Dear TripFinder,
Hi there! We’re driving down from BC for a summer camping road trip. We’re shooting for Bogachiel State Park and visiting the Hoh Rainforest on our first night, then looking for another stop or two between there and Oregon, something along the coast. Any camping stops come to mind? (places with last minute availability get bonus points, since we’re rolling with the flow of the road.) – Ariana
Hi Ariana,
It sounds like you’ve got a fabulous Washington Coast camping road trip to look forward to!
As you head south from Bogachiel State Park (don’t miss the Bogachiel River Trail–all the beauty of the Hoh River Valley without the crowds) Highway 101 joins the coast for a stretch. Kalaloch campground is here and it’s right on the wild beach, but it’s also one of the campgrounds in Olympic National Park that accept reservations in summer months (and for all the campsites too) so it’s not a top choice in the high season for spontaneous campers. DO make a stop at lovely Ruby Beach for a short but beautiful hike to several sea stacks–hunks of basalt that began their existence as lava flowed millions of years ago.
Highway 101 then leaves the coast again and heads towards Lake Quinault, where the south shore has three national forest campgrounds in close proximity (my favorite is Willaby Campground). You could camp here for the night and include a day hike up the Enchanted Valley Trail, one the most wildlife-rich hikes in Olympic National Park.
Or push on further, continuing south on Hwy 101 through the towns of Hoquiam and Aberdeen, then detour onto Hwy 105 heading west towards the coast again and the town of Westport, Washington. (Road Food: squeeze in a stop for a basket of fish & chips at Bennett’s Fish & Chips downtown Westport).
Three miles south of Westport is my top pick for you: Twin Harbors State Park. You likely need a reservation in summer, but here’s a pro tip: with close to 200 campsites, you might happen upon a cancellation within days of your stay. Keep an eye on the reservation page and snag one if comes available. It’s the same deal with Grayland Beach State Park just south of Twin Harbors.
I’d be remiss to not mention the beautiful and historic Cape Disappointment State Park at the mouth of the Columbia River and not far from the bridge to Astoria, Oregon. The truth is, you’d be rushed to make it here from Bogachiel in one day, leaving little time for exploring along the way. Cape D is one of the state’s finest parks, with two lighthouses, bluff trails and the awesome Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Camping is plentiful, but the park is so popular in summer that reservations are strongly recommended.
Hope this helps! Have a great trip!
