Please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste. The camping spots at all three campsites can be reserved through Recreation.gov. About the Campsite: The road into this campground is reported to be slightly tight. This is a great place to stay if you have pets, want to save money, or if youre looking for less rigid campground regulations. Coho Campground is situated on the west shore of Wynoochee Lake, part of the emerald paradise that is Olympic National Forest. Campers have reported plenty of trees providing privacy between neighbors. Head to the PNW's best kept secret: Big Creek Campground. The last best dispersed camping spot near Olympic National Park that we suggest is Quinalt Ridge Road. LockA locked padlock It has 8 campsites total. While it is dry camping, a pit toilet is useful for those not wanting to fill their black tank or are tent camping. What Should I Pack for My Olympic National Forest Camping Trip? 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. These sites further up the road are suitable for cars, vans, pickup truck campers, and trailers under 20 feet. Located just 2-hours outside of Seattle, Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse parks in the US. For those seeking primitive camping, this location can be ideal. Reviews indicate that rigs of all sizes should be able to use this camping location. Guided kayaking tours are available in the area as well so there is no shortage of activities! Free Camping in the Cascades The beach is just a short walk away from the overnight RV parking lot. NF-011 road near blyn, WA is open all year. RVs up to 30 feet are welcome, although you can probably squeeze in something slightly larger. 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. South Fork Hoh Campground has vault toilets. Be alert for other road users, ranging from heavy vehicles to bicycles, and check your speed accordingly. It loops 6-miles through the old-growth forest and there is barely any elevation gain so it makes for an easy walk. The campground sits in an old-growth forest surrounded by steep mountains. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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). All of the sites are first-come, first-served. Since then, I have camped in 48 states and hiked in nearly all of the National Parks. Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Battery Power? Are you heading out to Olympic National Park for some exceptional camping and hiking? Forest Road 29 is well-packed and easy to drive along at least for the first several miles. Most sites have tables, cooking grills, drinking water, toilets and offer recreational activities such as swimming, boating and nature trails. The campground is quiet and peaceful. However, there is one campground in the park thats actually free. Those who decide to stay here during the winter can expect low temperatures and heavy rainfall, and therefore a not-so-pleasant camping experience. Any site large enough for your rig is free and legal for camping. Lets get right to the point theres a ton of free camping on the Olympic Peninsula. But within the first 5-6 miles you will find dozens of sites to choose from. Kalaloch: (360) 962-2271. ( But the real reason Yahoo Lake is less busy than other nearby campgrounds is that it offers only walk-in camping. The campground is open year-round and available on a first-come, first-serve basis only. While most have relatively private campsites, Sadie Creeks 6 campsites are a lot closer together and much less private. Lake Crest Lodge is on the north end of the park right on the shores of Lake Cresent. Queets Campground is located near the Queets River. United States government. Sadie Creek Campground has a vault toilet, ATV loading ramp, and horse hitching post in addition to the standard picnic tables and fire rings. Explore the range of ecosystems within the Dosewallips River Basin as this low elevation area gradually climbs to the ridges of the Olympics. The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort maintains the Sol Duc campground and RV park. The Hoh Campground is located in a temperate rain forest surrounded by old-growth trees and moss. A little more than a mile in, turn right on to Forest Road 29 (FS-29). Reported Cell Service: Campers report having adequate service (3-4 bars) for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. For those who get to the campsite early enough, there are some riverside campsites available just along the Hoh River. 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. There are dozens of tiny campsites scattered throughout Olympic National Park for backpacking. The location is first-come, first-served, and has 20 total campsites, which are best used for tent camping. The Sol Duc fall hike will take you along the river where you can see salmon in the fall and it ends with a cascading waterfall. Wilderness areas offer solitude and a chance to experience the rich biodiversity of the Olympic Peninsula. Six are open year-round, and several can easily accommodate larger recreational vehicles. Pets:Leashed dogs are welcome in all of the campgrounds. The location may feel extremely remote, but there is a small town with a grocery store just 15 minutes away. 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. The only way to access this campground is from the Upper Queets River Road area because a mudslide took out the secondary access road. Youll need to arrive here early if you want a good spot the place fills up very quickly on summer weekends. Situated in the southeastern part of the Olympic National Forest, Skokomish Area is trendy with mountain bikers and hikers. The next camping area in Olympic National Forest is located in its northwestern corner and it features two superb campsites Klahowya and Klahanie. View recreation sites on theOlympic National Forest online recreation map. Weve got some great suggestions for you. If you keep driving past Lena Creek Campground, along NF-25/Hamma Hamma Road, youll find that the scenic Hamma Hamma River Valley has some excellent spots for dispersed camping. Minnie Peterson Campground is located in the same general area as Hoh Oxbow and Cottonwood campgrounds. That said, it receives limited sunlight (not best for RVs with solar) and has poor cell reception. How Long Can You Camp in a National Forest? 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. United States government. There are beach access trails here which will take visitors right down to the water. There are no free campgrounds inside the park itself, but just outside is a jackpot of great sites. There are a few ideal campsites within the first 1/4 mile of this road. Seven Cedars Casino in Sequim offers free overnight RV parking (just make sure to register inside). All campgrounds in the forest are on a first-come-first-serve basis with overnight fees ranging from $5 to $20. You can reserve a permit up to 6 months in advance through Recreation.gov. Out of the three campsites listed below, the Lena Lake one is probably the most beautiful (and also the only one thats free!). She has traveled through 48 US states and writes about van life, camping and RV living. Rough road conditions make driving to the campground arduous and for that reason, RVs and trailers are not permitted. There are a total of 78 sites at the campground and some are suitable for RVs up to 35 feet long. When the sun goes down and the stars come out, the sky gets pitch black so you can see millions of twinkling stars. Located on the eastern side of the Olympic National Forest, the Hamma Hamma River Valley features outstanding campsites tucked into the mountains. The best sites back up to the river, creating a nice backdrop for visitors. Phone reservations only, 10 person minimum, 30 maximum, 7 day maximum stay, $40 a night up to 10 people, $2 per additional person. This can also be an advantage, though. The only road in is a dirt road, though there are no large ruts to worry about navigating over. Families will likely feel comfortable setting up camp here, and there are no reports of excessive trash. While its not the most picturesque camping area in this region, Beaver Lake is easy to access and offers a few free camping spots. At the campground, youll find 30 campsites with pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Campsite List. 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. Located just off the water, during the winter or heavy rains it can flood out some of the campsites and make accessibility difficult. Of the 49 campsites, 5 are walk-in only. Free Dispersed Camping -> No Reservations. The 11 campsites are well spaced and most are quite private. Staircase Campground is located near the Skokomish River, with direct access to the water. About the Campsite: This campground is located close to the Lyre River in a rainforest setting. ) or https:// means you've safely Shady Lane trail is flat, and less than a mile to Lake Cushman. Its a great place for camping with dogs. Dispell the myths of boondocking and arm yourself with the laws and truths. The south portion of the road starts at the town of Forks and heads east, roughly following the Calawah and Sitkum Rivers. ) or https:// means you've safely There are a few trailheads throughout this area as well as opportunities for fishing in the Quinault River nearby. Its located at the far southwest end of the Olympic Peninsula near Ocean Shores. An old-growth forest surrounds the sites with towering trees and lush greenery. 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