Port Angeles sits at the base of the Olympic Mountains with varied topography ranging from sea level to elevations of 5,000+ feet within a 20-mile radius. This dramatic elevation change creates distinct microclimates across nearby campgrounds. Most campsites near Port Angeles require a Discover Pass for state lands or National Park entrance fees, with primitive sites generally costing $20-30 per night and hookup sites $35-55.
What to do
Soak in hot springs: At Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground, you can access three mineral pools for $15-20 per person. "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!" notes Lucy.
Explore tide pools: Salt Creek Recreation Area offers exceptional marine wildlife viewing at low tide. "Great white noise. There are several ways to access a beach and tide pools during low tide!" shares Kier S. The rocky shoreline reveals starfish, anemones, and small crabs during morning low tides.
Visit historical sites: Lyre River Campground offers access to both natural and historical attractions. "Joyce has a great museum and general store with a bit of everything. South lies Lake Crescent which has untold number of hiking trails, beaches and amazing views of the Olympic Mountains," explains Zach A.
Winter camping options: Unlike many Olympic Peninsula sites that close seasonally, several campgrounds remain open year-round. "We camped here by chance over New Years. Beauty, Lush, Evergreens, Moss, Eagles, the mighty Lyre River, Steelhead Trout, a hike to through Aspen forests to view the San Juan," reports Stevie L. from Lyre River Campground.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The high-elevation Deer Park Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing. "That night it got so dark we were blanketed in stars and it was simply amazing," shares Meghan S. Light pollution is minimal due to the remote location at 5,400 feet.
Fresh produce access: Elwha Dam RV Park offers a unique amenity for campers. "They offer a community garden, so feel free to gather at no cost fresh veggies," notes Debra R. This unexpected perk provides fresh ingredients for camp meals during summer months.
Wildlife encounters: Deer Park lives up to its name with frequent wildlife sightings. "We also saw a lot of deer right by our tent," reports Noah L. The campground's high-alpine meadow setting attracts wildlife throughout the summer season.
Water recreation: Sequim Bay State Park Campground offers multiple water activities. "This Bay is absolutely stunning. The water is so clear, and there is so much wildlife in this park. I've never seen more starfish, and seals," explains Anthony S. The protected bay waters provide calmer conditions than open ocean beaches.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Some campgrounds require navigating difficult access roads. "Scariest road I've ever driven on. Very narrow steep cliffs on the side. Please be careful of oncoming traffic when turning corners!" warns Ethan H. about Deer Park's 7-mile gravel road.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies across the region. "Tmobile had 2-3 of 5g so plenty good to download or watch movies," reports marcus K. at Elwha Dam RV Park, while other campgrounds have no service at all.
Reservation processes differ: Fairholme Campground operates on a first-come basis with specific timing considerations. "We stayed for two nights. On first night (Friday) we didn't get there until 730pm but there were not too many people and we were still avail to get one with water view," shares Asuka S.
Weather preparedness: Temperature variations can be extreme. "First night said lowest was 45 but it definitely felt colder. We had our winter sleeping bag but our friends said it was pretty cold," explains Asuka S. about Fairholme in spring.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Dungeness Recreation Area offers specific amenities for children. "This campground is great for families and people with kids. There are playgrounds near the bathrooms. The bathrooms have showers, and are clean and accessible," notes Melissa J.
Educational opportunities: Crescent Beach & RV Park provides valuable marine education possibilities. "More sand dollars than I've ever seen on a beach in my life," shares anne P. The private beach access allows children to explore tide pools safely.
Short hiking options: Sol Duc offers accessible trails for young hikers. "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) and very rewarding," explains Brendan A.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise that might disturb light sleepers. "If you don't mind trading absolute silence for an absolutely great camp spot, then this might work for you. A lakeside site will cost you $20 and lumber truck traffic noise from the busy 101 less than 1000 feet away," warns Bill M. about Fairholme.
Tips from RVers
Space limitations: Many Olympic Peninsula campgrounds have tight sites. "Great view horribly tight. My rig fit in the spot, but once I put out both slides I was occupying the site next to mine," cautions Greg B. about Crescent Beach & RV Park. Measure your RV length accurately before booking.
Hookup availability: Heart O' the Hills Campground offers limited RV amenities. "There is cell reception here, which was a nice treat. Sites were all beautiful but in our RV we were glad to be able to drive around and pick one (rather than reserve one in advance sight unseen), because we need a level spot with at least some sun for our solar," explains Laura M.
Seasonal considerations: Sequim Bay State Park presents challenges for larger rigs. "The camping for RV's with hookups is iffy. It's very close to the highway and the sites are extremely close to one another. Our site in particular had hookups in all the wrongs places and a steep hill directly behind it," advises Amanda B.
Water access difficulties: While beachfront camping is available, accessing water can be challenging with larger RVs. "There's a dump station and water fill near the boat ramp," notes Laura M. about Fairholme, indicating the need to fill tanks before setting up at your site.
