Best Tent Camping near Joyce, WA

Joyce's surrounding landscape offers diverse tent camping opportunities within Olympic National Park and surrounding forestlands. Weekend Worrior Camping provides 14 established tent sites with basic amenities, while more remote options exist at Littleton Horse Camp where walk-in tent sites are available. Several backcountry camping areas like Lillian and Boulder Lake within Olympic National Park provide secluded tent-only locations accessible primarily by trail, requiring proper permits and preparation for primitive conditions.

Most tent sites in the Joyce area feature natural surfaces with minimal site development. Fire rings and picnic tables are common at established campgrounds, though amenities vary significantly between locations. The Forest Service 2918 area offers free dispersed tent camping with no facilities, requiring campers to pack in all water and supplies. Vault toilets are available at some established campgrounds like Littleton Horse Camp, but many backcountry tent locations require proper waste disposal techniques. Seasonal considerations affect tent camping access, with some higher-elevation tent sites inaccessible during winter months due to snow.

Tent campers seeking seclusion gravitate toward the backcountry options along Olympic National Park's trail network. According to one visitor, "Lillian Lake is quiet and serene and the perfect place to sit on a log and journal." These tent-only sites provide direct access to hiking trails, alpine lakes, and coastal beaches depending on location. Many backcountry tent areas like Boulder Lake and Lunch Lake require wilderness camping permits, bear canisters for food storage, and strict adherence to leave-no-trace principles. Tent camping near Joyce provides diverse experiences ranging from established campgrounds with basic amenities to truly primitive backcountry sites where self-sufficiency is essential. Weather conditions can change rapidly, requiring proper tent setup and rain protection even during summer months.

Best Tent Sites Near Joyce, Washington (118)

    1. Weekend Worrior Camping

    1 Review
    Joyce, WA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 670-8238

    $30 - $59 / night

    "There's RV sites tent sites and Glamping tents there's one with a king bed for couples and 1 with a king bed and a twin bed for families and 1 with 2 twin beds for friends they're all fully furnished with"

    2. Littleton Horse Camp

    4 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 374-6522

    $10 / night

    "Littleton Horse Camp is on the edge of the very popular Lake Crescent area of Olympic National Park."

    "We had a great stay, we stayed in the lower campsite #2 and it did not have the horse requirement so we nabbed it before 6pm."

    3. Lillian — Olympic National Park

    5 Reviews
    Port Angeles, WA
    17 miles
    Website

    "I wish we would have just kept driving though, because the weather wasn't too good. We woke up and were socked in with fog and rain."

    "We were backpacking the Elwha river trail in Olympic National Park and decided to stay at Lillian base camp for a night. We hiked 4miles into the forest from whiskey bend road and we were astonished!"

    4. Boulder Lake — Olympic National Park

    1 Review
    Joyce, WA
    11 miles
    Website

    "The hike can be a bit grueling and since I've done it the road leading to the trailhead has been shut down, so plan on adding a few more miles to your hike to get to the lake (around 7 miles.)"

    5. Lunch Lake — Olympic National Park

    3 Reviews
    Olympic National Park, WA
    15 miles
    Website

    "This is not a campground, but one stop on the amazing Seven Lakes Loop or High Divide Loop backcountry trails. You can also do a one night out and back just to Lunch Lake."

    "We hike the High Divide Loop in 2 days and backcountry camped at Lunch Lake overnight. This was one of my all-time favorite campsites."

    6. PRSRV Surf - Twin Beach

    1 Review
    Joyce, WA
    12 miles
    Website

    $40 - $190 / night

    "We're happy to welcome this property to our platform. This property offers private, comfortably separated, campsites that can accommodate tents/ Vans up to 23ft. Each site has its own fire-pit."

    7. Elk Lake — Olympic National Park

    6 Reviews
    Olympic National Park, WA
    19 miles
    Website

    "This is a pretty simple camping area along the backpacking trail in the Hoh rainforest. The lake is small but lovely and means there is a pretty consistent water source."

    "The water access to the lake was a pain in the butt, and the lake is nothing special (no swim access or anything like that)."

    8. Deer Park Campground — Olympic National Park

    12 Reviews
    Carlsborg, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 565-3130

    "Deep park is located on a 7 mile long gravel road.  The drive up is tight and not suitable for any type of trailer.  The campground has level tent sights that offer a fantastic 360 degree view. "

    "Luckily I went and talked to the ranger and he told me of a spot that might still be open…IT WAS! We were there for the weekend."

    9. Forest Service 2918

    3 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    10. Olympus Guard Station — Olympic National Park

    2 Reviews
    Olympic National Park, WA
    18 miles
    Website

    "We did a 2 night backpacking trip along the Hoh River Trail. We decided stay 2 nights at Olympus since there was still snow pack up the mountain."

    "It's still just as amazing backcountry campground nearly 10 miles into the backcountry of Olympic National Park with tons of spots to choose from and enough space that even in the busy summer months you"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 118 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Joyce, WA

1498 Reviews of 118 Joyce Campgrounds


  • Jenn B.
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Fairholme Campground — Olympic National Park

    Lakeside Camping

    Great backup site if your beach camping plans get rained out. If you can get there early, grab a site on the water. $10 per person, per night. Campground has clean bathrooms, potable water, fire pits, picnic tables and bear boxes for food storage.

  • Jason H.
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Lena Lake Campground

    Great spot

    A nice 3.5 miles ish hike from the parking area to campground. The campsites offers fire rings and has plenty of amazing views of the lake. Don’t forget to pack everything out and leave no trace.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2016

    Lena Lake Campground

    Lena Lake campground

    This is a hike-in campground down a 3.5 mile trail. It sees heavy use from locals on the weekend. There was plenty of room during the week when I was there. Lena Lake is quiet and serene and the perfect place to sit on a log and journal. Other people walked around the edge of the lake but care must be taken as it's a bit rugged. Follow the leave no trace principles and this place will be one to return to again for yourself and others.

  • Karen H.
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Whiskey Creek Beach NW

    Unexpected Gem

    Despite the poor weather, I couldn't have been happier with my Whiskey Creek Beach camping experience. From the views, adequately spaced tent sites, steel fire pits, potable water, picnics table, Adirondack chairs and shower access, this was a perfect getaway for this solo, 50-something, female camper, accompanied only by her chow-chow . I was able to finally fulfill my dream of camping along the shore. 

    One of the amazing features for those camping at the shorefront sites (T9, T10, T12) are the elevated, 12×14 decks that serve as your tent pad; No need to worry about a tarp placement beneath the tent. Metal cleets are placed around the deck stucture that you can use as tie downs for your tent and fly. These were useful for my additional tarp as I had to contend with mostly adverse weather conditions.The hosts have also provided, for your convenience, additional tie downs in case of high winds. Side Note: with the set up I created, I never once, had to contend with tent leakage, from the top or bottom. 

    There is a small, single shower hut apx. 30 yards from the tent site. It is an off the grid shower, but extremely clean, and has running hot water. The cost was $5.00 for unlimited use. The outhouse for the sites, next to the shower hut, is rather old, and was, in my opinion, the only drawback. There is, however, a newer flush toilet up a small hill near the site which I found myself gravitating to. 

    The hosts were extremely helpful and responsive. The area has a secure access gate. Firewood is available for sale at a cost of $4.99. The small town of Joyce is but a 10 minute drive where you will find an extremely well stocked old timey general store, two quaint resturaunts, and a laundromat, a huge bonus as I was on an extended stay of seven days.

    For those inclined to explore the region, you are well within driving distance to some of Washington's exceptiinally breathtaking hikes, including Hurricane Ridge, The Ozette Triangle, and Cape Flattery.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2021

    Cape Alava Campground — Olympic National Park

    Extravaventure!!!

    Wow!!! This was such a magical adventure! You will need a permit and a bear canister (which you can rent from the ranger station) but the payoff is a forever sunset, the scent of healing salt air, the sound of eagle’s fledging their young, giant sea stacks looming in the tide and the alpha wave inducing white noise of gentle waves churning, all while Bambi grazes near your tent. You might even see seals and whales so bring binoculars. I hiked the 9.4 mile Ozette Triangle over two days. I started from my campsite at the Ozette Campgrounds and hiked out Sand Point Trail. Then I explored giant sea stacks and saw petroglyphs along the Ozette River to Sand Point Beach Travel Way. Mt campsite had a rustic pit toilet nearby, a fire ring (burn dead driftwood only!) and a view of a distant sea stack framed perfectly by giant trees. After spending the most restful magical night right on the cusp of the rainforest, I explored northward some (do this during ebb tide so you don’t get trapped between peninsulas) before I headed back along the Cape Alava Trail. I did not want this hike to end. I can see why these are some of “The Best 100 Miles in National Parks” as ranked by Backpacker Magazine. I will go back and include this as part of a seven day of Cape Alava to Shi Shi Beach.

    Pro Tips:

    1. Take a picture of the current tide chart posted at the trailhead and know how to use it.
    2. There are wonderful restrooms at the the trailhead parking lot but there is not a single trash can or dumpster to be found anywhere. I love this! It is a reminder to truly Leave No Trace and pack out everything in an effort to reduce the drain on limited park resources to deal with garbage. So take two trash bags, one for you and one for your neighbor.
    3. Get a map and information sheet of the Petroglyphs before you go so you can enjoy this little treasure hunt!
  • Ariel & John  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Heart O' the Hills Campground — Olympic National Park

    Beautiful clean primitive campgrounds

    In the Olympic NP, close to Hurricane Ridge to the south, 15 min to town of Port Ángeles to the north. Camped in loop C. Had a beautiful private site. Old growth forest and hiking trails all around. No hookups, no dump station. Each site has fire ring, picnic table. Each loop has a clean, powered, plumbed bathroom, no showers. Would camp again.

  • C
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground — Olympic National Park

    Very Clean but Limited Facilities

    Campground has Access to Sol Duc River. Site #11 is directly on the bank. Very clean but limited facilities. No showers. Clean restrooms. Bear boxes available and recycling. Access to many trails.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Hoh Campground — Olympic National Park

    Wet but worth it.

    This is a very wet campground(you are in the Hoh Rainforest afterall), so bring some extra tarps to stay dry. There are 3 loops, with a few riverside sites in Loops A and C. There were a lot of downed trees that were in various states of being cleared when I was there, which did close some sites to campers. Some sites had some privacy and others did not, but all were level. I was comfortable on my site, but preferred more privacy. None of the sites that I looked at had dedicated tent pads, but all had the usual picnic table and fire pit. It's a short walk to the visitors center and lots of hiking trails are nearby, including one that cuts through the campground. It was very quiet at night, and even though I was not on a site on the river, you could hear the river at night.

  • Amy & Stu B.
    Oct. 3, 2022

    Dosewallips State Park Campground

    Gorgeous location

    This campground is right next to a state park. It’s also very close to a river and lots of woods. We stayed here to see Olympic national park, (I wouldn’t recommend this location to travel to Olympic every day, it was very far.)

    The amenities were nice, bathrooms with warm water (one shower per bathroom.)

    No laundry, no Wi-Fi and both Verizon and AT&T worked with about one bar.

    The sites were level spacious and had a fire ring and picnic table at each. We chose the full hookup option. Firewood could be purchased through the camp host.

    The best part about this day was the surrounding area. 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.


Guide to Joyce

Dispersed camping opportunities near Joyce, Washington offer several primitive sites where self-sufficient campers can experience the Olympic Peninsula wilderness. At Forest Service 2918 area, roadside pullouts with established fire rings allow free tent camping with no facilities, requiring visitors to pack in all supplies including water. The area sits between 500-800 feet elevation with seasonal access limitations during winter months when forest roads may become snow-covered.

What to do

Hiking mountain trails: The trail to Mt. Muller near Littleton Horse Camp provides challenging terrain with significant elevation gain. "I highly recommend hiking up to Mt Muller for a great uphill butt-burner with spectacular views alongside beautiful fauna and cedar trees," notes Heartworn H., who discovered this trail while camping in the area.

Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime opportunities to observe local deer and elk populations. At Weekend Worrior Camping, campers report regular wildlife sightings. According to Aimee B., "There's deer and elk that come through the camp," making it an excellent spot for wildlife enthusiasts.

Alpine lake exploration: For experienced backpackers, high-elevation lakes provide remote swimming and fishing options. "Boulder Lake is amazing and almost nobody camps up there it seems. Find a nice spot along the lake and take a dio in the lake as a reward for making it all this way," writes Zach A. about the 7-mile hike to this secluded destination.

What campers like

Clear night skies: The higher elevation campgrounds offer exceptional stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. Campers at Deer Park Campground frequently mention stellar views. "That night it got so dark we were blanketed in stars and it was simply amazing," reports Meghan S.

Secluded backcountry sites: Remote tent camping locations along alpine lakes provide quieter alternatives to established campgrounds. At Lunch Lake, backcountry permit holders find solitude. "This was one of my all-time favorite campsites. There were several backcountry sites at Lunch Lake, but only one other site was occupied the night we stayed," shares Alison C.

Clean, maintained facilities: At certain established sites, attentive management creates positive experiences. Charlotte L. notes about Littleton Horse Camp: "The vault toilets were spotless, the campsite was quiet, and there are nearby hiking and biking trails that are wonderful!"

What you should know

Bear precautions required: Multiple campgrounds require proper food storage methods. At Lillian campground, Lucy L. advises, "They also have prestrung bear wires set up in a section of camp away from the sites... If you do not have a bear canister you are required to use the bear wire to keep everyone safe."

Water availability varies: Many sites require water filtration from natural sources. "Obviously, this site is primitive and you will need to filter your water from the river and try to have a bear canister with you as well," notes Lucy L. about Lillian campground.

Road conditions: Access to some sites requires navigating challenging forest service roads. About Deer Park Campground, Ethan H. warns, "Scariest road I've ever driven on. Very narrow steep cliffs on the side. Please be careful of oncoming traffic when turning corners!"

Campsite selection timing: Arriving early ensures securing better sites at non-reservable campgrounds. Maddie D. advises about Deer Park: "Early August was when I was there, and it was pretty busy! Try to get a spot early!"

Tips for camping with families

Glamping options: For families seeking comfort beyond tent camping, Weekend Worrior Camping provides furnished structures. Aimee B. describes, "There's one with a king bed for couples and 1 with a king bed and a twin bed for families... they're all fully furnished with bedding and tables and chairs and a rug."

Site spacing considerations: Choose campgrounds with adequate separation between sites when camping with children. At Littleton Horse Camp, sites are "HUGE, and well spaced out. Each site has a table and firepit as well as an area with the posts to tie up your horses (or your hammock)," according to Stephanie Z.

Weather preparedness: Olympic Peninsula weather changes rapidly, requiring appropriate gear. Toby R. recommends for camping at Lillian: "I would advise against camping during stormy weather, but if you've packed in everything you'll need your rain forest experience will be an awesome adventure."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most camping areas near Joyce have limitations for larger vehicles. At Littleton Horse Camp, RVers should note the campground layout. Spencer J. explains it as "a walk in spot maybe a minute from the main parking lot," indicating limited direct RV access to some sites.

Senior discounts available: Some federally managed campgrounds offer reduced fees for senior pass holders. Charlotte L. notes about Littleton Horse Camp: "$5 for us Seniors with a lifetime pass, $10 for everyone else."

Alternative options: When the best tent camping near Joyce, Washington fills up, having backup locations helps. Spencer J. shares: "Like others we ended up here after checking a number of other campsites that were full. The camp is usually for horse people but unoccupied spots are up for grabs after six."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Joyce, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Joyce, WA is Weekend Worrior Camping with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Joyce, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 118 tent camping locations near Joyce, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.