The Best Camping in Olympic National Park

Camping in Olympic National Park is one of the best ways to explore the breathtaking Olympic Peninsula.

A wide range of campsites are available. You can stay inside or just outside of the park. Choose between developed campgrounds, backcountry campsites, and dispersed camping areas.

We have a list of the 14 Best Campgrounds in Olympic National Park to share, so let’s dive right in and help you find the best campsite!

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Best Camping in Olympic National Park

There are 14 developed campgrounds in Olympic National Park. The majority of them are first-come, first-served, but a handful do offer reservations. Bookings for those campsites can be made through Recreation.gov. Also, be sure to check for potential closures when planning your visit.

1. Deer Park Campground

• Sites: 14
• Season: July to September (depending on snow)
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit Toilets
• RVs: No
• Accessible: Yes

Deer Park Campground is unique as the only car campground in Olympic National Park that’s located in high-alpine country. Camp here for 360° views of the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The campground’s isolation makes for breathtaking views of the sky at night.

2. Dosewallips Campground

• Sites: 30
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit Toilets
• RVs: No
• Accessible: No

Dosewallips Campground is the sole walk-in campground in Olympic National Park (aside from backcountry campsites). It’s very popular with hikers making their way into or out of the backcountry. But I highly recommend the hike along Dosewallips River Road to all visitors. The campground is located alongside the swift Dosewallips River and requires about a 5.5-mile hike to reach.

3. Queets Campground

• Sites: 20
• Season: Open year round
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit Toilets
• RVs: No
• Accessible: No

Queets Campground is among the most remote campgrounds in Olympic National Park. This remoteness makes it perfect for those looking to experience the park in as much solitude as possible. It’s also located in one of the least visited sections of the park.

4. North Fork Campground

• Sites: 9
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit Toilets
• RVs: No
• Accessible: No; Accessible vault toilet at trailhead

North Fork Campground is perfect for campers looking for a more secluded Olympic National Park camping experience. Hidden along the Quinault River, this tiny campground is located close to several beautiful hikes, including Skyline Ridge Primitive Trails. Deer, elk, and bears visit the area often.

5. Graves Creek Campground

• Sites: 30
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit Toilets
• RVs: No
• Accessible: Yes

Graves Creek Campground is perhaps my second favorite campground in Olympic National Park (after Kalaloch). Located in the Quinault Rainforest alongside the serene Quinault River, the campground is quite remote and peaceful. It’s close to several popular hiking trails, including the world-class Enchanted Valley (a 26-mile roundtrip trail).

RV Camping in Olympic National Park

6. Fairholme Campground

• Sites: 88
• Season: April to October
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Flush toilets, running water, and an RV dump station
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Fairholme Campground is an excellent option for visiting Lake Crescent. The campground fills up fast in the summer, so arrive early to secure one of the coveted lakeside campsites. It’s also an excellent jumping-off point for exploring nearby Sol Duc Falls and Hurricane Ridge.

7. Heart O’ the Hills Campground

• Sites: 105
• Season: Open year-round (heavy snow area making it walk-in only when snow is on the ground)
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Flush toilets, running water, and an RV dump station
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Located smack dab in the middle of an old growth forest, Heart O’ the Hills is a popular Olympic National Park campground for family camping. The campground is just a few miles from Port Angeles, making it one of the most easily accessible in the park. But the real draw of Heart O’the Hills is its close proximity to Hurricane Ridge. The breathtaking destination is located a short 14-mile drive away.

8. Hoh Campground

• Sites: 88
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Flush toilets, running water, and an RV dump station
• RVs: Yes (up to 21 feet)
• Accessible:

Tucked away in the country’s most famous rainforest, Hoh Campground is a central point for many of Olympic National Park’s best attractions. Camp here for easy access to popular hiking trails like the Hoh River Trail and the Hall of Mosses. As one of the wettest locations in America, campers should adequately prepare for rain, even in the middle of summer.

9. Kalaloch Campground

• Sites:
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: Yes
• Amenities: Flush toilets, running water, an RV dump station, and a year-round general store
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes, but there are no accessible beach access trails

Kalaloch Campground is my favorite campground in Olympic National Park – it’s also the most popular. Why do people love it so much? The answer is simple. It’s beautiful. Situated on a bluff alongside sandy Kalaloch Beach, many campsites have amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Even those that don’t are just a very short walk away.

10. Mora Campground

• Sites: 95
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit toilets, running water, and an RV dump station
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible:

Mora Campground is situated near the Quillayute River, just a few miles from Rialto Beach. It’s just a hop, skip, and jump away from many popular Olympic National Park destinations, including Hole in the Wall, Second Beach, and Strawberry Bay Falls. Because of its location near the village of La Push, it’s sometimes called La Push Campground instead of Mora.

11. Ozette Campground

• Sites: 15
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit Toilets
• RVs: Yes (up to 21 feet)
• Accessible: Yes

Ozette Campground is an often overlooked gem of an Olympic National Park campground. Miles from anywhere else, the campground is set on the shores of Lake Ozette. Most campsites have views of the lake. Do note that the road is often rough and muddy. The campsites can be equally wet. Yet, all of the downsides are worth it. Lake Ozette is extremely beautiful. The nearby coastline is some of the most remote in the country.

12. Sol Duc Campground

• Sites: 82
• Season: March-October (Primitive camping is available during the off-season when the road is open.)
• Reservations: Yes
• Amenities: Flush toilets and running water (only available from May to October)
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Sol Duc Campground is an awesome place for camping in Olympic National Park. Located next to the incredible Sol Duc Falls, it’s also close to the famous Sol Duc Hot Springs, a number of lakes, and roaring rivers filled with salmon. The nearby Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has a lodge and restaurant, which are only open during the summer months.

13. South Beach Campground

• Sites: 50
• Season: May to September
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Pit toilets and RV Dump Station
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: No

Though it’s right off Highway 101 and just minutes from Kalaloch, South Beach Campground is surprisingly isolated. Its scenic location on a bluff provides campers with great views of the Pacific Ocean, especially at sunset. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point to explore the Quinault and Queets Rainforests.

14. Staircase Campground

• Sites: 56
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: Online reservations are accepted for the peak summer season, July 5 – August 31; First come, first served outside of the reservation season. 
• Amenities: Flush toilets and running water are available (June to September); vault toilets and no drinking water in the off-season.
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

The best campground on the eastern side of Olympic National Park, Staircase Campground is located on the banks of the Skokomish River. Gladys Divide and Staircase Loop Trail are just a few of the amazing hiking trails within easy access of this campground. Thanks to its proximity to the park’s most remote stretch of mountains, the campground also acts as a home base for many of the national park’s most popular backpacking routes.

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Backcountry Camping in Olympic National Park

Want to camp in Olympic National Park but well away from crowds? Then backcountry camping is the way go.

Hike into the mountains or set up camp on a desolate stretch of beach for an amazing camping experience unlike any other.

Backcountry Campgrounds

Two of the best backcountry campgrounds in Olympic National Park are Shi Shi Beach and Enchanted Valley.

• Camping at Shi Shi Beach should be on every outdoor lover’s camping bucket list. The easy 2 to 5 mile hike takes you down onto one of the most scenic stretches of beach in Washington. Camp right on the beach and wake up to incredible morning views.
• Camping in Enchanted Valley requires a much longer hike (about 26 miles roundtrip) but the area is just as beautiful. This breathtaking mountain retreat is complete with an abandoned historic lodge to explore.

Make sure you have all the proper wilderness camping permits (required for all Olympic National Park backcountry campsites) as well as bear canisters to store your food.

If you’re new to backpacking, our beginner’s guide to backpacking (with gear checklist) will help you plan your trip!

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Dispersed Camping in Olympic National Park

Dispersed camping is another option for camping! Also known as wild camping, dispersed camping is camping outside of a designated campground. This means you won’t have any normal campground amenities such as running water or bathrooms. The best thing about dispersed camping? It’s free! Remember to always follow the leave no trace principles (including properly going poop in the woods!).

Don’t forget that camping is only allowed in certain areas. On the Olympic Peninsula, it’s generally restricted to the Olympic National Forest.

Some areas for dispersed camping include:

• Dosewallips area
• Hamma Hamma area

Check out our in-depth camping guides to learn more about dispersed camping and free camping.

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Other Campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula

Just because you want to visit Olympic National Park doesn’t mean you have to camp in the national park itself.

There are several amazing campgrounds near Olympic National Park. Many are just minutes outside of its boundaries. Some of these are small and remote to help you avoid crowds, while others are full-blown RV parks. Here are a few more of our favorite campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula!

Coho Campground

• Sites: 48
• Season: Mid-May – October
• Reservations: Yes
• Amenities: Potable water; Flush toilets
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Located in the nearby Olympic National Forest, Coho Campground is situated on Wynoochee Lake.

Dosewallips State Park

• Sites: 75 tent sites, 45 RV sites
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: Yes
• Amenities: Full hookups
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Few campgrounds near Olympic National Park are better for exploring the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula than Dosewallips State Park.

Hamma Hamma Campground

• Sites: 15
• Season: May to September
• Reservations: No
• Amenities: Vault toilets
• RVs: Yes, up to 21 feet
• Accessible: Yes

Hamma Hamma Campground is also located in Olympic National Forest along the Hamma Hamma River.

Olympic Peninsula/Port Angeles KOA

• Sites: Dozens
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: Yes
• Amenities: RV Dump Station; full hookups
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

For RV camping on the Olympic Peninsula, the Port Angeles KOA is an excellent option. It has dozens of campsites with full hookups to accommodate RVS of all sizes. There’s also a grassy tent camping area and numerous camping cabins.

Salt Creek Recreation Area

• Sites: 92
• Season: Yes, but only for certain campsites
• Reservations: Yes, during peak season
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Salt Creek Recreation Area in Clallam County is another great place for camping near Olympic National Park. Located on a high bluff overlooking the Puget Sound, 73 of the campground’s 92 campsites have a view of the water.

Sequim Bay State Park

• Sites: 45 primitive campsites plus 15 campsites with partial RV utilities
• Season: Open year-round
• Reservations: Yes
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Don’t like the rain? Sequim Bay State Park is located just outside of Sequim, one of the driest towns on the Olympic Peninsula.

Willaby Campground

• Sites: 19
• Season: April – Oct. – Nov.
• Reservations: Yes
• Amenities: Potable water; flush toilets
• RVs: Yes
• Accessible: Yes

Camping on Lake Quinault doesn’t get much better than Willaby Campground. An ideal campground for Olympic National Park visitors, the 19 lakeside campsites are quiet and peaceful.

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Now We Want to Hear From You!

We’d love to hear about your Olympic National Park camping experience.

How was your trip overall? What was your favorite campground? Did you camp in an RV or in a tent? Let us know in the comments below. And, don’t forget to check out our other national park camping guides:

• Grand Teton National Park
• Mount Rainier National Park
• North Cascades National Park
• Sequoia National Park
• Yellowstone National Park

Happy Camping!