Olympic National Park~ RVing on the Washington Coast

Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is a place of diverse natural beauty, and no place is more beautiful than the rugged coastline that borders the Olympic National Park. There are three distinct regions of the Olympic National Park: the mountains, the rain forest and the coast. Because each area not only boasts of it’s own ecosystem, but is totally different from the others, I have chosen to write separate articles about each area.

This article will focus on the section of the Olympic National Park that stretches along the beautiful Pacific coast. Since we approached the park from the east, we came to the Olympic mountains first and our first experience with the Olympic National Park was at the Park visitors center in Port Angeles. (See my other hub Olympic National Park – Hurricane Ridge-Wildflower Pictures for pictures and information about the mountainous area of the park.) After spending more than a week exploring Hurricane Ridge, the Olympic National Park Rain Forest and the Olympic Peninsula, we moved on to the Olympic National Park Coast, one of the most beautiful places of the Pacific Northwest.

The Olympic National Park coastline is a 48 mile stretch of wilderness, one of the longest uninhabited coastal areas of the U.S. Sea Lions, eagles, seals, otters, whales and numerous sea birds live in this area. You have a good chance of seeing many forms of wildlife if you take time to walk along the coastline or hike some of the coastal trails.

Along much of Washington's rugged and rocky coast you will find fantastic rock formations sprouting from the water. Walk along the shoreline during low tide to see many different sea creatures in the shallow tide pools, but always check the tide schedules before you go exploring the shoreline. Tides can come in quickly, and strand the unwary hiker by cutting off the return route.

Kolaloch, with 170 sites (drinking water and dump station available), sits on a bluff 50’ above the beach. Many of the campsites are wooded, though some are in open areas with a view of the Pacific. South Beach, a few miles farther south, has no facilities. This campground is also situated on a high bluff, but sites are free of trees and brush. There are quite a few sites where RVers can park parallel to the ocean.

In places, high bluffs look down on beaches which are often strewn with giant timbers. These trees are washed down from the mountains during storms and carried into the ocean by the rushing water. After being tossed and tumbled in the ocean, they are tossed ashore, often piled like giant match sticks on the beaches. These timbers provide shelter and food for various birds and other wildlife along the coast. Don’t plan on swimming in this area as the waters are cold and treacherous with huge logs floating just beneath the surface.

Two of the park’s coastal campgrounds overlook such beaches: Kolaloch and South Beach (see below for more information). If you are lucky, as we were, you can get a campsite with an ocean view and a trail to the beach where you can get a close-up view. You won’t miss little luxuries like electricity when you can view a Pacific sunset while sipping a glass of wine before the campfire in your campsite.

Make your visit to the Olympic coast even better by going well-prepared. Be sure to stop into one of the visitor centers to pick up local maps as well as a map of the Olympic National Park. Rangers can also give you maps of trails and suggest walks suitable for your activity level. For your own comfort, safety and enjoyment, pack a small pack with the following items:

• Maps and Trail guides. Area visitor centers and the National Park visitor centers can provide you with local road maps as well as a good map of the Olympic National Park. If you plan to hike, be sure to pick up trail maps and ask the park rangers for a tide schedule.
• Snacks or lunch and water. There are few towns and restaurants along the northern coast, but there are many places where you can stop to have a picnic. Pack a lunch before you go and be sure to take some water and drinks along.
• Binoculars. Most of the bluffs are at least 50 ft. above the sand beaches, and while offering a good view, are not close enough to small objects to see detail without binoculars. Viewing the ocean and beaches from above will be more fun if you have a pair of binoculars to zero in on sea lions, birds or even whales.
• Digital camera. Carry along a digital camera with a zoom feature. There are too many wonderful scenes that you'll want to preserve.
• Walking shoes. Trails down to the beach and through the woods can be steep, slippery and rough. For your own safety, don't wear flip-flops or sandals.
• Hat and sunglasses. Even overcast days can have a bright glare, especially near the water.

The Olympic National Park has 16 campgrounds and a total of 892 campsites. Some of these campgrounds are open all year, while others close in the winter. The Kolaloch campground on the coast will accept reservations in the summer months. All the other campgrounds are on a first come, first served basis. Like many National Park campgrounds, none of the campgrounds have water or electric hookups, though water is usually available at a central location in each campground. There are no showers or laundry facilities.

RV Camping in Olympic National Park

If you are RV camping in Olympic National Park, it’s usually best to call ahead to check on size restrictions. Size limits range from 21’ to 35’ for RVs. Fees range from $12-18 a night, but if you are disabled or a senior with an America the Beautiful pass, you will get a 50% discount on camping. Dump stations are available for a $5 fee at the Fairholme, Hoh, Kalaloch, Mora and Sol Duc campgrounds.

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Copyright ©2010 Stephanie Henkel