Camping spots near Sekiu, Washington feature diverse environments ranging from temperate rainforest to coastal beaches. The area sits at the northwestern edge of the Olympic Peninsula where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean, with elevations ranging from sea level to around 500 feet. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, but rain is common year-round with annual precipitation exceeding 100 inches in many locations.
What to do
Fishing access: Lyre River Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with designated platforms. "There's a fishing platform at the southern end of the campground and a number of beaches with deeper pools that trout and salmon like to hang around in. One crusty old-timer said that during runs the river is overflowing with fish, including the highly coveted Steelhead," shares one camper at Lyre River Campground.
Beach exploration: The coastal camping areas provide miles of shoreline to explore. A visitor to Shi Shi Beach notes, "We decided to Beach camp that night and had our sights set on Shi Shi beach. It's a gorgeous beach, but a little bit of a pain to get to and to make sure you have all the right permits." Many beaches feature tide pools with marine life.
Hot springs soaking: Book a timed session at Sol Duc Hot Springs near the campground. "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!" says a visitor who appreciates the amenities.
Coastal trail hiking: Multiple campgrounds offer access to coastal and forest trails. "The drive to Shi Shi (pronounced Shy Shy) Beach was amazing. WA 112 is a fun, winding road with breathtaking views of the ocean," notes one hiker who enjoyed the journey as much as the destination.
What campers like
River sounds: Sites along rivers are particularly popular for the natural white noise. At Klahowya Campground, "We arrived at 2pm on 7/2/24 hoping to find a first come first served spot big enough for our rented RV (30' x 10' x 12'). Much to our surprise, the campground was at least 50% empty! We have a little trail from our site down to the edge of the river with a rocky beach and what appears to be great fly fishing."
Private sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. "My family have traveled from Ohio to camp in the Olympic Peninsula several times. We stumbled on the Klahowya Campground many years ago and have returned a couple times. The sites a nicely sized, private, and offer opportunities to wade in the river," shares a repeat visitor.
Walk-in lake sites: Fairholme Campground features premium waterfront spots. "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," notes a camper who appreciated the options at Fairholme Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many campers report animal sightings. "Upon arrival, we grabbed our beverages, our chairs, and walked the short path from our campsite to the shore of Ozette Lake. No sooner had we settled in to watch the evening's color change than scores of water fowl claimed their nightly roots and an otter swam by on its way into its home in the grass," reports a visitor to Ozette Campground.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Different land jurisdictions require different permits. For DNR Dispersed Campsite, "This location was brought over from the iOverlander app. DNR land from the Indian reservation to the highway. You can park anywhere along the road." A Washington State Discover Pass costs $30 annually for DNR sites.
Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have limited or no connectivity. "The only available reported cell service is Verizon and TMobile, but both can be patchy. Sometimes able to pick up Canadian cell providers from across the water," notes a camper at one coastal site.
Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. "This small, first come first served, campground on the Olympic Peninsula is situated in a great place to enjoy the National Park. The Lake is beautiful," states a camper at Ozette, while others note seasonal closures.
Weather preparedness: Rain gear is essential even in summer. "Remember you are backpacking over 4 miles to your camping spot, so pack appropriately, and you are in Washington—so it might rain! Rain gear is lightweight so I would say just bring it in case," advises an experienced hiker.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options: For families wanting more shelter, consider cabin rentals. "Great spot right on the ocean. Basically your own private beach. Fire pits and bathrooms with showers. 10 RV spots and cabins available on beach and full campgrounds for tents/trailers 1/4 mile down if you don't want to be on the ocean," notes a visitor to Hobuck Resort and Beach Area.
Cultural education: The area offers learning opportunities about indigenous history. "Everyone is kind and there is a lot to learn about the history of this land. Check out the Museum too!" suggests a camper who visited the Makah tribal lands.
Kid-friendly beaches: Some beaches are better for children than others. "Not the most private campground in the world, so understand what you are coming into. Granted, people are laid back and friendly here, so as long as you don't mind camping near other groups, it won't be an issue," reports a Hobuck visitor about the beach atmosphere.
Rainforest experiences: The temperate rainforest provides a unique ecosystem for children to explore. "Walking trails run through the campground that show you a variety of impressive tree growth. Amenities like toilets and water are well distributed through the grounds," notes a family visitor.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds have limited sites for larger rigs. At Mora Campground, "this is a beautiful campground in the olympic national forest. very quiet with large trees and vegetation between each site. there are no hook ups but water is available with a dump station open only in the summer. sites are accessible for rvs but the loops wind through large trees and many sites will not accommodate rvs due to an inability to pull far enough forward to back in to the space."
Loop selection: Some campground loops are more RV-friendly than others. "This campground is classic PNW beauty near the water and among the trees. The campground is basic and sites are relatively close together, but the lush greenery gives good privacy," explains a camper at Fairholme.
Winter access: Some RV sites remain open during winter months. "We camped here with a 20' travel trailer and boondocked with a generator and full tank of water at the host campsite (#6). The water was on and bathrooms open but only at the pavilion. DNR was by daily, felt safe and secure," shares a winter camper at Lyre River.
Parking challenges: RV parking can be difficult at popular locations. "The registration process for this campground is confusing, if you show up without reservations like we did...Ultimately, there wasn't room for us at the non-hookup campground, and the RV sites were all booked. Recommend reservations for this place!" advises an RVer about Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground.
