Olympic peninsula, Washington

[nomad10th]

Planning a trip to see the Olympic Peninsula this summer in a 32' RV- has anyone driven up Hurricane Ridge in an Rv? how about the Hoh River Road? Also any recommendations on campgrounds along that loop?

[beaverfever]

i have seen class c rigs up there. the road is twisty and there is almost no place to park a larger rig up there. you can google map it be your own judge
salt creek recreation area and forks 101 rv park are nice and on each side of the par

[Roger C H]

If you go to the park website,

Campgrounds - Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

You will see that they recommend a maximum of 21' for camping, although there are some sites available for up to 35'.

One point, make sure your brakes are in good shape, a motorhome recently had a brake failure and the access road is a lot of down, down, down.

[nomad10th]

Thanks everyone

[livintolearn]

Truly one of the most beautiful lakes in the country is on the North part of the peninsula. Lake Crescent is a must see. They have a nice campground right on the lake! Hidden Gem. Enjoy

[szn8tt]

Ruby Beach is a must do!

[halfwright]

If you are a VFW member, the VFW on Whidley Island has a RV park. Great bunch of people.

[Fred and Bonnie]

Here is good description of the road.

PACIFIC COAST

Ok, for a car, I wouldn't take a Class A on that trip, several years ago a DP crashed coming down, killing the driver, serious injuries to others.

Fred

[Roger C H]

Your profile doesn't say where you are from, but if you are from the midwest you have to realize that roads, with the exception of the Interstates, can be treacherous in the mountains. Always allow plenty of time to get to where you are going so you are not tempted to hurry.
There is also the Wow factor which kicks in when you come out of a stand of trees and suddenly there is no guard rail, very little shoulder, and 1000' down next to the pavement. It can take your breath away. (Picture taken in Sequoia National Park)

Here is that article about that m/h crash

Motor home crashes in gully; 15 people taken to hospital -- Port Angeles Port Townsend Sequim Forks Jefferson County Clallam County Olympic Peninsula Daily NEWS

We are not trying to scare you, but realize that driving in mountains is not the same as on flat land. Bon Voyage, Buen Viaje.

[lovethebeach]

We may be headed up to the Olympic peninsula in late July or early August. Any good places to stay west of Olympia?

[Roger C H]

We like Elma RVP

Elma RV Park

At the west end of WA Hwy 8. You can eat Yak at the Rusty Tractor.

Or, a couple of miles off I-5 is the Outback RVP

http://outbackrvpark.com/

Not too far from Centralia Outlet Stores.

[lovethebeach]

Thanks Roger C! Those look like very nice places with reasonable rates. Do you have any suggestions for any places on the coast?

[Roger C H]

The closest to the ocean we have stayed regularly is

Hoquiam River RV Park, Grays Harbor, Hoquiam, Washington

If you are a KM member or willing to listen to a sales pitch on joining, there is

Ocean Breeze | KM Resorts

That is the limit of my experience.

Enjoy your trip.

[Roger C H]

Be sure to bring jackets because it can be cold near the ocean even on the hottest summer days for the following reason:

Copied from
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/i...0093432AAU03Mn

"Up here, the Pacific Ocean maintains a year-round temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit... it doesn't fluctuate much above or below that regardless of the time of year. But that stable temperature is also why our climate is so mild; we rarely get exceedingly cold or hot extremes in our temperatures in western Washington/Oregon.

There are places here and there where you might dare a quick dip, but it's pretty cold for swimming. We do have people who surf year-round, though--winter or summer, good weather or bad. They wear wetsuits, obviously... but the water stays the same. People here don't go to the beach to swim, and rarely to sunbathe--that's a California thing. People here go to the beach to dig for clams, to walk, ride horses, walk dogs, fly kites, explore tide pools, or beachcomb. Certain beaches, like Long Beach, are a great place to drive for miles and miles up and down the beach... as long as you're willing to give your vehicle a thorough washing afterwards to get the sand and salt water off the underside."