Cabin accommodations near Matlock, Washington range from rustic forest retreats to waterfront properties along Hood Canal. This rural area offers forested camping experiences at approximately 300-400 feet elevation within the Olympic Peninsula rain shadow. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-45°F, while summer months average 60-75°F with reduced rainfall compared to surrounding regions.
What to do
Riverfront activities: At Schafer State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy the Satsop River's recreational opportunities. "The river is really good for splashing and wading, but a little too shallow for swimming and floating. There are some great rock beaches that you can set up chairs and hang for the day," notes a camper who visited with children.
Hiking trails: Multiple cabin locations provide access to hiking paths. "There is a figure eight hiking loop that offers some really great variation in terrain and vegetation without being too long. There was a really cool section along the back side that was like walking through a forest tunnel," shares a visitor at Schafer State Park Campground.
Shellfish harvesting: Guests staying in rental cabins near Hood Canal can gather oysters and clams seasonally. "Oceanside view stay, beautiful scenery, calm waters which is perfect for paddle boarding. You can dig for clams and oysters by paying cash to the office for your gatherings," explains a reviewer at Rest-A-While RV Park.
What campers like
Lake access: Millersylvania State Park cabins provide proximity to water activities. "The beach is the main attraction and it is hopping. We went early in the morning and staked a claim and were happy all day. There is a nice shallow area and two large swimming areas as well as a fishing dock," notes a family camper.
Waterfront views: Rental cabins with direct water views remain popular options. "Only 16 RV sites, which I find is a plus. All have views of beautiful Hood Canal. There are several cabins on the property, as well as a small inn. Property is well maintained," explains a visitor at The Waterfront at Potlatch.
Woodland privacy: Forested cabin locations provide seclusion from neighboring sites. "Super friendly staff, very clean and kept grounds in the woods. We must have come at a great time, no one else is here. We have the place to ourselves and it's just like being deep in the woods but with power and water," shares a guest at Dow Creek Resort.
What you should know
Booking timeline: Summer cabin reservations require advance planning. "After months of trying to get reservations for this popular campground, we finally got one for Thanksgiving weekend! The park is on their winter schedule so only sites 1-7 and 226-248 were open," reports a November visitor at Millersylvania State Park Campground.
Site variations: Quality and amenities vary significantly between cabin locations. "Clean sites, as advertised. Sites are dirt, so can get a little muddy in the wet season. Verizon and T-Mobile have relatively weak signal. Convenient location to Hoodsport and the National Forest/Park," notes a Thanksgiving weekend guest.
Road noise considerations: Some waterfront cabin locations experience traffic noise. "Very popular spot on the canal. Lots of pull through sites. Hook ups with dump station. Not too far from the cities and just outside of town," explains a reviewer about proximity to roads.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly beaches: Cabin locations with protected swimming areas work best for younger children. "The lake is small and great for letting kids go out in kayaks or other boats," shares a family who booked a group site at Millersylvania.
Playground access: Some cabin facilities include play areas for children. "Tent camped here mid week last August. There's a beach loop for RVs and a woods loop for tents & smaller RVs. Overall pretty quiet, close to town, close to ATV trails & dog friendly. The kids loved the park!" explains a summer visitor at Belfair State Park Campground.
Recreational options: Activity variety keeps children engaged during longer stays. "Nice for kids on bikes, swimming, big grassy fields, lots of trails!" notes an enthusiastic reviewer at Wynoochee Falls Campground about the diverse recreation opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Several resorts provide complete utility connections for RV travelers. "Nice campground with all the amenities of a hotel. Full hook ups, showers, BBQs, games, hot tub, laundry facilities, game room with fireplace and pool table all with a beautiful view of the Hood Canal!" shares a visitor to Glen Ayr Resort.
Site dimensions: RV sites vary in size and layout between facilities. "The tent sites are hit or miss on size. Some are way too small for a tent and some are huge and can easily fit 3 tents. Bathrooms are centrally located and clean," notes a camper about site variations.
Seasonal considerations: Off-season cabin rentals offer reduced crowds but may have limited services. "We stayed over Thanksgiving, and were able to accommodate our check in, which was nice to find a campground actually open. Verizon and T-Mobile have relatively weak signal," reports a late-season visitor describing winter operations.
