Permit & Season Information
A permit is required for all overnight stays in the wilderness year-round. A wilderness permit allows the permit holder and their group to camp in a designated camp area.
Once reserved, your permit will be issued by WIC staff 5-7 days before the start of your trip, you will then be able to log in to your account and print the permit yourself. Permits that are listed as Walk-up on the detailed availability screen are only available by contacting the Wilderness Information Center.
Reservations become available 6 months in advance on a rolling window at 10:00 AM EST/7:00 AM PST.
Although the park is open year-round, reservations for high country areas are restricted to a shorter summer season due to snowpack. Please contact the Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center for more information.
To book a cross country trip or a campsite that is not shown on the Wilderness Trip Planner Map, please contact the WIC at 565-3100.
Heart O’ The Hills Campground Hurricane Ridge
Heart O’ the Hills Campground offers the fastest access to Hurricane Ridge, located 12 miles down the road from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. This proximity makes the campground a popular spot for sunset and sunrise viewings.
The campground is also reasonably close to Port Angeles and the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. This also makes it a popular spot for the first night in the park or for an easy one-night camping adventure.
All 105 campsites fill up quickly on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the summer. The campground remains open throughout the year, though during heavy snowfall, overnight visitors must hike or snowshoe their gear to the sites. The flush toilets and potable water at the campground also turn off during the winter.
How To Make Your Reservation For Summer Camping In Washington
Campsite reservation systems can be a bit of a puzzle. Reservations are not accepted everywhere, and agencies have varied rules about how far in advance you can plan your trip. Plus, there are extra fees associated with making an online reservation. The bottom line is that if you want to go camping the first weekend in August, you’ll need get your reservations three to six months in advance. Here are a few tips to orient you.
- Camp in Olympic National Park. Photo by Maria Dominguez
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Campground Reservations With Rv In October
We will be taking a long trip combining USA and Canada.
What is for certain is that we will be travelling from Victoria to Seattle.
We have 4 days between our departure in Victoria and dropping off our RV in Seattle.
So we wanted to spend this time in ONP. We realise driving in RV in this NP is not ideal and are limiting ourselves to coast visit/rainforest visit.
However I’m have trouble finding a campsite. It seems or everything is fully booked or not excepting reservations? We are travelling in thise area from the 1st of october.
Any advice on finding a campground is welcome. Or are we just to soon to make a reservation.
Since we are travelling with a young child we prefer to make a reservation in advance.
Thanks for the advice.
Olympic National Park Fees & Reservations
More current news and information on the Olympic National Park Facebook page.
Olympic National Park is a great place to visit, and a visit to one of the most spectacular places on Earth certainly wont cost the Earth, but it will cost you something. How much? Read on . . .
Olympic National Park Entrance Fees
- A single visit to Olympic National Park in a motor vehicle will cost $15 per vehicle which covers you for up to seven consecutive days.
- Individuals entering the Olympic National Park on foot, bicycle or motorcycle will have to pay $5 each, unless youre 15 years and under in which case its free.
- School groups are sometimes allowed free entrance to the Olympic National Park if the class curriculum relates to the park resources surely you can think of something and start nagging your Geology teacher . . . go on, it could be free and youre sure of a much better time at Olympic National Park than you have in the classroom.
- If you want to keep on returning to Olympic National Park then its a good idea to buy an annual pass, they only cost $30 and can be used at any of the entrance stations to the park for a whole year .
Campground Reservations & Fees
Hang on a minute . . . I think Im seeing double and I havent even touched a drop of wine yet! Double trouble having fun on their camping trip to the Olympic National Park.
Yeah, not the greatest video master of all times, but you get the general idea of the beauty of the place.
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Reserve A Campsite Cabin Or Yurt At Washington State Parks
Most Washington State Park campgrounds take reservations up to nine months in advance. That means that if you want a certain campsite for the Fourth of July, you should be on their system on October 4. On the State Park website you can browse parks and availability and there are photos of each site.
- Online reservation system:
- Reservation call center: CAMPOUT. An extra $10 is added for each booking, plus $5 if you are booking from out-of-state.
Lodging For Olympic National Park
For those looking to visit Olympic National Park, there is a good variety of lodgings to choose from. Read more…
Maybe youd like to relax in extravagant style or maybe youd like to feel a little closer to nature by staying in a rustic cabin. If the former sounds more like what youre looking for, consider Lake Quinault Lodge, a rustic resort hotel built-in 1926. Today, visitors can sunbathe on the lakeside cabana beach, relax in the sauna after a strenuous day out hiking, or even get a massage in the spa. This lodge truly offers a bit of luxury in the midst of pristine national park wilderness.If a more rustic, rugged approach is more your style, there are other lodging options in Olympic National Park to fit your needs. Log Cabin Resort is one such location, nestled in forests of cedar and fir on the shores of Lake Crescent. The cabins feature lakefront views, fire pits for late-night bonfires, and picnic areas. Another option, the Forks Motel offers accommodations in an ideal location for Twilight fans and non-fans alike. The motel is located just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 30 miles from the Hoh Rainforest.
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Sol Duc Campground Sol Duc
Sol Duc Campground is centrally located between the Sol Duc Falls trailhead and the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. It features two loops and nearly 100 spacious sites. Most sites at Sol Duc are reservable ahead of time, which is a recommended approach during the summer season. The best sites to vie for are the ones adjacent to the Sol Duc River.
The nearby resort is accessible by a hiking trail and has a general store with camping supplies. The resort’s mineral pools can also be utilized with a small day-use fee. Accessible via a hiking trail or short drive in the other direction, the picture-worthy Sol Duc Falls Trail is perfect for a family day hike. Flushing toilets and potable water are available at the campground.
Tips For A Great Visit
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Plan your park activities with time and distance in mind. Olympic is very large and there are no roads that cross the park.Consult the park’s mileage chart for distances between key destinations. See Trip Ideas for recommendations based on your available time.
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The summer months of June through September are the busiest time of year. Reservations can be made for Hoh, Kalaloch, Mora, and Sol Duc campgrounds and popular wilderness camping areas. All other camp sites are first come, first served.
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Lodging accommodations are available seasonally inside the park at Lake Crescent Lodge, Log Cabin Resort, and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, and year-round at Kalaloch Lodge. Additional accommodations are available in communities outside the park. Reservations are highly recommended.
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Try to sample destinations within each of the park’s major ecosystems: subalpine, coast, temperate rain forest, and lowland forest.
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Check the park calendar and newspaperfor current information and schedule of programs.
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Washington’s Parks: The best state and national parks of Washington attract millions of tourists to the state every year. Alongside a great selection of campgrounds, the best hiking trails of Olympic National Park provide plenty of adventures to explore by day. A crown jewel of the state, Mount Rainier National Park also has a great selection of top-rated hiking trails and amazing campgrounds. For more elevated adventures in Washington, the best hiking trails and top-rated campgrounds of North Cascades National Park enables exploration of this rugged environment.
Other Adventures in Washington: If you are new to the outdoors, you may want to begin by having a read through our articles on camping for beginners and hiking for beginners. The top-rated hiking trails in Washington can lead you down an adventurous path, and the state’s best campgrounds provide some pretty awesome places to pitch a tent. For even more natural attractions, Washington is also stacked with spectacular waterfalls and inviting hot springs.
Olympic National Park Camping
Olympic National Park Camping: Details on the 14 campgrounds in the Olympic National Park, and links to additional status, access, and updates on campground and road conditions.
Whether you’re looking for crashing waves on sandy beaches, the quiet enclosure of a dense forest, or 360 degree mountain top vistas, the Olympic National Park has a campground for you.
Listed below you’ll find the Olympic National Park’s 14 campgrounds, presented by regions.
Usage fees range from $10 – $12 per day.
All campgrounds are first-come-first-served, except the Sol Duc and Kalaloch Campgrounds, for which reservations may be made for dates in June – September .
Additional links to road conditions, and campground status can be found below.
More campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula. These are outside the boundaries of the Olympic National Park, but their locations and ambience may work well for you.
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A Complete Guide To Camping In Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is one of the west coast’s most popular destinations, drawing visitors from around the globe. And despite its international appeal, there is still plenty of room to roam without fear of overcrowded trails and campgrounds.
All of the campgrounds within the park’s boundaries, with the exceptions of Kalaloch and Sold Duc Campgrounds, are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. However, due to the crowds at some of these campgrounds, they can be overrated. And with so many nearby “overflow” campgrounds that are often overlooked by tourists and are in equal proximity to the park’s natural wonders, it’s worth taking a broader view of the camping options in and around Olympic National Park.
To get you ready for the summer camping season, we’ve assembled a complete guide to all of the established campground options on the peninsula. The list includes our favorite campgrounds, other campgrounds within the park, overflow camping options, and even the lodging options for those of you who may not want to sleep quite so close to the ground. And if you’re planning to avoid car camping and would prefer to hike-in to a more serene backcountry campsite, we have you covered.
Eastern Valleys + Hood Canal
Putting in on Bear Creek Inlet, Lake Cushman at Skokomish Park North Camp. Photo by Tyson Gillard.
Favorite:
Skokomish Park North Camp. Just outside of the park’s boundaries, the campground is ideally located on the eastern shore of Lake Cushman and has by far the largest and most private established campsites on the entire peninsula.
In the Park, From North to South:
Overflow Camping:
Lodging:
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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 its 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.
Sol Duc Falls Campsite
Sol Duc Falls is the crown jewel of this popular northwest region of the park. The nearby Sol Duc Falls Hot Springs also tends to draw a crowd. And for those looking into dipping their toes into backpacking, this iconic waterfall is the place to go.
The Sol Duc Falls backcountry campsite is just beyond its namesake feature, less than a mile from the trailhead. The path is relatively flat the entire way, with minimal undulation. This ease of access makes Sol Duc Falls a great introduction to backpacking.
This easy hike-in is often just an introduction for bigger backpacking trips. The route continues from Sol Duc Falls to access Deer Lake and the rest of the Seven Lakes Basin. This high-elevation landscape includes portions of the High Divide Trail â a true bucket-list backpacking route.
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Backpacking Olympic National Park
Backpacking Olympic National Park. High Divide, Shi Shi Beach, Royal Basin, Ozette Triangle, Grand Loop, Enchanted Valley, South Coast Trails.
Backpacking Olympic National Park Gear The type of gear you will need for your Olympic National Park trip will depend greatly on where in the park you intend to hike.. Most of the mountain trails in Olympic National Park have good bridges for stream crossing but the beach trails do not.. Total Distance: 9 miles Type: Out-n-Back Elevation Gain: 200 Rating: Easy Trailhead: Shi Shi Beach Trail Parking Lot Zone: North Coast Recommended Time: 2 Days, 1 Night. The Cape Alava Trail is one of the best day hikes in Olympic National Park and one of the must-do adventures when visiting the park.. One of the best things about backpacking in Olympic National Park is being able to explore the rugged mountains at dusk.While the High Divide Trail is considered Olympic National Parks premier mountain backpacking route for views of Mount Olympus the Grand Loop is the parks alpine loop trail.. The massive sea stacks are found on the South Coast Wilderness Trail in Olympic National Park.A 17.5-mile long trail with only 370 of elevation would normally be a walk in the park for beginner backpackers or a long day hike.
Bogachiel State Park Campground
Bogachiel State Park encompasses nearly 130 acres of dense forest surroundings connected to the southwest side of the park. It’s administered by Washington State Parks and offers a very similar camping experience to nearby national park campgrounds. One of the biggest differences, however, is that Bogachiel has showers.
All 26 campsites at Bogachiel are available to book in advance through the state-run reservation system. And the lush canopies that define Bogachiel and the adjacent Bogachiel River Valley warrant enough scenic attraction to never leave the campground. But with areas like the Wilderness Coast and Hoh Rain Forest both 45 minutes away, the state park is often only one destination on an Olympic journey.
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Backcountry Campsites For Beginner Backpacking
Olympic National Park has hundreds of backcountry campsites on the edges and interior of the park. These sites require hiking into and carrying all necessary overnight gear. It helps to make these overnight endeavors for the first time with an experienced friend, but anyone is welcome to enjoy the Olympic Wilderness overnight. Backcountry reservations are required and can be booked six months in advance.
Olympic National Park Camping:
Altair – South of Port Angeles, WA
- Nearest city: Port Angeles: 13 miles , approx. 31 minutes away
- Forested along Elwha River
- Summer Day Use and Picnicking only – Altair Campground is now listed as permanently closed. Recent removals of the Glines and Elwha Dams have left a wide flat valley floor and an unstable course for the Elwha River. It is unknown whether camping will once again reopen once the Elwha carves out a more permanent river channel through the available space.
Deer Park – Southeast of Port Angeles, WA
- Nearest city: Port Angeles: 22 miles , approx. 46 minutes away
- Top of the mountain treeline with sub-alpine firs
- Primitive summer only
- Tents only, access not suitable for RVs/trailers
- No water vault toilets
Kalaloch – Along the Pacific coast directly off Highway 101
- Nearest city: Forks
- Distance from Port Angeles: 90.7 miles , 1 hour 52 minute drive
- Some nearby attractions: “Tree of life” near this campground, Ruby Beach, Forks attractions, Queets Rain Forest, Lake Quinault Rain Forest
- Year round, restrooms nearby
- Tents RV: generally up to 21′, some sites up to 35′, has dump station
- Online reservations for dates between mid-June and mid-September off-season is first come first served. Check Availability here.
- Ranger Station in summer only
South Beach – Southern-most beach in the Olympic National Park not far from Highway 101. Considered part of Kalaloch Beach. See Olympic National Park Beaches.
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