The dense vegetation at Olympic makes it easy to get away from the crowds. A Discover Pass costs just $30 per year (or $10 for a single day). The two main districts are the Hood Canal Ranger District and the Pacific Ranger District (itself broken down into Pacific North near Forks and Pacific South near Quinault). connected to the .gov website. However, they cannot accommodate larger trailers and RVs. Explore Enduring Connections to the Land Reservations are needed for group campsites. It is near the Quillayute River and offers some excellent views a few steps away from just about every campsite. It loops 6-miles through the old-growth forest and there is barely any elevation gain so it makes for an easy walk. Campground Camping. This region as a whole is very popular with free campers, too. Still, its never wrong to do quick online research and get the most up-to-date information on staying in these areas. The atmosphere is peaceful and heavily forested. The reservation season for the 2023 summer season for the Hoh campground is May 25, 2023 - September 20, 2023. The lodge consists of regular hotel rooms and separate cabins. In the winter months, its considered a primitive campsite with pit toilets only. While its a long, bumpy drive in, this campground still remains as one of the most popular choices for free-camping inside the Forest. Its one of the few equipped with hookups for recreational vehicles. The area surrounding the Hamma Hamma drainage is comprised of several bioregions including alpine lakes, meadows, old growth forest, rocky mountain outcrops, and post-fire regenerative forests. Campers have reported plenty of trees providing privacy between neighbors. Minnie Peterson is notable for its proximity to the Hoh Rain Forest section of Olympic National Park. https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/olympic/recreation/camping-cabins, Olympic National Forest online recreation map, Herbicide applications to occur on Olympic National Forest, Alcohol Ban along Lake Cushman Corridor (FS-24) remains in effect. Although its not completely free, boondocking at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino costs just $10 Sunday through Thursday (its $20 on Friday and Saturday). Ruby Beach and Beach Trail are also nearby and provide excellent views of the water. The only thing better than visiting a beautiful National Park is scoring a great camping spot nearby. This is a diverse natural region with a dramatic elevation change. This Olympic National Forest dispersed camping area sits close to the scenic Dosewallips River. I regularly see a mix of vans, RVs, trailers, and tents camping here. Pick up an Olympic National Forest map at a ranger station. Getting there is tricky, though youll have to walk almost 4 miles to reach the place. Therefore, checking the exact length limitation imposed by a particular camp before heading there with such a vehicle is crucial. But within the first 5-6 miles you will find dozens of sites to choose from. The waterfront area allows for direct access to the lake where you can see lots of wildlife. Pro Tip: We recommend an RV Cell Booster for this spot. Fortunately, there are phenomenal campsites for every style of camping RV, trailer, tent, and everything in between. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. The next camping area in Olympic National Forest is located in its northwestern corner and it features two superb campsites Klahowya and Klahanie. Dispersed camping is available throughout Olympic National Forest. Of the 17 campsites described above, 12 accommodate recreational vehicles. Because of the limited access, RVs and trailers are not recommended. Outside of peak season, the sites are first-come, first-served. RVs up to 30 feet are welcome, although you can probably squeeze in something slightly larger. Because of its ideal location, it fills up quite fast, usually by early afternoon during the busy summer months. Call the Cle Elum Ranger District: (509) 852-1100. Be sure youre setting up camp in a designated spot and not creating your own. Olympic National Forest Share Visit the beach, the mountains and the forestall in one day, at the most beautiful place anywhere. This free Olympic Peninsula campground (with Discover Pass) is located next to the Clearwater River about halfway down Hoh Mainline Road. While technically not a dispersed camping area, Hoh Oxbow Campsite undoubtedly provides its visitors with the feeling of being out there. Quinault Ridge Road is extremely popular with dispersed campers in the southern part of the Olympic National Forest. United States. In a popular location, Heart O the Hills is the closest campground to Hurricane Ridge and Port Angeles. Reservations are not available and instead, it is a first-come, first-serve location. Youll travel over huge bridges and drive deep into the forest where deer and elk are abundant. No potable water or garbage service is available. The Quinault Ridge Road is situated just off U.S. Route 101. Two vault toilets, potable water, and a day-use shelter are available. 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. This is a great place to stay if you have pets, want to save money, or if youre looking for less rigid campground regulations. The campground is well-shaded and may provide challenges for those looking to charge their solar. Lets get right to the point theres a ton of free camping on the Olympic Peninsula. Read, Olympic National Forest, Camping Rules. The Dungeness Area, located in the northeastern part of the Olympic National Forest, is the driest place in this region. Although the Washington DNR website suggests a max RV length of 30 feet, several sites have room for much larger rigs without disturbing others. The amenities are minimal with pit toilets only and no potable water, though there is direct waterfront access which is one of the campgrounds best features. If those sites are taken, there are several more up the road, however the road becomes more narrow. Above all else, youll want to verify that the area is legal for public camping. Reviews have stated being pleasantly surprised at finding a site and not a crowded location. The river is also a desirable location for fishing. LockA locked padlock The one catch related to this place is that campers cant stay there without the so-called Discover Pass. In fact, Sadie Creek is much like a large gravel parking lot (although it is surrounded by quiet woods). ~ 1 hour, 25 minute drive time. See 5 traveler reviews, 22 photos and blog posts Washington Free Camping Forks Forest Road 29 Forest Road 29 Olympic National Forest . Youll need wilderness camping permits. It transitions from Brothers Peak (which rises to 6,842 feet) down to the scenic coast of the Hood Canal mentioned above. To make navigation easier, Ive separated the campsites into several distinct clusters. Youll find flush toilets, potable water, and a dump station available and the area is well-maintained. Kalaloch Lodge is located right next to the Kalaloch campsite and shares the same fantastic ocean views. Mora is a forested campground on the coast. Olympic National Forest offers diverse recreation opportunities for everyone. There are no amenities or trash bins. Forest Road 29 North will eventually go all the way to the South portion of the road into town of Forks. Reaching this campground does require a 1.5 mile drive down a single-lane gravel road. This requires a hike in and youll be camping right on the beach, not in developed campground. That said, the Dosewallips River Road is a fantastic hike. Those with solar should be able to get a few hours of sunshine, depending on their location. Rather, it is a first-come, first-served location. In the summer, flush toilets and potable water are available. Reservations:All of the campgrounds in Olympic National Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping outside of a developed campground. There is no running water or garbage service. Your email address will not be published. Please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste. You can still camp for free in Olympic National Forest. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Clearwater Corridor Natural Resources Conservation Area, Olympic National Forest dispersed campsites. There are also electric hookups for RVs although that area of the campground looks more like a parking lot. Sol Duc: Reserve at www.recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. Not only youll be enjoying warm weather but also much longer days. The campground is beautiful, primitive, and relaxing. 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. There are many sites available along this road. Beginning in the low, wet temperate forest that meets the open Hood Canal, this area transitions to subalpine forests of fir and western white pine and eventually gives way to alpine meadows at its highest elevations. Each site has picnic tables and fire rings. The Quinault region of the Olympic National Forest is well-known for its ice-carved peaks, jeweled lakes, and alpine meadows. Located just 2-hours outside of Seattle, Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse parks in the US. Despite the difficulties getting there, Dosewallips is a serene and beautiful space nestled away from all the sounds of people. Heres the contact information for the three Ranger District offices in the Olympic National Forest: Environmental Impact This part of Washington State is incredibly popular with hikers and campers. ) or https:// means you've safely Olympic National Forest is broken up into several non-contiguous districts surrounding Olympic National Park. He would be surprised now to hear of wild camping for him living in Scotland he just pitched up and camped. The only road in is a dirt road, though there are no large ruts to worry about navigating over. There is no garbage service. RVs up to 21 feet long can fit into the spaces. Four other hiking trails from the campground range in distance from 0.5 to 6 miles. The south portion of the road starts at the town of Forks and heads east, roughly following the Calawah and Sitkum Rivers. Jump to the free campsite you want to learn more about: Or, use our Olympic Peninsula dispersed camping map to browse the areas best free campsites. Reaching 5,400 feet in elevation, youll find 14 campsites with vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. While most have relatively private campsites, Sadie Creeks 6 campsites are a lot closer together and much less private. Offices are now open at limited hours. Its a great place for camping with dogs. The Log Cabin Resort is another vacation destination on Lake Cresent. The only way to access this campground is from the Upper Queets River Road area because a mudslide took out the secondary access road. 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. A few non-river sites are suitable for RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. There are four excellent campsites here, with Campbell Tree Grove Campsite being the only one where outdoor enthusiasts can stay completely free of charge. It is a bit out of the way to get to Ozette Campground, but that is also what many people are looking for. connected to the .gov website. Finding a free camping spot allows you to save some money while still enjoying the nature you came for. Management: National Forest Service. The smell of the ocean coming in at dawn is one of the best ways to wake up, and the crashing waves all night are incredibly soothing. About half of the campgrounds in the park have minimal amenities such as pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Find your next adventure. 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). As one of the larger campgrounds, it has amenities such as flush toilets, a dump station, and potable water. Campers will find a few vault toilets if they wish to use them and a trash dumpster is available. While there, you can explore the beach with its vast amount of driftwood and capture photos of the iconic shoreline. Be alert for other road users, ranging from heavy vehicles to bicycles, and check your speed accordingly. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Its another well-used road for boondocking with several sites to choose from. There are no free campgrounds inside the park itself, but just outside is a jackpot of great sites. Situated in the southeastern part of the Olympic National Forest, the Lake Cushman area features the only USFS-managed campsite in the region Big Creek Campsite. Its very secluded and a bit harder to get to, but it can provide some excellent experiences for those looking for a remote destination. Amenities are minimal with flush toilets available in the summer only, vault toilets for the rest of the year, fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water. 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. United States. If you choose a new site, return the site to its natural condition when you leave. Its surrounded by temperate rain forest, with a dense ecological expansiveness around it. Its best for tent camping as the unpaved road into the campsites is quite rough. If you dont want to stay in the park, there are multiple free dispersed camping sites located in the Olympic National Forest. What Should I Pack for My Olympic National Forest Camping Trip? Evergreen conifers and hardwoods provide a beautiful wooded setting. Camp next to a peaceful lake, a rushing stream or in a dense conifer forest. Coppermine Bottom is the epitome of Olympic National Park free camping. Developed campgrounds in Olympic National Park range from $14 to $24 per night. Olympic National Forest Near Montesano, Washington. All of its 20 camping spots are located next to the Skokomish River. Directions to Coppermine Bottom Campground. Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Stay responsible and minimize environmental impact by leaving your camping spot in a better state than you found it! The Shi Shi Beach trail is also right next store if you want to do some hiking later in the day. 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