Camping near Sol Duc Hot Springs encompasses a range of options within Olympic National Park's temperate rainforest environment. The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground serves as the primary established camping area, situated along the Sol Duc River about an hour from Port Angeles. Nearby alternatives include Fairholme Campground on Lake Crescent and several Washington Department of Natural Resources sites that require only a Discover Pass. The area's camping options provide access to both the mineral hot springs and numerous hiking trails, including the popular Sol Duc Falls trail. As one visitor noted, "The surrounding forest is pure magic, emerald green and full of old growth evergreen trees."
The Sol Duc area operates seasonally, with most campgrounds open from late March through October. Weather conditions vary significantly, with frequent rainfall typical of the Olympic Peninsula rainforest environment. Campers should prepare for wet conditions even during summer months. The RV campground at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort offers full hookups but spaces are notably tight. According to reviews, "The RV lot is really crowded with sites about 15 feet apart." Cell service is limited throughout the area, and advance reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months when facilities often reach capacity.
Camping styles vary across the region, with distinct experiences available. The tent camping loops at Sol Duc are set within the forest with more privacy than the RV area, though sites remain relatively close together. For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping options exist on nearby Forest Service roads, including the FS-2918 sites. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area, with Roosevelt elk, blacktail deer, and seasonal salmon runs in the Sol Duc River. Bear-proof food storage is required at all sites. Access to the hot springs pools requires an additional fee beyond camping costs, but provides a unique opportunity to relax after hiking the surrounding trails.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$40 - $65 / night
"If you want an industrialized visit you can stat at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Alternatively there are hike in hot springs above the Elwha River."
"Right smack in the middle of Olympic National Park we had access to not only the Hurricane ridge area but were close enough to spend a day at Kalaloch on our way home!"
$24 / night
"Pros: beautiful lake view and access -free food storage containers, no need for bear canisters -plenty of trees at campsites for hammocking -walk in and drive in sites -choose your own site -proximity"
"This dense verdant rainforest is dripping with moss, lichen, Goliath trees, flowers, fungus, fauna, cloudy light beams straining to reach the forest floor, trails and oxygen; all adjacent the mysterious"
$24 - $48 / night
"Steps away from the rainforest trailhead, so a great one night stay to hike the trails. It's a rainy place as you can imagine. Washington State itself sure is."
"We are Washington residents and camped in early October of 2024. Our dogs loved the area and access to the river. The campsite had a lot of room and the facilities were clean."
$45 / night
"Like a number of Washington State Parks, the plug-in sites are in a large field, with very few trees around and kind of look like a lot of other standard RV parks with three or so levels of close parking"
"We live on the nearby Kitsap Peninsula and this campground is our favorite Washington campground. The views are amazing and the crashing waves are the perfect soundtrack."
"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."
"This is a nice small campsite right next to a river very close to Olympic national park."
"We found a spot just a few hundred feet off the main road that looked like an entrance/exit for logging trucks. But as it was after hours it wasn’t a problem to park there."
"This is a beautiful campsite tucked into old growth Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. It's dark and cool. "
"The campground is located close to Olympic National Park access out of Port Angeles, WA."
"Close to Olympic NP. Many other campers here as well. Definitely would come back here and I recommend to anyone debating on where to camp outside the park. And it’s free!"
"We didn’t feel comfortable driving our class C into any of the nicer, more private spots off of this road due to large potholes, ruts, etc."
"This park is so beautiful, located directly across from the ocean. All sites are a quick walk to the beach (1/2 mile private beach for guests. So awesome that it never gets crowded!)"
"Our campsite was huge, located in a cute little copse where we set up a cozy hammock and soft string lights. We had a birds eye view of the beach, which made it even more beautiful."
"We passed by two great looking spots (one with RV hookups) before settling on site 7, which is situated right next to the river."
"My family and I came up to camp at crescent lake. We got out of town a little late and main campsites at lake were full. A short 9 mile drive west from the lake we found this little gem. "
TravelerNice beach with a shallow freshwater creek that goes under an overpass, we were able to spot seals in the ocean too. Also very clean when we stayed. More privacy would be nice since the spot you park at isn’t very far from the road and there isn’t much cover except for some bushes.
GuideReally enjoyed this place. The owner’s written instructions prior to arrival were very helpful. It’s a single campsite in amongst a few homes on very spacious lots, so it felt very private. Enjoyed the deer and the chickens on our morning walks. Close to Olympic National Park and the ferry terminal at Port Angeles. The sewer hookup is elevated by design to enable a gravity feed, which was clearly described in the written instructions. For those of us who don’t have sewer hose supports and have a 90 degree elbow at the end of the sewer hose, interfacing with the elevated line can be difficult.
GuideWooded spots with fire pits overlooking the river
TravelerReally could not have found a better spot to camp, right outside the Hoh Rainforest along the river. This place is truly a hidden gem. We have a 26’ motorhome and fit perfectly in the space.
RangerSo many people and yet so quiet. Bathrooms are nice, showers are coin operated. They have laundry too. Tent sites are insanely close together and most have no privacy. They are also pretty small. Some are okay. We were originally at t14 and moved to t13. We were still right on top of the other two sites but at least had some more room. Not sure my 2 person tent would’ve fit at t14. They have all sorts of games available. Pretty great spot if you can grab the right tent spot. Right next to the main highway so it can be a little loud but traffic slows down at night. Be prepared to be really quiet at night.
RangerTeresa was a great host. Offered to light a fire in the wood stove before we even got there. Wood for the stove was included for free. Had a sink and a cooking area. They helped bring ours bags and gear down from the car. Very great place to stay! There’s a small creek that runs by and has very close access to lyre river and Murdock beach. A convenience store is just a few miles up the way.
RangerI got checked in right at dark and most people seemed to already be settled for the night. It was also pretty wet. Mostly quiet with decent bathroom facilities. Sites are very close to the road. Decent little place, didn’t get to explore it much.
GuideQuiet place by the river with a fire pit and plenty of driftwood. Little rough road for a minute but our camper can did just fine.
ScoutThe campground is nice. All tree covered, lots of hiking. Bathrooms were relatively clean.
We had an RV in loop B. Quite unlevel some sites but manageable with less than 24ft. Very steep though.
The bigger issue was the amount of Karen's.
I had to run the generator for an hour and after 15 minutes the park host was already triggered by a lady coming at me if I'll run the generator all night. For sure not I hate the noise myself... but unfortunately I had to run it.
Camping sites near Sol Duc Hot Springs, Washington are situated within a moderate elevation zone of 1,640 feet in Olympic National Park's western section. Winter temperatures typically range from 35°F to 45°F, while summer averages 60°F to 75°F with relatively low humidity compared to coastal areas. The camping season generally runs from late March through October, with limited winter camping options available.
River swimming and wading: During summer months, the Sol Duc River offers numerous swimming spots with clear, cool water. Some sections near Klahowya Campground provide riverside access for tubing or wading. "What could be better than spending the entire day on a lazy river with direct access from your camp site? Bring tubes during the summer to float!" notes camper Melody P.
Hiking at lower elevations: The area offers numerous short trails accessible to most ability levels. Several paths near Hoh Campground showcase massive moss-covered trees and understory vegetation. "The trails aren't stroller friendly but easily walkable with toddlers and a backpack. Feels safe. Busy but not like a mall," explains Kirsten about the area trails.
Tidepooling: Approximately 45 minutes from Sol Duc Hot Springs, Salt Creek Recreation Area provides access to extensive intertidal zones. "There is a passage way through a rocky outcropping that you can crawl through to the other beach and plenty of tide pools to keep you busy exploring throughout the day," shares Tarah S.
Ancient forest immersion: The dense, moss-covered forests create a distinctive camping environment. At Heart O' the Hills Campground, visitors enjoy the old-growth setting. "This place is REALLY pretty and well maintained. There are a BUNCH of hiking trails nearby and the rangers have classes on certain days at the amphitheater," reports Michell C.
Riverside camping spots: Several campgrounds offer direct river access from individual sites. Lyre River Campground features sites alongside the water. "Awesome camping right on the river! It was so relaxing to be in the forest and wake to the river. The sites are well maintained and while there are pit toilets they were clean," notes Nicole from her April visit.
Winter accessibility: For off-season campers, some areas maintain limited winter access. As Tj V. describes of Lyre River: "Very quiet the time of year we went (Dec 30th, 2020 - Jan 2nd, 2021). We had our pick of sites and decided to live in the lap of luxury in the camp host's spot... close to water and vault toilet."
Reservation systems vary: While some campgrounds take advance bookings, others operate strictly first-come, first-served. As Laura M. experienced at Heart O' the Hills Campground: "Cell service is spotty here so you have to rely on the boards with info about open sites. Hosts were gone by the time we visited in mid September and the ranger station was something like 7 miles away."
Wildlife encounters: Proper food storage is essential in this area known for active wildlife. Marcus K. notes at Sol Duc Campground: "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. All have cement picnic tables so the bears can't walk off with them."
Limited services: Many campgrounds lack amenities common in more developed areas. At dispersed sites like FS-2918, campers need to be self-sufficient. "No services. Pack in, pack out. Verizon service was slow," reports Noah E. about the area.
Lake-based activities: Lake Crescent offers swimming options preferred by many families with children. Fairholme Campground provides direct lake access. "The campground is right by the lake and offers walk-in sites that are literally on the lake shore. All sites have a fire pit, tent pad, and picnic table. There are very clean bathrooms close to all sites and clean running water," reports Beatriz S.
Evening wildlife viewing: Dusk provides excellent opportunities for wildlife observation around most campgrounds. At Hoh Campground, "Rainforest... lush green moss hanging from the trees.. elk.. fog settling on the ground... Fishing is amazing.... campground is clean and spacious. Hiking trails everywhere," shares Tonya T.
Site selection for kids: When camping with children, carefully consider site locations and terrain. At Fairholme, "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. The campsites are very close together and can be next to RVs. Walk-in sites are less likely to be next to RVs."
Size restrictions matter: Many Olympic Peninsula campgrounds were constructed before large RVs became common. At Crescent Beach & RV Park, "My rig fit in the spot, but once I put out both slides I was occupying the site next to mine and the other side I was about as small. Ocean is gorgeous and short trail takes you there," cautions Greg B.
Dispersed options for larger rigs: For RVs needing more space, several forest service roads provide dispersed camping. On FS-2918, "To the immediate right there was a rough uphill road, no good for a trailer. Straight was a nice road with a few spots if you're in a single car or tent. 1/4 mile up, take a right and there is a massive gravel open area where 2 people were parked with bus sized rigs," explains Andrew S.
Dump station availability: RV owners should note limited dump facilities in the area. Laura M. advises: "There's a dump station and water fill near the boat ramp" at Fairholme Campground, one of the few facilities with these services in the immediate Sol Duc area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Sol Duc Hot Springs campground?
Sol Duc Hot Springs campground offers several amenities, with the main attraction being access to the hot springs pools at the adjacent resort. The campground features picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities. Nearby at the resort, campers can find a general store for supplies, dining options, and shower facilities. One of the biggest perks is the proximity to numerous hiking trails, including the path to Sol Duc Falls. The campground is open seasonally, typically from late March through October. For a different experience nearby, Falls Creek Campground offers beautiful creek-side camping with basic facilities including showers, though it's a bit further from the hot springs.
Does Sol Duc Hot Springs have an RV park or RV-friendly camping options?
Yes, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground does accommodate RVs, though the spaces are quite tight. The RV lot can feel crowded with sites approximately 15 feet apart from each other. Each RV site includes a picnic table and fire ring. For a less crowded alternative, Hoh Oxbow Campground can accommodate medium-sized RVs (around 30 ft) and is located directly off Highway 101, a short drive from Sol Duc. While the Sol Duc location offers convenient access to the hot springs, campers seeking more spacious RV accommodations might want to consider other options in Olympic National Park.
Where are the campgrounds near Sol Duc Hot Springs?
The main option is Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground — Olympic National Park, located along the Sol Duc River in the heart of Olympic National Park. Another nearby option is Bear Creek Campground, a DNR-managed site about 20 minutes west of Sol Duc-Hot Springs Road off Highway 101. For those willing to venture a bit further, Fairholme, Heart O' the Hills, and Hoh campgrounds are all within the Olympic National Park region. These campgrounds provide strategic bases for exploring various parts of the park, including the hot springs, waterfalls, and hiking trails in the area.
Is there a map of Sol Duc Hot Springs campground?
Yes, maps of Sol Duc Hot Springs campground are available through multiple sources. At the campground itself, maps are provided at the entrance kiosk when you check in. The campground consists of several different loops with various setups for different types of campers. For advance planning, official maps can be found on the Olympic National Park website (nps.gov/olym) under the Sol Duc area section. Additionally, Kalaloch Campground and other Olympic National Park campgrounds use similar mapping systems. The Sol Duc maps show the layout of camping loops, proximity to the hot springs resort, and nearby trail access points.
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