Guide to RVing Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park in Washington State covers a very big area of around 3,734 square kilometers which has three diverse ecosystems: glaciated mountains, bountiful temperate rainforests, and picturesque coasts.
Olympic National Park is home to a variety of beautiful landscapes, making it one of the greatest destinations to travel in an RV. These views range from a wide variety of magnificent scenery, including moss-covered old-growth forests, pure alpine lakes, and shimmering waters.
The most popular season for travel is summer, when beaches are asking to be combed, animals may be seen in their native habitats, and high mountain valleys burst with wildflowers.
The park is accessible all year. However, as hilly terrain tends to gather a lot of snow, campsites and highways occasionally close as a result of inclement weather.
The Hoh Campground is the ideal starting point for exploring the nearby Hoh Rain Forest. This is a well-known marvel of Washington and one of the most visited parts in the park.
The Hoh Rain Forest Visitors Center is an excellent site to start exploring the beautiful surroundings and is just a short stroll from the campground. The Hoh River Trail, one of Olympic National Park's top hiking routes, delves deep into the lush surroundings around.
Although there are no RV connections available, compact RVs can still park at the spots. All overnight visitors have access to potable water and flushing facilities but no shower facilities are available at this location.
There are 88 outstanding campsites at Fairholme campground. However, only RVs up to 21 feet in length will fit here. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis from April through September.
For those who want to spend the night in Lake Crescent the Fairholme Campground is a great choice. The Fairholme campsite, which is situated on the lake's more tranquil western bank, serves as a tranquil base camp for all of your kayaking, boating, and fishing excursions.
Children's swimming areas, boat launches, fire pits for grilling, and the general shop are all available in Fairholme so there are plenty of activities for you kids and amenities that you can use.
The campground Heart O' the Hills, which is 12 miles from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, provides the quickest access to Hurricane Ridge. Due to its proximity, the campsite is a great place to see the sunset and sunrise.
The Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Port Angeles are both near the campsite. Because of its close proximity, it's a well-liked location for the first night in the park or for quick overnight camping excursions.
The campsite is available all year long, although overnight guests must trek or snowshoe their stuff to the sites during periods of severe snowfall. At the campsite, the potable water and flush facilities are also turned off in the winter so if you plan on visiting in the winter you’ll need to come prepared with your own water tank.
One of the biggest campgrounds in Olympic National Park is Kalaloch Campground, which is situated on the South Coast and offers quick access to the water. There are 170 spaces there and several of them have ocean views.
The campsite is surrounded by the sounds, scents, and occasionally mist of the ocean, and it’s just a short stroll away from well-known beaches in the area. Ruby Beach and other nearby ocean access sites are only a short drive away. And just below the campsite, clinging to a crumbling cliffside, is the remarkable Tree of Life.
Every visitor staying the night has access to potable water and flushing restrooms. The compact spots accommodate RVs between 21 and 35 feet in length.
Mora Campground, which delineates the southern limit of the northern Wilderness Coast, offers access to Rialto Beach and other maritime environs.
The 94 sites at Mora Campground are open on a first-come, first-served basis and are surrounded by a lively coastal forest. All overnight visitors have access to temporary toilets and water, and some sites provide spectacular views of the Quillayute River just before it empties into the ocean.
The Mora Campground is also near to the Mora Ranger Station, which offers details about the region and is open in the summer. The Rialto Beach is fantastic to visit at sunset, and is another fantastic experience close to the Mora campsite.
The Sol Duc Campground is conveniently located between the trailhead for Sol Duc Falls and the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. It has around 100 roomy campsites available throughout the year.
A hiking route leads to the adjacent resort, which contains a general store with camping gear where you can get some supplies in case you need anything. Mineral pools within the resort are also accessible for a minor day-use charge. The picturesque Sol Duc Falls Route is ideal for a day trek with the family and is reachable through a hiking trail or a short drive in the other direction.
Staircase Campground is the closest one to Olympia and it’s located in the southeast of the park. The North Fork of the Skokomish River meanders close to several of the campsites, inviting overnight stays beneath the canopies of the Douglas firs that dominate the park.
First-come, first-served camping is offered at Staircase's 49 campsites, which frequently fill up during the summer. Potable water is supplied all summer long so you won’t need to fill up your entire water tank.
A fantastic place to start your exploration of the region is the nearby Staircase Ranger Station. Staircase Rapids, Wagonwheel Lake, and a number of backcountry access locations are among the nearby hiking paths that may be reached right away.
There are hiking trails wherever you turn at Olympic National Park due to the size of the wilderness there. You may climb the temperate rain forest trails that wind through the park's lush valleys, or you can hike the coastal parts with their beaches and views of the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, there are fantastic mountain paths that pass by summits, ridges, and crystal-clear alpine lakes.
With a little preparation and good fortune, tourists can get views of marmots, gray whales, black bears, Roosevelt elk, and mountain goats, among other animal species, in the park.
Within the confines of Olympic National Park, more than 4,000 miles of streams, 600 lakes, and 75 miles of coastal shoreline are all protected. For those who enjoy casting a line, that is a sizable amount of trout, salmon, and char.
As long as you keep in mind that the park monitors angling activities to protect native species and provide recreational fishing for park visitors, you must abide by the rules regarding fish and shellfish.
The Olympic National Park runs from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains for which it is named, with pure wilderness from forest to mountain. Visitors may enjoy everything they might want in a vacation destination: brisk walk along the beach at dusk, meadows blooming with wildflowers, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Olympic National Park is home to a variety of beautiful landscapes, making it one of the greatest destinations to travel in an RV. These views range from a wide variety of magnificent scenery, including moss-covered old-growth forests, pure alpine lakes, and shimmering waters.
Best Time To Visit Olympic National Park
The most popular season for travel is summer, when beaches are asking to be combed, animals may be seen in their native habitats, and high mountain valleys burst with wildflowers.
The park is accessible all year. However, as hilly terrain tends to gather a lot of snow, campsites and highways occasionally close as a result of inclement weather.
Where To Stay In Olympic National Park In An RV
Hoh Campground
The Hoh Campground is the ideal starting point for exploring the nearby Hoh Rain Forest. This is a well-known marvel of Washington and one of the most visited parts in the park.
The Hoh Rain Forest Visitors Center is an excellent site to start exploring the beautiful surroundings and is just a short stroll from the campground. The Hoh River Trail, one of Olympic National Park's top hiking routes, delves deep into the lush surroundings around.
Although there are no RV connections available, compact RVs can still park at the spots. All overnight visitors have access to potable water and flushing facilities but no shower facilities are available at this location.
Fairholme Campground
There are 88 outstanding campsites at Fairholme campground. However, only RVs up to 21 feet in length will fit here. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis from April through September.
For those who want to spend the night in Lake Crescent the Fairholme Campground is a great choice. The Fairholme campsite, which is situated on the lake's more tranquil western bank, serves as a tranquil base camp for all of your kayaking, boating, and fishing excursions.
Children's swimming areas, boat launches, fire pits for grilling, and the general shop are all available in Fairholme so there are plenty of activities for you kids and amenities that you can use.
Heart O’ The Hills Campground
The campground Heart O' the Hills, which is 12 miles from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, provides the quickest access to Hurricane Ridge. Due to its proximity, the campsite is a great place to see the sunset and sunrise.
The Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Port Angeles are both near the campsite. Because of its close proximity, it's a well-liked location for the first night in the park or for quick overnight camping excursions.
The campsite is available all year long, although overnight guests must trek or snowshoe their stuff to the sites during periods of severe snowfall. At the campsite, the potable water and flush facilities are also turned off in the winter so if you plan on visiting in the winter you’ll need to come prepared with your own water tank.
Kalaloch Campground
One of the biggest campgrounds in Olympic National Park is Kalaloch Campground, which is situated on the South Coast and offers quick access to the water. There are 170 spaces there and several of them have ocean views.
The campsite is surrounded by the sounds, scents, and occasionally mist of the ocean, and it’s just a short stroll away from well-known beaches in the area. Ruby Beach and other nearby ocean access sites are only a short drive away. And just below the campsite, clinging to a crumbling cliffside, is the remarkable Tree of Life.
Every visitor staying the night has access to potable water and flushing restrooms. The compact spots accommodate RVs between 21 and 35 feet in length.
Mora Campground
Mora Campground, which delineates the southern limit of the northern Wilderness Coast, offers access to Rialto Beach and other maritime environs.
The 94 sites at Mora Campground are open on a first-come, first-served basis and are surrounded by a lively coastal forest. All overnight visitors have access to temporary toilets and water, and some sites provide spectacular views of the Quillayute River just before it empties into the ocean.
The Mora Campground is also near to the Mora Ranger Station, which offers details about the region and is open in the summer. The Rialto Beach is fantastic to visit at sunset, and is another fantastic experience close to the Mora campsite.
Sol Duc Campground
The Sol Duc Campground is conveniently located between the trailhead for Sol Duc Falls and the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. It has around 100 roomy campsites available throughout the year.
A hiking route leads to the adjacent resort, which contains a general store with camping gear where you can get some supplies in case you need anything. Mineral pools within the resort are also accessible for a minor day-use charge. The picturesque Sol Duc Falls Route is ideal for a day trek with the family and is reachable through a hiking trail or a short drive in the other direction.
Staircase Campground
Staircase Campground is the closest one to Olympia and it’s located in the southeast of the park. The North Fork of the Skokomish River meanders close to several of the campsites, inviting overnight stays beneath the canopies of the Douglas firs that dominate the park.
First-come, first-served camping is offered at Staircase's 49 campsites, which frequently fill up during the summer. Potable water is supplied all summer long so you won’t need to fill up your entire water tank.
A fantastic place to start your exploration of the region is the nearby Staircase Ranger Station. Staircase Rapids, Wagonwheel Lake, and a number of backcountry access locations are among the nearby hiking paths that may be reached right away.
Things To Do In Olympic National Park
Hiking
There are hiking trails wherever you turn at Olympic National Park due to the size of the wilderness there. You may climb the temperate rain forest trails that wind through the park's lush valleys, or you can hike the coastal parts with their beaches and views of the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, there are fantastic mountain paths that pass by summits, ridges, and crystal-clear alpine lakes.
Wildlife Viewing
With a little preparation and good fortune, tourists can get views of marmots, gray whales, black bears, Roosevelt elk, and mountain goats, among other animal species, in the park.
Fishing
Within the confines of Olympic National Park, more than 4,000 miles of streams, 600 lakes, and 75 miles of coastal shoreline are all protected. For those who enjoy casting a line, that is a sizable amount of trout, salmon, and char.
As long as you keep in mind that the park monitors angling activities to protect native species and provide recreational fishing for park visitors, you must abide by the rules regarding fish and shellfish.
The Olympic National Park runs from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains for which it is named, with pure wilderness from forest to mountain. Visitors may enjoy everything they might want in a vacation destination: brisk walk along the beach at dusk, meadows blooming with wildflowers, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.