Olympic National Park offers glamping options near Clallam Bay, Washington, typically open from spring through fall. The region sits along the Strait of Juan de Fuca with temperatures ranging from 40-70°F in peak season. Glamping sites provide access to both coastal areas and rainforest environments, with many locations serving as basecamps for exploring the park's western side.
What to Do
Visit Rialto Beach: Located near Mora Campground, this rocky coastline offers dramatic sea stacks and driftwood. "Less than 5 mins to the beach for one of the best sunsets! The campground was clean, but busy with lots of campers," notes Leah H.
Hike to Sol Duc Falls: A moderate trail accessible from Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground. "We absolutely loved the Sol Duc Falls hike which passes through the campgrounds. It is a very easy hike (we took a two year old and he walked 50% of it) and very rewarding," reports Brendan A.
Explore tidepools: Low tide reveals marine life along rocky shores. "Walk the mile and a half down beach to get to hole in the wall and experience beautiful tide pooling. You can also get to 2nd beach on the reservation," suggests Bobbi L. from Mora Campground.
Visit Hoh Rainforest: One of the wettest spots in the continental US with massive old-growth trees. "Doing it again at the end of the month with the kids!" shares Steven & Sabrina W. about their experience camping near the Hoh area.
What Campers Like
River access: Hoh Oxbow Campground offers spots along the Hoh River. "If you're lucky 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," writes Zach A.
Old-growth forests: Camping under ancient trees creates a unique atmosphere. "Huge, beautiful old growth trees surround campsites. Lots of great spots to choose from," reports Krista B. about Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer vegetative barriers. "Our site had shade, an amazing ocean view but was off the beach. The next site (T2) was very close, but thankfully was only occupied one night of our stay. Site T3 was more private and up a bit further on the hill," notes Jess S.
Year-round options: Some campgrounds remain open through winter. "I prefer winter camping here because its less crowded, and the storms coming in from the Pacific are nothing less than awe inspiring," shares Toby R. about Kalaloch.
What You Should Know
Reservations recommended: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. "It's a very popular campground and a lot of people come and go to see the river. Not bad but you're better off going to the cottonwood campground up the road if you plan to stay for multiple days out here," advises Nik B.
Weather preparedness: The area receives significant rainfall, even in summer. "Just a note: it is WA so plan on getting wet and muddy. Everything was constantly wet around Sol Duc. Plan and pack accordingly!" cautions Brendan A.
Limited amenities: Many glamping and camping areas have basic facilities. "Bathroom was clean and potable water. No showers. (Note: RV Lot does not have bathrooms. If you stay there expectation is you will use your RV or walk over to the lodge, I suppose)," explains marcus K.
Campsite selection matters: At Whiskey Creek Beach NW, "Site B1 is super unlevel. Gravel and dirt in this site is very loose as well," warns Craig S., highlighting the importance of checking site details.
Tips for Camping with Families
Glamping options for kids: Weekend Worrior Camping offers family-friendly accommodations. "There's one with a king bed and a twin bed for families... they're all fully furnished with bedding and tables and chairs and a rug," notes Aimee B.
Beach access considerations: Evaluate hike difficulty for younger children. "Great location for lots of exploring. Forks is near by plus Rialto beach, La push and many more beaches and trails," shares Kayla R. about Mora Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Keep eyes open for local animals. "There's deer and elk that come through the camp," mentions Aimee B. about Weekend Worrior Camping.
Rain contingency plans: Pack extra tarps and indoor activities. "Went in September and it was still pretty buggy and we got rained out but loved everything else about it otherwise," notes Krista B. about camping in the area.
Tips from RVers
Limited large rig access: Many sites can't accommodate larger vehicles. "There are no hook ups but water is available with a dump station open only in the summer. Sites are accessible for RVs but the loops wind through large trees and many sites will not accommodate RVs due to an inability to pull far enough forward to back in to the space," advises smittie from Mora Campground.
Site selection crucial: Look for level sites with adequate clearance. "We had a 21 foot long campervan. Road and site grounds were well maintained," reports Cassie C. about Sol Duc.
Local resupply options: The town of Joyce provides necessities. "There is a general store right down the road and a laundry Mat you can take showers at Salt Creek which is just down the road," explains Aimee B.
Registration processes vary: Some campgrounds have unique check-in procedures. "The registration process for this campground is confusing, if you show up without reservations like we did... ultimately you need to drive back to the lodge where people go for hot springs soaks and register with them there," shares Laura M.
