All About Camping in Olympic National Park

Is there anything better than wandering through a rainforest, swimming in a pristine alpine lake, or breathing in the crisp mountain air?  When you go camping in Olympic National Park, you’re only a few steps away from all of these amazing adventures!

Camping in Olympic is an enchanting experience. This guide is all about the frontcountry camping possibilities within the national park.  I am excited to help you decide which campground is perfect for your needs!

What You Need to Know About Camping in Olympic

• Reservations for the most popular campgrounds are accepted up to six months in advance.  Competition is fierce, so if you want a chance of reserving a site, be sure to sign up exactly six months before the first night of your trip.  If your desired dates are already full, check back often because people cancel!

• First-come, first-served sites should be claimed by mid-morning.  Plan your trip so that you can get to the campsite early before it fills.

• You can only pay by credit or debit card.

• A maximum of 2 vehicles is allowed at each campsite (RVs, 5th Wheels, and trailers count as vehicles).

• There is a 14-day stay limit during the summer months (7 days at Kalaloch), and Senior/Access Pass holders can get 50% off of the camping fee (this does NOT include the Annual America the Beautiful Pass).

• Each standard campsite only accommodates eight people.  If you have a larger group, you will need to book two campsites or a group campsite at Kalaloch or Sol Duc.

• Check the Campground Status Page to see the current conditions of each campground.

This article contains information on the frontcountry camping experiences that are available within Olympic National Park.  In other words, it covers places you can get to with your car.

If you’re interested in hike-in backcountry camping options, click here.

Where are the Campgrounds in Olympic?

Take a look at the map of Olympic National Park to plan your trip.  When you get to this page, look for the button that says “park tiles” in the upper left corner of the map. Click this button and select “brochure map” instead.

For your convenience, you can also click on the name of a campground in the list below to read more about it.

How to Get a Site

Most of the popular campgrounds in the park accept reservations.  If you’re hoping to reserve something, click over to Recreation.gov to find a site.  Reservations open up six months in advance of the first day of your reservation.  You’ll want to sign in and pick out your site in advance so that you can be ready to hit reserve as soon as the clock strikes 10 a.m. EST (8 a.m. MST).

If you’re not able to get a site six months in advance, several sites are held back and available for reservations two weeks in advance and again four days in advance. So, even if you are taking a last-minute trip, you may still be able to snag a reservation!

Other campsites in the park are first-come, first-served and fill in the morning hours.  

When you arrive, head to the registration kiosk first. At this kiosk, you’ll see a board with slots for each campsite. If there is a paper/ticket in the slot, that campsite has been paid for and is not available. Make a list of all of the sites with empty slots, then pick a site from those options.

Hurry back to the registration kiosk, grab an envelope, fill it out, and then put your ticket into the slot that corresponds with the campsite you have selected.

Now it’s time to choose your ideal campground for your trip to Olympic National Park!

Port Angeles Area Campgrounds

Most people explore the Olympic National Park from the town of Port Angeles, mostly because of the many amenities you can find here (especially compared to other areas near the park).  You’ll find numerous lodging options, restaurants, and stores in this town. 

You’ll also find the park’s famous Hurricane Ridge area just outside of Port Angeles. If you enter Olympic from here, you’ll climb high into the mountains until the road dead-ends at some of the park’s most stunning scenery.

Heart O’ the Hills Campground

This campground is busy due to its proximity to Olympic’s most popular mountain hiking trails at Hurricane Ridge. It’s also a short drive to the hotels, restaurants, rentals, and activities in Port Angeles.

Open Season: Year-round.
Max RV Length:  35 feet, but sites are limited at that size.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  No.
Generators: Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Reservations Required:  No, first-come, first-served only.
Fee:  $24
Number of Sites:  105
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms: Flush toilets with running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes

Deer Park Campground

This small, primitive campground offers a true wilderness experience in the mountains near Port Angeles.  If solitude is what you love, you’ll definitely find it down this steep gravel road!

Open Season: June through mid-October, weather permitting.
Max RV Length:  RVs are not permitted (they are not able to navigate the steep and narrow road).
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  No, first-come, first-served only.
Fee: $15.
Number of Sites:  14.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Pit toilets with no running water. Drinking water is not available.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Lake Crescent Area Campgrounds

Lake Crescent is a large and beautiful lake that is perfect for many types of outdoor recreation. You can kayak, hike, swim, picnic, fish, and bike here — just to name a few options!

This easy-to-get-to lake is located about halfway between Port Angeles and Forks (the two main towns near Olympic), making this a great area to base your trip if you don’t want to split your time between several campgrounds.

Fairholme Campground

This campground sits right along the western shore of Lake Crescent, making it the perfect home base for your Olympic adventures! You can easily get to the Port Angeles or Forks areas of the park from here. Limited groceries and boat rentals are available at this location.

Open Season:  May – October.
Max RV Length:  21 feet.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  Yes, $10 fee.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  Yes, 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov.
Fee:  $24.
Number of Sites:  88.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilets and running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Sol Duc Campground

From this campground, you can easily get to the famous Sol Duc Falls, explore an old-growth forest, and soak in the nearby hot springs. And for all of you RVers, this is one of the only places in the park that has hookups!

Open Season:  Middle of March – October.
Max RV Length:  35 feet.
Hookups:  Yes, there are 17 sites specifically for RVs with 50 amp electric and water hookups (no sewer).
Dump Station: Yes, $10 fee.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  Yes, 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov.
Fee:  $24-$50.
Number of Sites:  82.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilets with running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Log Cabin RV Resort

The Log Cabin Resort is located along the shores of beautiful Lake Crescent. This location is a little further from Highway 101, so you’ll want to plan on a little extra drive time if you decide to camp out here. And for all of you RVers, this is one of the only places in the park that has hookups!

Open Season:  Middle of May – September.
Max RV Length:  35 feet.
Hookups:  Yes, water and electrical hookups are available for RVs
Dump Station: Yes, $10 fee.
Generators:  Electric hookups are available.
Reservations Required:  Yes, book by calling 888-896-3818.
Fee:  $24-$44.
Number of Sites:  38.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilets with running water. Showers available.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Forks Area Campgrounds

The little town of Forks, Washington, is mostly famous because of the popular Twilight book series. And while you will find signs of vampires and werewolves in this town, you’ll also be perfectly situated to explore Olympic’s most spectacular beaches and rainforests!

The scenery in this area is gorgeous — whether you decide to camp seaside or deep in the forest, the Forks area is perfect for getting away from it all and exploring some of the most unique places in Olympic National Park.  

Mora Campground

Spots in this campground are highly coveted, primarily because of Mora Campground’s proximity to Rialto Beach and the ease of getting to other nearby beaches, the town of Forks, the Hoh Rainforest, and Lake Crescent. Some sites in Loop E have river views.

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  35 feet, but sites are limited at that size.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  Yes, $10 fee.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  Yes, 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov for peak season (May-September). First-come, first-served during the rest of the year.
Fee:  $24
Number of Sites:  94
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilets with running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Hoh Campground

Located in the spectacular Hoh Rainforest section of the park, this campground sits near the shores of the Hoh River and offers access to some of the park’s most unique hikes. You’re in a temperate rainforest, so expect rain! Riverside campsites are available in Loops A and C.

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  35 feet, but sites are limited at that size.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  Yes, but it has been closed for a while (possibly indefinitely).
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  Yes, 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov for peak season (June-September). First-come, first-served during the rest of the year.
Fee:  $24.
Number of Sites:  78.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilets with running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Kalaloch Campground

The Kalaloch (pronounced clay-lock) area is one of the most spectacular places in the park!  Getting a campsite here is incredibly competitive, but if you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll be rewarded with easy access and phenomenal views of Olympic’s wild coastline.

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  35 feet, but sites are limited at that size.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  Yes, $10 fee.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  Yes, 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov for peak season (May-September). First-come, first-served during the rest of the year.
Fee:  $24.
Number of Sites:  170
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:   Flush toilets with running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

South Beach Campground

Located near the Kalaloch area’s gorgeous beaches, this campground sits on a bluff above the ocean. You’ll find beach access and amazing views from many of the sites here.

Open Season:  May – September.
Max RV Length:  35 feet, but sites are limited at that size.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  No.  First-come, first-served only.
Fee:  $20
Number of Sites:  55
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilets, but drinking water is not available.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  No.

Outlying Area Campgrounds

Because there are no roads that travel through the interior of Olympic National Park, there are plenty of camping options that can be found along the park’s many dead-end roads!

The campgrounds in this section won’t get you very close to the park’s main activities, but if solitude is what you’re seeking, this list might be exactly what you are hoping for.

Dosewallips Campground

If you’re a tent camper looking for a wilderness experience, this small campground tucked in the woods may be perfect for you.  Its location on the east side of the park is quite remote — the road is washed out so an additional 6.5 miles of hiking is required to get here.

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  No RVs allowed. This is a tent-only, hike-in campground.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  
Reservations Required:  No, the sites are first-come, first-served. 
Fee:  Free.
Number of Sites:  30.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, they can walk with you on the washed-out road to the campground, but they can’t be on any other trails. Please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Pit toilets and no running water. Drinking water is not available.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  No.

Graves Creek Campground

This campground is located in the stunning Lake Quinalt area of the park. It’s only a short drive away from the lake and its historic lodge. Lake Quinalt is quite a drive from the main sights of Olympic, but if you have an extra day to explore, this is the place to be!

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  RVs are not allowed due to the narrow access road.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  No, first-come, first-served only.
Fee:  $20
Number of Sites:  30
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Pit toilets with no running water.  Drinking water is not available.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

North Fork Campground

This small off-the-beaten-path campground is located down a narrow road in a quiet corner of the park.  You’ll be nestled in the magical Quinault Rain Forest, where you’ll find lovely views and lots of solitude. This campground is found in the Lake Quinalt area of the park, several minutes away from the Graves Creek Campground.

Open Season:   Year-round.
Max RV Length:  RVs are not advised due to the narrow access road.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station: No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  No, first-come, first-served only.
Fee:  $20
Number of Sites:  9
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Pit toilets with no running water. Drinking water is not available.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Ozette Campground

This small campground is located along the beautiful shores of Lake Ozette, and some sites have lovely water views.  If you’re a tent camper, you’ll especially love this quiet space to soak in Olympic’s beauty!

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  Some sites available for an RV up to 21 feet.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station:  No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  
Reservations Required:  No, first-come, first-served only.
Fee:  $20
Number of Sites:  15
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilet and drinking water available during the summer. Pit toilets available during the off-season.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Queets Campground

This primitive campground is in a remote area of the park that is only accessible by dirt road. If you choose to stay here, you’ll be rewarded with peace and quiet near the relaxing Queets River.

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  RVs are not advised because of the narrow access road.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station: No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  No. First-come, first-served only.
Fee:  $15.
Number of Sites:  20.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Pit toilets with no running water. Drinking water is not available.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Staircase Campground

This popular campground is located along the east side of Olympic, but it’s far from the main sights in the park.  Located in an old-growth forest along the shores of the Skokomish River, there’s no shortage of activities in this beautiful area.

Open Season:  Year-round.
Max RV Length:  35 feet, but sites are limited at that size.
Hookups:  No.
Dump Station: No.
Generators:  Permitted during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Reservations Required:  No. First-come, first-served only.
Fee:  $24.
Number of Sites:  49.
Pets Allowed:  Yes, but please review Olympic’s Pet Policy.
Restrooms:  Flush toilets with running water are available during the summer. Pit toilets and no water available during the off-season.
Wheelchair Accessibility:  Yes.

Now that you’ve seen your options for camping in Olympic, are you ready to make sure you don’t miss any of the best sights in the park?

Click NEXT to see the 10 things you can’t miss on your first visit!