Map showing campground location near Amanda Park, Washington

Camper submitted image from Upper Clearwater

Upper Clearwater

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Managed by Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Clearwater Corridor Natural Resources Conservation Area holds Upper Clearwater along the Clearwater River outside Forks, Washington. The approach road is mostly paved, narrowing to a single lane in sections, with gravel stretches and occasional potholes that are manageable for most vehicles. RVs longer than 21 feet should not attempt the route, and campers with trailers have noted the road presents real challenges beyond the smallest rigs.

The campground has roughly six to seven sites, including one larger group site with a permanent shelter. Three sites sit directly on the river. The rest offer shade under old-growth trees with ferns and moss covering the ground, giving the area the dense, layered look common to western Washington forests. Sites fill slowly even in summer; one visitor arrived on a weekday afternoon in late July and found multiple spots open for several days. A pit toilet sits near the entrance, and Rexanne G. called it "the cleanest and least smelly pit toilet" she had ever encountered.

A trailhead sits directly across from the toilet, though portions of both trails have washed out and are partially blocked by fallen trees. Campfires are allowed, pets are welcome, and alcohol is permitted on site. For campers interested in places to camp around Clearwater Corridor Natural Resources Conservation Area, options vary from dispersed roadside pullouts to more developed sites. Coppermine Bottom Campground to the west provides a comparable riverside alternative for those wanting a different setting along the same corridor.

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Map & DirectionsUpper Clearwater is located in Washington near Amanda Park

Public Campground

Coordinates

47.67900073 N
124.11700067 W

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Access

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

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

3 hrs 45 min from Olympia, WA
4 hrs 10 min from Bremerton, WA
4 hrs 39 min from Mount Vernon, WA
4 hrs 41 min from Seattle, WA

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Upper Clearwater

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited large, shaded riverside sites in beautiful PNW forest setting with surprisingly clean facilities. Access road narrows in places requiring caution for larger RVs, but most found the peaceful atmosphere ideal for quiet camping.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Max B.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2022

Peaceful and big sites

Small dispersed campground with a restroom. Huge spots with 3 lucky ones right on the river. Arrived about 2pm during the week and plenty of free spots and still empty spaces for the few days we were there.

Month of VisitJuly

L & J L.

Ranger

Reviewed Dec. 6, 2021

Peaceful and Primitive

We were the only ones at this campground the first weekend in December. Got to the location about 9:45pm Friday night in the pitch dark so we were especially glad it wasn’t busy. We took spot 1, which in our opinion is the best location right on the river. During the high season some of the other spots might be better, though, since spot 1 is close to the entrance and the pit toilet. There are 6 spots, one of which is pretty big and would accommodate a group.

The road getting to the campground is really nice. It is paved, which surprised us based on other reviews. Some sections narrow to one lane, but there are plenty of shoulders and turnouts so if you had to reverse to allow someone to pass you wouldn’t have to reverse very far. In a few spots the road is gravel with some potholes but not bad at all.

There is a pit toilet at the campground we did not use but we did look inside and it was clean. Right across from the pit toilet is a trailhead. It looks like there used to be two trails, one leading down to the river and another that goes up to a creek that feeds into the river, but parts of both trails are washed out and blocked by tree fall. We hiked as far as we could along them, though, and it was a nice walk.

When we left on Sunday, we decided to drive to Yahoo Lake Campground just to check it out. About 1/4 mile (or less) beyond Upper Clearwater, the road splits. Take the right fork for Yahoo. We took the left fork and went about 3.5 miles before realizing it wasn’t going to take us where we wanted to go. It was a beautiful detour and we saw some nice views but it’s just logging roads. Trust that Yahoo Lake Campground exists because there are no signs but if you go about 6 miles from that split in the road, it is there. You’ll arrive at a well-market trailhead where you can park and take a short hike to the lake and campsites. The main road continues on but, during the off season, it is closed for elk preservation. We walked to the lake and checked out a couple of primitive sites that would be great for tent camping. Super remote, beautiful little lake.

Overall, Upper Clearwater is a really nice campground and a great place to stay.

Site1

Month of VisitDecember

(6) View All

Brown Sign Junkies ..

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 8, 2021

Beautiful Place To Get Away

This is a campground that is pretty much what comes to mind when you think of camping in the PNW, good and Sasquatchy looking with old trees, ferns and moss everywhere. We were the only ones there when we camped so had the pick of the sites and went with a riverside one. Campground was clean and while not perfectly maintained, the older fixtures did add to the ambiance. I would say bringing anything bigger than the smallest of trailers would be a challenge though.

Rexanne G.

Guide

Reviewed Dec. 1, 2020

Riverside beauty that needs some work.

I loved my time at Upper Clearwater. Large sites with varied amenities. I was happy to have my riverside site even if it meant a ring of rocks instead of a real fire ring like at other sites. Or the fact that the seat on one side of the picnic table had been removed. One site even has a permanent shelter that would be great for groups (see pictures). If you love camping in the woods and hearing rivers instead of radios, this is the place for you. P.S. seriously, cleanest and least smelly pit toilet I have experienced in my life. It was oddly impressive.

Johnathan I.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2020

Small remote campground near creek

Approach to the campground is mostly paved and well marked. The road narrows considerably in a few places and with a soft shoulder. Large RV’s and vehicles with trailers meeting each other in these sections will need to reverse to allow safe passage.

The campground has only 7 sites or so and one long drop toilet. There is one group site. There are several turnouts along the road for overflow camping and gravel roads going out into the bush.

The is another campground further down the road, yahoo campground I think?
The campsites were clean with tables and fire rings. Great big trees and lots of shade.

(9) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upper Clearwater Campground near Amanda Park or Forks, WA?

Upper Clearwater Campground is in the general vicinity of both Amanda Park and Forks, WA, though exact distances aren't specified. The campground is situated in the Olympic Peninsula region that encompasses these communities. For those looking for camping options near these areas, Upper Clearwater provides a small, peaceful alternative with riverside sites. Check local maps or contact the managing agency for precise driving distances from either town.

Are there photos available of Upper Clearwater Campground?

Yes, photos of Upper Clearwater Campground are available through various camping websites and platforms. These images typically showcase the campground's riverside sites, surrounding old-growth forest, and natural PNW setting with moss-covered trees and ferns. Photos help prospective campers see the campground's layout, including the picnic tables, fire rings, and the permanent shelter available at one of the sites.

Where is Upper Clearwater Campground located in Washington?

Upper Clearwater Campground is located in Washington's Olympic Peninsula region, nestled along the Clearwater River in a quintessential Pacific Northwest forest setting. The campground is surrounded by old-growth trees, ferns, and moss - creating that classic PNW atmosphere. Its riverside location offers beautiful water views and a peaceful natural environment characteristic of Washington's temperate rainforest ecosystem.

Is Upper Clearwater managed by Washington DNR or Forest Service?

Based on available information, Upper Clearwater appears to be a Forest Service managed campground, though this should be verified with official sources. The campground features typical Forest Service amenities like basic vault toilets and rustic camping facilities. With only about 7 sites, it's a small operation that maintains the natural character of the surrounding forest. Contact the Olympic National Forest office for definitive management information and current regulations.

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