Best Tent Camping near Forks, WA

Tent camping options near Forks, Washington range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites within Olympic National Park. Second Beach and Shi Shi Beach offer tent-only camping experiences along the rugged Pacific coastline, while the Hoh River Dispersed Camping area provides more accessible tent sites within the temperate rainforest region.

Most tent sites in the Forks area require permits, particularly those within Olympic National Park boundaries. Campers should secure wilderness camping permits from ranger stations in Port Angeles or Quinault before arrival. Bear canisters are mandatory at coastal tent sites like Second Beach and Third Beach, where food storage options are limited. Vault toilets are available at some locations, though many primitive tent areas lack facilities entirely. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with coastal tent sites often allowing driftwood fires in established rings while forest sites may have complete fire bans during dry periods.

The tent camping experience near Forks offers exceptional access to diverse ecosystems. Coastal tent sites provide direct beach access with tidepools, sea stacks, and occasional wildlife sightings including eagles, seals, and even whales. Forest tent sites along the Hoh River offer more protection from coastal winds and proximity to old-growth rainforest trails. Tent campers at higher elevations find greater solitude but should prepare for temperature fluctuations and potential rain even in summer months. According to one visitor at Second Beach, "The sites spread out significantly after walking a mile down the beach, allowing relative solitude even on busy weekends." Tent campers frequently mention the importance of proper rain gear and waterproof tent setups, as precipitation is common throughout the year in this temperate rainforest region.

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Best Tent Sites Near Forks, Washington (73)

    1. Second Beach — Olympic National Park

    9 Reviews
    La Push, WA
    12 miles
    Website

    "After the pleasant 0.7 mile hike to the beach, I was amazed by how many tents I saw right by the end of the trail. It almost looked like a tent city!"

    "Just like every other beach around here, if you don't store your smelly goods in the can the ranger will make you trek it to your car. It's a mile from the parking area to the beach."

    2. Dawleys Sol Duc River Campground

    5 Reviews
    Beaver, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 808-0843

    $35 / night

    "I arrived with a travel trailer and was taken to an area that was still a work in progress, but offered dry camping in a private clearing amongst an incredibly dense forest."

    "Lots of space at the sites and sites are spread out. Porta potties are clean. Wood for sale. Location is great!"

    3. Strawberry Point Camping — Olympic National Park

    2 Reviews
    La Push, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 565-3130

    "The best spots are located immediately south of the point on the beach and tucked into the giant piles of driftwood. There is a freshwater creek about 1/4 mile south of Strawberry Point."

    "In warmer weather there would still be rain but just warmer haha. The dispersed camping here is really nice. Dispersed camping in any national park is amazing and theres a lot of it here."

    4. Third Beach Camping — Olympic National Park

    2 Reviews
    La Push, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 565-3130

    "The high tide line goes pretty high up which can be a bit spooky if you wake up to it in the middle of the night, so stay close to the hill!"

    5. Scott's Creek Camping

    1 Review
    La Push, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 565-3130

    6. Hoh River Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Forks, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    "Trying to find an open camping site next to the river was proving very difficult, but this semi-hidden pull off was perfect. There’s a fire ring and some extra firewood collected to the side."

    "Camping right next to river. Tall bushes for shade. Need to drive over very bumpy dirt road to get to sites near river. Then need to drive over rocky road to get into sites near river."

    7. Misty Willows Farm and Camp

    1 Review
    Beaver, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 477-3980

    $40 / night

    "We chatted and she helped us reserve the spot that she recommended for our group, then she walked (well, she ran and we drove…) down to the site and she talked us through the amenities.  "

    8. Shi Shi Beach — Olympic National Park

    15 Reviews
    Neah Bay, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 565-3100

    "This is a hike in primitive camping with no amenities other than one pit toilet."

    "Does tend to be windy so plan on camping behind the trees, plenty of beautiful sandy beaches to walk on, with tide pools to explore."

    9. Mosquito Creek — Olympic National Park

    1 Review
    La Push, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 565-3130

    "The camps lack privacy and are a hearty few hundred steps up from the beach. There is a primitive pit toilet in the trees as well."

    10. Littleton Horse Camp

    4 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 374-6522

    $10 / night

    "Littleton Horse Camp is on the edge of the very popular Lake Crescent area of Olympic National Park."

    "We had a great stay, we stayed in the lower campsite #2 and it did not have the horse requirement so we nabbed it before 6pm."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Forks, WA

983 Reviews of 73 Forks Campgrounds


  • Jenn B.
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Fairholme Campground — Olympic National Park

    Lakeside Camping

    Great backup site if your beach camping plans get rained out. If you can get there early, grab a site on the water. $10 per person, per night. Campground has clean bathrooms, potable water, fire pits, picnic tables and bear boxes for food storage.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2021

    Cape Alava Campground — Olympic National Park

    Extravaventure!!!

    Wow!!! This was such a magical adventure! You will need a permit and a bear canister (which you can rent from the ranger station) but the payoff is a forever sunset, the scent of healing salt air, the sound of eagle’s fledging their young, giant sea stacks looming in the tide and the alpha wave inducing white noise of gentle waves churning, all while Bambi grazes near your tent. You might even see seals and whales so bring binoculars. I hiked the 9.4 mile Ozette Triangle over two days. I started from my campsite at the Ozette Campgrounds and hiked out Sand Point Trail. Then I explored giant sea stacks and saw petroglyphs along the Ozette River to Sand Point Beach Travel Way. Mt campsite had a rustic pit toilet nearby, a fire ring (burn dead driftwood only!) and a view of a distant sea stack framed perfectly by giant trees. After spending the most restful magical night right on the cusp of the rainforest, I explored northward some (do this during ebb tide so you don’t get trapped between peninsulas) before I headed back along the Cape Alava Trail. I did not want this hike to end. I can see why these are some of “The Best 100 Miles in National Parks” as ranked by Backpacker Magazine. I will go back and include this as part of a seven day of Cape Alava to Shi Shi Beach.

    Pro Tips:

    1. Take a picture of the current tide chart posted at the trailhead and know how to use it.
    2. There are wonderful restrooms at the the trailhead parking lot but there is not a single trash can or dumpster to be found anywhere. I love this! It is a reminder to truly Leave No Trace and pack out everything in an effort to reduce the drain on limited park resources to deal with garbage. So take two trash bags, one for you and one for your neighbor.
    3. Get a map and information sheet of the Petroglyphs before you go so you can enjoy this little treasure hunt!
  • Ariel & John  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Heart O' the Hills Campground — Olympic National Park

    Beautiful clean primitive campgrounds

    In the Olympic NP, close to Hurricane Ridge to the south, 15 min to town of Port Ángeles to the north. Camped in loop C. Had a beautiful private site. Old growth forest and hiking trails all around. No hookups, no dump station. Each site has fire ring, picnic table. Each loop has a clean, powered, plumbed bathroom, no showers. Would camp again.

  • C
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground — Olympic National Park

    Very Clean but Limited Facilities

    Campground has Access to Sol Duc River. Site #11 is directly on the bank. Very clean but limited facilities. No showers. Clean restrooms. Bear boxes available and recycling. Access to many trails.

  • Karen H.
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Whiskey Creek Beach NW

    Unexpected Gem

    Despite the poor weather, I couldn't have been happier with my Whiskey Creek Beach camping experience. From the views, adequately spaced tent sites, steel fire pits, potable water, picnics table, Adirondack chairs and shower access, this was a perfect getaway for this solo, 50-something, female camper, accompanied only by her chow-chow . I was able to finally fulfill my dream of camping along the shore. 

    One of the amazing features for those camping at the shorefront sites (T9, T10, T12) are the elevated, 12×14 decks that serve as your tent pad; No need to worry about a tarp placement beneath the tent. Metal cleets are placed around the deck stucture that you can use as tie downs for your tent and fly. These were useful for my additional tarp as I had to contend with mostly adverse weather conditions.The hosts have also provided, for your convenience, additional tie downs in case of high winds. Side Note: with the set up I created, I never once, had to contend with tent leakage, from the top or bottom. 

    There is a small, single shower hut apx. 30 yards from the tent site. It is an off the grid shower, but extremely clean, and has running hot water. The cost was $5.00 for unlimited use. The outhouse for the sites, next to the shower hut, is rather old, and was, in my opinion, the only drawback. There is, however, a newer flush toilet up a small hill near the site which I found myself gravitating to. 

    The hosts were extremely helpful and responsive. The area has a secure access gate. Firewood is available for sale at a cost of $4.99. The small town of Joyce is but a 10 minute drive where you will find an extremely well stocked old timey general store, two quaint resturaunts, and a laundromat, a huge bonus as I was on an extended stay of seven days.

    For those inclined to explore the region, you are well within driving distance to some of Washington's exceptiinally breathtaking hikes, including Hurricane Ridge, The Ozette Triangle, and Cape Flattery.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Hoh Campground — Olympic National Park

    Wet but worth it.

    This is a very wet campground(you are in the Hoh Rainforest afterall), so bring some extra tarps to stay dry. There are 3 loops, with a few riverside sites in Loops A and C. There were a lot of downed trees that were in various states of being cleared when I was there, which did close some sites to campers. Some sites had some privacy and others did not, but all were level. I was comfortable on my site, but preferred more privacy. None of the sites that I looked at had dedicated tent pads, but all had the usual picnic table and fire pit. It's a short walk to the visitors center and lots of hiking trails are nearby, including one that cuts through the campground. It was very quiet at night, and even though I was not on a site on the river, you could hear the river at night.

  • T
    Jun. 29, 2021

    Fairholme Campground — Olympic National Park

    Great Location, Horrible Road Noise

    Pros: -beautiful lake view and access -free food storage containers, no need for bear canisters -plenty of trees at campsites for hammocking -walk in and drive in sites -choose your own site -proximity to lake keeps the campground cool in the summer months

    Cons: -campsites very close to one another -horrible road noise at all hours -lots of bugs (bring bug spray!)

  • Scott-Christy B.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground — Olympic National Park

    Pine tree sites in the park

    $22 for a tent site but you will also have to pay or have a park pass to get into Olympic NP. Bathrooms are basic with no showers. Water spigots at restrooms. Sites are level and come with fire ring and table. Quiet and wildlife visible.

  • Jen G.
    Jul. 1, 2016

    Kalaloch Campground - group — Olympic National Park

    Close to the Beach, But Fills Outrageously Fast

    First off, let me say that I'm definitely no stranger to campgrounds filling up quickly. I frequently camp in Zion and Arches, and those campgrounds fill up super fast- but NOTHING fills up faster than the beach access sites at Kalaloch. We camped there on a Tuesday night in August (so summer, but not a weekend) and of the 8-10 beach access sites that were available when I looked the night before I booked (six months in advance), every single one of them was gone when I got on within 10 minutes of reservations going live. It was INSANE. So I had to scramble, and booked a couple of sites next to each other (since we were camping with a group that was too large for a single campsite). I've never experienced anything quite like the speed with which this campground filled up. If you want a beach access campsite, I would definitely recommend being right on time and being ready to go! One disclaimer I should give is also that I didn't spend an extraordinary amount of time in this campground. We arrived pretty late at night (in the dark, around 10pm) and left early-ish in the morning (around 830/9). and didn't have much time to explore around the campground. So my review might not be the most complete, but I'll give it based on the knowledge that I have. My biggest complaint (which is a common-ish one for me, but this campground was the worst I've experienced) was that the tent area was absolutely rock hard. I'm by no stretch of the imagination an incredibly strong woman, but I really struggled to get the stakes into the ground for our tent. In a wet coastal environment where you want to stay dry, staking out your tent and fly is important, and it was really frustrating trying to get those dang stakes into that hard ground, especially in the dark. Another small gripe, that may have been magnified by the fact that we had just stayed in the very secluded Newhalem Campground in the North Cascades the night before, was that the campsites we stayed in (A055 and A056) were pretty much right on the side of the road though the campground. We essentially parallel parked, and set up our tents maybe 15 feet from the road. The sites were a little small (in fact one member of our group sneaked farther back into the bushes to set up his tarp and sleeping pad in a little more seclusion and space) and being right along the road definitely made at least those sites not a place I'd want to relax in. This is likely one campground where the site you're in can make or break your experience. My last small gripe is going to sound outrageously vain, but the bathrooms were a little small, there was only one sink, and the only mirror was above the sink. I like to have a mirror to make sure my face is clean and my hair looks decent, but I don't necessarily need a sink. When I went to the bathroom in the morning a woman spent almost 15 minutes standing in front of the only mirror, washing her face and doing her hair. It would've been nice to have had another mirror so she didn't "hog" the sink and the only mirror. The GOOD THINGS about this campground are the accessibility to the amazing beach, nice paved roads (so no dust), and lots of greenery. The air felt very fresh and clean here, and it was a cool experience for those of us from the desert to sleep in a place with so much green! The bathrooms were also very clean (if small) and the campground's directions were straightforward and clear.


Guide to Forks

Tent campsites near Forks, Washington sit within an area receiving 100-140 inches of annual rainfall, creating the lush temperate rainforests that define the Olympic Peninsula. Most primitive camping spots in this region are located below 800 feet elevation, with numerous river access points that offer both fishing opportunities and natural water sources. The camping season typically extends from May through October, though winter camping is possible with proper cold-weather gear.

What to do

River exploration: Explore the clear waters at Dawleys Sol Duc River Campground where campers can wade into the shallows or visit the nearby fish hatchery. As camper Timothy G. notes: "There is a fish hatchery a short walk away and the river is really beautiful."

Tide pool discovery: Wade through coastal pools during low tide at the secluded beaches. According to a visitor at Shi Shi Beach: "In the morning the tide pools were amazing! Colorful starfish and sea anemones everywhere." Plan to visit during morning low tides when marine life is most visible.

Wildlife spotting: Watch for bald eagles and marine mammals along the coastline during morning hours. One camper at Shi Shi Beach shared: "Plenty of beautiful sandy beaches to walk on, with tide pools to explore... with spectacular views alongside beautiful fauna and cedar trees."

Mountain hiking: Access challenging trails near Lake Crescent for elevation gains up to 3,000 feet. A Littleton Horse Camp visitor recommends: "I highly recommend hiking up to Mt Muller for a great uphill butt-burner with spectacular views alongside beautiful fauna and cedar trees."

What campers like

Private beach access: Shi Shi Beach offers secluded spots away from more populated areas. A camper shared: "Camp sites are far enough apart that you feel like you have the place practically to yourself. No amenities but if you are looking for secluded beauty this place is for you!"

Natural shelters: Utilize driftwood structures for wind protection during stormy coastal weather. One Second Beach visitor mentioned: "We brought a tarp so we were able to make a drift wood covered shelter to hang out in. Beats the tiny tent for hours of sitting."

Freshwater streams: Access drinking water sources on beaches with proper filtration equipment. A camper at Strawberry Point noted: "There is a freshwater creek about 1/4 mile south of Strawberry Point. There are also other fresh water sources on the way if you access the beach trail from the La Push area."

Spacious campsites: Morgan's Crossing Dispersed provides riverside camping with natural privacy barriers. A visitor described: "Nice and secluded right on the river! The road coming back is definitely rough but was fine in our F-150."

What you should know

Permit requirements: Secure wilderness permits before arrival at ranger stations. For Shi Shi Beach, a camper explains: "To backpack overnight on Shi Shi Beach you will need a Makah Recreation Pass. It was $10 and we purchased it at the Washburn General Store in Neah Bay."

Beach access challenges: Plan for steep descents to reach some coastal camping areas. A Third Beach camper warned: "You could almost bring a wagon on wheels to the campsite the 1.5 mile entry way is so flat and well maintained thru a beautiful high forest.. except the last 15 min descent."

Weather preparation: Pack for rain regardless of forecast. A camper at Strawberry Point shared their experience: "Camped here in November. Really cold rain just like the last place we camped. It is so beautiful here its hard to overlook that. Our trip to Olympic NP has just been frigid rain and more frigid rain."

Food storage: Bear canisters required at most coastal tent camping locations, primarily for raccoon protection. One visitor advised: "If you don't store your smelly goods in the can the ranger will make you trek it to your car. It's a mile from the parking area to the beach. Hauling a cooler over a mile is not a fun way to spend your time."

Tips for camping with families

Short hiking options: Choose Third Beach Camping for manageable trail distances with children. A visitor noted: "This campground is a little harder to get to, but in the end is 1000% worth it! It is so beautiful and peaceful!"

Tide awareness: Monitor tide schedules to prevent being cut off from camping areas or parking. One camper cautioned: "The high tide line goes pretty high up which can be a bit spooky if you wake up to it in the middle of the night, so stay close to the hill!"

Private toilet solutions: Some farm campgrounds provide individual site facilities. A visitor at Misty Willows Farm explained: "They'll provide some water, and each site has its own toilet (privacy tent over a bucket, with wood shavings for 'coverage') and garbage can."

Shelter considerations: Bring tarps and extra stakes for wind protection at beach sites. One camper recommended: "We brought a tarp so we were able to make a drift wood covered shelter to hang out in. Beats the tiny tent for hours of sitting."

Tips from RVers

Alternative parking: Use secure paid options when accessing trailheads for overnight hikes. A Shi Shi Beach visitor explained: "You will then need to park in one of the secure lots for an additional $10 and walk about a mile down to the trailhead. You cannot park at the trailhead itself overnight."

Rough road navigation: Check clearance requirements for dispersed camping access. A visitor to Littleton Horse Camp shared: "The camp is usually for horse people but unoccupied spots are up for grabs after six. We had a walk in spot maybe a minute from the main parking lot."

National Forest alternatives: Consider forest campgrounds when National Park sites are full. One RVer noted: "Littleton Horse Camp is on the edge of the very popular Lake Crescent area of Olympic National Park. It's hidden away from the crowds, but still super close and convenient to all of the ONP activities and hikes on the eastern part of the peninsula."

Backup camping plans: Maintain flexible schedules during peak season when most established sites fill early. A camper advised: "It was difficult to find a place to camp. Most spots are first-come basis so most spots were occupied when looking both in the morning and evening."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Forks, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Forks, WA is Second Beach — Olympic National Park with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Forks, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 73 tent camping locations near Forks, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.