The next camping area in Olympic National Forest is located in its northwestern corner and it features two superb campsites Klahowya and Klahanie. Campsites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet (perhaps slightly longer at the largest site). Directions to Coppermine Bottom Campground. Then scout out your desired location to ensure you and your equipment can safely navigate the terrain. Its a family-friendly trail that leads directly into the Olympic National Park. No potable water or garbage service is available. Weve got some great suggestions for you. Road wash-outs prevent you from driving straight to the campsites. Nearby. Like many first-come, first-served locations, its best to arrive mid-morning on a weekday to secure a site. Its located near the Dosewallips River Trail where drinking water can be filtered from the stream; youll need it because there is no potable water here! It loops 6-miles through the old-growth forest and there is barely any elevation gain so it makes for an easy walk. But, once youve gotten through, many of the sites themselves will accommodate larger rigs. 2019-2022 Too Much Tina. With a mix of old-growth rain forests, glacier-capped mountains, and Pacific Ocean coastline, theres an endless mix of things to do. Because this is a remote campsite, it can be hard to get to, making it less commonly used. Beaver Lake also like in the Pacific Ranger District, in the extreme north-west portion of the Forest. The campground is well-shaded and may provide challenges for those looking to charge their solar. . Starting GPS (48.0639, -124.1096) Head south along Cooper Ranch Road, and about 2,000 feet in, take another turn on Forest Road 29. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping outside of a developed campground. Lets check out a few of the camping sites available to you so you know where to set up camp while in the area. It's another all-around involved street for boondocking with a few destinations to browse. North Fork is the smallest campground in Olympic National Park. The Shi Shi Beach trail is also right next store if you want to do some hiking later in the day. If you enjoy selecting your own campsite, providing your own amenities, creating your own experience, and camping for FREE, then dispersed camping is for you! Reviews indicate that rigs of all sizes should be able to use this camping location. Rather, it is a first-come, first-served location. Often ranger stations will have Bureau of Land Management maps indicating allowed access areas. Its especially popular with those planning to hike the nearby South Fork Hoh Trail. Olympic National Forest is broken up into several non-contiguous districts surrounding Olympic National Park. Seal Rock Campground along Hood Canal offers boating and fishing access and nearby Mt. The north portion of Forest Road 29 is often considered to be more friendly for larger RVs with pavement for a good portion until it turns to hard packed gravel. The Kalaloch Campground has some of the most sought-after campsites in Olympic National Park those looking out over the Pacific Ocean. As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. The trek is 6.5 miles long so its not for the faint at heart. Reservations:All of the campgrounds in Olympic National Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If those sites are taken, there are several more up the road, however the road becomes more narrow. Free, Dispersed Camping Near Olympic National Park Private Campgrounds Near Olympic National Park Lodging At Olympic National Park At A Glance: The Best Olympic Campgrounds Best for RV camping: Fairholme, Kalaloch, Mora, Sol Duc Best ocean views: Kalaloch, South Beach Most secluded: Hoh, North Fork, Ozette, Queets Free campsite: Dosewallips Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Battery Power? Garbage service is not always available. 3 The Best Dispersed Camping Areas in Olympic National Forest 3.1 Elkhorn Dispersed Camping Area 3.2 Hoh Oxbow Campsite 3.3 Quinault Ridge Road Dispersed Camping Area 3.4 Beaver Lake 3.5 Hamma Hamma River 3.6 Forest Road 29 4 The Takeaway When Should I Camp in the Olympic National Forest? Dispersed camping (or boondocking) is allowed inside Olympic National Forest. This campground is easy to get to with well-paved roads and paths. The campsites are well spread out, giving you more room for privacy. When Should I Camp in the Olympic National Forest? When looking for a free camping spot, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Outdoor Scott is a member of the Amazon affiliate program, and we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you shop there after clicking links on our site. Olympic National Park. It features ten camping spots but is relatively small and cant accommodate recreational vehicles. Ruby Beach and Beach Trail are also nearby and provide excellent views of the water. Located just outside the parks boundaries, its an ideal basecamp for exploring the western section of the park. Its secluded, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful. All Rights Reserved. This lack of privacy in addition to easy access to an extensive network of 44 trails (open to hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, ATVers, and more) typically draws a much more social crowd of campers than other free campgrounds. Those with solar should be able to get a few hours of sunshine, depending on their location. There are no reservations necessary here as it is a first-come, first-served location. Much of the access road is unpaved but its never very rough or bumpy. Is it Legal to Camp Anywhere in a National Forest? This is especially apparent if youre coming from the hustle and bustle of the city. Kalaloch: (360) 962-2271. Free Dispersed Camping -> No Reservations. As one of the larger campgrounds, it has amenities such as flush toilets, a dump station, and potable water. Another one of the most remote campgrounds in Olympic National Park is Dosewallips. Some of the campsites are suitable for RVs up to 30 feet. But the real reason Yahoo Lake is less busy than other nearby campgrounds is that it offers only walk-in camping. The secluded forest setting is part of the Clearwater Corridor Natural Resources Conservation Area. Bear Creek Campground is located along the Sol Duc River. Best Free Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Jump to the free campsite you want to learn more about: Bear Creek Campground Coppermine Bottom Campground Cottonwood Campground Hoh Oxbow Campground However, all of those 12 campsites have fixed length limitations for RVs. The only way to access this campground is from the Upper Queets River Road area because a mudslide took out the secondary access road. Each site has picnic tables and fire rings. The best sites back up to the river, creating a nice backdrop for visitors. Instead, visitors will need to backpack their gear into one of 30 campsites. Dispell the myths of boondocking and arm yourself with the laws and truths. on official, secure websites. Home The Best Free Camping Near Olympic National Park. Big rigs may find it difficult to utilize this campground. Quinalt Ridge Road is ideal for small to medium sized rigs, or trailers less than 24 feet. Please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste. If you are interested in other beautiful camping areas in the US, check our post on dispersed camping in Sadona. Olympic National Park Boondocking Vibes: 6/10 While the location and accessibility are great, there are enough reports of loud parties and uncomfortable situations that make this a place where timing is everything. Youll travel over huge bridges and drive deep into the forest where deer and elk are abundant. Best Review: Tents and RVs up to around 30 feet are welcome. Bear Creek Campground is about an hour from Port Angeles and just 15 minutes from Forks. Heres a general overview of all Olympic National Forest campsites that accommodate RVs: Some campers want to avoid the hustle and bustle of established campsites. Rough road conditions make driving to the campground arduous and for that reason, RVs and trailers are not permitted. Olympic National Park Boondocking Vibes: 8/10 This is a nice quiet location that has more amenities than most free campgrounds. Finding a free camping spot allows you to save some money while still enjoying the nature you came for. Fortunately, there are phenomenal campsites for every style of camping RV, trailer, tent, and everything in between. A great summertime swimming hole is located nearby. These sites further up the road are suitable for cars, vans, pickup truck campers, and trailers under 20 feet. 5 Dispersed Camping Sites in Olympic National Forest. Although the Washington DNR website suggests a max RV length of 30 feet, several sites have room for much larger rigs without disturbing others. It transitions from Brothers Peak (which rises to 6,842 feet) down to the scenic coast of the Hood Canal mentioned above. There are a total of 15 campsites here with a few options for RVs up to 21 feet. Calling all campers, dirtbaggers, vanlifers, and wanderers! All of the sites are first-come, first-served. Water and bathrooms:None of the campgrounds in Olympic National Park have showers or laundry facilities. The rest can accommodate tents and RVs up to 35 feet. Is Overnight Parking Allowed in National Forests? View recreation sites on the Olympic National Forest . Hoh Oxbow is one of the most popular free campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula. There are fourteen campgrounds at Olympic National Park with over 800 campsites for tents and RV campers. Therefore, checking the exact length limitation imposed by a particular camp before heading there with such a vehicle is crucial. Of the 17 campsites described above, 12 accommodate recreational vehicles. Out of the three campsites listed below, the Lena Lake one is probably the most beautiful (and also the only one thats free!). These areas allow outdoor enthusiasts to camp high up in the majestic mountains, along the striking coast, or next to stunning lakes. To make navigation easier, Ive separated the campsites into several distinct clusters. Four other hiking trails from the campground range in distance from 0.5 to 6 miles. Be careful! fire ring; Pets. There are dining options, a gift shop, and plenty of opportunities for hiking. You can pitch a tent in the Olympic National Forest, one of the best dispersed camping areas in Washington state, and enjoy its wonders year-round. Most are accessible year-round, including winter. About half of the campgrounds in the park have minimal amenities such as pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. There is no potable water so youll need to pack your own or bring a water filter. During the summer months, ranger programs are available for the kids. With minimal amenities, youll find pit toilets, but no running water. Guided kayaking tours are available in the area as well so there is no shortage of activities! Lake Crest Lodge is on the north end of the park right on the shores of Lake Cresent. And while Ive covered each of these places in great detail later in the article, Ive also highlighted the ones that are best for several specific styles of camping: Without further ado, lets take a closer look at the best established campsites in Olympic National Forest: The first cluster of established campsites in Olympic National Forest Ill be taking a look at is situated in the region surrounding Wynoochee Lake. Reported Cell Service: Campers have reported usable service for basic usage for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, with an average of 2 bars each. RVs up to 30 feet are welcome, although you can probably squeeze in something slightly larger. Those interested in RV camping should check out the former of these two campgrounds. Seven Cedars Casino in Sequim offers free overnight RV parking (just make sure to register inside). Lets help you get started with a few must-do activities. Like most WA DNR campgrounds, this one is quite shady and isnt ideal for RV campers that want solar. The campground is quiet and peaceful. There are numerous dispersed camping sites you can pull into, some large enough for 40+ foot trailers while other small enough only for vans. Its also the least shady of all the DNR campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula, making it ideal for boondockers with solar power. You'll find the whole shebang at this Shangri-La-mountain . LockA locked padlock Dogs must be leashed or restrained at all times in a National Park and leashes cannot exceed six feet in length. All there is here is a 300 foot long pullout from the highway, with picnic tables at each end. Graves Creek is a year-round campsite, though flush toilets are only available in the summer months. About the Campsite: This is a no-frills dirt campground. An old-growth forest surrounds the sites with towering trees and lush greenery. Reservations are needed for group campsites. While staying in the area, check out the Bogachiel Rainforest Trail. Explore the range of ecosystems within the Dosewallips River Basin as this low elevation area gradually climbs to the ridges of the Olympics. While its true that most of these places are simple pull-outs, they are all very close to Lena Lake trailhead as well as to the river itself. If youre towing a trailer 24 feet or longer, its a good idea to unhitch somewhere else just to investigate this road for campsites openings. The reason is that the Hamma Hamma River Valley provides easy access to Mount Skokomish, the highest point of the wilderness area of the same name. The beach is just a short walk away from the overnight RV parking lot. Phone reservations only, 10 person minimum, 30 maximum, 7 day maximum stay, $40 a night up to 10 people, $2 per additional person. This is a moderately sized campground, so there are not too many people and the environment is quiet. There is no dump station here, but youll find flush toilets and potable water. Of these, 14 are first come, first served. No running water, garbage, or RV hookups are available. In the summer, flush toilets and potable water are available. Bear-proof canisters are also required. The river itself is beautiful (it even has a fishing platform), a short hiking trail starts in the campground, and you can even walk down to scenic Murdock Beach. All are first-come, first-served and you can stay for up to 7 days at once. Some pieces of outdoor gear are essential regardless of your camping location. What have you found to be the best free camping near Olympic National Park? Experience the rushing rivers, coastal rain forests, alpine wildflowers and views of the Puget Sound from mountain peaks. Camp next to a peaceful lake, a rushing stream or in a dense conifer forest. Call the Cle Elum Ranger District: (509) 852-1100. Starting GPS (47.2672, -123.9182) At the intersection of US-101 and Donkey Creek Road, head north-west on Donkey Creek Road. Reach the campground by driving east on Oil City Road from Highway 101 until you reach H-4060 Road where you turn left. It is near the Quillayute River and offers some excellent views a few steps away from just about every campsite. At A Glance: The Best Olympic Campgrounds, Rules For Camping In Olympic National Park, Backpacking Permits In Olympic National Park, Free, Dispersed Camping Near Olympic National Park, Private Campgrounds Near Olympic National Park. Use nearby Cotton Campground as a backup in case this one is full. No reports of excessive trash in this location. These sites are best for tent camping as the campsites are set below the parking area. Reported Cell Service: Campers report having adequate service (3-4 bars) for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. About 7-8 miles in, its gets bumpy and rutted. Use a campsite thats already been established, if possible. United States. The forest allows camping just about anywhere and everywhere within its boundaries, though certain areas come with certain restrictions. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 15 feet. With 94 total campsites, there are locations for both 21 foot and 35-foot RVs. Reservations are not available and instead, it is a first-come, first-serve location. The Hoh Rain Forest is accessed by the Upper Hoh Road, off of Highway 101 . To that point, there are places in Olympic National Forest for "dispersed camping." Seal Rock Campground in Olympic National Forest sits right on the shores of Hood Canal. These include a robust tent, a sleeping bag that will protect you from the bugs and the cold, and even a set of comfortable camping chairs if youre staying with a group. There are trails that take off from the campground worth exploring, many of which run along the waterfront. 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