Olympic national park … best campgrounds?

[MN_Traveler]

Continuing the PNW theme …. Olympic national park seems ringed by potential campgrounds. Are there any specific campgrounds people would recommend? There seem to be more clustered on the north side of the peninsula … is there a reason for this?

[Seymour2Lane]

On the coast, try for Kalaloch CG (reservations only during summer) or 3 miles south try South Beach CG (all first come- no reservations), both inside ONP.
On the north side of the peninsula try for Hobuck beach (private CG) fairly close to the Cape Flattery hike or Salt Creek Recreation Area CG (Clallam County park).
Salt Creek is a gem. Right on the Straits of Juan de Fuca, not too far from Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge (ONP).

Suprising to some, on the west side of the peninsula Hwy 101 doesn't follow along the coast very much like it does in Oregon.

There are two beautiful National Park lodges along Hwy 101, the Lake Crescent lodge and the Lake Quinault lodge. Well worth the stop.
Regards, Mike

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by MN_Traveler

Continuing the PNW theme …. Olympic national park seems ringed by potential campgrounds. Are there any specific campgrounds people would recommend? There seem to be more clustered on the north side of the peninsula … is there a reason for this?

Fort Worden is an awesome park to stay and the town of Port Townsend is a neat little town. There used to be free noontime concerts on site. It's in easy driving distance for a day tour up to Hurricane Ridge, Olympic NP, Sequim and Port Angeles. We once took the ferry from Port Angeles for a day trip to Victoria B.C. and then a city bus to tour Burchett Gardens. Late lunch on the waterfront before boarding the ferry for the return trip.

From Port Townsend you can also easily drive down to to get the Bainbridge Island Ferry for a day trip into Seattle. We toured the Aquarium then took the monorail to the Space Needle and then got some goodies at Pike Market before bordering the ferry again.

The same goes from Port Townsend and taking the Coupeville Ferry to tour up to Anacortes.

[Fushux]

Just completed the PNW trip last week. Going to post a trip report starting today. We stayed at Salt Creek Campground from a suggestion on this forum I believe. Did not disappoint. No sewer but electricity and water and an absolute great view. I recommend staying in spots 1-32. We had 37 at first but then moved to 16 to get a better view of the water. Had deer in the campground every morning grazing. From there we toured Olympic.

[MN_Traveler]

Originally Posted by Fushux

Just completed the PNW trip last week. Going to post a trip report starting today. We stayed at Salt Creek Campground from a suggestion on this forum I believe. Did not disappoint. No sewer but electricity and water and an absolute great view. I recommend staying in spots 1-32. We had 37 at first but then moved to 16 to get a better view of the water. Had deer in the campground every morning grazing. From there we toured Olympic.

beautiful. So .... I just checked the salt creek reservation system, and it looks like (or course) all the reservable sites are booked. What was your experience in trying to get in to one of the first-come-first-serve sites (one of the "Utility" ones..... not the standard ones... ??

[Fushux]

Originally Posted by MN_Traveler

beautiful. So .... I just checked the salt creek reservation system, and it looks like (or course) all the reservable sites are booked. What was your experience in trying to get in to one of the first-come-first-serve sites (one of the "Utility" ones..... not the standard ones... ??

So, I was there on June 13th and 14th, which was a Monday and Tuesday while schools in the area were still in. There were 5-6 of the first come, first service spaces available. I think 1-15 are first come, first serve. 1-5 are for smaller rigs. Most small trailers or vans. 5-15, you can fit just about anything in.

Not sure what it would be like on the weekend or now that school is out. If it was me, I'd chance it during the week but would be hard pressed showing up on a Friday or Saturday hoping for one of those spots. It's a 10-15 mile drive to get to the park from town I believe.

[MN_Traveler]

Thank you for the insight. We do if course have a 44 footer…, we do though have the flexibility to be there during the week. Maybe worth a try?

[twogypsies]

Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend is right on the waterfront and many huge sites. I wouldn't risk trying to get any Olympic Peninsula campsites in the summer without reservations - especially for a big rig.

https://www.parks.wa.gov/511/Fort-Worden

https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/regio...ampground-3167

[docj]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend is right on the waterfront and many huge sites. I wouldn't risk trying to get any Olympic Peninsula campsites in the summer without reservations - especially for a big rig.

https://www.parks.wa.gov/511/Fort-Worden

https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/regio...ampground-3167

We love Ft. Worden--as I recall the beach sites have sewer, the forested ones do not.

However, touring ONP from Ft. Worden does make for a really long day.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by docj

We love Ft. Worden--as I recall the beach sites have sewer, the forested ones do not.

However, touring ONP from Ft. Worden does make for a really long day.

Agreed. However, going as far as Port Angeles is a short drive. The area around Port Townsend has so many neat little towns to explore along with easy ferry access to Seattle and other places.

After touring that end of the Peninsula he could move to Salt Creek or the Forks area to tour that end of the Peninsula. We loved the rain forest trails around Forks and going to La Push for the rugged coastline views. The Peninsula is huge and you can't do it justice from one spot.

Here's a RV park over by La Push. There are others.

https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/regio...e-resort-10588