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Camping options around Union, Washington center on Hood Canal and Olympic Peninsula access, with mixed-use campgrounds like Potlatch, Twanoh, and Belfair State Parks providing developed facilities along the waterfront. These established campgrounds accommodate tent campers, RVs, and in some locations, cabins or glamping opportunities. The region's state parks feature varying levels of hookups, with some offering full utilities for RVs while others maintain more primitive settings with vault toilets and minimal amenities. Campgrounds like Staircase and Big Creek provide entry points to Olympic National Park's southern reaches, offering different camping experiences than the canal-side options.
Road access varies throughout the area, with most developed campgrounds accessible via paved roads, though some forest service locations require higher clearance vehicles. "The campground is located on the northern side of Hood Canal and offers some great views of the water," noted one camper about Belfair State Park. Weather conditions remain relatively mild near sea level, with camping available year-round at many state parks including Potlatch and Twanoh, though Olympic mountain campgrounds like Staircase have more seasonal limitations. Cell service can be spotty in more remote locations, particularly those deeper into Olympic National Forest. Advance reservations are highly recommended for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the Hood Canal corridor, with several campgrounds providing direct beach or shoreline access. Many campsites at parks like Belfair and Twanoh offer views across Hood Canal, though sites vary in privacy levels. A visitor observed that "about half the sites are in the woods, although they are all pretty close together. Some of the larger sites, including the RV sites, are right next to the beach." Highway noise affects some campgrounds like Potlatch, where sites border busy roads. For those seeking more seclusion, forest campgrounds like Brown Creek and Big Creek provide alternatives to the busier waterfront locations, though with fewer amenities. The region's mixed-use campgrounds balance accessibility with natural settings, making the Union area popular for weekend getaways from nearby urban centers.
"The sites closer to the back of the campground (where we were) are far away from the road so you can't really hear highway noise at all."
"We had a beautiful site tucked in the woods that was very quiet. The beach across the street was really fun for kids and adults and there was loads of lovely hikes nearby."
from $12 - $56 / night
Check Availability"Location was clean, easy to access and feels like a world away from the busy cities close by."
"This is clean and well-maintained state campground that offers nice access to the southern tip of Hood Canal, although you have to cross Rt. 106 to get to the waterside picnic area and docks, and that"
from $12 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Often our first or last trip of the year, due to its proximity to the greater Seattle area. Most of the folks we meet are from western Washington. "
"On the water of the Hood Canal, it offered more family activities than many of the parks around. The campground itself is situated close to the water with several loops, tightly packed together."
from $12 - $87 / night
Check Availability"On the main loop the camp sites to the right are along the river with great access to the water."
"One of the prettiest lakes in Washington. Can get pretty busy in the summer but mostly empty otherwise. Little to no cell service. lots of options for camping and backroads all around."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"As a child we camped at a lake near by so decided to check this out. Enjoyed the walk around the pond with the kids. I did need bug spray because of large amounts of mosquitoes."
"Some spots are on the river some are tucked back in the woods, pottable water available at 2 locations in camp. 2 sets of vaulted toilets. $14 per day fee."
"Near Lake Cushman and not far out of Hoodsport off Highway 101, this easily accessible campground is away from the summer craziness that afflicts so many campgrounds in the Olympics."
"It is both close to Lake Cushman and close to town. It’s clean and easy drive through."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Pros: group camp is very close to beach front area, GREAT CLAMMING AND OYSTERING!"
"Penrose Point State Park is a great place close to Seattle to go camping in a small or large group. It's tent or camper friendly with plenty of spots for busier seasons."
from $12 - $72 / night
Check Availability"Great location on Hood Canal. Access to so much great scenery, hiking, and nature. We loved visiting Hama Hama oyster farm just up the road. This is a nice resort with everything you need."
from $54 - $68 / night
Check Availability"Tucked away remote campsite in a forest next to estuary. Two sites have hookups. Clean restrooms with shower."
"Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."
from $12 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to all of Olympic. Gorgeous views! Pristine lake. Rope swing, volleyball courts, hiking trail circles the lake. Waking up to fantastic lake/mountain views every day was beyond words."
"Near Hoodsport. Fee campground. Bathrooms with flush toilets. Coin operated showers.
Small general store.
Some RV sites are close together."
TravelerGreat luck! Check the boards in B campground! The spot was not super quiet but I slept fine, close to clean flush toilets. Was rewarded with 2 Bambi deer when I opened my car door in the morning. Went to the evening Ranger Talk and learned a lot about the moss and banana slugs! The mosquitoes wereout in force, camp fires were allowed.
TravelerIt’s so interesting to read past reviews before getting here and contrasting that with my experience. To be on the water, and be able to watch the tide move in and out every day on the beautiful and peaceful Hood Canal, is an absolute treasure. Yes, highway 101 is loud. There’s no doubt about that. But this small well-maintained RV park of only 16 sites, including full hook ups, is an absolute gem. We stayed here two weeks on site 16 and 11. (Much prefer 16 because it’s on the edge, how the sun is angled this time of the year, we quickly had loads of shade from our RV to sit in, and it’s by a little creek. But side 11 is also nice because there’s more opportunities to chitchat with people as you are in the middle of the campground.) We have met so many incredible people here and exchanged information so we can stay in touch. I will put this on my favorites list and absolutely intend return. In fact, many of the people we met here are people who come year after year after year. The only real downside in my opinion is the fact that there is nowhere that you can hike reachable by foot from the campground. So my husband, dog, and I did our daily walks at the marina parking lot nextdoor, where we would do loops, talk to the fisherman, and eat whatever blackberries ripened overnight. As we are full timers, I was absolutely content to sit outside our rig overlooking the water and work. If you are someone who needs a lot “to do “this may not be the campground for you. But if you are someone who loves to just be by the water and enjoy the tranquility and friendliness of fellow campers, this spot is for you.
TravelerPrivate spot at the end of a forest road turn-off. Lots of level ground for a small camper or tents. Road has some large pot holes and low hanging branches but is doable in most vehicles. Tall campers may get scraped on the top. Fair amount of trash. I picked up a large trash bag full and there was more that we weren’t equipped to carry. Overall excellent peaceful couple of days here.
ScoutWe actually went and scouted out this place using our jeep before taking our camper-van in. The road to the top is about 7 miles up, very steep with some bumpy spots as it all gravel. 3 miles in there are some smaller pullouts for tents or car camping but the real gem is at the top. Enough space on top for a few truck/camper, campervan, tent etc. This is bare bones, no amenities. Take in/Take out
ScoutGetting to Graves Creek took a little longer than expected. We had to detour onto the North Shore Loop after a section of the South Loop washed out. The final stretch of road is narrow and steep in places, so the drive in was a bit tricky. Once we arrived, we found a lovely site right on the river. We spent the weekend there and were fortunate to have no campers next to us. Sites & Fees: 30 sites total, $20 per night RVs: Not allowed due to road conditions Facilities: Pit toilets only; no running water
Overall a great experience
TravelerUsually, I have a complaint, but there are no complaints.
RangerThis is no highly secret, impossible-to-get-to spot, so it’s definitely worth trying—especially on a weekday. Ideally, you’d want to get there around midday, after people are more likely to have left.
But the real question is: What do you do if you get there and it’s full?
Honestly, there were tons of other pull-offs, little dirt-road spots, and what felt like almost infinite places to park underneath the trees. All of that BLM land along the roadway is available for dispersed camping within 150 feet of the road, so you can pretty much find your own little pull-off somewhere nearby.
We actually got lucky and found a road closure immediately across from the main spot. Since nobody was going to be driving in and out, we were able to tuck back a little farther from the main road. It wasn’t completely secluded, but we weren’t sitting right next to the road either.
And the area itself was beautiful. The trees were great, and it felt really peaceful.
The only downside was connectivity. We could barely get our Starlink working—enough for texting, but the connection was really poor.
GuideOne of the best beaches to swim at lake quinalt, and yet you’re in the middle of a rainforest with seclusion, hiking trails, creative camping spots… this place is a hidden gem!
RangerThis was our last stop after a trip down the Oregon coast. We spent two nights here. It's a lovely little state park along the Chehalis River. The "falls" are more of a rapids. There used to be a suspension bridge, but that was taken out in a flood in 2007. The campground is on the smaller side, but spaces are amongst the trees. Site 32, where we are, can accommodate a larger rig. The site is quite large and backs up to a hiking trail and the river, though there is a steep drop off. No playground for littles, but there is a large, open field where kids can play. No Verizon connectivity at all in the campground. I got one 5g bar over in the day use area by the houses. Also, the dump station is closed and looked like it had been for awhile so if you camp in a trailer and use your own bathroom, you'll need to go out and dump the tanks at one of the rest areas on I-5.
We do not have Starlink, but be warned if you do, there is heavy tree cover here. This park would benefit from the wifi pilot program that they are doing at some of the other WA state parks.
Camping spots near Union, Washington provide access to both Olympic National Park's interior forest regions and Hood Canal shorelines. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights in spring and fall. The region's mix of saltwater and freshwater environments creates diverse camping experiences, with tide-dependent activities at waterfront sites.
Shellfish harvesting: At Belfair State Park, visitors can collect oysters and clams during appropriate seasons. "Nestled among the trees, a great place to pitch a tent, dig clams and have a nice dinner," notes one camper at Belfair State Park Campground.
Hiking forest trails: Brown Creek Campground offers multiple trail options, including an educational route. "In the morning, I took a walk along the beaver pond trail and it was really nice with informational signs along the trail," a visitor at Brown Creek Campground reported.
Paddling opportunities: Lake Cushman provides warm-water paddling with mountain views. A camper observed that Skokomish Park offers "pristine lake. Rope swing, volleyball courts, hiking trail circles the lake. Waking up to fantastic lake/mountain views every day was beyond words."
Mountain exploration: Olympic National Park's southern access points allow day trips into alpine terrain. "Great sites! Amazing trails. This is a beautiful park right on the outskirts of Olympic National Park. The hiking here is fantastic!" shares a visitor about Staircase Campground.
Waterfront access: Twanoh State Park features direct Hood Canal beach areas for swimming and oyster collecting. "A quick walk from camp and your picking oysters from Hood Canal. Amazing! The swimming was great too. We also hiked the trail out of camp which was a pretty, wooded trail," according to a review at Twanoh State Park Campground.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round, offering off-season solitude. "Fantastic campground! We will definitely come back!" writes a January visitor about Potlatch State Park Campground.
Seasonal variations: Campground experiences change dramatically between peak and off-seasons. A visitor noted, "Depending on the time of year you come here. Will determine what kind of time you'll have. In the summer it's hard to get a spot and it's very crowded. But if you come in the spring and fall is a very lovely place to be."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe forest and marine wildlife. "Several deer came up throughout the day to eat the apples off the ground and trees in those spots, that was fun," writes a camper about Jarrell Cove State Park.
Off-season access challenges: Some interior forest campgrounds become difficult to reach in winter. "The last 6 or so miles before the campground are pretty snowy and there is a lot of tree fall... We hiked to Brown creek Campground on Saturday. Lots of scrambling over and around tree falls but it was a really nice walk," reports a winter visitor.
Site privacy variations: Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. At Penrose Point State Park Campground, "Sites and restrooms were clean. We had a great time exploring the beaches. Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night (except for a brief invasion of 6 raccoons at our site one night!)"
Reservation timing: Summer waterfront sites fill extremely quickly. "The beach loop fills up quickly - get your reservations in as early as possible if you want to camp there," advises a camper about Lake Cushman.
Terrain considerations: Many tent sites feature different ground surfaces. "The tent spaces are all in fine gravel beds, so not the softest," notes a Big Creek visitor, while another campground review mentions, "The ground is extremely hard dirt. We have thick Kodiak steel stakes and managed to bend a few getting them in the ground."
Swimming-friendly sites: Some locations offer warmer, more kid-friendly swimming. A visitor to Big Creek Campground reports, "What more could you ask for in a campground? This one is located just off of lake Cushman, follows along the creek which is super fun to walk along, has a great rainforest feel."
Educational opportunities: Junior ranger programs enhance family camping experiences. One parent notes, "The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program" at Penrose Point.
Site selection for families: Loop locations impact family camping experiences. "There's a beach loop for RVs and a woods loop for tents & smaller RVs. Overall pretty quiet, close to town, close to ATV trails & dog friendly. The kids loved the park! The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in."
Ranger programs: Some parks offer kid-specific activities during summer months. A Jarrell Cove visitor mentioned, "They had more amenities than I would expect: they had free wifi, loaner life jackets, little library, and kids packets from the park (coloring pencils, bookmark, coloring page)."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited at most campgrounds. At Glen Ayr Resort, "Great location on Hood Canal. Access to so much great scenery, hiking, and nature. We loved visiting Hama Hama oyster farm just up the road. This is a nice resort with everything you need."
Site leveling challenges: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. "Most all sites that were large enough for RVs seemed quite level. There is a great deal of privacy between sites and ample potable water spigots," notes a camper at Big Creek.
Water and power limitations: Several campgrounds offer only partial hookups. "There are two sites here with hookups. No dump station on the grounds. Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds close entirely during winter months. A camper mentions, "They aren't open all year (typically May to October) but it is well worth it in the summer!" regarding their favorite campground in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Union, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Union, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 257 campgrounds and RV parks near Union, WA and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Union, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Union, WA is Potlatch State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Union, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Union, WA.
What parks are near Union, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Union, WA that allow camping, notably Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park.
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