The Olympic National Forest region spans 633,000 acres of diverse terrain, with elevations ranging from sea level to 7,321 feet at Mount Olympus. The area receives significant rainfall—up to 150 inches annually in certain parts—creating lush vegetation and varied camping conditions. Many campgrounds in this region stay open year-round despite seasonal weather shifts.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: At Willaby Campground, visitors can explore trails right from their site. According to Kim B., the campground is "ideally located by Olympic National Park with easy access to many hikes and just down the road from the Largest Sitka Spruce!"
Hot springs soaking: Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground offers mineral pools near your campsite. A visitor notes, "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!"
Wildlife viewing: The riverfront locations provide excellent wildlife watching opportunities. At Dosewallips State Park, campers report regular sightings of native wildlife. One camper mentioned, "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."
What campers like
Secluded forest camping: Coho Campground offers yurt accommodations in a remote forest setting. Elliott B. describes it as "pretty interesting as it's just off Lake Wynoochee, formed by the Wynoochee Dam. This portion of the National Forest is really cool and feels very secluded as you drive for miles and miles from any real civilization into some wonderful old growth forests."
Waterside locations: Many campers appreciate the proximity to lakes and rivers. At Falls Creek Campground, Holly A. noted, "This is a beautiful campground. You do need to make reservations in the summer months because it fills up. There are small waterfalls and a creek running through the campground. You are walking distance from Lake Quinault."
Historic structures: Several campgrounds feature historic buildings or landmarks. At Rain Forest Resort Village, Jack P. mentioned it's "Right by the lake and a short walk to the Largest Spruce Tree in the World. Nearby Restaurant and store, slightly more expensive than expected."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance planning. At Staircase Campground, Mat G. advises, "All walkup sites so make sure to get there early." Meanwhile, Norma Y. notes that at Coho Campground, "Firewood available for purchase from the campground host."
Weather preparedness: The Olympic Peninsula receives significant rainfall. At Kalaloch Campground, campers should "Be prepared for cold and fog. Bonus if you get some sunny days." The coastal locations experience particularly variable conditions.
Distance from services: Many campgrounds are remote with limited amenities. Lady L. cautions about Coho Campground: "I gave it 4 stars only because it is very far from nearest town (store) about an hour drive so come with everything you need. No showers."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer features specifically for children. At Wynoochee Falls Campground, ashley E. recommends it as "Nice for kids on bikes, swimming, big grassy fields, lots of trails!"
Consider yurt camping: Olympic National Forest yurt options provide comfort for families with young children. Jeff C. notes about Coho Campground: "We walked by the yurts, will definitely have to book those next time!"
Choose river access sites: Children enjoy water play areas. Michael B. shares about Dosewallips: "From the campsite we had access to the river and if you are a fisher, there was a nice log you could comfortably sit on at camp that looked down on the water."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: RV sites vary greatly between campgrounds. Patrick J. cautions about Rain Forest Resort Village: "The site was level, but the tongue in the back up site needed to come up a few feet. We had lots of room until others showed up."
Scout for level sites: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. Jeff C. recommends at Coho Campground: "The reservable lake spots 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, & 36 sit on a bluff overlooking the lake. These are the prime spots."
Consider seasonal limitations: RV camping options change throughout the year. At Kalaloch Campground, Natalie B. noted, "We were here in Oct so several loops were closed and there was no host. The campground still filled up though."
