Olympic National Park, Washington

Camping in Olympic lets you experience several different Olympic Peninsula landscapes. Between hiking along mountain peaks to wildlife spotting in rainforests, there’s something for every nature lover here. And don’t forget to Instagram the sea stacks along the Pacific Coastline, which are among the tallest anywhere in Washington state.

This Washington state national park includes miles of hiking, with 70-miles of coastline hiking alone. Waterfall chasers will want to trek the four-mile Marymere Waterfall Trail to see one of the park’s tallest cascades. Equally beautiful trailheads exist along Quinault River, which is known for its healthy trout and salmon fishing. Hoh river also has great fishing.

Wildlife Watching in the park is a year-round activity. On that note, black bears are making a comeback in the area...so load up on bear spray and hide your trash.

Looking for a challenge? The trails at both Mount Storm King and High Divide: Seven Lake serve steep footpaths. But you’ll be rewarded with birds-eye vantage points of Lake Crescent and the shouldering old-growth forests. Hike these during the warmer summer and spring months to avoid tretours (and slippery) ice conditions.
This is also one of the most ecologically diverse national parks in the entire Pacific Northwest, filled by three distinctly different ecosystems:glacier-capped mountains, Pacific coast, and temperate rainforests.

Fun fact: Whale watching here is a popular past time. Seven species of these ocean-going giants travel through the area regularly, including humpbacks, sperm whales, and blue whales—the largest animal to ever live. Consider busting out your binoculars when camping or hiking Kalaloch Campround.

For RV camping and tent camping, seek out the sites at the park’s fourteen campgrounds. Most are open year round—unless the snowfall is really (really) heavy. Car camping is OK at most sites, as well. Kalaloch Campground and Sol Duc Campground the only campgrounds that accept reservations in the summer. All others, including the tent-only sites, can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
Campsites with water and electrical hookups are available at both Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and the Log Cabin Resort.

Also, make sure you only bring in locally sourced firewood. You can easily pick up any needed kindling on your way into the park.

We’d recommend hitting up this park sometime during the warmer months. (That is, unless you love snowshoeing.)