Camping in Olympic: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations, and Fees
Olympic National Park has about a dozen official campgrounds spread across three distinct ecosystems: the peaks of the Olympic Mountains, the Hoh temperate rainforest, and more than 62 miles of wild coastline. The short answer is yes, you can camp inside the park, but outside the main season, reservations aren't always possible. From June through September, booking ahead on recreation.gov is essential. To choose the best time to go, check the 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 Can You Camp Inside Olympic?
Yes, and it's one of the best ways to explore the park, which covers more than 3,700 square miles. Most of its campgrounds accommodate 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 Inside the Park
Olympic is a geographically fragmented park. The coast, mountains, and rainforest aren't connected by internal roads. Choose your campground based on the area you want to explore.
Northern and Mountain Areas
Heart O' the Hills (about 105 sites, open year-round) is a few miles from Port Angeles, along the road up to Hurricane Ridge. With easy access, flush toilets, and running water, it's the most convenient base for starting a stay in the park.
Elwha and Altaire (about 40 and 30 sites, respectively) line the Elwha River, whose restoration after the dams were removed in 2012 remains a world-renowned example of ecological rehabilitation. The river-forest setting is much quieter here than along the coast.
Fairholme (about 80 sites, seasonal) sits on the shore of Lake Crescent, known for its remarkable depth and clear water. You can launch a boat from the campground, and the road to Heart O' the Hills is less than an hour away.
Sol Duc (about 82 sites, seasonal) provides direct access to the hot springs at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, less than a 10-minute walk from the campground. Allow less than an hour of hiking to reach Sol Duc Falls.
Coastal Area
Mora (about 94 sites) is your base for Rialto Beach and the sea stacks at Hole-in-the-Wall. Wind and moisture are constant, so bring a four-season tent or a sturdy canopy.
Kalaloch (about 170 sites, open year-round) is the park's largest campground and one of the few accessible in winter. Some sites overlook the Pacific Ocean. Reservations are essential starting in late winter.
Rainforest and Southern Areas
Hoh (about 88 sites, open year-round) lies in the heart of the temperate rainforest, 19 miles down a winding road. This is where moss-covered ground and Sitka maples create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. When we visited in October, the constant drizzle made the place feel otherworldly.
Staircase (about 49 sites, seasonal) follows the North Fork Skokomish River on the Hood Canal side. It's less busy, so you're more likely to find a site without a reservation during the off-season.
Graves Creek (about 30 sites) and North Fork (a few primitive sites) serve the Quinault area from the south. They're ideal for spontaneous travelers who want to avoid the July and August crowds.
RV or Tent: Which Should You Choose?
None of the park's campgrounds offer electrical or water hookups at the site. Kalaloch and Sol Duc have dump stations for gray and black water. Before you reserve, check the maximum length allowed at each campground. The access roads to Hoh and Graves Creek, in particular, rule out very large vehicles. RV size restrictions and routes on the Olympic Peninsula are covered in our RV camping guide.
Camping Nearby: Campgrounds Outside the Park
When the park is full, which happens regularly in July and August, private campgrounds around Port Angeles, Forks, and Lake Quinault fill in. 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 the visitor centers in Port Angeles, Hoh, Quinault, and Staircase or, for some areas, online through recreation.gov. Designated sites, no fires in most areas, and mandatory food storage are strictly enforced. Our selection of multi-day Olympic hikes with overnight camping is organized by difficulty.
How and When to Reserve a Campground in Olympic
Reservations are made on recreation.gov, with a booking window opening six months before your stay. For a July weekend, aim for the online release in early January, preferably first thing in the morning. Kalaloch and Heart O' the Hills fill within minutes. Hoh and Staircase hold back some sites for first-come, first-served campers year-round, giving travelers without fixed plans a chance outside the peak season.
Fees: How Much Does a Night of Camping in Olympic Cost?
Basic sites start at $20 per night. Some Kalaloch sites, popular for their Pacific views, cost $24 to $30 per night. Primitive sites at Graves Creek and North Fork are cheaper. The park entrance fee ($30 per vehicle) is added to the camping fee. For a stay of several days, the $55 America the Beautiful pass quickly pays for itself. For entrance fees and annual passes valid in all national parks, see the National Park Fees & Passes page.
Camping Safety and Best Practices
Black bears: The park is home to a population of black bears (Ursus americanus). Never leave food, trash bags, or scented items in your tent or car. Always use the food lockers found at every campground. 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°F to 75°F. Showers are still possible at any time. The road to Hurricane Ridge may close without notice if late-season snow hits the mountains. Monthly averages are available in the Olympic weather guide.
Rising rivers: The park's waterways rise quickly after rain. Never pitch your tent in a riverbed, even if it is dry when you arrive.
For all current rules on fires, pets, drones, and speed limits, see the complete Olympic guide.
Which Campground Should You Choose?
For families: Kalaloch, for its large spaces and ocean views, or Heart O' the Hills, which is close to accessible trails. See our Family page as well.
Forest and wilderness: Hoh Rain Forest, for the unique atmosphere of the temperate rainforest.
Lake and hot springs: Fairholme, on Lake Crescent, or Sol Duc, with hot springs within walking distance.
Van or RV: Kalaloch or Sol Duc, both of which have a dump station.
Travelers without reservations: Graves Creek or Staircase, outside July and August.
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?
Olympic's official campgrounds are spread across the Olympic Peninsula in three areas: north and mountains (Heart O' the Hills, Elwha, Altaire, Fairholme, Sol Duc), the Pacific coast (Mora, Kalaloch), and rainforest and south (Hoh, Staircase, Graves Creek, North Fork).
What are the names of the campgrounds in Olympic?
The main campgrounds in the park are Heart O' the Hills, Elwha, Altaire, Fairholme, Sol Duc, Mora, Kalaloch, Hoh, Staircase, Graves Creek, and North Fork. Kalaloch and Hoh are the only two open year-round.
What is the average cost of a week of camping in Olympic in August?
At $20 to $30 per night depending on the campground, a week costs $140 to $210, plus the entrance fee ($30 per vehicle or $55 for the America the Beautiful pass, valid for one year in all U.S. national parks).
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, aim for the early-January release first thing in the morning. Kalaloch and Heart O' the Hills fill within minutes.
Can you encounter bears while camping in Olympic?
Yes, the park is home to black bears. They're elusive but present throughout the park. You must use the food lockers at your site and never leave food exposed, day or night.
How do you camp in the Olympic 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 following the designated campsites listed on your permit.