Hoquiam, Washington camping options range from riverside locations to coastal destinations within a 30-mile radius. Situated at the mouth of the Hoquiam River with an elevation near sea level, the area experiences a marine climate with annual rainfall averaging 70 inches. Cell reception varies dramatically between inland and coastal sites, often requiring drives to higher ground for connectivity.
What to do
Beach access exploration: Campers staying at Thousand Trails Oceana can reach nearby beaches with a short drive. "A little muddy in spots, there is a short hike to the beach and it is wide open once there make note of your trail so as not to get confused on return," notes one visitor about the trails leading to expansive beaches.
Blackberry picking: During summer months, wild blackberries grow abundantly around campgrounds. "The forest was loaded with delicious plump berries," reports a camper who stayed at Hoquiam River RV Park, making August an ideal time for berry foraging.
Clamming excursions: The region offers excellent opportunities for razor clam digging, particularly during fall and winter seasons. "We stayed 2 nights during a mid-November clam dig. The covered fish cleaning station was very nice to clean clams," reports a visitor at American Sunset RV Resort.
What campers like
River walking trails: Waterfront campgrounds provide scenic paths along rivers. "The little walking trails along the river were gorgeous. Again, for a tiny town, this site was a treat," writes a camper about Hoquiam River RV Park's maintained pathways.
Private wooded sites: Ocean Breeze RV Resort offers unusually secluded spots for an RV park. "This campground had some of the most private sites I've ever seen. Rarely can you go to an RV park and not see your neighbors. There are sites in open areas, some cut into the forest, and some completely covered by trees," describes a reviewer about the layout.
Waterfront camping: Bayshore RV Park & Guest Suites provides direct water access. "The sites along the shore have an amazing view. Great for kids because the inlet water is fairly shallow," explains a visitor who enjoyed the beachfront location.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Coastal Washington weather can be unpredictable even in summer. "Weather in this part of WA is notoriously bad. We were there for a week in mid August and the temps barley broke 70 with 2 days of straight rain," reports a camper from Ocean Breeze RV Resort.
Dump station availability: Several parks have dump stations rather than sewer hookups. "No sewer hookups! In a 300+ site campground I was shocked to learn they had no option for sewer. They have 6 dump stations in 2 locations instead," mentions a visitor regarding Ocean Breeze RV Resort's facilities.
Site spacing variation: The Driftwood RV Resort and Campground and similar parks offer varying site configurations. "The campground was quiet and peaceful, even though they had quite a few guests. There isn't beach access, but there is access to Copalis River which apparently you can boat/float to the beach," notes a visitor about the layout and river access options.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some campgrounds maintain play areas for children. "Park is great for kids, Short walk to the beach, and facilities are well kempt. Only downside is the VERY NARROW spots," advises a parent who stayed at Thousand Trails Oceana.
Water recreation alternatives: When ocean conditions are rough, river access provides safer options. "The center sites, 17 & 18 which is where we were at were not bad, no view but still ok and only 100 yards from the beach. Great for kids because the inlet water is fairly shallow," recommends a family camper at Bayshore RV Park.
Beach driving access: JB's RV Park provides proximity to vehicle-accessible beaches. "This is a good location being right on the dunes and near the beach entrance with a short walk. Also puts you near the horse rentals," notes a visitor regarding the family-friendly location.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At larger campgrounds, carefully choose your location. "We opted for the section closer to the beach and less space between sites," explains a camper at Thousand Trails Oceana who found the campground's layout resembled a parking lot in some sections.
Off-season availability: Many RV campgrounds near Hoquiam remain open year-round with fewer crowds. "We pulled in late at night and on off season and they still accommodated us!" reports an RV camper at Hoquiam River RV Park, highlighting the flexibility during slower periods.
Sizing considerations: Some sites have deceptive length specifications. "Trailer sites will say 'fits up to 40ft trailer.. etc' but that is including your truck so be careful," warns an RVer who discovered space limitations at American Sunset RV Resort.
