Olympic National Park in Washington offers diverse camping landscapes, from coastal beaches to alpine meadows and temperate rainforest settings. Established campgrounds like Hoh Campground provide access to the park's famous rainforest ecosystem, while sites at Kalaloch Campground feature proximity to Pacific Ocean beaches. Camping options range from primitive backcountry sites accessible only by hiking trails to developed RV-friendly campgrounds with hookups. Several campgrounds like Sol Duc, Heart O' the Hills, and Fairholme operate seasonally within the national park boundaries, while others like Salt Creek Recreation Area and Elwha Dam RV Park offer year-round alternatives nearby.
Many campgrounds in Olympic National Park operate seasonally, with most facilities open from late spring through early fall. The park's western side receives significant rainfall, particularly during winter months, making camping challenging during the off-season. Reservations are essential for popular campgrounds, especially during summer months when visitation peaks. Both developed and backcountry camping require permits, with backcountry permits available from visitor centers. Weather conditions vary dramatically based on location within the park, from coastal fog to mountain snow even in summer months. Bear-resistant food storage is required throughout the park's camping areas. A visitor to the Hoh Campground noted that "Being on the river was amazing...It was also a great place to view stars. Another thing to be aware of is not only can it rain (in a rainforest!), it can get pretty cold at Hoh. Our first night was 46 degrees."
The park's backcountry areas receive consistently high ratings from experienced hikers who appreciate the solitude and natural settings. Campsites along the Hoh River Trail provide access to old-growth forest environments with several primitive camping areas available at different distances from the trailhead. One hiker described Olympus Guard Station, approximately 10 miles into the backcountry, as "by far the nicest of all backcountry campsites along the Hoh River trail." Visitors frequently mention wildlife encounters in reviews, with black bear sightings common in some areas. Campgrounds near water features tend to be most popular, but reviews indicate these sites often fill quickly during peak season. The combination of diverse ecosystems and varied terrain makes Olympic National Park a destination with camping options suited to many preferences, from family-friendly developed campgrounds to remote wilderness experiences.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$40 - $65 / night
"March 23 - October 28, 2018 Located along the Sol Duc River in magnificent Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is on the “edge of the backcountry in the heart of the Olympic National Park"
"Sol Duc is a great homebase if you want to be near the stinky hot springs. There are some pretty hikes in the area too."
$24 - $48 / night
"Running streams, walking paths, mountain views, wild animals. Olympic National Park has it all. This campground is next to the Hoh rainforest, however, it isn't actually in the forest itself."
"Hoh Campground at Olympic National Park has 78 first-come-first-served campsites located deep within the rainforest on the westernsidof the park."
$24 / night
"These sites are situated right next to Lake Crescent. They are open from May to October and have fairly standard amenities that you would find in other primitive sites."
"While tucked in the trees, sites weren’t very private."
"The campground is located close to Olympic National Park access out of Port Angeles, WA."
"Another great campground in Olympic National park. This was close to hurricane ridge and port anglers. Great location between city and nature. Got a spot here the same day as camping. We"
$45 / night
"Right outside of port angeles. Great stop before or after Vancouver Island or Olympic National park or in our case...both."
"This hidden gem, just west of Port Angeles and North of Olympic National Park has the best tidepooling in PNW. You can easily put in Kayaks and SUP."
"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)."
"Campsite is not directly on the lake. Has a great view however. Campsites are small and close together so just a note. Has toilet and bear hangs in a central location"
$24 - $48 / night
"Enjoyed easy access to beach and Olympic National Park. Looking forward to going back."
"As we made our way up Highway 101, we were able to get a last minute reservation at Kalaloch for the night (which apparently can be rare). It is about 11 minutes south of Ruby Beach (photos!)"
"This was a campground that we passed during our time in Olympic national park, and as we checked out the sites we decided we want to camp here. Just the drive to the campground was beautiful!"
"We stayed here during our trip to Olympic National Park. The campground was in one of the National Park's rainforest areas and felt quite magical."
"Tucked away from Highway 101 west of Joyce; it's a great place to settle down for a night or two, enjoy some fishing and visit some often overlooked locations on the OP."
"There is centralized freshwater available and vault toilets and a trail that goes down to the Strait Juan de Fuca adjacent to the campground."
$37 - $92 / night
"This campgrounds close to all the special sites in the Olympic national park and to Port Angeles. Everyone in the host family is happy to give you great recommendations."
"The staff genuinely cares about providing a positive experience for their guests."
GuideI really enjoyed exploring the beach during low tide. I camped about halfway down the beach and got some great pictures and alone time. I couldn’t find the bathroom located on the beach but that may just be navigation issues on my end.
TravelerVery quiet. Our pullout section could have fit 30 feet plus.
ScoutOwners were VERY welcoming. Charged $25 a night, which felt like a lot, but that’s nothing compared to the Forks motel prices. People were generally quiet besides some barking dogs here and there. Benches and places for fires. It does look like it’s on someone’s property because it is, but it’s about the same camp experience I’ve had anywhere. There are signs directing you where to go. Camp host said I could park basically anywhere on the property—I think there are designated spots but if the camp is too full you can park in a large grassy area. I went on a Monday, so it was only moderately busy. I didn’t see any bathrooms or water, but there’s a Sinclair about a 3 minute drive away with a bathroom. If you want a spot you can safely camp in your car (or without a car) where you won’t be worried you’ll wake up to a cop asking you to move, this is it.
ScoutWe had spot 15, it is no joke about it being windy! It was pretty breezy and cold, while other spots we explored weren’t so windy, and had more sun. our spot was spacious with lots of shade, not much room by the river to spread out, water is rushing not suitable for swimming. Peaceful enough overall.
TravelerThey have a portable shower and bathrooms, but it’s mostly long time residents. Hosts are incredibly nice and helpful. Electric hookups available.
TravelerBasic. Bathrooms and partial hookups available. Do not see dump station.
TravelerWater didn’t work, but in a very nice area, rangers were super nice, it was organized and quiet and trails were nice.
ScoutBeautiful area with friendly community.
GuideAs cyclists, we really enjoyed this state park. The hiker/biker sites are in a wooded area removed from the other sites which makes them peaceful. Good bathroom and shower amenities, picnic tables by the hiker/biker sites and in the day use area, and a lovely ocean view. Love the cheap, first come first serve option for those arriving by human power! There is also access to a store with supplies and firewood nearby. We enjoyed this spot because we could bike from our home in North Seattle, take the ferry from Edmonds and do a quick one-nighter over here.
Olympic National Park camping ranges from temperate rainforest sites with 140+ inches of annual rainfall to drier coastal campgrounds with frequent fog. The park spans nearly one million acres across three distinct ecosystems, with campground elevations varying from sea level to 3,500 feet. Temperatures can drop below 45°F even in summer months at higher elevation campgrounds, making proper gear essential regardless of season.
Tidepooling at low tide: Beach access from Salt Creek Recreation Area provides excellent tidepooling opportunities. "There are several ways to access a beach and tide pools during low tide!" notes Kier S. The campground offers spacious tent sites with "great views" according to Brandon J., who adds that "this place has incredible views but also offers plenty of trails and access to viewpoints and tidal areas."
Winter storm watching: Many coastal campgrounds remain open year-round for storm viewing. "I prefer winter camping here because it's less crowded, and the storms coming in from the Pacific are nothing less than awe inspiring," writes Toby R. about Kalaloch Campground.
Rainforest hikes: Trails near Hoh Campground offer immersive rainforest experiences. Kirsten notes, "The trails aren't stroller friendly but easily walkable with toddlers and a backpack. Feels safe. Busy but not like a mall." For serious backpackers, Alison C. recommends the High Divide Loop, saying "The hike itself was beautiful with several waterfalls along the way."
Riverside sites: Campsites along waterways are consistently rated highest. "While all the campsites were a bit close on Loop A, we hardly even heard or noticed anyone. It was amazing to fall asleep with the Sol Duc river close by," writes Suzie L. about Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground.
Hot springs access: Several campgrounds offer proximity to natural hot springs. Lucy 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!" The soaking pools provide welcome relief after hiking, as Marcus K. adds: "Feels especially good after that incredibly long hike I imagined during my afternoon nap."
Wildlife encounters: Elk sightings are common in certain campgrounds. "Lush Green Everywhere! Woke up surrounded by a herd of Red Elk," reports C.A. about Hoh Campground. Bear sightings are also frequent during summer months - Alison C. recounts, "We did see 12 black bears total on our hike, 3 of which were at our campsite. They were busy eating berries and didn't bother us."
Weather variability: Olympic camping requires preparation for rapid weather changes. "We were swarmed during the evening while cooking, but they [mosquitoes] died down later at night," notes Graham C. about summer insect activity at higher elevations. At Fairholme Campground, Asuka S. observes: "First night said lowest was 45 but it definitely felt colder. We had our winter sleeping bag but our friends said it was pretty cold."
Campground accessibility: Many campgrounds have limited access for larger vehicles. Laura M. notes about Heart O' the Hills Campground, "Sites were all beautiful but in our RV we were glad to be able to drive around and pick one, rather than reserve one in advance sight unseen, because we need a level spot with at least some sun for our solar."
Reservation windows: Most developed campgrounds in Olympic National Forest fill quickly during summer. Blaine B. advises, "It's one of 3 campgrounds in ONP that you can get a reservation, so be sure to get one unless you're arriving on a weekday." For popular sites, Laura M. recommends: "Cell service is spotty here so you have to rely on the boards with info about open sites."
Kid-friendly facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated family amenities. At Elwha Dam RV Park, Jackie S. reports, "Super nice people with allot of amenities. Play equipment for the kids along with family outside & inside games. They offer free produce to the campers from their garden & free movie rentals."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Specific campgrounds offer reliable wildlife sightings. At Hoh Campground, Shari G. describes: "Imagine wandering down the trail in the middle of this mass of life and observe a herd of Elk browsing on this herbivore salad bar. It's exceptional."
Swimming access: Several campgrounds feature lakes safe for children. Beatriz S. notes about Fairholme Campground: "The campground is right by the lake and offers walk-in sites that are literally on the lake shore. The best site in my opinion is 72, which is not directly on the lake shore but has a great view and good tree coverage."
Dump station locations: Limited dump stations make planning essential. Laura M. notes, "There's a dump station and water fill near the boat ramp" at Fairholme Campground, while also advising about access challenges: "This is a beautiful campground with 4 loops- I would say loop D is most accessible for RVs. The entrance to B was steep and we didn't even want to risk it."
Site selection strategy: Developed campgrounds have varied site configurations. Sol Duc campground reviewer Marcus K. notes: "Has three sections among the big trees. We had the joy of moving from campsite to campsite while we spent 3 nights. Sites vary in size. Some are tiny and cramped up to your neighbor and some are large and private. Some back ins and some have pull throughs."
Road conditions: Access roads to remote campgrounds can be challenging. Sarah S. warns about Graves Creek: "The road getting there is a bit narrow and bumpy which was made even more exciting by the fact that it was dark and rainy." For camping in Olympic National Forest, preliminary scouting of access routes is recommended during daylight hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find private campgrounds near Olympic National Park?
Several private campgrounds provide comfortable options near Olympic National Park. Olympic Peninsula-Port Angeles KOA offers family-friendly amenities including a pool, hot showers, and cabins, with fantastic owners and well-maintained facilities. It's conveniently located for day trips to the park and the Strait. For RV travelers, Gilgal Oasis RV Park provides full 50-amp hookups and helpful on-site management, though sites are closely positioned. It's a clean, small RV resort with easy access to Olympic National Park. Other private options include Elwha Dam RV Park near Port Angeles. Most private campgrounds offer amenities not found in the national park such as electrical hookups, showers, and laundry facilities.
What are the best campgrounds in Olympic National Park?
Heart O' the Hills Campground ranks among the best in Olympic National Park, offering a prime location for accessing Hurricane Ridge and Port Angeles. Surrounded by magnificent old-growth trees, it provides a true wilderness experience while remaining accessible. Another top option is Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground, which operates seasonally from March to October. It offers unique amenities with access to hot spring pools and numerous hiking trails along the Sol Duc River. Kalaloch Campground is highly rated for its easy beach access. For the best camping experience, consider the season (summer is busiest), your preferred ecosystem (rainforest, mountains, or coastal), and whether you need reservations, as many sites fill quickly during peak season.
What tent camping options are available in Olympic National Park?
Olympic National Park offers diverse tent camping experiences across different ecosystems. Fairholme Campground provides tent sites situated along beautiful Lake Crescent with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. It's open seasonally from May to October. Upper Hoh Road Campsite offers a more secluded experience about 20 minutes outside the Hoh Rainforest section, providing rare solitude close to the park. For backcountry enthusiasts, numerous hike-in tent camping options exist throughout the park, requiring wilderness permits. The park's tent camping areas typically provide basic amenities like vault toilets and potable water, though facilities vary by location. Most campgrounds are first-come, first-served, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak summer months.
What camping options are available throughout the Olympic Peninsula?
The Olympic Peninsula offers diverse camping options beyond the national park boundaries. Willaby Campground provides a quiet, first-come-first-served experience with easy access to trails and the option to shower at the nearby lodge for a small fee. Dosewallips State Park Campground offers another excellent option outside the national park. For those seeking backcountry experiences, numerous wilderness camping areas exist throughout the peninsula's national forest lands. The peninsula features a range of camping environments from coastal sites with beach access to mountain settings with alpine views. Camping options include primitive sites with basic facilities, fully-developed campgrounds with showers and electrical hookups, and remote backcountry areas requiring permits. Each area offers unique proximity to different peninsula attractions, from rainforests to beaches to mountain vistas.
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