WA · Pacific Northwest
Olympic National Park
The most ecologically diverse national park in the US: active glacier mountains, temperate rainforest, and 73 miles of wild Pacific coastline in one loop. From Seattle it's a perfect 3–5 day roadtrip. The Hoh Rainforest feels genuinely prehistoric.
- Three completely different ecosystems in one park: glaciers, rainforest, wild coast
- Hoh Rainforest looks like Jurassic Park, with moss-draped trees 200+ years old
- Ruby Beach is the most dramatic wild beach in the continental US
- Rialto Beach tide pools have giant Pacific octopus and sea stars
- Olympic Discovery Trail connects Port Angeles to the coast for a multi-day bike trip
Free camping near Olympic National Park
Olympic NF: South Fork Hoh River Dispersed
Olympic National Forest (Pacific Ranger District)
Free dispersed camping in the Hoh River watershed just outside the national park. Ancient temperate rainforest: moss-draped maples, towering Sitka spruce. Completely wild.
How to get there
From US-101 at Hoh Oxbow, take Hoh Mainline Road into the national forest. Dispersed camping permitted on FS roads outside park boundary.
Olympic NF: Quinault Rain Forest Area Dispersed
Olympic National Forest (Pacific Ranger District)
Dispersed camping in the national forest surrounding Lake Quinault. Old-growth Sitka spruce and Douglas fir. Camp in the forest buffer outside the park, access Quinault trails by day.
How to get there
From Amanda Park on US-101, take S Shore Quinault Road into the forest. NF boundary is well-marked. Dispersed sites on NF land only.
Dispersed camping ground rules
- Usually a 14-night limit in one area, then you move on
- Camp at least 200 ft from water, trails and roads
- Pack out all trash. Leave no trace.
- Check local fire restrictions before building a campfire
- No potable water: bring or filter everything you drink
Rules vary by forest and BLM field office, so check with the local ranger district or field office before you go.
Find more free spots
Get an app like iOverlander to find places to camp on public land for free in the states. Other campers post what's there, how rough the road is and whether a ranger moved them on.
- iOverlander (opens in a new tab)Free. Campsites reported by other travelers, with recent notes on access, signal and rangers.
- Campendium (opens in a new tab)Free to browse. A map of free campsites across the US, much of it on public land, with reviews.
Spots change. Read the newest reports and any posted rules before you set up, and pack out everything you bring in.
When to go
- January: month to skip
- February: month to skip
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July: best month
- August: best month
- September: best month
- October
- November: month to skip
- December: month to skip
WanderRank Scores
Daily Cost
$20 to $65
per day (food + transit)
Campsites: $22/night
or free on nearby public land
Entry fee: $35
Plus gas for the drive
Recommended Stay
4 to 8
days · moderate difficulty
Drive time from your airport
Avoid if
- You hate rain. Even in July the rainforest averages 4+ inches/month
- You're not prepared for mountain weather. Conditions change fast above 5,000 ft