Are you planning a trip that includes Olympic National Park camping? We found the best spots for spectacular views and a relaxing stay.
Keep reading to learn more about planning a camping trip to the national park. We’ll also fill you in on the best time to visit and the best campsites.
Pack your camping gear, and let’s get started!
Planning a Camping Trip to Olympic National Park
An Olympic National Park camping trip is the perfect way to explore the park without driving too far to get back to your bed and kitchen. We recommend staying at least three full days to get the most out of your time in the national park. Then, of course, more time will allow you to go more slowly and see more of the park.
Once you’ve finished setting up at your campsite, spend a day exploring Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and Sol Duc Falls. There’s so much to see and do in these areas that you may even want to return during your visit. Also, be sure to check out Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach. And, we highly recommend hiking in Quinault Rainforest. The rainforests and beaches are outstanding and worth spending as much time soaking them in as possible.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park?
The best time to visit the Olympic National Park is in the summer. The winter months can be cold and foggy. During the summer, you have a greater chance of seeing more of the park and its natural wonders. In addition, you’re less likely to run into muddy slips and slides in the summer when hiking the trails.
7 Best Spots for Olympic National Park Camping
There are plenty of campsites in the area, but we’ve narrowed down the options. Let’s take a look at seven of the best places for Olympic National Park camping. We also explain why we love each campground and give them our trip rating.
#1 Fairholme Campground
Address: Port Angeles, WA 98362
Amenities: Fairholme Campground features several lakefront campsites on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula. The campsites are without hook-ups, but drinking water stations are available on-site. The campground also has flush toilets, grills, a fishing dock, a boat ramp, and boat trailer parking.
Pet-Friendly: It’s a pet-friendly campground.
Why You’ll Love It: Fairholme Campground sits on Lake Crescent, giving you some of the best views and relaxing places to camp. And you can bring your boat, as it has a boat ramp for accessing the lake.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 10/10 for its epic views of the lake and mountains.
#2 Heart O’ the Hills Campground
Address: 2823 S Oak St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Amenities: The Heart O’ the Hills Campground has 105 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. There are no RV hook-ups. It also has restrooms, potable water stations, and animal-proof food storage.
Pet-Friendly: It’s a pet-friendly campground, but pets are not allowed on park trails.
Why You’ll Love It: When it comes to Olympic national park camping here, you’ll love the old-growth forest that the campground sits in. And you’re likely to have an opportunity to hear the marbled murrelet sea bird. The bird is listed under the Endangered Species Act and is a treat to see if you get a glimpse.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9/10 for being in the forest with day hikes accessible from the campground.
Pro Tip: While in Olympic National Park make sure to keep an eye out for these 23 Best Olympic National Park Animals.
#3 Hoh Campground
Address: Forks, WA 98331
Amenities: Hoh Campground has 72 campsites with a campfire ring and picnic table. There are no RV hookups, but there’s a dump station and drinking water fill stations. In addition, there are food locks and restrooms.
Pet-Friendly: It’s a pet-friendly campground, but pets are not allowed on park trails.
Why You’ll Love It: The campground is on Hoh River and has access to several hiking trails. It’s also an excellent place for bird-watching and wildlife viewing.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10 for its trails and Hoh River access.
#4 Kalaloch Campground
Address: Forks, WA 98331
Amenities: Kalaloch Campground has 168 non-electric campsites and one group site. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The campground also has food lockers, drinking water stations, restrooms, and a dump station with a $10 fee. In addition, there’s a shower facility 5 miles from the campground.
Pet-Friendly: It’s a pet-friendly campground.
Why You’ll Love It: You’ll love this oceanside campground with a beach. It’s a great place to base yourself for Olympic National Park camping and access to all the park offers.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 10/10 for being on the Pacific Coast.
#5 Mora Campground
Address: Forks, WA 98331
Amenities: Mora Campground offers 94 non-electrical sites with a fire ring, grate, and a picnic table. It also has paved sites, drinking water stations, toilets, food storage lockers, and a dump station with a $10 fee. In addition, there are several trails nearby.
Pet-Friendly: It’s a pet-friendly campground.
Why You’ll Love It: Mora Campground offers scenic views and access to the Quillayute River. It’s also two miles from Rialto Beach on the Pacific. Rialto Beach provides a stunning sandy shoreline with rock formations jetting out from the ground.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9/10 for being on the river and close to the Pacific Ocean.
#6 Ozette Campground
Address: 21083 Hoko Ozette Rd, Clallam Bay, WA 98326
Amenities: Ozette Campground is primitive, with no water, but there are restrooms and pit toilets in the winter. There are 15 campsites available year-round, and there’s a general store and a public boat dock. You’ll need a permit for backpacking along the Ozette Coast.
Pet-Friendly: It’s a pet-friendly campground, but pets are not allowed on park trails or boat-in lake camping.
Why You’ll Love It: You’ll love the remoteness of the campground and access to Ozette Lake and the Pacific Ocean. This is an excellent place to backpack and experience forests and waterways if you’re a hiker.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 7/10 for the hiking and water recreation.
Pro Tip: Olympic National Park isn’t the only national park worth visiting while in Washington. Check out these 7 Awesome National Parks to Visit From Seattle.
#7 Sol Duc Hot Springs RV & Campground
Address: 12076 Sol Duc-Hot Springs Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363
Amenities: Sol Duc Hot Springs RV and Campground has 17 RV sites with water and electricity and 81 campsites without electricity. The campground has a dump station and restrooms.
Pet-Friendly: It’s a pet-friendly campground, but pets are not allowed on park trails.
Why You’ll Love It: The campground is next door to the Sol Duc Hot Springs resort, where you can purchase hot spring pool access. In addition, it’s close to several hiking trails and the Sol Duc River.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10 for easy access to the hot springs.
Olympic National Park Camping Tips
Olympic National Park camping trips are one of the best ways to stay in the park and explore. You can base yourself in one campground for the duration of your stay or try out a couple to gain access to different parts of the national park. So whether you enjoy outdoor recreation, are an avid bird watcher, or are looking for a quiet getaway, there are plenty of options in the national park.
Stay and Experience Washington’s Olympic Peninsula
Are you ready to experience Washington’s Olympic Peninsula? We hope you get a chance to do some Olympic National Park camping. You’re sure to create lasting memories in the unique landscapes. Each of the campgrounds on our list allows you to immerse yourself in the rainforests and beaches of the peninsula.
Is camping in Olympic National Park on your bucket list? Tell us in the comments!
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