas with significant elevation gain. "We trekked out to Lena Lake, or just explore the river from your campsite. It's such a great campground, we try to go several times each year," reports Melissa J. about Hamma Hamma Campground, adding "On a warm summer day there are some great swimming holes that are actually warm enough to enjoy!"
What campers like
Private riverfront sites: Many campers prefer spots away from developed areas. "Do not choose a site by the cabins or field, you will be disappointed. Choose a large site by the river!" advises Michele K. about Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings occur regularly throughout the area. "Great campsite has elk that walk through it and is right on the river. There are several hiking trails that start from the campground. Make sure and go to near by Hama Hama for their oysters," recommends Dean from Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Mushroom foraging: Fall brings chanterelle mushroom hunting opportunities in damp forest areas. The chilly, wet conditions create ideal growing environments for edible mushrooms, particularly after September rains. Experienced foragers recommend bringing identification guides and proper collection containers.
What you should know
Limited cellular coverage: Mobile service varies widely throughout the region. "Verizon and AT&T worked with about one bar" according to Amy & Stu B. at Dosewallips State Park, while other areas have no service at all. Download maps before arrival.
Seasonal crowding: Summer weekends require advance planning. At Staircase Campground, "all walkup sites so make sure to get there early," advises Mat G., who also "saw two bald eagles on the way in."
Water access limitations: Some campgrounds advertise water access that requires effort to reach. Elizabeth K. notes about Hamma Hamma Campground: "The river is very nice, but it is surprisingly difficult to access from the campground even though is only a couple dozen yards away."
Weather variability: Even summer conditions can change rapidly. "We hit snow about 1 mile past Lena Lake. We continued another mile crossing several downed trees and snow patches before deciding to turn back," reports Lance R. about conditions at Upper Lena Lake in mid-June.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Dash Point State Park, "there's a day use lake and we had a wonderful time camping here!" according to Brittany L., who rated the experience highly.
Consider spacing between sites: Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and loops. "I was impressed by how spread apart the sites were, I think they could have fit another in between each of them!" says Katie S. about Dash Point State Park.
Check bathroom facilities: Facilities range from flush toilets to primitive options. "Bathrooms with warm water (one shower per bathroom). No laundry, no Wi-Fi," reports Amy & Stu B., who appreciated the wildlife viewing opportunities despite limited amenities at Dosewallips State Park.
Watch for road noise: Some campgrounds sit near busy routes. "There is a little bit of road noise, and a lot of the sites have no privacy, but it is a nicely maintained campground with nice bathrooms!" notes Delaney M. about Dosewallips State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for easier backing: Look for pull-through options when available. "RV sites 1, 2, 4, 9, and 11 will be easier to back in to. The other full hook up sites are 90° approaches," advises K D. about Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground.
Water pressure considerations: Some campgrounds have inconsistent utility service. "Water pressure is low, averaging just over 20psi," notes K D. about Kitsap Memorial, information critical for RVers planning to use onboard plumbing.
Spacing limitations: Many RV sites lack buffer zones between neighbors. "The camper spots are really close together. There is a big field to play ride bikes walk dog etc.," reports Nicole R. about Kitsap Memorial State Park, suggesting that privacy-conscious campers may want to research site maps before booking.
