Rainforest and coast camping outside Olympic NP — moss, mountains, and the Pacific in one trip.
Olympic NF rings the national park on three sides. Dispersed camping is allowed on most NF roads, giving you access to old-growth rainforest, alpine lakes, and Pacific coast all within a single peninsula.
Why it's special
Three completely different ecosystems — temperate rainforest, glaciated peaks, raw Pacific coast — within an hour's drive. There's nowhere else in the US quite like it.
Best time to go
July through early October. Other months are wet; very wet.
Getting there
US-101 makes a loop around the peninsula; NF roads branch inland everywhere.
Know before you go
- Pack rain gear in any month.
- Cell service drops fast off 101.
- Black bear country.
- Some forest roads are washed out from recent storms — check before committing.
Pro tips from boondockers
- Hoh Rainforest and Hurricane Ridge for day trips into the national park.
- Free dispersed sites on the Quinault and Hoh roads.
- Forks (yes, that Forks) has the closest groceries to the west side.
- Tide tables matter on the coast — check before walking out.
Combine with
Olympic NP, Rialto Beach, Port Angeles.