Map showing campground location near Olympic National Park, Washington

Camper submitted image from Olympus Guard Station — Olympic National Park

Olympus Guard Station — Olympic National Park

Nearly 10 miles into Olympic National Park's backcountry, this hike-in campground sits along the Hoh River Trail with multiple site options spread throughout the forest and along gravel bars beside the river. The National Park Service upgraded facilities in 2019, adding new composting toilets to serve both individual and group camping areas. Bear wires provide food storage, and campfires are permitted.

Sites range from secluded forest spots tucked away from the main trail to riverside locations with direct water access. Two reservable group sites accommodate larger parties, while numerous individual sites offer spacing that reduces crowding even during busy summer months. Campers exploring places to camp around Olympic National Park will find this location serves as a solid base for day hikes to Blue Glacier or Seven Lakes Basin. Water filtration is essential despite the remote location.

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Location

Public Campground

Olympus Guard Station — Olympic National Park is located in Washington

Coordinates

47.87776379 N
123.76579328 W

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Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Reservable
Toilets
Fires

Contact

General Info

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Drive Time

3 hrs 4 min from Olympia, WA
3 hrs 18 min from Bremerton, WA
3 hrs 59 min from Seattle, WA
4 hrs 9 min from Mount Vernon, WA

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2 Reviews

Zach A.

Ranger

Reviewed Apr. 1, 2020

Solitude with new facilities!

For 2019 The National Park Service upgraded the Olympus Guard Station campsites, mainly in the form of new privys! It's still just as amazing backcountry campground nearly 10 miles into the backcountry of Olympic National Park with tons of spots to choose from and enough space that even in the busy summer months you feel more solitude than in other spots along the Hoh River Trail.

This is by far the nicest of all backcountry campsites along the Hoh River trail and quite possibly in the entire west side of the interior of the park. Two larger group spots are reservable at either the WIC in Port Angeles or at the Hoh Visitor Center if you're feeling lucky. There are numerous other spots tucked away from the trail in the forest and out on a gravel bar next to the Hoh River. Obviously water is not an issue but bring a filter as even this far in the backcountry its best to filter/boil your water. There are bear wires at the campground (as with all campsites on the Hoh River Trail) so no bear can necessary unless you want your food a little closer to your campsite.

This place gets pretty crowded in the summer but is not as bad as places like 5 mile Island, it's worth the extra effort to make it back here, even if it's just for the night. Good base camp for a day hike up to either Blue Glacier or over the Ridge into Seven Lakes Basin. The trail is fairly flat the entire way and barring any major washouts is pretty easy going. There's usually a summer guard at the station as well if you need any assistance.

Sitenone

Month of VisitSeptember

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Carly O.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 16, 2018

Great place to camp on the Hoh River Trail

We did a 2 night backpacking trip along the Hoh River Trail. We decided stay 2 nights at Olympus since there was still snow pack up the mountain. We hiked in 10 miles the first day and the next day we left out stuff at our campsite and hiked up to Elk Lake and back.

The sites at Olympus are pretty spread out and include a couple group sites. There are also plenty of great spots for hammocks. They do have 2 composting toilets (one was full) which is all you can hope for when you are backpacking. The trip overall was fantastic and I highly recommend it!

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Olympus Guard Station Campground?

Olympus Guard Station is a backcountry campground with upgraded facilities including newly installed privies. The campsite offers multiple camping spots with enough space between them to maintain privacy even during busy periods. Each site is well-maintained and designed for backpackers. While amenities are minimal as expected for a backcountry location, the campground provides the essentials needed for an overnight wilderness experience. Be prepared to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash, as this is a backcountry site with no garbage service.

Is the Olympus Guard Station different from the Olympus Ranger Station?

Yes, Olympus Guard Station and Olympus Ranger Station refer to the same backcountry facility in Olympic National Park. The terms are used interchangeably for this backcountry camping area located approximately 10 miles along the Hoh River Trail. This station serves as both a camping area for backpackers and occasionally as a base for park rangers monitoring the backcountry. If planning a trip, you can search for either name when researching permits or trail information, as they indicate the same location.

Where is Olympus Guard Station Campground located in Olympic National Park?

Olympus Guard Station Campground is located approximately 10 miles along the Hoh River Trail in Olympic National Park. This backcountry campground serves as an excellent base for hikers exploring deeper into the park or for those attempting to climb Mount Olympus. Its location makes it a popular overnight destination for backpackers, offering access to other nearby features like Elk Lake, which can be reached in a day hike from the campground. The position along the Hoh River provides a scenic setting deep within the wilderness area of the park.

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