Camping spots near Forks, Washington receive approximately 100-140 inches of annual rainfall, creating the verdant rainforest conditions that make this area unique. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, while summer highs typically range from 65-75°F, making this a viable year-round camping destination despite frequent precipitation. Most campgrounds feature vault toilets rather than full facilities, requiring campers to plan accordingly.
What to do
Rainforest exploration: 1-mile hikes The Hoh Rainforest offers easily accessible trails even for beginners. "The trails aren't stroller friendly but easily walkable with toddlers and a backpack. Feels safe. Busy but not like a mall. Beautiful tree views and a great pit stop at Peak 6 on the way up," notes a camper at Hoh Campground.
Beach activities: surfing and tide pools First Beach at La Push provides surfing opportunities for visitors. "We saw whales and seals. Beach has some awesome huge driftwood and is super dog friendly, also a good surf spot!" reports a camper from Quileute Oceanside Resort.
Hot springs soaking: timed entry required Access to Sol Duc hot springs requires planning and separate payment. "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. Feels especially good after that incredibly long hike I imagined during my afternoon nap," shares a visitor at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground.
River swimming: seasonal water levels During warmer months, river access provides swimming opportunities. "This campsite was amazing! It was clean, quiet, lush, and right near a river, perfect for swimming! Our campsite had a nice picnic table, fire pit, and shaded area for the tent," explains a camper at Cottonwood Campground.
What campers like
Private sites: natural screening Campers appreciate separation between sites at certain campgrounds. "This has large sites and are fairly secluded from each other. Has a nice creek as well and is close to the Hoh River," notes a visitor at Cottonwood Campground.
Lakeside camping: water views Clear Lake offers prime waterfront sites. "We stayed at a beautiful drive-up spot that overlooked the lake. Neighbors seemed closer than if we were in a spot on the interior and away from the water.. but the view is definitely worth it," shares a camper at Fairholme Campground.
Oceanfront views: beach access Direct beach access ranks highly among camper preferences. "Close to the ocean front sites from numbers 26-41. And this has to be the prettiest site yet. Just stunning. Saw 9 seals in the ocean the evening we got there," reports a visitor at Quileute Oceanside Resort.
Accessibility to rainforest trails: minimal driving Proximity to hiking trails without requiring additional driving is valued. "Good location for exploring. Forks is near by plus Rialto beach, La push and many more beaches and trails. I even made a trip down to the Hoh rain forest from my site," explains a camper at Mora Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: confirm dates Many Olympic National Park campgrounds operate seasonally. "This campground fills up fast. The access to the beach is easy, the beach is beautiful. Campsites are kind of small and it is located right off hwy 101 so there is a lot of hwy noise," explains a visitor at Kalaloch Campground.
Road noise: highway proximity Highway 101 creates noticeable noise at several campgrounds. "Clean facilities, well spaced sites, and a stunning lake - all ruined by incessant truck traffic noise," warns a camper at Fairholme Campground.
Off-season availability: fewer crowds Winter camping offers more solitude. "I prefer winter camping here because its less crowded, and the storms coming in from the Pacific are nothing less than awe inspiring," shares a visitor at Kalaloch Campground.
Wildlife encounters: proper preparation Wildlife, including mice, can be problematic at some locations. "Great camping spot. Pit toilets and river access. Only a few sites to choose from if you're lucky. But beware the mice. My usual deterrents didn't work and they were running all over and inside my vehicle all night," warns a visitor at Cottonwood Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach exploration: tide timing Timing beach visits with tides improves the experience. "Important to get a tide schedule before heading to Hole in the Rock on Rialto Beach which is an hour and a half walk from the parking lot. The beach has small smooth rocks instead of sand so a fast paced walk is hard," advises a camper at Forks 101 RV Park.
Winter preparation: expected rainfall Prepare for rain even during summer months. "Loved this place, right on the beach. My children thought they had been brought to a new land. By far one of the best campgrounds we have ever been to. My kids loved the beach!" shares a visitor at Kalaloch Campground.
Campground selection: noise tolerance Consider highway proximity when choosing family sites. "Noise from HW 101, not too loud. Bathrooms are clean. HOT showers couldn't get it warm or cold..HOT. Sites are tree covered. Some cell signal. Each site has picnic table and fire ring. Hiking trails close by," notes a visitor at Bogachiel State Park Campground.
River access: fishing opportunities Rivers provide fishing activities for families. "If you're a fisherman this is it! We drove thru scouting. It's beautiful the sites are nothing fancy but that is not what this is about," explains a visitor at Hoh Oxbow Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: pull-through availability Some campgrounds offer easier access sites for RVs. "Had a level pull thru spot. Pasture of horses behind us. Berries to pick right outside the trailer. One of the best showers we have had in a while at a campground. Hot and good pressure," shares an RVer at Forks 101 RV Park.
Hookup options: electrical access RV hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. "Right on the road, hosts were very friendly. Full hook ups at a reasonable price. We stayed on an Labor Day weekend and were super happy to just find a place. Quiet, stores and fuel very close by," notes an RV camper at Forks 101 RV Park.
Size limitations: length restrictions Many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. "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," warns a visitor at Mora Campground.
