Camping in Olympic National Park: 12 Campgrounds, Fees, and Reservations
Olympic National Park has 12 official campgrounds managed by the NPS, with 719 sites spread across three ecosystems: the Olympic mountain peaks, temperate rainforest, and more than 62 miles of wild coastline. Five of these campgrounds accept reservations through recreation.gov, while the other seven operate on a first-come, first-served basis. From June through September, reserved sites go within minutes of the reservation window opening six months out. For help choosing the best time to visit, see our guide to the best times to visit Olympic.
Campgrounds in the park (12)
- Campground Queets Campground first come, first served · 20 sites Directions ↗
- Campground South Beach Campground first come, first served · 55 sites Directions ↗
- Campground North Fork Campground first come, first served · 9 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Ozette Campground first come, first served · 15 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Kalaloch Campround recreation.gov · 170 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Graves Creek Campground first come, first served · 30 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Heart O' the Hills Campground first come, first served · 97 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Staircase Campground first come, first served · 49 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Fairholme Campground see NPS · 88 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Mora Campground recreation.gov · 94 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Hoh Campground first come, first served · 78 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Deer Park Campground first come, first served · 14 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Olympic campgrounds by the numbers
12 official campgrounds inside the park, 719 campsites in total, 479 of them reservable.
| Campground | Sites | Booking | Fee / night | Open | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalaloch Campround | 170 | Reservation | from $24 | Year round | toilets, potable water, dump station, firewood* |
| Heart O' the Hills Campground | 97 | First come, first served | from $24 | Year round | toilets, potable water, firewood*, bear lockers* |
| Mora Campground | 94 | Reservation | from $24 | Year round | toilets, potable water, dump station, firewood* |
| Fairholme Campground | 88 | Reservation | from $24 | Closed Apr 23 to Sep 27 · Closed Sep 28 to Apr 22 | toilets*, potable water*, dump station*, camp store*, firewood*, bear lockers*, cell service |
| Hoh Campground | 78 | Reservation | from $24 | Year round | toilets, potable water, firewood*, bear lockers |
| South Beach Campground | 55 | First come, first served | from $15 | Closed May 21 to Sep 27 · Closed Sep 28 to May 20 | toilets* |
| Staircase Campground | 49 | Reservation | from $20 | Seasonal | toilets*, potable water*, firewood* |
| Graves Creek Campground | 30 | First come, first served | from $20 | Year round | toilets, bear lockers* |
| Queets Campground | 20 | First come, first served | from $15 | Year round | toilets |
| Ozette Campground | 15 | First come, first served | from $20 | Year round | toilets |
| Deer Park Campground | 14 | First come, first served | from $15 | Year round | toilets*, bear lockers* |
| North Fork Campground | 9 | First come, first served | from $20 | Year round | toilets |
Source: National Park Service (NPS API), retrieved October 6, 2026. Fees and dates change: check the campground page before you go.
Can you camp inside Olympic National Park?
Yes, and it's one of the best ways to explore a park covering more than 1,400 square miles. Most campgrounds accommodate both tents and RVs. However, dispersed camping outside a designated site isn't allowed in developed areas. Every night must be spent at an official reserved site or, in the backcountry, at the specific location listed on your wilderness permit.
Campgrounds in the park
Olympic has a fragmented geography: the coast, mountains, and rainforest aren't connected by roads within the park. Choose your campground based on the area you want to explore. The table above summarizes all 12 campgrounds, including fees, access rules, and amenities.
North and mountain area
Heart O' the Hills (97 sites, open year-round) sits a few miles from Port Angeles, along the road up to Hurricane Ridge. It's first-come, first-served and costs $24 per night. It's the most accessible base for starting a stay in the park. Running water and bear lockers are available on site. During periods of heavy snowfall, you may need to walk in from the main road, so check conditions before you leave. Maximum RV length: 35 feet.
Fairholme (88 sites, open from late April through late September) sits along Lake Crescent. Reservations cost $24 per night, and the campground has a dump station, a store, and bear lockers. It's the only campground in the park with cell service. Maximum RV length: 21 feet.
Deer Park (14 sites, open from June through mid-October depending on road conditions and snowmelt) is the area's most basic campground, with only restrooms and bear lockers. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis and costs $15 per night. The rough access road rules out large vehicles.
Coast
Kalaloch (170 sites, open year-round) is the park's largest campground. Reservations cost $24 per night, and the campground offers running water, a dump station, and firewood. Some sites look directly out over the Pacific Ocean. It's one of the few campgrounds accessible in winter, so make your reservation as soon as the window opens.
Mora (94 sites, open year-round) is your base for Rialto Beach and the sea stacks at Hole-in-the-Wall. Reservations cost $24 per night, with running water and a dump station available. Wind and dampness are constant, so bring a sturdy tent.
South Beach (55 sites, open from late May through late September) is the most affordable coastal campground, at $15 per night on a first-come, first-served basis. Amenities are limited to restrooms. There is no running water or dump station.
Ozette (15 sites, first-come, first-served, $20 per night, maximum RV length 21 feet) is currently closed because of flooding. When it reopens, high water levels in the lake may lead to a partial or complete closure in winter. Check the status in the table before setting out.
Rainforest and south area
Hoh (78 sites, reservations required, $24 per night) lies in the temperate rainforest, 19 miles down a winding road. Running water, firewood, and bear lockers are available on site. This is where moss-covered ground and Sitka spruce create the park's most distinctive atmosphere.
Staircase (49 sites, reservations required, $20 per night) follows the North Fork Skokomish River on the Hood Canal side. Running water is available until around mid-October, before the system is winterized. The campground closes around November 1.
Graves Creek (30 sites, open year-round, first-come, first-served, $20 per night) sits in the Quinault rainforest beside a creek. Amenities are limited to restrooms and bear lockers. It's a good choice for a spontaneous stay outside the busy season.
Queets (20 sites, open year-round, first-come, first-served, $15 per night) is one of the park's most primitive campgrounds, with restrooms only. It's lightly used and remains accessible without a reservation even in summer.
North Fork (9 sites, open year-round, first-come, first-served, $20 per night) is the smallest of the 12 campgrounds. Primitive access, restrooms only.
RV or tent: which should you choose?
No campground in the park offers electric or water hookups at individual sites. Only three campgrounds have a dump station for gray and black water: Kalaloch, Mora, and Fairholme. Maximum vehicle lengths vary by site: 21 feet at Fairholme and Ozette, and 35 feet at Heart O' the Hills. The access roads to Hoh, Graves Creek, and Queets rule out very large vehicles. Our guide to vehicle-size restrictions and RV routes on the Olympic Peninsula covers the details.
Camping nearby: campgrounds outside the park
When the park is full, as it regularly is in July and August, private campgrounds around Port Angeles, Forks, and Lake Quinault can fill the gap. Some offer full hookups. All lodging around Olympic, including private campgrounds, is listed in our dedicated guide.
Backcountry camping
To sleep outside designated campgrounds, you need a wilderness permit. You can get one at Visitor Centers in Port Angeles, Hoh, Quinault, and Staircase, or online through recreation.gov for certain areas. Designated sites, no fires in most areas, and mandatory food storage are among the strict, enforced conservation rules. Our selection of multi-day Olympic backpacking routes presents options by difficulty.
How and when to reserve a campground in Olympic
Reservations are made through recreation.gov, with the booking window opening six months before your stay. For a July weekend, target the online release in early January, preferably first thing in the morning. Kalaloch and Mora fill within minutes. Of the 12 campgrounds, five accept reservations (Kalaloch, Mora, Fairholme, Hoh, and Staircase), while seven are first-come, first-served. That gives travelers without a fixed plan some options, especially outside the busy season.
Fees: how much does a night of camping cost in Olympic?
Sites cost between $15 and $24 per night, depending on the campground and its amenities. The five campgrounds with the most amenities (Kalaloch, Heart O' the Hills, Mora, Fairholme, and Hoh) cost $24. Staircase, Graves Creek, Ozette, and North Fork cost $20. South Beach, Queets, and Deer Park, which have no running water, cost $15. The park entrance fee ($30 per vehicle) is added to the camping fee. For annual passes valid at all national parks, see the National Park Fees and Passes page.
Camping safety and best practices
Black bears: The park is home to black bears (Ursus americanus). Never leave food, a trash bag, or scented items in your tent or vehicle. Several campgrounds have bear lockers. Use them every time they're available. In the backcountry, an NPS-approved bear canister is required in several areas. The Olympic wildlife guide explains bear behavior and what to do if you encounter one.
Roosevelt elk: The park's large elk regularly pass through campgrounds, especially at Hoh and Kalaloch. Keep your distance, at least 165 feet, and never get between a cow and her calf.
Weather conditions: Summer is the driest window, especially July, August, and September, with low-elevation temperatures ranging from 64 to 75°F. Showers are possible at any time. The road to Hurricane Ridge may close without warning during late-season snowfall. Monthly averages are available in our Olympic weather guide.
Rising rivers: The park's waterways rise quickly after rain. Never pitch your tent in a riverbed, even if it looks dry when you arrive.
For all current rules covering fires, pets, drones, and speed limits, see our complete Olympic guide.
Which campground is right for you?
Families: Kalaloch, with its large sites and ocean views, or Heart O' the Hills, close to accessible trails. See our Family page as well.
Forest and wilderness: Hoh, for the unique atmosphere of the temperate rainforest.
Lake: Fairholme, along Lake Crescent.
Van or RV: Kalaloch, Mora, or Fairholme, the park's three campgrounds with a dump station.
Travelers without reservations: Graves Creek, Queets, or North Fork, all open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis.
To explore Olympic beyond camping, our complete Olympic guide covers all the park's activities and lodging.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Olympic National Park's campgrounds located?
The 12 official Olympic campgrounds are spread across three areas: north and mountains (Heart O' the Hills, Fairholme, Deer Park), Pacific coast (Kalaloch, Mora, South Beach, Ozette), and rainforest and south (Hoh, Staircase, Graves Creek, Queets, North Fork). Roads within the park don't connect these areas, so choose your campground based on the ecosystem you want to explore.
What are the campground names in Olympic?
The 12 NPS-managed campgrounds are Kalaloch, Heart O' the Hills, Mora, Fairholme, Hoh, South Beach, Staircase, Graves Creek, Queets, Ozette, Deer Park, and North Fork. Kalaloch, with 170 sites, is the largest. Several are open year-round: Kalaloch, Heart O' the Hills, Mora, Graves Creek, Queets, and North Fork. Ozette is currently closed because of flooding.
What does an average week of camping in Olympic cost in August?
Nightly fees range from $15 to $24, depending on the campground. A week costs between $105 and $168, plus the park entrance fee ($30 per vehicle). The Annual Pass valid at all U.S. national parks quickly pays for itself on multiday trips.
When should you reserve a campground in Olympic?
As soon as the reservation window opens on recreation.gov, six months before your stay. For a July trip, target the early-January release first thing in the morning. Kalaloch and Mora fill within minutes. Seven of the 12 campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, leaving options outside the busy season.
Can you encounter bears while camping in Olympic?
Yes, the park is home to black bears. They're elusive but present in every area. Whenever bear lockers are available at your site, you must use them, and never leave food exposed, day or night.
How do you camp in Olympic's backcountry?
A wilderness permit is required for every night outside an official campground. You can get one at the park's Visitor Centers or online through recreation.gov. An approved bear canister is required, as is staying at the backcountry sites designated on your permit.