Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman welcomes pets throughout its campground with multiple access types including boat-in, drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in options. Big Creek Campground and Staircase Campground in Olympic National Park both allow dogs on leash, with sites spread out to provide adequate space for pets. Campers report the Staircase area is particularly dog-friendly with spacious sites, though dogs are not permitted on unpaved trails within Olympic National Park boundaries. Potlatch State Park Campground and Twanoh State Park Campground offer pet-friendly sites with standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water. The campgrounds near Hoodsport maintain clean facilities and enforce leash requirements to ensure all guests have an enjoyable experience.
For pet owners seeking hiking opportunities, Big Creek offers dog-friendly trails just 11 minutes outside Staircase, providing an excellent alternative to the restricted trails within Olympic National Park. Dow Creek Resort and Glen Ayr Resort both accommodate pets in their cabin rentals, giving dog owners additional lodging options beyond tent and RV camping. Sites at Potlatch are conveniently located just 3 miles from Hoodsport, where campers can access supplies and veterinary services if needed. The NF-2419 dispersed site allows free primitive camping with pets in a more remote setting. Campgrounds in the area generally enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, with one reviewer noting issues with neighboring dogs barking for extended periods at some locations. Most campgrounds require pets to remain on leash at all times, with designated pet relief areas available at the larger established sites.
"Nice little camping spot close to Hoodsport and hiking at Olympic National Park. I stayed in a spot with full hookups and have a 22’ travel trailer."
"Nice walk to the beach from our campsite. Hood Canal is beautiful. It’s close to the Lucky Dog Casino and a place selling freshly caught king salmon that they fillet for you right there."
$24 / night
"Pros: Dog-friendly, spacious sites at Staircase with close proximity to Lake Crescent and several trails (no dogs allowed). Cons: Popular site, so may feel crowded."
"Lovely views on the way of Lake Cushman and the local old-growth forests."
$12 - $50 / night
"It was nearly full but manageable. My one complaint would be the off leash dogs that happen to run around a couple of times through the weekend. Site sells Ice and Firewood ($6 a bundle)."
"Location was clean, easy to access and feels like a world away from the busy cities close by."
$20 / night
"Near Lake Cushman and not far out of Hoodsport off Highway 101, this easily accessible campground is away from the summer craziness that afflicts so many campgrounds in the Olympics."
"We stayed in site #53 for two nights and nearly had the campground to ourselves. This is dry camping at it’s best. With almost no other campers here, the silence was amazing."
$12 - $50 / night
"Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "
"Overall pretty quiet, close to town, close to ATV trails & dog friendly. The kids loved the park!"
"Near Hoodsport. Fee campground. Bathrooms with flush toilets. Coin operated showers.
Small general store.
Some RV sites are close together."
"Easy access to all of Olympic. Gorgeous views! Pristine lake. Rope swing, volleyball courts, hiking trail circles the lake. Waking up to fantastic lake/mountain views every day was beyond words."
$12 - $50 / night
"The grounds are well-maintained with easy access to some hiking trails that are easy to moderate in difficulty."
"This campground is right next to a state park. It’s also very close to a river and lots of woods."
$54 - $68 / night
"Great location on Hood Canal. Access to so much great scenery, hiking, and nature. We loved visiting Hama Hama oyster farm just up the road. This is a nice resort with everything you need."
"Great avenue to get out into nature with various streams crossing the path of the service road. Truly magical place."
"Nice spots, but most are right near the road so it's busy. Most spots are only good for an overnight. Unless you have one of the ones with space i wouldn't stay here for a long period of time."
$25 - $90 / night
"Convenient location to Hoodsport and the National Forest/Park. Tolerable road noise."
"We love this area of Washington!"
LegendReally cute camp spot and play area!! Pet friendly and dog park! Went here on our trip to Tacoma north of the city. Very nice beach and area!! There's also a light house to check out while you are here!
TravelerComfortable peaceful if it had wifi it would be perfect. The dog park is a wonderful addition.
TravelerGreat campground right before Olympic national park. Facilities are amazing and great dog park! Host was very friendly and took great care of us.
GuidePros: Dog-friendly, spacious sites at Staircase with close proximity to Lake Crescent and several trails (no dogs allowed).
Cons: Popular site, so may feel crowded. Closest town is Hoodsport (30min drive). Limited access for dogs on unpacked trails in ONP (but for good reason). Otherwise, no cons.
Tips: FCFS campground, so if you want to land a highly coveted creek-side site, start your hunt around 11am for campers to check out. Don’t forget to visit a pull off site on the gravel road alongside lake crescent for a beer and a swim. You can purchase most gear + bear canister in Hoodsport. Take out at the local Mexican place is alright. Be smarter than we were and don’t sit on old tree trunks or else your butt will get sapped. Hike with your dog outside ONP at Big Creek, which is 11 min drive outside Staircase.
LegendWonderful RV park for long term Escapee-ers or members just passing through. We stopped here for a night, arriving on the weekend with no prior reservations or contact with them. They make it easy for you to self register when they're closed on weekends, just go up to the office and take one of their welcome packets.
We stayed in a dry camp site for only $7.50, and paid $5 for the dump (dump is only for members as well). FHU sites are around $33 depending on in-season/off-season, but I don't know how we would have figured out which sites were available. There are so many activities and amenities here for the long termers (I believe it's a 55+ park), I couldn't even list them all.
Showers and laundry were clean and efficient. There's a dog park and a dog walking path (there are signs everywhere about not letting your dog pee or poo on their nice plants). Cell service was good and they have good wifi as well. This would definitely be a spot we'd stop at again when we're in the area next.
GuideWe have stayed here many times. This campground has everything you need for a nice getaway. The sites are somewhat private, the bathrooms are sufficient, and there are trails to explore close by. The campground IS in the National Park, so make sure you have your Access Park Pass or you must pay the entrance fee to the park. Also keep in mind that National Park rules apply to dogs. So you will want to keep your pet leashed at all times, or risk a hefty fine.
TravelerI’ve stayed at Rainbow’s End twice. Both times were in their overflow camping area, which are two spots with water and electric only, under some trees which made for comfortable shade. The staff at the park are nice and professional, the facilities are always clean, and there is a large dog park (it has a somewhat short fence, perfect for my small dogs but be careful with bigger animals). Lots of people live at Rainbow’s end full time. It’s very clean and well maintained. You do get some road noise from the US 101, but it’s not too noticeable. If you aren’t taking advantage of water and electric hookups, it could be a little expensive.
ScoutExcellent location for those with military access to the base - active duty, retired or family. 30/50 amp hookups. Beautiful views of American Lake. Pet friendly.
GuideSpent 7 days (max) here. Camp hosts went out of their way to make it comfortable, clean and quiet. Completely dispersed tent or rv camping with a Washington Discovery Pass ($35 year) otherwise FREE for up too 7 days. Just register campsite upon arrival at front billboard or call ahead with questions or availability. First come first serve. Entire campground has decent roads but go extra extra slow in areas. Their are also couple nice campground public toilets but NO water or power. Bring sewer if able. Pet friendly but rules strictly enforced. I gave it 5 stars due to MY stay was amazing and my dog had a good time too. Thanks Margaret McKenny Camp hosts Ginny and Steve.
Camping areas near Hoodsport provide access to the southeastern portion of the Olympic Peninsula, where elevations range from sea level at Hood Canal to over 6,000 feet in nearby mountain terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with minimal rainfall, while winter camping often encounters temperatures between 30-45°F with frequent precipitation. Many campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though facilities may be limited during off-season months.
Oyster harvesting on Hood Canal: At Twanoh State Park Campground, the oyster beds are readily accessible from camp. "A quick walk from camp and your picking oysters from Hood Canal. Amazing! The swimming was great too," notes Blaine B. The park requires a shellfish license for harvesting.
Hiking forest trails: Big Creek Campground offers several trail options directly from camp. "There is a nice 4 mile loop and a nice ascent to Mount Eleanor. The 4 mile hike is one of my favorites so far in the region," shares Tom K. These trails are particularly well-maintained from May through October.
Beach exploration: Belfair State Park Campground provides beach access for swimming and water activities. "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," reports Leah H., who visited in August. The shallow waters warm up faster than other areas of the sound.
Easy access to Olympic National Park: Staircase Campground serves as a gateway to the park's eastern region. "We stumbled upon this campground by chance and were quite happy to have done so. We came early in the morning and were able to get a tent site before setting out to explore the Staircase area of Olympic National Park," says Isabelle K. Sites cost $20 per night.
Off-season tranquility: Twanoh State Park offers a different experience during quieter months. "Located right off highway 106, the campsites are really private due to the vegetation. 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," writes Saraj B., who noted seeing only two other couples during their spring visit.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dosewallips State Park Campground provides regular wildlife sightings. "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," shares Amy & Stu B. The park features designated viewing areas specifically constructed for wildlife observation.
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds offer limited separation between sites. "The Twanoh campground was super busy when we went. There is zero buffer between you and the other campers so pray you don't have neighbors with screaming, unruly kids or aggressive off-leash dogs," cautions Mercedes D. For more privacy, seek sites along perimeters or request locations away from central areas.
Seasonal water access: The NF-2419 dispersed site offers free camping with stream access. "Nice spots, but most are right near the road so it's busy. Most spots are only good for an overnight," advises goose10091203. This area requires bringing your own water supply and pack-in, pack-out waste management.
Reservation needs vary by season: Potlatch State Park experiences different crowd levels throughout the year. "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," explains Tyler S.
Look for shallow swimming areas: "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," says VIKKY S. about Potlatch State Park Campground. The stream provides safer water play for younger children.
Consider noise factors: When seeking pet-friendly campgrounds near Hoodsport, noise levels matter for families. "The sites closer to the back of the campground (where we were) are far away from the road so you can't really hear highway noise at all," Sarah S. notes about her stay at Potlatch, making it ideal for families with children or noise-sensitive dogs.
Choose sites with natural play areas: Glen Ayr Resort offers amenities beyond traditional camping. "Nice campground with all the amenities of a hotel. 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!" writes Lisa A. The resort welcomes pets in designated cabins and camping areas.
Pay attention to site leveling: Big Creek Campground provides well-maintained RV sites. "Most all sites that were large enough for RVs seemed quite level. There is a great deal of privacy between sites and ample potable water spigots," notes Lori T., who found the campground nearly empty during their stay. The campground accommodates larger vehicles despite its forest setting.
Select waterfront sites when possible: Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman offers premium lakefront options. "Waking up to fantastic lake/mountain views every day was beyond words. Family friendly camping and clean hot showers," shares Brook Jorgensen. The park allows dogs throughout the campground with appropriate leashing.
Consider road access: When traveling with RVs to dog-friendly campgrounds near Hoodsport, road conditions matter. "It's super tight parking here, backing in can be a challenge. The bathrooms are super clean and the short walk across the highway to hit the sound is amazing," explains Robyn K. about Potlatch State Park, indicating the need for careful maneuvering upon arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hoodsport, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hoodsport, WA is Potlatch State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 19 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 146 dog-friendly camping locations near Hoodsport, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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