Camping opportunities around Hoodsport center on Hood Canal and the eastern edge of Olympic National Park. The area sits at elevations ranging from sea level to about 700 feet, with campgrounds situated between the densely forested mountains and saltwater shoreline. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that typically range from 35-45°F with frequent rain, while summer brings 70-85°F temperatures and significantly drier conditions.
What to do
Shellfish harvesting season: Gather oysters at Twanoh State Park Campground where camper Thomas B. notes "You need a Discover Pass for day use. These are required at pretty much all county and state campgrounds in Washington State. They cost $30 per year." The campground provides direct beach access across the road from the main camping area.
Winter hiking trails: Experience less crowded trails at Brown Creek Campground during off-season months. According to L & J L., "It is a campground that has sites available year round, however...The campground is in a beautiful location and, true to what their website says, there are 6 sites along the river available for off season camping." Winter visitors should check road conditions as snow and fallen trees can limit access.
Lake activities: Swim and paddle on Lake Cushman at Skokomish Park where visitors find "a designated swimming area" and clear water. Jaclynn M. describes the appeal: "The water is so clear. Warm. The campground is nice with showers. Camp wood is available to be dropped off at your campsite. Biking and kayaking... so many thinks to do here along with its amazing trails."
Olympic National Park exploration: Use Staircase Campground as a gateway to Olympic National Park trails. Amber H. reported, "The grounds were well-kept and there were plenty of things for children and families to do in the immediate vicinity." This campground features the glacier-fed Steilacoom River running alongside many sites, providing natural white noise for sleeping.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Select campsites adjacent to water at Brown Creek Campground, which Molly S. describes as "a beautiful spot along the water for hanging out." The campground offers a mix of river sites and forest sites, with the riverside locations being most popular.
Wildlife viewing platforms: Watch for elk herds at Dosewallips State Park Campground, where Amy & Stu B. share: "Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles." This park features multiple hiking trails accessible directly from the campground.
Uncrowded off-season camping: Visit Twanoh State Park Campground during spring or fall when Saraj B. found that "there isn't a lot of traffic during off-season so all I heard was the sound of the canal and the creek even closer." The park maintains year-round access with fewer visitors outside summer months.
Clean facilities: Enjoy well-maintained bathrooms and showers at Big Creek Campground. Campers consistently mention the cleanliness, with Isabelle K. noting, "our tent site had a fire pit with grill, picnic table, and nice gravel parking pad. The spots here are well dispersed and set back in the woods for the most part so they felt very secluded and peaceful."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds have minimal privacy between sites. At Twanoh State Park Campground, Justin L. cautions: "The campsites are all cramped together right next to the roadway. There's no vegetation so you can see just about every site/camper from any site you choose." For more secluded sites, Big Creek and Brown Creek campgrounds offer better spacing between sites.
Reservation requirements change seasonally: Summer weekends require advance planning while off-season often allows walk-in camping. At Potlatch State Park Campground, Tyler S. advises, "Depending on the time of year you come here. Will determine what kind of time you'll have. In the summer it's hard to get a spot and it's very crowded. But if you come in the spring and fall is a very lovely place to be."
Road noise impacts waterfront sites: Highway 101 runs close to Hood Canal campgrounds, creating traffic noise at shoreline sites. At Potlatch State Park Campground, Colleen T. observed, "Campground borders a busy highway and traffic noise is bad. Some nice campsites in a wooded loop along a nice little creek for tenters."
Water access sometimes requires crossing roads: Several campgrounds separate camping areas from beaches. At Twanoh, Holly notes, "A quick walk across the road to the beach was absolutely beautiful," while at Potlatch, campers must cross Highway 101 to reach the day use area on Hood Canal.
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration spots: Find shallow creeks for children at Potlatch State Park Campground where VIKKY S. shares, "This place is Perfect for families with all size children. There is a small stream running through the side of Some of the camp spots that the kids can play. It's directly across the Street from the beach."
Swimming areas with gradual entry: Take advantage of Hood Canal's warmer water temperatures at Belfair State Park Campground where Leah H. found "The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in."
Shower token costs: Budget for shower fees at some campgrounds. At Dosewallips State Park, tokens cost $0.50 for hot water, though Daniel G. noted that at Potlatch "When I originally looked at the shower, I thought it still took tokens. However, on the token Machine, there's a sign that says 'NO TOKENS REQUIRED. FREE HOT WATER.'"
Hiking difficulty levels: Choose appropriate trails for different ages. Near Brown Creek Campground, Saraj B. reported "My husband and I hiked in the morning and didn't see anyone else on the trail. It was pretty wet and muddy so opt for hiking boots over tennis shoes," suggesting preparation for potentially challenging conditions with children.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Check campground limits before booking. Big Creek Campground can accommodate larger rigs in specific sites, but Brown Creek notes that "RV UNDER 16FT WOULD WORK IN SEVERAL OF THE CAMPSITES," according to SIMPLEGRINN A.
Hookup availability: Full hookups exist at Glen Ayr Resort where Lisa A. found "Full hook ups, showers, BBQ's, games, hot tub, laundry facilities, game room with fireplace and pool table all with a beautiful view of the Hood Canal!" Most national forest campgrounds offer only basic services without hookups.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at many forest service campgrounds. At Twanoh State Park Campground, Lori T. mentioned "Most all sites that were large enough for RVs seemed quite level," but noted this is uncommon for the area. At Olympic National Park's Staircase Campground, the terrain is more rugged and potentially challenging for larger vehicles.
Solar limitations: Heavily forested campgrounds restrict solar panel effectiveness. Thomas B. cautions about Twanoh: "At the campground you're really in the woods, so if you need sunlight for your solar panels, you may be out of luck."
