RV parks near Joyce, Washington provide camping options within a short drive of Olympic National Park's northern entrances. The area sits at the base of the Olympic Mountains where Highway 112 meets Highway 101, with average summer temperatures ranging from 65-75°F. Wet weather gear is essential for travelers even in summer months, as precipitation can occur year-round in this temperate rainforest region.
What to do
Beachcombing at Crescent Beach: Just a short distance from Joyce, Crescent Beach offers abundant wildlife viewing and tide pool exploration. "The beach is perfect for anyone wanting to spend time in the water or outdoors. WiFi isn't always the best but who needs that when you're camping at one of Washington's most beautiful beachfronts?!" notes a visitor to Crescent Beach & RV Park.
Hiking from Log Cabin: Trails near Lake Crescent provide excellent day hikes for all skill levels. "The lake is fantastic. The hiking is great, the devil's punch bowl, Spruce railroad trail for cycling," reports a camper who stayed at Log Cabin RV and Campground, noting the cramped camping was offset by excellent recreational opportunities.
Exploring Port Townsend: This historic seaport town is worth a day trip from Joyce. "Port Townsend is one of our favorite locations... Point Hudson marina and campground are right on the edge of downtown PT and have beautiful views and access for culling, kayaking, and paddle boarding," shares a reviewer from Point Hudson Marina & RV Park.
What campers like
Water access: Lake and ocean proximity rank high among camper preferences. "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," a reviewer mentioned about their stay at Crescent Beach & RV Park.
Community amenities: Some parks offer unexpected communal features. "They have a veggie garden to share, lots of outdoor activity areas and places to explore within walking distance. It's a great base camp for exploring the peninsula," notes a visitor to Elwha Dam RV Park.
Proximity to services: Access to nearby towns matters to many campers. "This location is close enough to Port Angeles that we went food shopping almost each day. Great wine tasting nearby, plus Hurricane Ridge and Dungeness Spit," mentioned a camper reviewing their experience near Joyce.
What you should know
Cell service variation: Connectivity changes dramatically across the Joyce area. "Tmobile had 2-3 of 5g so plenty good to download or watch movies... Road noise surprisingly loud," reports a camper at Elwha Dam RV Park.
Reservation timing: Book well ahead, especially for summer stays. "We were fortunate to have booked this campground six months in advance, so we got a great site that was next to the water and very accessible for our kayak," notes a Lake Crescent camper.
Site sizes vary greatly: Many RV parks have tight spacing between sites. "My rig fit in the spot, but once I put out both slides I was occupying the site next to mine... Maybe top 10 views of ocean in the state but also one of the smallest sites we have ever encountered," writes a Crescent Beach visitor about site constraints.
Tips for camping with families
Check for play areas: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. "Play equipment for the kids along with family outside & inside games. They offer free produce to the campers from their garden & free movie rentals," shares an Elwha Dam visitor.
Scout your site before setup: Limited space may require planning. "This park is not laid out well and the sites are small and close together. Prepare to be friendly with your neighbors," advises a camper at Log Cabin Resort and RV Park.
Consider bathroom accessibility: Facilities vary widely between parks. "Bathrooms have only one shower and only one sink. It is hard to brush your teeth or wash your face when there is a line of people waiting behind you," notes a Log Cabin camper about potential challenges.
Tips from RVers
Level site availability: Look for parks offering level pads. "The spots are wide and you can park next to your coach. The clubhouse is nice and new. I did not make it to the bathhouse or laundry but I'm sure they are nice," shares a camper at RV@Olympic.
Space considerations: Many RV sites near Joyce are snug. "There are lots of different options from tent sites to cabin rentals... They do a good job of providing privacy with the smaller RV spaces," notes an Elwha Dam RV Park visitor.
Location over amenities: Many RVers prioritize setting over space. "This is a classic example of an average RV park/campground in a prime location. It's basically a parking lot plunked down in one of the most beautiful places on earth," explains a Point Hudson RV Park camper about the common tradeoff near Joyce.
