Tent campsites near Olympic National Forest range from riverside spots to dispersed areas along forest service roads. Located in the northwest corner of Washington, this region receives 140-170 inches of annual rainfall, creating one of America's few temperate rainforests. Elevation varies from near sea level to 2,000 feet at most campgrounds, with summer temperatures typically ranging between 55-75°F.
What to do
Hiking to remote swimming holes: Wolf Bar Campground offers prime swimming spots along the North Fork Quinault River. "There are at least 6-7 established spots along the west bank of the river that are either in the forest or out along the gravel bar, each one had a fire pit and a few even had stump benches," notes a visitor to Wolf Bar. The campsite features multiple swimming holes including "one that is directly out from the camp sign and is a slow-moving eddy that is at least 4 feet deep in the middle of summer."
Huckleberry picking: Late summer visitors can harvest wild berries near many campsites. "The scenery is breath taking. Down the road there are at least 2 waterfalls on the right," reports a camper at Dispersed South Shore Road, adding that "it has a large rope so you can access the river."
Backpacking to alpine lakes: For experienced hikers, trails beyond Enchanted Valley lead to high-elevation lakes. "We took the trail past Enchanted Valley and up to Marmot Lake, up to Lake Lacrosse, hopped over Ranger Pass (extremely difficult), and back down into the valley," shares a backpacker at Enchanted Valley. "Camping on top of Marmot lake was the best part of the trip. Climb up on top of the rock to the right of the trail for some very amazing campsites."
What campers like
Private lakeside tent spots: Gatton Creek Campground offers walk-in tent sites directly on Lake Quinault. "Only five sites at this campground - first come first served - all are walk up and all are on a semi private beach on Lake Quinault with beautiful water for swimming and kayaking and fantastic trails directly across the road," states a review at Gatton Creek.
Old-growth forest settings: Willaby Campground provides tent sites beneath ancient trees. "Quiet campground, trees in-between spots so you don't see your neighbors. Spots right on the lake and a spot to walk down to the lake if you don't get those campsites," reports a camper at Willaby Campground. "You can hop on a great trail right from the campground that goes along a creek."
Secluded dispersed camping: FS-2292 offers free, primitive camping away from crowds. "Very far off the beaten path, every time I camp here I don't run into anyone. You're camping on the Ridgeline so it can be a bit windy," writes a visitor. "East of the campsite there is a walking trail that takes you to an overlook, perfect for watching the sunrise."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. "The road getting to there is a bit narrow and bumpy," notes a camper about Graves Creek. At Dispersed South Shore Road, a visitor warns "the road is full of potholes" and mentions partial closures due to flooding.
Bear safety precautions: Most backcountry sites require food storage. "There are operational bear wires here but there is no privy (at least that I could find) so bring your trowel," advises a camper at Wolf Bar. At O'Neil Creek, a visitor observed "even some morons who pitched their tent directly below the bear wire."
Tent site surfaces vary: Some campgrounds have challenging ground for tent stakes. At Gatton Creek, one camper warns "the campsites have no grass or dirt and they are solid rock just like the beach - I'm talking large pebbles. Didn't bother us because we had an inflatable mattress, luckily, but if we hadn't there would've been no way to sleep on the ground at this site!"
Tips for camping with families
Best beginner-friendly backcountry sites: Several campgrounds offer accessible overnight backpacking for families. "Pony Bridge was one of my favorite spots on the trail to rest and camp. Located close to the trailhead, it is a great destination in itself to be located in the great old growth forest of Olympic National Park," explains a visitor to Pony Bridge.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to see elk, deer and sometimes bears. "We saw a heard of Elk up there and three bears," reports a backpacker in the Enchanted Valley area, making wildlife viewing a highlight for families with children.
Lake access for children: Willaby Campground includes a designated swimming area. "This campground has a great (free) day-use area with a really nice beach for swimming/splashing and it doesn't get too busy," shares a camper with children.
Tips from RVers
Alternative camping for large vehicles: When RV-friendly campgrounds fill up, consider nearby options. "We drove in on a super busy weekend at the end of August but were able to get lucky and find 1 site that wasn't reserved for a night," notes an RVer about Willaby Campground. "Sites are on the small side but fairly private."
Limited amenities: Most tent campsites near Olympic National Forest lack RV hookups. "No overflow camping at all," warns a camper about Willaby. Similarly, at Graves Creek, a visitor notes that "no trailers and RVs are allowed out here due to the narrow gravel roads and small spaces."
Seasonal access variations: Road conditions affect RV accessibility seasonally. "Spent one night on 4/22/19, granted it's still early in the season, the camp hasn't been very maintained," reports a spring visitor to Graves Creek.
