Olympic National Park / Port Angeles

[vja3]

Going to be near Olympic National Park/Port Angeles area for one night - Sunday June 25th. We'd like to stay at Heart O' the Hills campground in the national park, but not sure if it's a good plan because it is a first-come/first-serve campground and we expect to arrive around 6:00-7:00pm. Is anyone familiar with this area and have an idea of what type of shot we have of finding a site (equipment=19 foot campervan) on a summer Sunday evening?

Alternatively, if Heart o the Hills is full when we arrive, will we be able to find something else nearby at the last minute? For example, the Olympic Peninsula/Port Angeles KOA is nearby. There are also a few other RV parks and State Parks. I am not familiar with this area at all. Does anyone more knowledgeable have a guess as to if we will find these places full on a late-June Sunday, or will something work out for us if we need to scramble at the last minute?

[vja3]

I've heard good things about Kalaloch, but I was thinking Mora Campground would be a little more convenient for my plans, which include stops at Rialto beach and Hoh Rainforest. I'm hoping to get reservations at Mora when they open 6 months out.

[enblethen]

On the coast side of the peninsula is a national park campground at Kalaloch. It has nice campground and a real nice dry camping overflow
Long way from Hurricane Ridge but good place to stay.
What is your plan for the peninsula portion of your trip?

[ppine]

The summer season is extremely busy in WA especially late June to Labor
Day. It is the only "less wet" time of year. Get reservations. PA is a long way from Olympic NP.

[vja3]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. We'll go the safer route and make a reservation somewhere.

[ScottG]

Campgrounds are so busy around here that there's just no way I would count on getting a spot at any first-come type of place - especially that late in the day.
I would stay where I can get a reservation.

[profdant139]

For what it's worth, we liked Elwha RV Park -- fairly well located, good management.

The campgrounds inside the national park are very nice and are thus very popular, as you have already discovered.

[enblethen]

I would try to get to park much earlier in the day. I would be looking at closer to 2 PM. Summer is a very busy time on Pennisula.

[vja3]

Appreciate the response. This is part of a longer trip around the Olympic peninsula. We are planning to hike the Hurricane Ridge area the next day and would like to stay as close as possible - meaning Heart o' the Hills campground. Just not sure that hoping to get lucky there on a Sunday evening is wise.

Seems like the safest bet would be to just book one of the state parks that are an hour or so away.

[dedmiston]

Hi via,

Welcome to the forum.

I don’t know that camp, but FCFS sounds risky that late in the day that time of year, even on a Sunday.

I think you’d be better off getting reservations someplace else, especially if you only have one night.

Is this part of a cross-country trip? Have fun.