Fromvan lifetoRV living, my goal is to help you live a more adventurous life. Use nearby Cotton Campground as a backup in case this one is full. Sadie Creek Campground is located along the Juan De Fuca Highway, just west of Lyre River Campground. For those seeking primitive camping, this location can be ideal. There are no camping fees; its completely free, but subject to Olympic National Forests rules for developed campgrounds (14-day stay). Dispersed camping, or camping outside of designated campgrounds, is allowed. Reported Cell Service: Campers have reported 4 bars service for both Verizon and T-Mobile. View the Drivin & Vibin Privacy Policy Here, The Best Free Camping Near Olympic National Park, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). The main reason for this is its remoteness. Campers talk about large sites (specifically site 3) and state that overcrowding doesnt seem to be an issue. Above all else, youll want to verify that the area is legal for public camping. fire ring; Pets. Mora is a forested campground on the coast. An old-growth forest surrounds the sites with towering trees and lush greenery. Campers often report no service for AT&T. Offices are now open at limited hours. Dungeness Area is undoubtedly your best bet if youre seeking a genuinely quiet and peaceful camping experience in this part of Washington State. Since then, I have camped in 48 states and hiked in nearly all of the National Parks. Make sure to arrive there early in the day to get a good camping spot. Is it Illegal to Live in a Tent in Your Backyard? You may stay 14 days at NF-011 road. How Long Can You Camp in a National Forest? Access the list by submitting your email below: Regional BLM Shuts Down Free Camping, Indefinitely. About the Campsite: This campground is located close to the Lyre River in a rainforest setting. Shady Lane trail is flat, and less than a mile to Lake Cushman. Several campsites actually overlook the ocean (although these are booked well in advance). The Klahanie Campsite, on the other hand, is surrounded by an old-growth forest and provides easy access to the town of Forks. The 10 Best Dispersed Camping Areas in Washington Olympic Peninsula - Forest Road 29 Mt. But, once youve gotten through, many of the sites themselves will accommodate larger rigs. If loud and busy isnt your scene, you may want to consider when you plan to be there. Ozette is a small campground located next to Lake Ozette. You'll find Olympic National Park here as well, but for those interested in dispersed camping Olympic National Forest makes an incredible destination. Directions to Upper Clearwater Campground. The Hoh is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States and is one of the park's most popular destinations. There are no free campgrounds inside the park itself, but just outside is a jackpot of great sites. Families will likely feel comfortable here. He would be surprised now to hear of wild camping for him living in Scotland he just pitched up and camped. Youll find minimal amenities with just pit toilets available and potable water. You may want to scout your location before towing to it, especially if your rig is on the larger side. Perhaps the most well-documented of dispersed camping sites in Olympic National Forest, Forest Road 29 (FS-29 on Google Maps) is found in the Pacific Ranger District, in the north-west section of the Forest. Olympic National Park Boondocking Vibes: 8/10 This is a nice quiet location that has more amenities than most free campgrounds. Because this is a remote campsite, it can be hard to get to, making it less commonly used. The road in is Dirt and less than 10 miles from a paved road. TIP: If you are towing a trailer, you may want to find a place within the first mile of the road to unhitch. Here, you will have two options: the smaller Satsop Center Campsite, situated in the valley, and the larger Coho Campsite, which can be found right on the shore of the lake. The Quinault region of the Olympic National Forest is well-known for its ice-carved peaks, jeweled lakes, and alpine meadows. Olympic National Forest Near Montesano, Washington. Some locations allow you to use a faster lane if you already have your Discover Pass, so purchase yours ahead of time! Although its not completely free, boondocking at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino costs just $10 Sunday through Thursday (its $20 on Friday and Saturday). You'll find an abundance of dispersed camping in Olympic National Forest in addition to 10 free developed campgrounds run by the Department of Natural Resources. View recreation sites on theOlympic National Forest online recreation map. The best way to experience the Olympic National Forest is by pitching a tent among its towering trees. Although the Washington DNR website suggests a max RV length of 30 feet, several sites have room for much larger rigs without disturbing others. ) or https:// means you've safely All are first-come, first-served and you can stay for up to 7 days at once. Campbell Tree Grove Campground is found along Forest Road 2204, about 26 miles (nearly an hours drive) from the town of Humptulips. A little more than a mile in, turn right on to Forest Road 29 (FS-29). The Hoh Rain Forest is accessed by the Upper Hoh Road, off of Highway 101 . website belongs to an official government organization in the United States government. While most have relatively private campsites, Sadie Creeks 6 campsites are a lot closer together and much less private. RV camping:The max RV length for campsites throughout the park is 35 feet, and the majority are suitable for motorhomes up to 21 feet long. This place is an excellent option if youre road-tripping around the Olympic Peninsula. Copyright ParkedInParadise.com | Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Sol Duc: Reserve at www.recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. Another one of the most remote campgrounds in Olympic National Park is Dosewallips. Dont camp anywhere until you reach Klahanie Campground. This is a great place to stay if you have pets, want to save money, or if youre looking for less rigid campground regulations. No amenities are available except for vault toilets. Youll find high-end amenities here including mineral hot springs, a swimming pool, gift shop, on-site massages and miles of hiking trails nearby. The dense trees give it a quiet and remote feel. Whatever destination and activity suits you and your family best, hit the road in your RV for an action-packed time, interspersed with relaxation, and create a lifetime . There are several short day-hikes that explore the area. It is perhaps one of the best lakeside campsites in the park. Finger Lakes National Forest Camping Rules. Be careful! Big rigs may find it difficult to utilize this campground. About 7-8 miles in, its gets bumpy and rutted. All of its 20 camping spots are located next to the Skokomish River. Located on the eastern side of the Olympic National Forest, the Hamma Hamma River Valley features outstanding campsites tucked into the mountains. After all, its one of the most popular natural regions in the state, visited by tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts every year for a good reason. Both are pretty close to the small settlement of Quilcene. Some private campgrounds with quick access to the park include: Four lodges within the park are the perfect place to stay if you want a comfortable bed to sleep in, but still want to wake up right next to the trails. The atmosphere is peaceful and heavily forested. Stay responsible and minimize environmental impact by leaving your camping spot in a better state than you found it! There is no running water or garbage service. fishing; water access; Site Amenities. Your reward for making the climb is some of the most outstanding mountain views in Olympic National Park. There is no potable water so youll need to pack your own or bring a water filter. However, all of those 12 campsites have fixed length limitations for RVs. This location is perhaps one of the best for those who want to be in an old-growth forest with large, towering trees but also sleep nearby lots of amenities. 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. The dense forest gives campers ample privacy, and incredible shade. A great summertime swimming hole is located nearby. If you must do so, return the site to its original state. What Do the Different Colors Mean on Google Maps? Another one of my favorite free campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula, Lyre River Campground is located north of Lake Crescent along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A key to remember here is that, as a popular location, it can fill up fast and does not take reservations. The 11 campsites are well spaced and most are quite private. Bear Creek Campground is about an hour from Port Angeles and just 15 minutes from Forks. Any site large enough for your rig is free and legal for camping. Reservations are needed for group campsites. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy). This area encompasses an array of recreation opportunities including the challenging trails ascending into Mount Skokomish and The Brothers Wilderness, as well as family friendly trails, two developed campgrounds, and one historic cabin. Best Review: For those who get to the campsite early enough, there are some riverside campsites available just along the Hoh River. Fortunately for a big campground, the campsites are somewhat private which is perfect for a family vacation. However, this road ascends elevation, becomes more narrow and rocky, and more treacherous for larger RVs and trailers. United States. North Fork is a densely wooded campground at only 520 feet elevation. The lodge consists of regular hotel rooms and separate cabins. Campbell Tree Grove Campground along the Humptulips River and Lena Lake Campground near Hamma Hamma are both free primitive campgrounds (with basic amenities). NF-011 road near blyn, WA is open all year. Its a great place for camping with dogs. Since then, I have camped in 48 states and hiked in nearly all of the National Parks. The campground is well-shaded and may provide challenges for those looking to charge their solar. At the campground, youll find 30 campsites with pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Note that the Forest maintains a rule that dispersed camping is not allowed within 1/4 mile of a developed campground, thus you will have to camp at least that far further east from Klahanie. Some of the campsites are suitable for RVs up to 30 feet. . Here are some other items youll want to pack for your dispersed camping trip in the Olympic National Forest: As mentioned above, there are 17 established campsites in the Olympic National Forest. In a popular location, Heart O the Hills is the closest campground to Hurricane Ridge and Port Angeles. An official website of the Fortunately, there are pit toilets and miles of hiking trails to explore. Olympic National Forest is broken up into several non-contiguous districts surrounding Olympic National Park. Starting GPS (47.3467, -123.9095) At the intersection of US-101 and Quinalt Ridge Road (NF-2258), head east on Quinalt Ridge Road. I love this small, quiet campground because of its location right next to the Lyre River just before it empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Forest Road 29 North will eventually go all the way to the South portion of the road into town of Forks. The area is very wooded and secluded, creating a peaceful experience for campers. Theres also a day-use shelter at the campground. Nature is quickly reclaiming the facility leaving only a handful of sites offering primitive hike and bike in tent camping . It takes quite a bit of driving on gravel roads to access (its about 7 miles past Upper Clearwater Campground, itself quite remote). It is situated on the southern edge of the forest. In 2017 I moved into a Dodge Ram Van to travel the US and explore the outdoors. Its secluded, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful. Related Post: The Best Dispersed Camping in Washington. Pit toilets, water, limited parking, no beach access. However, do know there are countless Olympic National Forest dispersed campsites beyond my above recommendations. Although Hoh Oxbow Campground is arguably more scenic, I like Cottonwood better. Sadie Creek Campground has a vault toilet, ATV loading ramp, and horse hitching post in addition to the standard picnic tables and fire rings. Or, use a map app that shows national forest boundaries. Your time in Olympic National Park wont be complete without then spending some time at Ruby Beach. Olympic National Park Boondocking Vibes: 9/10 This campground provides a quiet place to call home as you explore Olympic National Park. 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. Your email address will not be published. Because of its ideal location, it fills up quite fast, usually by early afternoon during the busy summer months. These fill up fast, especially on summer weekends. The river is just steps away, making this campground popular among anglers. Starting GPS (47.2672, -123.9182) At the intersection of US-101 and Donkey Creek Road, head north-west on Donkey Creek Road. Another thing worth pointing out is that the camping areas at higher elevations get a lot of snow in the wintertime. Perhaps no other free campground near Olympic National Park is as peaceful as Yahoo Lake Campground. Those with solar should be able to get a few hours of sunshine, depending on their location. But within the first 5-6 miles you will find dozens of sites to choose from. Olympic National Forest, Camping Rules Passes and Permits Purchase of passes or permits are not required for boondocking (dispersed camping) inside most of Olympic National Forest. You must hike about 500 feet from the parking lot to the lakeside campsites. What about Reservations, Fees, and Permits? Because of how popular it is, it does require reservations from May through September. 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. Hopefully, this guide has helped you choose an ideal location for your Olympic National Forest camping adventure. There are beach access trails here which will take visitors right down to the water. There are a few trailheads throughout this area as well as opportunities for fishing in the Quinault River nearby. Its a family-friendly trail that leads directly into the Olympic National Park. 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