Free with a Washington Discovery Pass, Cottonwood Campground sits along the Hoh River corridor in the Olympic Peninsula, managed by WADNR and accessible by vehicle, boat, or on foot. Sites are first-come, first-served. No reservations, no camp host, and no trash service, so campers pack everything out. The road in and the flat terrain can get soggy after rain, so checking conditions before arrival matters, especially in shoulder seasons.
Sites here are well-spaced, with dense vegetation between them providing a notable degree of separation. Stephanie E. describes them as "incredibly private," which holds up across multiple reviews. The canopy is heavy throughout most of the campground, which means limited solar charging potential but consistent shade. Site 15 draws wind off the river and runs colder than other spots; sites with more sun exposure tend to fill earlier on weekends. Reviewers note that midweek visits, even in late May or early summer, can leave the campground nearly empty.
The Hoh River runs alongside the campground and includes a boat launch. The river moves fast and is not suitable for swimming, though Nik B. notes "a nice creek as well" near the sites, which may run seasonally. Nearby, HOH RIVER, Allens Bar Campground, and Hoh Oxbow Campground provide additional options along the same corridor, and Hoh Rain Forest - Olympic National Park is a short drive northeast for day hikes.
Facilities are minimal: one vault toilet (no toilet paper supplied), a picnic table and fire ring at each site, and no water hookups. Larger rigs can fit, with some pull-through sites and at least one site confirmed to accommodate a 33-foot fifth wheel. Cell service is inconsistent, with T-Mobile working at times and Verizon less reliable, but enough signal exists to purchase a Discovery Pass on arrival if needed. Mice have been reported, particularly at site 1, and bugs run heavy in spring and summer, so insect repellent is worth packing. Campers looking for camping near Forks will find this one of the more low-key, no-frills stops in the region.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCottonwood Campground is located in Washington near Forks
Public CampgroundCoordinates
47.77900053 N
124.29300055 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 8/18/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 8/18/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/18/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 8/18/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 8/18/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/18/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 3 min from Bremerton, WA
- 3 hrs 7 min from Olympia, WA
- 3 hrs 32 min from Mount Vernon, WA
- 3 hrs 59 min from Seattle, WA
