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Dosewallips State Park, only 60 miles north of Olympia, is the eastern gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. The region is made up of forests, mountains, rivers, beaches and deltas – and surrounded by sound and sea. This freshwater/saltwater park makes a perfect day or weekend trip. It can also serve as a base from which to explore the historic forts and charming small towns to the north, or the first night on a grand road trip around the peninsula.
The park's moss-carpeted forest and glacial river slope down to a shell-strewn delta on Hood Canal, a delight for clam-diggers, anglers, boaters, birders and beach explorers. The park features riverside campsites, cabins and five-person platform tents.
Guests may share space with the local elk herds that wander through camp. (Stay back 100 feet, and never offer food.) Bald eagles have been seen on the beach and great blue herons flock to the river.
The evening may find you grilling up a shellfish dinner and retiring to your cabin or tent, where you'll fall asleep to the sound of the river, enchanted by this lush, green corner of the country.
PARK FEATURES
Dosewallips State Park is a 1,064-acre, year-round camping park with 5 miles of shoreline on Hood Canal and the Dosewallips River. All camp areas are grassy and located in scenic, rustic settings.
All campsites are on the reservation system. The campground has 37 tent spaces, 58 utility sites, twelve cabins, one dump station, four restrooms (one ADA), and two showers (one ADA). Maximum site length is 40 feet (limited availability). During winter months (November 15 through March 1), the campground is winterized and only sites 21-29 have water. Winter water supply is still available.
This is a good size and well maintained facility with lots of RV and tent camping sites as well as about a dozen cabins to rent. The primary detractor is HWY 101 running through the park. On the whole, there were few loud vehicles within hearing distance. Although I'm sure you'd hear everything in a tent. The river does a great job of neutralizing most annoying noises.
There are multiple restrooms and shower buildings. You can buy firewood on site for $6 which is typically good for one evening fire. There's no playground except nature's own. I didn't notice any handicapped accessible rental cabins.
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Excellent park for family friendly vacations. Bring your bikes and scooters for the biking trail. Showers and restrooms throughout and many options for tents to RV spaces. Park pass included with your stay or you can purchase one for a year for not much more. Also, the squirrels will break into your Nutella and Graham crackers if you leave them out.
Beautiful, well cared for park. Our spot (89) was level, paved, and degrees free. Our loop was away from the main park and Hwy 101, which helped keep the noise down. The loop had a building with 2 pit toilets and a short walk to the main restroom/shower building.
Lots of fun little side trails to explore. It was amazing to see the salmon spawn. We camped for a couple nights and got to hear the elk bugle. The ranger we met during the day was really nice, but the one we met in the evening was a little rude to my family and I.
Stopped here to do some exploring and checked out the campground and river area. Definitely looks like a great spot to camp and has cabins available to rent also. The river access is close and there are some swimming spots but like all rivers, do not underestimate a slow looking river. Undercurrent is a real thing and you can be swept under so please be careful and have a life jacket.
