Sol Duc Hot Springs sits within Olympic National Park at 1,640 feet elevation, surrounded by old-growth forest and mountains that receive up to 140 inches of annual rainfall. The campground area maintains temperatures between 65-75°F during summer months with cooler evenings around 45-55°F. Camping options near Sol Duc include established campgrounds with amenities, dispersed sites along rivers, and several accommodation types from tents to RVs.
What to do
Hike to Sol Duc Falls: A short 1-mile trail from the campground leads to this scenic waterfall. "The Sol Duc Falls hike which passes through the campgrounds...is a very easy hike (we took a two year old and he walked 50% of it) and very rewarding," notes a visitor at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground.
Beach exploration: Drive 30 minutes west to coastal beaches for tidepooling and sunset views. At Mora Campground, a camper reports: "Walk the mile and a half down beach to get to hole in the wall and experience beautiful tide pooling. You can also get to 2nd beach on the reservation. It's more of a hike to and from but the view is unforgettable."
Soak in mineral pools: The hot springs resort offers three mineral pools ranging from 99-104°F plus a freshwater swimming pool. Entrance fee costs approximately $20 for a 60-90 minute soaking session. A visitor explains: "The pools are well maintained ($15 to get in), there's locker rooms with showers and there's also a diner."
River activities: Many campgrounds offer river access for wading, swimming, or fishing. At Hoh Oxbow Campground, sites are positioned along the water. "Large spots, access to the river. Buggy, but more gnats and flys than mosquitoes," reports a summer visitor.
What campers like
Private, wooded campsites: The camping areas feature dense forest cover with ferns and moss. A visitor at Kalaloch Campground notes: "Lots of shade. Bathroom were old. Good Verizon service."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting attracts diverse wildlife. "There's deer and elk that come through the camp," mentions a guest at Weekend Worrior Camping.
Reasonable proximity to attractions: Campgrounds serve as strategic basecamps. A camper at Bogachiel State Park shares: "Being right on the highway though, there was road noise consistently. A short trail led to a rocky bar along the Bogachiel River... Overall, it was a good base camp just outside Forks, WA, used to explore the famously scenic area."
River sounds: Many campers appreciate falling asleep to flowing water. "It was amazing to fall asleep with the Sol Duc river close by and a nice little hike to the Sol Duc falls simply made this camping weekend amazing!! It made the extreme cold that night so worth it," says a visitor.
What you should know
Registration logistics: Some campgrounds have complex check-in processes. At Sol Duc, "The registration process for this campground is confusing, if you show up without reservations like we did. There's a board with info on it, but ultimately you need to drive back to the lodge where people go for hot springs soaks and register with them there."
Weather preparation: The area's climate demands proper gear. "It is WA so plan on getting wet and muddy. Everything was constantly wet around Sol Duc. Plan and pack accordingly!" advises a camper.
Campsite selection matters: Site quality varies significantly. At Whiskey Creek Beach NW, a visitor notes: "Site B1 is super unlevel. Gravel and dirt in this site is very loose as well."
Hot springs access: Hot springs use is not included with camping. "Entrance fee for hot spring is not included in your campsite so select a 60-90 min block of time and pay almost $20 to soak," explains a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near trails: For families with young children, proximity to short hikes is valuable. "We absolutely loved the Sol Duc Falls hike which passes through the campgrounds. It is a very easy hike (we took a two year old and he walked 50% of it)," shares a parent.
Consider platform tent sites: Some locations offer tent platforms that keep ground moisture away. At Whiskey Creek Beach, "One of the amazing features for those camping at the shorefront sites (T9, T10, T12) are the elevated, 12×14 decks that serve as your tent pad; No need to worry about a tarp placement beneath the tent."
Pack for temperature swings: Even summer nights get cold. "It made the extreme cold that night so worth it," mentions a Sol Duc camper about nighttime temperatures.
Bring noise buffers for children: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. A South Fork Calawah River camper notes: "Logging season was in full swing when we stayed, so lots of trucks hauling off the mountain started early."
Tips from RVers
Research site accessibility: Many campgrounds have tight access roads. A camper at Sol Duc warns: "We had a 21 foot long campervan. Road and site grounds were well maintained."
Check hookup availability: Only some campgrounds offer full hookups. A visitor at Lyre River State Forest reports: "There is an easy, 1.25-mile (2.5-mile round trip) walk to the beach—trailhead at the entrance to the campground—that is really nice. There are 3 water spigots open year round and 2 pit toilets, one of which is open year round. One site (6) has hookups and a cement pad."
Plan for limited cell service: Connectivity varies by location. At Lyre River, "We were able to get about 1 bar LTE/2 bars 3G with Verizon but cell service overall was limited."
Dump station seasonal closures: Some facilities close during off-season. "There are no hook ups but water is available with a dump station open only in the summer," notes a Mora Campground reviewer.
