Best Dispersed Camping near Sol Duc Hot Springs, WA

Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Sol Duc Hot Springs in Olympic National Forest, with Forest Service Road 2918 offering several primitive sites. The area features multiple established dispersed camping locations including Dispersed Camping NF 2918, FS-2918 Dispersed Site, and Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site. These free campsites are situated within the lush rainforest environment, often near the Sol Duc River. Campers should note the critical distinction between National Forest land, where dispersed camping is permitted, and Olympic National Park boundaries, where overnight stays require permits and designated campgrounds.

Vehicle access varies significantly between sites. According to reviews, many of the more secluded spots require high-clearance vehicles. "We have a Jeep and I will say, it was needed for the area we found," notes one camper, while others mention sedans may scrape on certain access roads. Most sites feature established fire rings, though fire restrictions apply during dry seasons. No amenities are provided; campers must pack in all water and supplies and pack out all waste. Cell service is variable, with Verizon generally providing better coverage than AT&T in most locations.

Wildlife awareness is essential when camping in this ecosystem. Black bears have been spotted near riverside campsites, requiring proper food storage. The rainforest climate brings frequent precipitation, so adequate shelter and rain gear are necessary year-round. Sites along Forest Road 2918 are typically accessible from late spring through fall, with some roads becoming impassable during winter months. Campers report the area offers excellent access to Olympic National Park attractions, with most park destinations within a 90-minute drive. Remember that all dispersed camping follows Leave No Trace principles; several reviewers noted concerns about trash left behind by previous visitors.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Sol Duc Hot Springs, Washington (39)

    1. Dispersed Camping NF 2918 — Olympic National Park

    16 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    6 miles

    "We arrived very late at night and found a quiet spot up the mountain but moved in the morning in search of shade. We came upon a little dirt road off of 2918 near the river."

    "Couldn’t get a spot at Fairholme so I opted for this location. I only saw 2 small areas you could back in with fire pits. One closer to the 101, and one further back before you cross the bridge."

    2. FS-2918 Dispersed Site

    9 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 374-6522

    "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."

    "I usually only stay at the places identified as "Big Rig Friendly" but I gave this location a shot since a review said there were buses that found a spot..."

    3. Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site

    7 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 765-2200

    "I would not recommend attempting to get down here if your vehicle doesn’t have 4 wheel drive and high clearance."

    "Spot is great, it’s a little tight for a truck but tent camping would be easy. Reception was pretty good as long as you stay near the asphalt road"

    4. Forest Service Road 29 Dispersed Camping Loop

    6 Reviews
    Beaver, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    "- 4 bars LTE with Verizon

    • several gravel roads with large open spots for decent solar/Starlink access
    • quiet, secluded
    • not super busy (2 other vans at the road I went down, but plenty of space for"

    "All of the other campgrounds near Olympic NP were full, so we checked this spot out that we found on Campendium. Just a simple loop that you can park along, no privacy from neighbors but very quiet."

    5. Forest Service Road 2918 Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Sol Duc Hot Springs, WA
    5 miles

    "There’s multiple camping spots, multiple camp fire spots, and there’s a bench someone made from a fallen tree. it’s incredible. if you have a solar shower, this is the place to shower at!"

    "Lots of pull offs available on a Friday night around 6:30-7ish. Wasn’t super close to the river but could still hear from my site which made for the perfect background noise."

    6. Cardlin Run — Olympic National Park

    2 Reviews
    Olympic National Park, WA
    10 miles

    "The have 2 signs posted, Discover Pass required and no campfires. This location has 1 designed campsite, which is completely out of view from the road. Quiet location, rains often...ie rainforest."

    "It’s first come first serve and dispersed camping. Stayed here a few days and only met a couple people. Dogs must be on leash and don’t do dishes in river or potty in river... gross."

    8. sol duc river

    1 Review
    Sol Duc Hot Springs, WA
    6 miles

    "This spot was really nice with a couple fire rings and excellent river access down the path. There was a man made river rock pool that was perfect for relaxing in the water."

    9. Forest Service 2918

    3 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    10. Hoh River Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Forks, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    "Camping right next to river. Tall bushes for shade. Need to drive over very bumpy dirt road to get to sites near river. Then need to drive over rocky road to get into sites near river."

    "Trying to find an open camping site next to the river was proving very difficult, but this semi-hidden pull off was perfect. There’s a fire ring and some extra firewood collected to the side."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Sol Duc Hot Springs, WA

88 Reviews of 39 Sol Duc Hot Springs Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Dispersed South Shore Road

    Quilaut River-South Shore Road

    Several campsites along the gravel road, we found the perfect secluded spot next to the Quinault River. Drove right into the hidden alcove in our stealth camper van.

  • Andi F.
    Aug. 1, 2022

    Dispersed Camping NF 2918 — Olympic National Park

    Stunning rain forest with a river

    I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and spent a lot of my childhood out here in the Olympic National Park. Coming back to this scenic area was a real treat! We arrived very late at night and found a quiet spot up the mountain but moved in the morning in search of shade. We came upon a little dirt road off of 2918 near the river. We have a Jeep and I will say, it was needed for the area we found but if you have a high clearance whip, I recommend it highly. There are plenty of spots to stop on the paved areas too, but they are less ideal for my kind of camping. The spot we chose had three firepits: two up above and one down on the bank of the river. It's about 1/4 mile off the paved road and the river noise is enough to drown out the occasional passerby. We parked our Jeep along the road to let others know the area was occupied. I recommend doing so because you cannot see the dispersed area until you're right on top of it. We had a few people pull in looking to see if the area was taken. It can accommodate a group or a single party. Absolutely stunning, quiet area in the rainforest with trails and fresh water.

    PLEASE remove your trash when you leave. The previous occupants left a full large black trash bag. THIS IS A RAIN FOREST IN A NATIONAL PARK. Have some decency people.

    T-Mobile has 5G service in this area. Verizon is 1-2 bars of 4G.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2025

    FS-2918 Dispersed Site

    Lots of options

    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. Since we just needed a place for the night, we decided to just stay at one of the large pullouts, which was fine. We didn’t even need levels. 

    Obviously no amenities here, but we were pleasantly surprised that there wasn’t much trash to be found. 

    Cell service was good here. Be sure to find a spot in the National Forest, and not the National Park that’s adjacent, because you will definitely get a knock on the door if you try to stay overnight within park boundaries.

  • Ashley A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site

    Great spot if you can get there!

    Perfect cozy little spot far enough from the road with views of the river! I would not recommend attempting to get down here if your vehicle doesn’t have 4 wheel drive and high clearance. We did it in an f150 and struggled with rocks and slipping on roots and the grade to get to the bottom is well over 12%. It was definitely worth the effort though!!

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    DNR Dispersed Campsite

    Big pull off

    Big pull off with access to the beach. Big enough for a few rigs.

    No signs posted day use or no camping. perfect for the night!

    Dry camping.

    Some road noise but stops around 10pm.

    Beautiful sunset and sunrise 🥰

  • Chris
    Jun. 12, 2021

    Cardlin Run — Olympic National Park

    A night in the rainforest

    Going East on Upper Hoh Rd, a site is on the Left side, before the pay booth for Olympic NP. The have 2 signs posted, Discover Pass required and no campfires. This location has 1 designed campsite, which is completely out of view from the road. Quiet location, rains often...ie rainforest.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    Dispersed South Shore Road

    Rainforest heaven!

    There are about 5 sites hidden on the road. Please be careful the road is a mix of private land, national forest, national park. The sites can be easily found by their stone fire rings. The site that is directly on the river was very popular. I ended up staying 2 nights at one of the last sites before it turns to private land. It was tucked away, walk in site, had a nice fire ring, nice tent pad area. It has a large rope so you can access the river. The scenery is breath taking. Down the road there are at least 2 waterfalls on the right. In the town of quinault there is a laundry mat/shower facility!

  • B
    May. 1, 2023

    Upper Hoh Rd Dispersed Camping

    Great spot by the river

    This is a killer camp site, we parked a 25 foot travel trailer here with a lot of room to spare. The bluff it very steep into the river so watch how close you get to the edge. As a note, it is NOT on the national forest. It’s on the nature conservancy land. The best googling I can do says it’s legal to camp here. Just FYI.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2024

    FS-2918 Dispersed Site

    Looks nice but NOT for big RVs

    I usually only stay at the places identified as "Big Rig Friendly" but I gave this location a shot since a review said there were buses that found a spot... we tried it in our 40ft Class A and got pretty jammed up down a narrow road, trying to follow the directions in the comment. Disconnected the toad and ran around trying to find anything that would work but there was nothing for our size. I do not recommend trying if you're in a large Class A.


Guide to Sol Duc Hot Springs

Primitive camping near Sol Duc Hot Springs, Washington offers accessible wilderness experiences in Olympic National Forest. Sites often sit on Forest Service roads with varied terrain conditions from paved to rugged, with seasonal access typically running April through October. Several spots along Forest Service Road 2918 provide river access within dense rainforest environments where winter rainfall frequently exceeds 100 inches annually.

What to do

River access exploration: Multiple campsites offer direct water access from Forest Service Road 2918. One camper at Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site shared their experience: "Perfect cozy little spot far enough from the road with views of the river! I would not recommend attempting to get down here if your vehicle doesn't have 4 wheel drive and high clearance."

Olympic National Park activities: Most wilderness camping areas near Sol Duc Hot Springs provide strategic positioning for park exploration. According to a visitor at FS-2918 Dispersed Site: "Super beautiful mossy green scenery right next to the river. The perfect location for exploring Olympic NP. The longest we drive was about an hour and a half to the Hoh Rainforest."

Rainforest immersion: Camp directly in the dense moss-covered forest ecosystem. A camper at Dispersed Camping NF 2918 described their site as "Super dense and full of moss, felt like we were in a jungle. Good internet and coverage from the rain."

What campers like

River sound: Many campers appreciate the natural white noise provided by riverside sites. A camper at sol duc river noted: "This spot was really nice with a couple fire rings and excellent river access down the path. There was a man made river rock pool that was perfect for relaxing in the water."

Site privacy: Despite proximity to roads, many sites maintain seclusion. A visitor to Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site wrote: "The spot we chose had three firepits: two up above and one down on the bank of the river. It's about 1/4 mile off the paved road and the river noise is enough to drown out the occasional passerby."

Cellular connectivity: Unlike many remote areas, these sites often maintain usable service. One camper at Forest Service Road 29 Dispersed Camping Loop reported: "4 bars LTE with Verizon, several gravel roads with large open spots for decent solar/Starlink access."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many sites require capable transportation. A camper at Hoh River Dispersed Camping advised: "Need to drive over very bumpy dirt road to get to sites near river. Then need to drive over rocky road to get into sites near river. The sites were well tucked away and cozy. Just make sure your tires can handle the bumps and rocks."

Arrival timing: Competition for sites increases throughout the day. One visitor observed: "Very cool spots but we could not find one suitable for a tent (3 suitable spaces total) that wasnt occupies by 6pm on a saturday. Tons of little pull offs for RVs or campervans tho."

Boundary awareness: National Forest/National Park boundaries dictate where camping is permitted. A camper cautioned: "Cell service was good here. Be sure to find a spot in the National Forest, and not the National Park that's adjacent, because you will definitely get a knock on the door if you try to stay overnight within park boundaries."

Site navigation: Finding specific spots can be challenging without clear markers. One camper noted: "I arrived at night and had a little bit of trouble finding the site but it is immediately before the bridge on the right coming in and dips down into a little bit of a lower area on a dirt road that is about 20 feet long to the landing."

Tips for camping with families

Space considerations: Some sites accommodate groups better than others. A visitor to Dispersed Camping NF 2918 shared: "My husband and I recently purchased a 23' Jayco travel trailer and were eager to try it out, but almost every established campground we looked at was booked out for months. We gave this one a try, despite neither one of us being familiar with the area at all, and were absolutely delighted to find a perfect spot not once, but twice."

Wildlife awareness: Teach children proper wilderness etiquette. A camper advised: "Camping right next to river. Tall bushes for shade. The sites were well tucked away and cozy."

Road considerations: Plan arrival during daylight hours to navigate unfamiliar roads. One camper warned: "I am so glad we had disconnected the trailer from my truck so I could run to the little store on the shore of Lake Crescent when I found out just how hairy it can get."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Large RVs have fewer options in this area. One RVer at Forest Service Road 29 Dispersed Camping Loop advised: "There are a few spots for large RVs at this loop, but if it's full, you can go about 100 yards past this loop and across the street to this location (48.0512793, -124.1110441) and there's a lot of room in a large gravel area that is perfect for buses and coaches."

Ground clearance challenges: Watch for undercarriage hazards when navigating to sites. A camper reported: "I was driving a Toyota sienna with a 120 inch wheelbase and going over the edge down towards the sites I scraped the bottom of my car so be careful if you have a larger vehicle."

Alternative locations: When preferred sites are full, consider nearby options. "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. Since we just needed a place for the night, we decided to just stay at one of the large pullouts, which was fine."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Sol Duc Hot Springs for dispersed campers?

Dispersed campers near Sol Duc Hot Springs should expect minimal amenities as these are primitive sites without services. DNR Dispersed Campsite offers beach access but no facilities beyond large pull-offs for parking. FS-2918 Dispersed Site provides natural settings with no amenities. Dispersed campers typically need to be self-sufficient with their own water, waste disposal, and toilet facilities. Some sites have stone fire rings, but fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Cell service is limited, with some areas reporting about 2 bars of Verizon LTE. The main draw is proximity to Sol Duc Hot Springs and the natural beauty of Olympic National Park, rather than campground amenities.

Where can I find dispersed camping along Forest Road 2918 near Sol Duc Hot Springs?

Forest Road 2918 offers several dispersed camping options near Sol Duc Hot Springs. Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site provides cozy spots with river views, though high clearance and 4WD vehicles are recommended for accessing the more secluded areas. Dispersed Camping NF 2918 offers additional options up the mountain with spots suitable for various vehicle types. Look for established pullouts along the road, which accommodate overnight stays. Many sites have large potholes and ruts, so larger RVs may need to stick to the main pullouts rather than the more private spots off the main road. The area provides scenic Olympic National Park views and relatively quiet camping opportunities.

Are there good fishing spots along the Sol Duc River near dispersed camping areas?

The Sol Duc River area offers excellent fishing opportunities near several dispersed camping sites. Upper Hoh Rd Dispersed Camping provides direct river access, though campers should be cautious of steep bluffs. Hoh River Dispersed Camping offers sites adjacent to the river, accessible via bumpy dirt roads. The Quinault River near Dispersed South Shore Road also provides fishing opportunities with several hidden sites along the gravel road. These rivers are known for salmon and steelhead runs depending on the season. Most fishing spots are accessible from established dispersed sites, though a valid Washington fishing license and adherence to seasonal regulations are required.