Dispersed camping near Joyce, Washington ranges from forest service roads to beachfront locations along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The area sits at the northern edge of Olympic National Park with elevations ranging from sea level to 5,000+ feet at nearby Hurricane Ridge. Temperatures vary significantly between coastal and mountain zones, with summer highs rarely exceeding 80°F and winter lows frequently dipping below freezing in higher elevations.
What to do
Tidepooling at low tide: Salt Creek Recreation Area offers excellent marine wildlife viewing opportunities. "The campground is right by the lake and offers walk-in sites that are literally on the lake shore. The best site in my opinion is 72, which is not directly on the lake shore but has a great view and good tree coverage," notes Beatriz S. about Fairholme Campground.
Fishing in local rivers: Steelhead fishing draws many visitors to the Lyre River area. "Around the area places like Murdock Beach gives great views of Canada and the Salish Sea. Joyce has a great museum and general store with a bit of everything," shares Zach A. about Lyre River Campground.
Hot springs soaking: Add a relaxing element to your camping trip with nearby hot springs. "The pools are well maintained ($15 to get in), there's locker rooms with showers and there's also a diner. Down the road there's a short 1 mile hike to the falls!" explains Lucy about Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground.
Beach exploration: Many camping spots near Joyce, Washington provide direct access to shorelines. "We had an amazing stay here. The manager helped us back in and helped us get set up—it was our first trip in our new rig. Having the beach literally right there was awesome. More sand dollars than I've ever seen on a beach in my life," reports Anne P. about Crescent Beach & RV Park.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites despite being close to attractions. "Heart O' The Hills campground in Olympic. We were doing a big loop around the park and this was the perfect place to start. We went to the visitor center and then got settled, did a quick hike nearby, and enjoyed a beautiful evening under the evergreens," shares haley L. about Heart O' the Hills Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Joyce area provides numerous opportunities to spot native wildlife. "The sound of the river was peaceful. 10/10 would recommend," writes Eric about Dispersed Camping NF 2918, adding "Beautiful spots right on the river. Settled 13,000 years ago. Fire pits, bathrooms, limited cell service."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the dispersed sites. "Super cool spot to camp en route to going down Olympic NP. Only about a mile from the highway. 3 sites are here, the first is just before the bridge and the second right after which is very limited parking," notes Spencer H. about Dispersed Camping NF 2918.
Tent platforms on beaches: Several camping areas feature elevated wooden platforms for tents. "We stayed at a beautiful drive-up spot that overlooked the lake. Neighbors seemed closer than if we were in a spot on the interior and away from the water... but the view is definitely worth it," shares Megan about Fairholme Campground.
What you should know
Weather variations: The Olympic Peninsula experiences significant seasonal changes. "It was chilly and windy but we still had a blast," reports David M. about Salt Creek Recreation Area, while another camper notes, "Although we were surrounded in fog, enjoyed the playground, tide pools and private site number 51. Always a great spot."
Road noise at some sites: Location can impact your camping experience. "Clean facilities, well spaced sites, and a stunning lake - all ruined by incessant truck traffic noise," warns Kurt S. about Fairholme Campground, giving it just 1 star.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the area. "AT&T service is decent, bounces between US and Canada towers though so be sure roaming is not an issue for your bill," advises Brown Sign Junkies about Whiskey Creek Beach NW.
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. "This location is NOT big rig friendly. The state recreation sign on the road does limit lengths to 20 feet and I had a hard time making the turn around at the end of the loop with my 22 foot trailer," cautions Susan C. about Lyre River Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. "Although we were surrounded in fog, enjoyed the playground, tide pools and private site number 51. Always a great spot," shares Shina W. about Salt Creek Recreation Area.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide ranger programs. "There are a BUNCH of hiking trails nearby and the rangers have classes on certain days at the amphitheater," reports Michell C. about Heart O' the Hills Campground.
Beach access: Family-friendly beaches provide entertainment for all ages. "Site B1 is super unlevel. Gravel and dirt in this site is very loose as well," cautions Craig S. about Whiskey Creek Beach NW, though he appreciated that it was a "Gorgeous location, lovely host, clean, good water and electric."
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer room for multiple tents. "Size of the site was pretty big. There were 4 of us plus dog we had 3 tents (4p and two 2p tent) still had enough room for us to have cooler around etc," explains Asuka S. about Fairholme Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Careful consideration of your site is essential for RVs. "Depending on which loop your site is in pay station differs (it's all right by bathroom) one of the book we have says this place offers shower but we did not see one," notes Asuka S. about Fairholme Campground.
Hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "There is a FHU area as well as non hookup areas, which you can stay in as long as you fit. Ultimately, there wasn't room for us at the non-hookup campground, and the RV sites were all booked," explains Laura M. about Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground.
Space constraints: Some RV sites are tightly arranged. "Great view horribly tight. My rig fit in the spot, but once I put out both slides I was occupying the site next to mine and the other side I was about as small. Ocean is gorgeous and short trail takes you there," warns Greg B. about Crescent Beach & RV Park.
Size restrictions: Vehicle length limitations exist at many campgrounds. "This campground is basic and sites are relatively close together, but the lush greenery gives good privacy," notes Justin S. about Hoh Campground, adding that it has a "very 'in touch with nature' feeling to this well-maintained and standard NPS campground."
