76 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping near Forks, Washington spans primitive backcountry sites and more accessible tent campgrounds, from the rugged Pacific coastline to the temperate rainforest interior. Second Beach and Shi Shi Beach offer tent-only camping along the coast, while the Hoh River Dispersed Camping area provides tent sites within the 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.
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. Choosing the right tent campground near Forks depends largely on whether you prioritize coastal exposure or forest shelter, as conditions and permit requirements differ significantly between the two settings.
"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."
"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."
"The camp had lots of space, a beautiful view, and the owners were so friendly. I’m so glad I found this site and I will definitely stay here again the next time we visit the area."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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!"
"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. "
from $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
from $10 / night
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TravelerDramatic old forest with nicely groomed tent camping spots, each has a picnic table and fire ring. There is potable water and vault toilets that were pretty clean. The sites are far enough apart to be fairly private and there is plenty of level space to pitch a tent. Several of the tent sites are along a river but these are harder to get as its first come first serve. We would definitely go back.
ScoutGreat 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.
TravelerI stayed in loop A, site 14. The site is listed as a tent only site, but we were able to fit a small camper van, a Toyota RAV4, and a backpacking tent. Other sites are big enough for small RVs, but, overall, the sites were on the small. The campground was very quiet Thursday night, but on Friday, a new crowd of people showed up with about 30 kids and it wasn't quite as peaceful, but I didn't have any problems at night when trying to sleep. There are NO showers at this campground. There are bathrooms with flush toilets and running water. There are also no hookups - no water or electric. The proximity to Rialto Beach was fantastic but check road conditions because I think the road to Rialto Beach is going to be closed starting July 7, 2026 for repairs. We went to the beach for sunset and to do the Hole-in-the-wall hike during low tide. I would definitely stay here again.
LegendWow!!! 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:
RangerIn 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.
ScoutCampground 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.
TravelerDespite 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.
LegendThis 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.
ScoutPros: -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!)
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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 4.8-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Forks, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 tent camping locations near Forks, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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