Encompassing nearly a million acres of vast wilderness and diverse ecosystems in Washington, it’s no wonder Olympic National Park is one of the United States’ most enjoyable destinations for camping and exploring. With all there is to do in the expansive park, there are simply not enough hours in the day to explore even a fraction of the incredible places you can visit in Olympic National Park.

In every region – whether it’s by the sea, mountains, rain forests, or busy cities like Seattle – there are a wide variety of Olympic National Park campgrounds & RV Parks to make a home for the night after a long day of adventuring. The incredible areas around Washington state allow for some of the most tranquil and serene backcountry perfect for vacations both short and long. With the correct research, you can plan the ideal camper van vacation to ensure you hit the best spots in the area, and we’re here to help! Here are our top picks for the best campsites & RV Parks in or around Olympic National Park.

Heart O’ the Hills Campground

About 8 miles down Hurricane Ridge Road from Port Angeles, you will reach Heart O’ the Hills Campground surrounded by old-growth forest. Encircling the campground itself is a small trail system for casual strolls, but most visitors stay here as it’s the closest campground to the incredible Hurricane Ridge. The Hurricane Hill Trail is an excellent choice for a mild walk, but there are plenty of other rigorous mountain hikes, perfect for backpacking through the area.

Heart O’ the Hills Campground is an excellent choice for a night or two in this popular section of Olympic National Park. There are 105 large, well-preserved sites in the campground, each with private picnic tables and fire rings, and centrally located restrooms, potable water, and firewood, and driftwood for sale within the grounds.

The campground is open year-round, and availability operates on a first-come, first-served system. Due to its proximity to Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge, spaces do fill up in peak seasons, so be sure to arrive early and strategically plan for your stay.

Heart O' the Hills, Hurricane Ridge, USA

Graves Creek Campground

Quinault, Washington houses the nearby Graves Creek Campground, an endearing campground centrally located in the heart of the wild forest of Washington. Its prime location allows guests to enjoy pristine hiking, exploring, fishing, boating and kayaking, and horseback riding. The livable nature of the area enables it to be a wildlife watching hotspot full of deer, elk, and black bears roaming the terrain. The campsites across the Quinault River are known to offer the most serene and beautiful experiences, yet each of its own is the perfect spot for a Washington getaway. Longer hikes are a few miles away from the location, but directly out of the campsite is the Pony Bridge Trail, which is a 5-mile round-trip hike through the incredible area.

Given its location, there are a few amenities, and lack thereof, worth noting. There are fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets available. However, there are no hookups and no potable water, so plan accordingly. Guests often comment that the lack of amenities allows for the most natural camping experience possible. Camper vans, vehicles, and RV’s are encouraged, although they cannot exceed 21 feet in length.

Graves Creek Campground does not take reservations but is open year-round. It is a smaller campground with just 30 sites costing $20 per night and often has campsites available throughout the year.

Hoh Campground

Wake up in one of America’s most incredible rain forests – the Hoh rain forest in the Pacific Northwest. Hoh Campground is located deep within the ancient trees and moss in a temperate environment – all accessible via Upper Hoh Road, which joins Highway 101 in Washington state. Here you have direct access to the Hoh River and absorb the sounds of the serene beauty of the natural world surrounding you.

Hoh Campground features 88 tent, car, and RV sites, each equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. There are also restrooms, potable water, and bear-proof food lockers. There is no power here, but the campground does have a dump station for your convenience.

This campground’s availability is first-come, first-served, and does fill up in peak season. Some of the sites here are prime positioned next to the Hoh River’s bank, so if you can get in early, try to get one of these!

Hoh rain forest in olympic national park, washington, USA

Mora Campground

Nestled in a coastal forest along the western coast of Olympic National Park, surrounded by towering trees, lush undergrowth, and the sound of the ocean in the background is Mora Campground. The Mora area is just inland from Rialto Beach (about 3 miles away), which is characterized by its pounding waves, massive driftwood logs, and moody atmosphere. Overall, the area is an excellent location for its guests to enjoy a variety of activities, and it gives a quiet and peaceful experience.

Mora Campground features 94 sites for tents, campervans, and RVs – a few of which are just steps away from the Quillayute riverbank. Surrounded by thick coastal forest, each campsite contains a fire ring and picnic table. There are flush toilets and potable water located throughout the campground, and a dump station which is available for a small fee.

The campground is open year-round, although differing seasons require specific planning. For most of the year, campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In summer (from May to September), campsites are available to be booked in advance via the National Parks Service website.

Fairholme Campground

Tucked away on the west end of Lake Crescent, you will find the tranquil Fairholme Campground. Wake up by the bank of Washington’s second-largest lake and spend the day paddling a kayak across the clear blue waters. The campground is also ideally located just meters away from the Olympic Discovery Trail that runs along the north bank of the lake in the temperate rainforest.

There are a total of 88 tent and RV sites in Fairholme Campground. The campground is well-preserved, and each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. Centrally located are restrooms with flush toilets and a dump station. Best of all, campsites are in prime spots to the boat launch, swimming area, and a general store where you can rent boats and purchase firewood to ensure a water adventure fit for entertaining the entire family.

You cannot make a reservation here, and sites do fill up, especially in summer, when the location is particularly desirable. Campsites are available first-come, first-served, so make sure you get in early to snag a great spot!

Kayaks next to a lake in the USA

Kalaloch Campground

Located on the rugged southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula on a high bluff, you will find Kalaloch Campground. Several of the campsites here overlook the incredible Pacific Ocean, ideally located for unparalleled views. There is beach access within the facilities, and you can enjoy coastal water activities. The campground, nestled in the peaceful forest, thrives in the region’s high rainfall, making it a popular RV Park for guests from all over to enjoy.

Kalaloch Campground features 168 campsites for tents, camper vans, and RVs. Each campsite has fire rings with grill and picnic tables, and flush toilets, drinking water, and communal food lockers are on the grounds. There are no electric hookups or showers. RV camping is still encouraged despite the lack of hookups!

Kalaloch Campground is open from May through to September and is one of the only campgrounds in Olympic National Park that accepts reservations. You can book your campsite for the summer season on the National Parks Service website, but make sure to book well in advance as it is a rather busy campground.

Sol Duc Campground

Located along the Sol Duc River in the heart of Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Campground is a full-facility campground within the old-growth forest. The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort maintains the area so campers will have access to many of the resort facilities, and is well-positioned close to Sol Duc Waterfall and hot springs. The area also boasts a variety of excellent walking trails.

There are 82 campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs here, plus 17 RV sites, including electric hookups, for your extra convenience. The campsites themselves have picnic tables, food storage lockers, fire rings, and grills. The resort – which is just up the road – has facilities including hot mineral-spring pools, a freshwater pool, restaurants, restrooms, showers, and a gift shop.

You can make a reservation to stay at Sol Duc Campground between May through the end of October. The campground is not open for the remainder of the year, so spaces can be limited when it is open. We suggest planning accordingly and far in advance to ensure your stay at the beautiful, centrally located Sol Duc Campground.

Sol Duc waterfall

Queets Campground

The Olympic National Park houses some of the most incredible views of the Pacific Ocean area. With three major rivers flowing out of Olympic Park, the Hoh River, Quinault River, and the Queets River. Of the three, the Queets River offers the most sequestered backcountry for authentic backpacking experiences. The campground has access to incredible locations such as the Queets River itself, the famous Queets Spruce, and many trails such as the Sams River Loop Trail and the Queets River Trail. If you’re lucky and come to enjoy the Olympic mountains in the correct season, experienced hikers can access the Queets River Trail and hike to the world’s largest Douglas Fir tree. Wildlife is rampant and unbothered in this area, often full of black bears. You need to stay alert and aware of your surroundings when cooking, enjoying the outdoors, and any other activities in the area.

Keep in mind there are no RV hookups, potable water, and the bathrooms are pit toilets. The amenities are limited. However, those wishing to experience a real Pacific Northwestern rain forest will be in their element as they stay in the tranquil area.

Queets Campground is open year-round and does not accept reservations. The campground is rather quaint with just 12 sites, and although space may be limited, the precise directions and serene location often leave the campsite with open spots much of the year.

 

If you can’t land one of these top campsites, other campgrounds worth checking into are Ozette Campground, Deer Park Campground, North Fork Campground, Dosewallips Campground, and South Beach Campground.

Olympic National Park is full of fantastic hiking and camping experiences. One of our favorite campervan road trips is from Los Angeles, up the coast through Big Sur to Washington State, Olympic National Park, and the Quinault Rain Forest.

 

Here are a few articles and road trip itineraries you might like.

Guide to the Best Campgrounds for Campervan in the USA
Guide to Free Camping in the USA
Los Angeles to Seattle Road Trip

About the Author

Bastian Graf

Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.

Share this page

Find Your Nearest Travellers Autobarn Location

Our Campervans

...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Seats 2-5
...

Tent Optional

...

Chairs Optional

...

Ice Box Optional

...

Ext. Table Opt.

...

Gas Cooker Opt.

View Details
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
MOST POPULAR
Seats 2-3 • Sleeps 2-3
...

Microwave

...

Fridge

...

Gas cooker

...

Sink

...

USB

...

Solar panel

View Details
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Seats 4-5 • Sleeps 4-5
...

Microwave

...

Fridge

...

Gas cooker

...

Sink

...

USB

...

Solar panel

View Details
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Seats 2-3 • Sleeps 2-3
...

Microwave

...

Fridge

...

Gas cooker

...

Sink

...

USB

View Details
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
MOST POPULAR
Seats 2 • Sleeps 2
...

Gas cooker

...

Sink

...

USB

...

Solar panel

...

Fridge

...

Built-In Heater

View Details