Heart O' the Hills Campground — Olympic National Park

Great spot! What a place.

After two lovely nights earlier in the week I returned to the Heart O’the Hills campground for my last night of my trip. I found a site I liked, with Devil’s Club behind it and a cool empty tree stump with Salal around and above it. All was well so I thought. Until a couple came by, German maybe, saying I’m in their spot which they already paid for. It says clearly to leave something in a spot chosen which they didn’t. I didn’t know it’s needed to check the (confusing) registration board to see if a site has been taken. It’s a first come campground with no preregistration. Says on the sign to leave something to indicate a site is taken. Also I hadn’t paid yet as I first find an open site, set up everything and make food before too dark. They wanted me to leave the site. I said I really couldn’t. It would be too difficult physically to pack up and move. (Petite 66 yr old female here) Many sites were still available. They were going to see if I can pay for another site they’d take as I suggested. Instead they went to the onsite femi-Nazi attendant. She came to my site while I was still eating demanding that I leave. I said that it would be too difficult. She then threatened to call law enforcement. Clearly I was a criminal to her the way she aggressively verbally abused and threatened me despite me explaining what happened. I still said it would be too difficult for me to pack up and move. She huffed off to ask the couple if they are okay finding another site. If not I would have packed up and left the campground. She returned saying I can stay still aggressively asking why I hadn’t paid yet. I was waiting for the couple to let me know first!!! She basically yelled at me to go pay now. “RIGHT NOW!!!!”- like an unconscious parent ordering their child to do something. Jeez. What the F is wrong with some people? She needs to be head honcho in a military boot camp. Or a prison warden. I stopped at the visitor center on the way out and got contact info to report her. Totally unwarranted treatment of anyone. Very upsetting to be the target energetically of her inferiority complexes which she compensates by abusing and lording (trying to) over others. 😖

This is a great campground. We rolled in on a Thursday evening, hoping we were there early enough to snag a spot, since it's all first-come, first-served. There were quite a few to pick from and we ended up with a great spot. By Friday night, there was only a few spots left. The good: flush toilets! We heard owls every night. Also, they have astronomy presentations up at Hurricane Ridge, which is cool. The bad: no showers and the bathrooms in A-Loop were closed for renovation. Also, the fire ban sucked.

Great spot near Hurricane Ridge..local to Port Angeles for all the amenities. Trails right off the campground. Level spots, restrooms clean, campground quiet. It is FCFS after Sept 20th so we squeezed in here easily and got a couple really nice days before rain began. Also, has trash bins and we had cell service which was nice.

It did not have a dump station, so a bit of a bummer. Dogs not allowed on most of the NP trails. Highly recommend this spot

There are plenty of sites for first come first serve, bathrooms, campground host and water access. The campsites are quiet, mossy, and right at the heart o hills trailhead. It's also very close to the road that drives up to Hurricane Ridge. Lots of birds and smaller wildlife.

As others mentioned, it’s a great jumping off point for Hurricane Ridge and Olympic Park adventures. Unfortunately, during my stay the ridge was close due to wildfires but it was still very close to town and had pretty good reception. Sites are $24 unless you have a veteran or perm disability pass, sites are just a pad (no hookups or dump station, but there is several places to fill with potable water). The sites were pretty tight (I have an 18 ft tear drop with a truck) and not too level but there were plenty of bigger rigs that were just fine.

The campground is located close to Olympic National Park access out of Port Angeles, WA. Continuing on the paved road upslope one can gain access to hiking trails (via side roads) or continue to the popular Hurricane Ridge with beautiful wide vistas of the Olympic Mountains. Campground is heavily forested and shaded. Not a good location for larger RVs due to size of parking areas and tight turns to park.

We camped the weekend after Labor Day and there were many sites available in all the loops. In our opinion loops A, C and E are great for larger tents, vans and trailers/rvs.

Sites B and D were a little tighter and the sites were smaller. More ideal for smaller tents and backpacking tents.

Registration has to be made by credit card, either online or by writing your information down. We were on Verizon and had service.

It’s a beautiful campground and being close to town makes it convenient for any forgotten items or just checking out the area.

Highly recommend if in the area.

The campsites are some of the most beautiful I have seen. Most of the sites are small but the spacing is pretty good. The good news is that the campground is quite large and because it is FF, it is almost never completely full. There are a few pull-throughs which helps for smaller RVs but they are not level. There is no phone service and the expansive tree canopy doesn’t allow satellite service. I had to drive to the top of Hurricane Ridge to get some open sky so I could connect to the world and plan the next phase of my trip and to make some phone calls and send texts. Hurricane Ridge is definitely worth seeing! I found some bear poop right next a paved trail less than 100 yards from the very busy visitors center which was a bit surprising. Bring your bear spray. Like the Hoh campground the bathrooms were inadequate for the number of sites in each loop and they are dirty. The urinal was broken in the closest bathroom wo there was only one toilet available. Like Hoh there is no soap in the bathrooms.

Most of the campsites her won’t accommodate a camper plus tow vehicle length of greater than about 30 feet maximum. For those tent, can or teardrop trailer camping, this is a great, clean place to camp especially because it’s First Come First Served and a ways away from the busier campgrounds to the West In Olympic National Park. No hookups but there’s water and you’re only about 6 miles from downtown Port Angeles. That’s close enough to drive for a coffee if you’re not very diehard of a camper. The sites are mostly shaded, the pull-ins are paved (but short). Hiking trails start right from the campground and Hurricane Ridge is 10 minutes up the mountain. Only complaint was some obnoxiously loud group pulling in at about 11PM and parking overnight in a closed campsite. Picture a couple of banks of bright truck mounted flood lamps and a midnight picnic for a group of starving kids on a Friday night. Of course they left early in the morning before the rangers arrive. But, pretty much could happen anywhere.

A beautiful campground set in large trees. Most of the sites are small and will only accommodate one vehicle, though some are pull-thru and can accommodate trailers. We only had a few choices with our 32ft travel trailer, but there were a handful that would work. Almost complete tree coverage, so difficult for solar, no hookups of any kind, but there is water available for drinking and dish washing at each bathroom. Bathrooms were up to date and clean most of the time, the campground is very understaffed, have only seen Park service staff/volunteers twice during our five day stay. While not a knock on the campground, I do expect better from the NPS. No firewood available onsite and only credit card payment allowed (QR code for web payment or write down card number and place in payment tube). Excellent, easy access to the Hurricane Ridge and Port Angeles area, beautiful country.

This place is REALLY pretty and well maintained. The camp host was very friendly and helpful. There are a BUNCH of hiking trails nearby and the rangers have classes on certain days at the amphitheater.

The bathrooms were clean and there was a freshwater spigot to fill jugs and whatnot.

These spots fill up fast every day in the summer. Come in early to secure your spot. We got lucky and snagged one of the last 2 spots in the campground at 2:30-ish PM

If you’re kicking out into the Hurricane Ridge area in the morning, you can’t stay anywhere nearly as convenient as Heart o’ the Hills. Professionally kept and well run site with friendly host and spacious sites. A little dreary with the shade (good luck if you run on solar) but I’d definitely recommend a one night stay before you set out into this phenomenal area of Olympic National Park. Get an early start on the trails before everyone else shows up.

Just inside the park was the campground. We stayed in the first loop A because it was the only one open. Many sites available this a season. Gravel in the site was nice.

First come first serve camping. Super easy to find a spot and reserve the spot online after arrival. Bathrooms were clean and sites were clean. Campground is on the same road used to get to Hurricane Ridge. I would definitely stay here again.

Make sure if you see a spot you go to the front and out a card in it. Or it’s not yours.

This is a beautiful campsite tucked into old growth Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar.  It's dark and cool.  The sites feel secluded because of the trees, but they are really pretty close to each other.  Most sites look suitable for tents, but the pull-outs for most are pretty short and not level.  Some are not even close to level and a lot of rigs would have trouble leveling.  If you have a big rig or one that is not easily leveled, this may not be a good campground for you.  The bathrooms are really clean and have flush toilets, but only one per loop, so you may need to walk to another loop when nature calls.

Another great campground in Olympic National park. This was close to hurricane ridge and port anglers. Great location between city and nature. Got a spot here the same day as camping. We

Great national park campground right at the base of the road up to Hurricane Ridge in a beautiful old growth forest. The sites on the inside of the loops looked pretty small and some lacked privacy. We stayed at one of the sites on the outside of the loop that had plenty of room and lots of privacy. It still got pretty cold into the upper 30’s at night in mid May!

This a great campsite for quick access to lots of local hikes. Bathrooms were very clean and well-maintained. Campsites were also very clean. No trash and dumpsters were emptied. As of 5/22/21 all loops were open on a first come first serve basis. Rate is $24/night or $12/night if you have an access pass. Campsites are pretty close together, but the campsites were only at about 50% capacity on Saturday. This is just a very nice wooded camp area.

This campground is great if you wanna get up to hurricane ridge for sunrise. The the closest campground. The spots felt a little too close together for me but that’s a personal thing.  they have porter potty‘s set up. Behind them looks like a place for flushing toilets but it was all locked up.

We went in July and it was still close to freezing at night. Just be warned. This is nice to have a fire and avoid mosquitoes. It’s a beautiful kicking off point up to hurricane ridge. Busy, hard to find a spot, but nicely treed

In the Olympic NP, close to Hurricane Ridge to the south, 15 min to town of Port Ángeles to the north. Camped in loop C. Had a beautiful private site. Old growth forest and hiking trails all around. No hookups, no dump station. Each site has fire ring, picnic table. Each loop has a clean, powered, plumbed bathroom, no showers. Would camp again.

This campground is large, forested, and had private sites. We were able to get a site on a Friday by arriving before noon. Note: this is inside the ONP, and you’ll need to pay to enter the national park. The draw for this campground is the proximity to Port Angeles and more importantly Hurricane Ridge. We stayed one night here and got an early start on Hurricane Ridge the following morning. It worked out great for us.

This is a large campground with many spots. We were able to find a camping site on July 4, 2019 with no reservation in advance. Our neighbors were close with little privacy. Thankfully they were quiet and we were too tired to care. The spots had a table and fire pit and weren’t far from the restrooms. No showers available.

Be aware that this differs from many park sites where instead of clipping your envelope to the post at your site, you placed your receipt in a display at a central hub for that loop.

All in all a good campground since there were so many spots still available on a holiday. Close to some easy waterfall hikes and the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.

CLICK HERE For FULL Video Review

Once entering one of the most iconic areas of Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge, you are are welcomed with open arms to the Heart O’ The Hills Campground, a beautiful primitive camp nestled only a few short miles from the ridge itself. 

The first taste of Olympic from this direction, the campground is the perfect retreat for a day or even a week for those wanting to explore the many trails and features within a short driving distance of the northern entrance. 

I had the privilege of visiting this location on my lengthy trip to the Pacific Northwest and as a Ranger For the Dyrt was given the unique opportunity to share not only my experience but also a special product by Banner and Oak which made my adventures within the park even better. 

**Campground Review: **

Heart O’ The Hills is a quiet location just south of the Port Angeles area and a few miles within the entrance gate. There are no reservations available for this unique campground so early arrival is suggested on weekends, especially during peak season. 

I visited on a weekday in late fall and noticed there were numerous spots available to choose from. Empty sites are easily located by visiting the pay kiosk near the main restrooms of camp, here there is a paper slip system of making occupied spaces, very similar to that of the ones they use by the National Seashores. 

Pricing for this camp is very reasonable at only$20 per night, or for those with the Senior Interagency Pass only $10. Unlike many kiosks which accept only cash you can make payment at this location by check as well which allows you an additional option. However keep in mind there are no credit card payments accepted!! 

When I explored the camp I noticed two main styles of camping were available, smaller sites which catered to single vehicles and tent campers and larger sites which could easily accommodate larger rigs or double occupancy car groups. While there is a limit of 8 people per site, these larger sites would not feel crowded with 8-12 people in most instances. 

Sites are equipped with standard amenities of picnic tables and fire rings. Throughout camp there are bear boxes with shared access for many sites. Additionally, I found that while this is considered to be a primitive campground there are water spigots located every few sites for shared usage. There is no electrical hook ups and at the time of my visit the restrooms were closed temporarily, with port-a-pottys instead located at this area. 

Unfortunately by the closure of the restrooms I was unable to determine if there were electrical outlets or even showers at the this campground which did weigh heavily on my mind when staying here. I really wish I would have known, because those two features could take the stay from a great one to an extraordinary stay.

 Just beyond the C loop of camp the Heart O’ The Hills Forest Trail can be found. The first of many trails you will want to explore at the park, this trail allows you a glimpse at the beautiful forest around you. Though this trail is nor ADA for those able to walk on slightly uneven ground this trail is one you will not want to miss. 

Taking a walk down this trail it was so peaceful and I easily could have lost track of time just discovering the larger than life mushrooms, the massive ferns and the trickling streams around me, a far different setting than my native Texas home. 

**TIPS: **

• Firewood is available at this location only seasonably. Should you arrive at camp and wood not be available you can return to the community of Port Angeles and pick some up for a reasonable price point. 
• If you are going to be staying in this area and are not prepared for bear country, stop at the visitor’s stop when you come into the park and ask about their bear cans. 
• In an effort to conserve paper, the park is working toward going paperless when it comes to maps, if you happen to be visiting this area download the online maps to your smart phone before visiting or take a photo when stopping at one of the visitor centers.

**Product Review: **

As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I am often given the unique opportunity to try products in the field which might add value to the camping and exploring experience as a whole. I was very fortunate to be able to evaluate some of the many items from the Banner& Oak Company along this adventure. 

For this adventure I took the Pike solid back panel construction hat for a trip around the campground. I personally love hats and find them to be a travel must for men and women for a variety of reasons. On cool days they allow you to keep your body heat from escaping through your head, which is the area of our bodies which allows the most to escape. On a sunny day, a hat can keep you from getting to much glare or help with sunburn on your sensitive scalp region. A hat is a must for all travel. 

The Pike is a hat which was named from the infamous Pike’s Peak in Colorado. It’s sturdy construction allows for comfort and coverage while allowing adjustability through a snapback. 

On a more personal level, I found the hat to have great overall feel to it. The material used was perfect for the slight chill in the air and being able to secure the hat through adjustments came in handy as I moved from the calm of camp to the winds of the Hurricane Ridge. The olive color fit my personal style well, and while they do have other color options in the Pink including charcoal and maroon, the green tone feels very outdoorsy. 

TIPS: 

• Do not be afraid to shop both the mens and women’s sections for different designs. When doing so make sure you check the sizing but keep in mind some styles might suit your style more from your not standard shopping section. 
• Hats are one of the more essential travel items so finding a hat which is comfortable in all situations is important. I suggest solid back panels for cooler months and vented or mesh backs for summer.

We were able to find several options at this first-come, first-serve campground on July 4 this summer. The sites are fairly close together but our neighbors were quiet. It was a short walk between sites to reach the bathhouse and water spigots. Overall very clean and nice campground.

Unfortunately, I only got to stay here one night, but I would definitely have liked to stay longer. I arrived pretty late the Friday before Labor Day, and had no problems finding a site. The atmosphere was beautiful, the bathrooms were clean, and it has a great location for seeing the sites of Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge.

The campsite has different sections and all of them have restroom, water, fire pit ready, and picnic table. It is easy to accessible and it is perfect for people with disabilities.  You can set up with tent or hammock. It has many tress around! My friends and I stayed there for a weekend. Unfortunately it was raining one day but it has other different activities at Olympic National Park. You can go to the top of mountain and see the beautiful Mountain View. It has a lodge there and trails. Some of they are accessible which is great! There is also other place that you can go to Lake crescent. That place is unbelievable and beautiful lake! It has lodge with cabins plus restaurant and gift shop. Not only that, it has water activities too! And other part of Olympic National Park is Ruby Beach and beaches are so beautiful and it is worth trip to check these places!

Camped here as a base for visiting Hurricane Ridge/Lake Crescent. The campground is 100% first-come-first-served so since it was July, we decided to head up early Friday morning to play it safe. We arrived around 9am and there were a decent amount of sites to choose from. The first thing I noticed was that a majority of the sites here are really small and many don't have much privacy. We lucked out and found a site with a decent amount of privacy but was still small. Since we just had one tent on this trip it worked out okay, but keep in mind that most sites won't accomodate more than one tent, or two smallish tents. The bathrooms were standard flush and were very well maintained. Based on old photos it looked like firewood used to be available for purchase in the campground, but it was not available on our trip so we bought some at a store in Port Angeles down the road. There is not a whole lot to see in the vicinity of the campground (other than a nature trail through the forest), but Hurricane Ridge is only about 20 minutes up the road, and Lake Crescent is about 40 minutes away, both of which were the main highlights of my trip. Overall I enjoyed camping here and could not get enough of the old growth forest.